Barbara lead vocal, keyboards Barry b/u vocal, keys, guitars, percussion, stuff lying around
Buster n' Babbles
Barbara and Barry Simmons (aka Buster n' Babbles) play music with passion and make room for organic spontaneity (sculpting sound). We'll drop just about anything for a chance to play music (and drink coffee or wine.) Our influences include jazz, pop, rock, classical all fused with the Spirit. Kinda like Sempe meets Diana Krall on a bad night. (Sempe is a funky French cartoonist who specializes in drawing musicians and musical themes.) Our stuff is usually "down tempo" and chilled. These days, most of our music time is recording clients in our studio, The Jazz Kitchen. We'd like to do more of our own stuff, but we're full-time musicians and the studio work definitely helps with the bills...besides, we really like the work with clients.
These songs were recorded in The Jazz Kitchen, using two Roland 1680's linked by VS-Pro. (No small animals were harmed and only one piece of furniture was kicked in while wrestling with the instruction manuals and software.)
"Heaven in Your Arms" is a pure love song, written at 3AM after dinner on a roof top patio and later events.
"So Good" is a story song, written for Babbles' father by her cousin Garry Dueck. This is kinda retro rock but less country than the original version. Thanks Garry. Some additional family members played on this one as well as us.
"You Are All" is a kinda jazzy worship song, probably not something you would hear in most churches but, lyric aside, more often on an 'easy jazz' station. We do some live worship and this song brings together both the worship and jazzy pop sides of what we do.
"Waterfall" is a love song, pure and simple with a cool, jazzy feel. The song was #1 on VSPR for several weeks and was honored to be selected as "Producer's Choice" for the "VSPR Compilation 2" CD. In the first half of 2007, it peaked at #3 on Cashbox Magazine's "Easy Listening" genre.
"Strength to Strength" is musical interpretation of artwork as commissioned by one of our clients. The song grooves, reminding us that help is on the way if we but ask for it.
"Hidden" was also composed as a trippy interpretation of artwork. Its not all that "radio-friendly" but kinda cool and jazzy. Just let the sounds wash over you and enjoy the restful feeling.
