FEATURE:
Them Heady People
The Collaborators Who Have Worked with Kate Bush
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WHEN thinking about Kate Bush’s albums…
PHOTO CREDIT: Andy Phillips
I think about the collaborators. Whether they are well-known musicians or players who were a little less starry, they have all made their own impact on her music. Through the years, I have discussed some of the musicians who have performed on Kate Bush albums. I recently talked about Prince. He appeared on The Red Shoes’ Why Should I Love You? I think right back to the start. Then, Kate Bush did not really have the cache and pulling power to have major artists playing on her albums. I think it was the case that she wanted to keep things distinct and not let her music have too many other voices in the mix. It wasn’t until The Dreaming (1982) or Hounds of Love (1985) where she really started expanding her sound. Bringing more voices into her albums around the time of The Sensual World (1989) and The Red Shoes (1993). Even as a solo artist, Kate Bush was not the only player or voice in the mix. Some solo artists strip things back and keep it about them. However, Bush has always worked with other musicians. I guess it was quite impressive that The Kick Inside featured musicians from Pilot (Ian Bairnson), Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel (Duncan Mackay) and The Alan Parsons Project/Pilot (David Patton). Bush had her own musicians that she wanted to work with from the start. Her brother Paddy was in the mix but it wasn’t until 1980’s Never for Ever where she could include people that she really wanted to work with (outside of friends and family). Brian Bath was an old friend. I also love how John Giblin, Del Palmer and Alan Murphy were in the cast of musician. As a producer, Bush could definitely expand her palette and look around to artists and musicians she wanted to work with. I think on The Kick Inside and Lionheart (1978) producer Andrew Powell had in mind some established musicians and did not really want other vocalists. Even though Paddy Bush, Ian Bairnson and other did some backing vocals, there were no big names as such. That changed slightly from Never for Ever.
Roy Harper was one of the first big names to feature on a Kate Bush album. Providing backing vocals to the single, Breathing, he was an artist that Bush admired. Even though Kate Bush was working with Peter Gabriel around this time, he did not (and has not) feature on her albums. Bush sung on You (The Game Part III) with Roy Harper. I do like how Kate Bush was willing to let other vocalists especially into her music. Although there was an absence of female collaborators, Bush knew that other vocalists could add something to her sound. Think about The Dreaming. If there was a more traditional or Rock/Pop sound on her first two or three albums, there was a broader vision on The Dreaming. Not only are there Irish instruments from Liam O’Flynn, Seán Keane and Dónal Lunny. In terms of vocalists who were adding their touch, Paddy Bush, Ian Bairnson, Stewart Arnold and Gary Hurst were in there. Keeping friends and relations very much at the core. However, there was a little bit of magic from David Gilmour on Pull Out the Pin. The Dreaming’s title track having so many layers and effects in them. Gosfield Goers and Percy Edwards. I think my favourite examples of vocal collaborators comes from the final two tracks. Houidini has Gordon Farrell simply saying “Houdini”. Del Palmer voices “Rosabel believe”.
Rather than having a big duet or putting someone too firmly in the mix, Bush very carefully and economically used these collaborators. Think about Paul Hardiman adding braying and donkey noises to Get Out of My House. I think Kate Bush was making albums like The Dreaming and Hounds of Love and not really thinking them as albums to tour. In terms of the dense nature of some of the songs and the scope of them. Perhaps they would not have translated to the stage that easily back then. Hounds of Love saw new vocal and instrumental textures. Irish sounds in there but also the distinct bass sounds of Eberhard Weber and Martin Glover (Youth). Bush switching things up and keeping it fresh. Also, blending established and better-known musicians with those who were not as big. Hounds of Love very much framed Kate Bush’s vocals and she was at the forefront. However, certain songs benefited from other vocalists. The cast of voices that appear on Waking the Witch. Voices trying to wake Kate Bush’s heroine adrift at sea. Included in there are her two brothers, Paddy and John. Hello Earth given swell and grandeur from The Richard Hickox Singers. I do wonder how Kate Bush came into contact with these types of artists. Of course, the more successful she became, the more ambitious she was regarding those working with her. Hounds of Love could have had mainstream artists or music heroes in there. However, I like her choice of vocal and musical collaborators. More about the depth and distinct sounds as opposed any commercial allure. Different genres and styles too. From choral to an Irish frenzy, there is so much explored here.
The Sensual World seems an album more about the importance of the sonics and players rather than vocals. The most notable collaborators on that album are the Trio Bulgarka. The first two Bush worked with female vocalists. Their power and brilliance one of the most potent elements of The Sensual World. An album that did not need a lot of other voices. Perhaps Kate Bush was thinking about the female voice and did not want too many male voices in there. An album exploring femininity and Bush was now in her thirties. Things did change for The Red Shoes. An album that was recorded with a mind of taking it onto the road. A live feel that runs through it. Sounding like it was recorded quite quickly, it is the most interesting album in terms of the vocal collaborators. One of the first albums where a few big names were in there together. Nigel Kennedy playing violin. Prince of course on Why I Should Love You? Also on that song was Lenny Henry. I do wonder how and why he was chosen. It does like quite a lot of random people put together. Bush also pulling in bigger musicians too. Eric Clapton playing on The Red Shoes. Trio Bulgarka featuring again. Also, Colin Lloyd Tucker. There was more focus and unity on Aerial (2005). Fewer big names lending their vocals. Rolf Harris being a black mark on the album (not Kate Bush’s fault in any way). I do think there is more richness and better economy on Aerial. Like The Dreaming or Never for Ever, vocalists used fairly sparsely but to great effect. Michael Wood on A Coral Room. Lol Creme featuring on π and Nocturn. Which album has the best blend of musicians and singers? One might argue Hounds of Love though Aerial must be right up there.
On every album, Kate Bush knows what sound she needs. Whether it is the musicians or other voices, Bush’s instincts nearly always right. Perhaps The Red Shoes is a bit messy in that sense. Some might saw 50 Words for Snow is another. Musically brilliant, this was an album with some huge names lending their voice. Stephen Fry on the title track. Elton John on Snowed in At Wheeler Street. Andy Fairweather Low on Wild Man. I wanted to explore the musical and vocal guests on Kate Bush’s albums. I am curious to see what will come from a new Kate Bush album. Whether she will choose to have other vocalists on it or not. I suspect that she will opt for her voice to be the main instrument, though there is definitely going to be some collaborations. I think the music guests will be the most interesting. In terms of the players. At a time when her work is reaching new generations and a range of artists around the world, will she reach out to some of them at all? As this is Kate Bush, you can never say what she will do. I love the richness of her albums and the diversity of stories and shades. Songs that stand up to repeated listens because of the people on them. In all cases, Bush seamlessly blending with these people. Listening through her albums, I love identifying the musicians and singers. How they are slot together. What it would have looked like when they were in the studio together. Kate Bush working alongside…
SOME wonderful people.