My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (album)

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
Studio album by Brian Eno–David Byrne
Released February 1981 (1981-02)
Recorded August 4, 1979 – October 1980
Studio
Genre
Length 39:40
Language
Label Sire/Warner Bros.
Producer
  • Brian Eno
  • David Byrne
Brian Eno & David Byrne chronology
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
(1981)		 Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
(2008)String Module Error: Match not foundString Module Error: Match not found
David Byrne chronology
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
(1981) String Module Error: Match not foundString Module Error: Match not found		 The Catherine Wheel
(1981) String Module Error: Match not foundString Module Error: Match not found
Brian Eno chronology
Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics
(1980) String Module Error: Match not foundString Module Error: Match not found		 My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
(1981) String Module Error: Match not foundString Module Error: Match not found		 Ambient 4: On Land
(1982) String Module Error: Match not foundString Module Error: Match not found
2006 re-issue cover
Singles from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
  1. "America Is Waiting"
    Released: 1981
  2. "The Jezebel Spirit"
    Released: 1981

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts is the first collaborative album by Brian Eno and David Byrne, released in February 1981. It integrates sampled vocals and found sounds, African and Middle Eastern rhythms, and electronic music techniques.[4] It was recorded prior to Eno and Byrne's work on the Talking Heads album Remain in Light (1980), but sample clearance problems delayed its release by several months.

The extensive use of sampling is considered innovative, though its influence on later sample-based music genres is debated.[6][7] Pitchfork listed it as the 21st best album of the 1980s, while Slant Magazine listed the album at No. 83 on its list of the "Best Albums of 1980s".[8]

Recording

Eno and Byrne first worked together on More Songs About Buildings and Food, the 1978 album by Byrne's band Talking Heads. My Life was primarily recorded during a break between the Talking Heads albums Fear of Music (1979) and Remain in Light (1980), both of which Eno worked on.

Eno described the album as a "vision of a psychedelic Africa".[9] Rather than conventional pop or rock singing, most of the vocals are sampled from other sources, such as commercial recordings of Arabic singers, radio disc jockeys, and an exorcist. Musicians had previously used similar sampling techniques, but according to Dave Simpson, it had never before been used "to such cataclysmic effect" as on My Life.[10]

In 2001, Eno denied that he and Byrne had invented sampling, citing Holger Czukay's experiments with dictaphones and short-wave radios as earlier examples. He felt that the "difference was, I suppose, that I decided to make [sampling] the lead vocal".[11] The release was delayed while legal rights were sought for the large number of samples used in the album.[12]

The album title is derived from Amos Tutuola's 1954 novel My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. According to Byrne’s 2006 sleeve notes, neither he nor Eno had read the novel, but felt the title "seemed to encapsulate what this record was about".[12]

Samples

Notes below indicated the voices sampled, from the liner notes.[13]

Side one

  1. "America Is Waiting" – Ray Taliaferro of KGO NEWSTALK AM 810, San Francisco, April 1980.
  2. "Mea Culpa" – Inflamed caller and smooth politician replying, both unidentified. Radio call-in show, New York, July 1979.
  3. "Regiment" – Dunya Yunis [sic], Lebanese mountain singer, from The Human Voice in the World of Islam (Tangent Records TGS131)[14]
  4. "Help Me Somebody" – Reverend Paul Morton, broadcast sermon, New Orleans, June 1980.
  5. "The Jezebel Spirit" – Unidentified exorcist, New York, September 1980.

Side two

  1. "Qu'ran" – Algerian Muslims chanting the Qur'an. (same source as track 3)
  2. "Moonlight in Glory" – The Moving Star Hall Singers, Sea Island, Georgia. (From The Moving Star Hall Singers, Folkways FS 3841), produced by Guy Carawan.
  3. "The Carrier" – *Dunya Yunis. (same source as track 3)
  4. "A Secret Life" – Samira Tewfik ("Hobak Mor"), Lebanese popular singer. (from Les Plus Grandes Artistes du Monde Arabe, EMI)
  5. "Come with Us" – *Unidentified radio evangelist, San Francisco, April 1980

Packaging

The original package design was created by Peter Saville. The cover image was created by pasting small cutout humanoid shapes onto a monitor and pointing a camera at it to create video feedback, infinitely multiplying the shapes: "Somehow, despite it being very techie, these techniques also seemed analogous to what we were doing on the record. It was funky as well as being techie. Extremely lo-tech, actually, and not what you were supposed to do with a TV set."[15]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Rolling Stone[16]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[17]
Spin Alternative Record Guide6/10[18]
The Village VoiceC+[19]
2006 re-issue
Review scores
SourceRating
Blender[20]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[21]
The Guardian[22]
The Independent[23]
Mojo[24]
The Observer[25]
Pitchfork8.5/10[26]
Q[27]
Uncut[28]

In Rolling Stone, Jon Pareles applauded My Life in the Bush of Ghosts as "an undeniably awesome feat of tape editing and rhythmic ingenuity" that generally avoids "exoticism or cuteness" by "complementing the [speech] sources without absorbing them".[16] Village Voice critic Robert Christgau was less impressed, finding the recordings "as cluttered and undistinguished as the MOR fusion and prog-rock it brings to the mind's ear", while lacking "the songful sweep of Remain in Light or the austere weirdness of Jon Hassell".[19] AllMusic critic John Bush describes it as a "pioneering work for countless styles connected to electronics, ambience and Third World music".[3]

In a 1985 interview, singer Kate Bush said that Bush of Ghosts "left a very big mark on popular music".[29] Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright said it "knocked me sideways when I first heard it – full of drum loops, samples and soundscapes. Stuff that we really take for granted now, but which was unheard of in all but the most progressive musical circles at the time... The way the sounds were mixed in was so fresh, it was amazing."[30]

Reissue

The album was reissued on March 27, 2006 in the UK and April 11, 2006 in the US, remastered and with seven extra tracks. To mark the reissue, two songs were made available to download, consisting of the entire multitracks. Under the Creative Commons License, members of the public are able to download the multitracks, and use them for their own remixes.

The track "Qu'ran" was excluded from the reissue. In an interview for Pitchfork, Byrne said:

Track listing

All music composed by Brian Eno and David Byrne, except "Regiment" by Eno, Byrne, and Michael "Busta Cherry" Jones.

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."America Is Waiting"3:36
2."Mea Culpa"3:35
3."Regiment"3:56
4."Help Me Somebody"4:18
5."The Jezebel Spirit"4:55
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Qu'ran"3:46
2."Moonlight in Glory"4:19
3."The Carrier"3:30
4."A Secret Life"2:20
5."Come with Us"2:38
6."Mountain of Needles"2:35

In the 1982 second edition, the track "Qu'ran"—which features samples of Qur'anic recital—was removed at the request of the Islamic Council of Great Britain. In its place "Very, Very Hungry" (the B-side of "The Jezebel Spirit" 12" EP)[32] was substituted. The first edition of the CD (1986) included both tracks, with "Very, Very Hungry" as a bonus track. Later editions (1990 and later) followed the revised LP track order without "Qu'ran."

Ghosts

A widely circulated bootleg of outtakes was released in 1992 as Klondyke Records KR 21. Sound quality is nearly equal to the original CD release.

  1. "Interview" – 3:03 (excerpt from Brian's February 2, 1980 KPFA-FM interview, where he discusses recording the album)
  2. "Mea Culpa" – 4:56
  3. "Into the Spirit Womb" [sic](actual title as spoken on the track is "Into the Spirit World") – 6:07 ("The Jezebel Spirit" with the original Kathryn Kuhlman vocals, which her estate refused to license)
  4. "Regiment"  (Byrne, Eno, Jones) – 4:13
  5. "The Friends of Amos Tutuola" – 2:01 ("Two Against Three" in the official 2006 re-release)
  6. "America Is Waiting"  (Byrne, Eno, Laswell, Wright, Van Tieghem) – 3:42
  7. "The Carrier" – 4:22
  8. "Very Very Hungry" – 3:25
  9. "On the Way to Zagora" – 2:43 ("Pitch to Voltage" in the official 2006 re-release)
  10. "Les Hommes Ne Le Sauront Jamais" – 3:33 ("Number 8 Mix" in the official 2006 re-release)
  11. "A Secret Life" – 2:34
  12. "Come with Us" – 2:42
  13. "Mountain of Needles" – 2:31

Except as noted, the tracks are the same mix as originally released.

2006 expanded issue

Remastered, with bonus tracks. 2, 3, 7 and 8 are longer than on the original album.

  1. "America Is Waiting"  (Byrne, Eno, Laswell, Wright, Van Tieghem) – 3:38
  2. "Mea Culpa" – 4:57
  3. "Regiment"  (Byrne, Eno, Jones) – 4:11
  4. "Help Me Somebody" – 4:17
  5. "The Jezebel Spirit" – 4:56
  6. "Very, Very Hungry" – 3:21
  7. "Moonlight in Glory" – 4:30
  8. "The Carrier" – 4:19
  9. "A Secret Life" – 2:31
  10. "Come with Us" – 2:42
  11. "Mountain of Needles" – 2:39
  12. "Pitch to Voltage" – 2:38
  13. "Two Against Three" – 1:55
  14. "Vocal Outtakes" – 0:36
  15. "New Feet" – 2:26
  16. "Defiant" – 3:41
  17. "Number 8 Mix" – 3:30
  18. "Solo Guitar with Tin Foil" – 3:00

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog
Worldwide 1981 Sire LP 1-6093
CD 2-6093
E'G 48
1988 Sire 2-6093
Cassette tape 4-6093
1990 CD 2-45374
1991 LP 1-45374
Cassette tape 4-45374
1999 EMI CD 0777 7 86473 2 4
Sire 45374
2006 Nonesuch 79894

Chart performance

Chart (1981) Peak
position
UK Albums Chart 29
New Zealand Albums Chart 8[33]
US Albums Chart 44
Chart (2006) Peak
position
Belgian (Flanders) Albums Chart 62[34]

References

  1. ↑ Bob W., White (2012). Music and Globalization: Critical Encounters. Bloomingtom: Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-35712-0.
  2. ↑ Ciabattoni, Steve (April 28, 2003). "CMJ Silver Salute". CMJ New Music Report. 75 (811). Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Bush, John. "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts – Brian Eno / David Byrne". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  4. 1 2 Bogdanov, Vladimir et. al. All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2002. P. 368.
  5. ↑ Segal, Dave. "Record Review: Brian Eno Couldn't Have Made a Better Farewell Album Than The Ship (Whether It's a Farewell or Not)". The Stranger. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  6. ↑ Fact Magazine: "The Essential... Brian Eno - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" Archived 2010-08-16 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ Popmatters Review: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (2006 Reissue)
  8. ↑ "Best Albums of the 1980s". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
  9. ↑ "Sounds: The Life of Brian in the Bush of Ghosts". music.hyperreal.org. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  10. ↑ Brian Eno and David Byrne, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts | | guardian.co.uk Arts
  11. ↑ Sheppard, David (July 2001). "Cash for Questions". Q.
  12. 1 2 Bush of Ghosts- Making Of Essay by David Byrne, 2005. Archived December 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ "My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts - Encylotronic.com". Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  14. ↑ Feld, Steven; Kirkegaard, Annemette (2010), Entangled Complicities in the Prehistory of 'World Music': Poul Rovsing Olsen and Jean Jenkins Encounter Brian Eno and David Byrne in the Bush of Ghosts, Popular Musicology Online, ISSN 1357-0951, retrieved 2012-05-11
  15. ↑ album and video web page Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  16. 1 2 Pareles, Jon (2 April 1981). "My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  17. ↑ Considine, J. D. (1992). "Brian Eno". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly. The Rolling Stone Album Guide (3rd ed.). Random House. p. 228. ISBN 0679737294.
  18. ↑ Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig, eds. (1995). "Brian Eno". Spin Alternative Record Guide. New York: Vintage Books. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  19. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (4 May 1981). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  20. ↑ "David Byrne and Brian Eno: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Blender (46): 123. April 2006.
  21. ↑ Nashawaty, Chris (7 April 2006). "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  22. ↑ Simpson, Dave (24 March 2006). "Brian Eno and David Byrne, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  23. ↑ Gill, Andy (24 March 2006). "Album: Brian Eno & David Byrne". The Independent. London.
  24. ↑ "David Byrne and Brian Eno: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Mojo (150): 122. May 2006.
  25. ↑ Cowley, Jason (19 March 2006). "Reissue of the month: Brian Eno and David Byrne, My Life In the Bush of Ghosts". The Observer. London. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  26. ↑ Dahlen, Chris (23 March 2006). "David Byrne & Brian Eno: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  27. ↑ "David Byrne and Brian Eno: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Q (238): 137. May 2006.
  28. ↑ "David Byrne and Brian Eno: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Uncut (107): 119. April 2006.
  29. ↑ Gaffaweb - Kate Bush - REACHING OUT - MTV - Unedited
  30. ↑ Q, November 1996
  31. ↑ Dahlen, Chris (2006-07-17). "Interviews: David Byrne". Pitchfork Media.
  32. ↑ Brian Eno Discography (official)
  33. ↑ "charts.org.nz – Brian Eno & David Byrne – My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  34. ↑ "ultratop.be – Brian Eno & David Byrne – My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". Ultratop. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
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