Featuring Peppy Castro, the Alessi Brothers and former Aviator drummer Mike Ricciardella, Barnaby Bye are back with a stellar pop record worthy of your attention.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Barnaby Bye
ALBUM: Thrice Upon A Time
LABEL: Pink Records
YEAR: 2008
CD INFO: Discogs Info List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Billy Alessi – lead & background vocals, keyboards * Bobby Alessi – lead & background vocals, guitars * Peppy Castro – lead & background vocals, bass * Mike Ricciardella – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Where Do We Stand * 02 Ditz About You * 03 In Another World * 04 Oh My * 05 It’s Alright * 06 Bye * 07 There’s A Hope * 08 Two Geminis * 09 You’re Not Alone * 10 You And I * 11 Helps On The Way * 12 Angels * 13 Do It Suite * 14 Just Like That (Live) * 15 No Getting Around My Love (Live)
RATING: 85/100
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Link
Barnaby Bye Background
‘Thrice Upon A Time’ is the reunion album from NYC 70’s band Barnaby Bye. The band featured Peppy Castro, the Alessi Brothers and former Aviator drummer Mike Ricciardella. Barnaby Bye are back with a stellar pop record worthy of your attention.
The Songs
Admittedly, it took me a while to get into ‘Thrice Upon A Time’. Having owned the two Barnaby Bye albums for several years. I grew in appreciation of their aural delights quite recently, I was expecting more of the same.
Yeah, it’s a trap many of us fall into but time moves on and artists grow as Barnaby Bye certainly has. Gone for the most part are the Wings and Pilot. Not forgetting Harry Nilsson– in favor of a modern pop sound that really should be all over the radio.
There are several standout cuts here. I really enjoyed the ‘Ditz About You’ and ‘In Another World’ which is wonderfully constructed pop made for today’s listeners. More please.
‘Two Geminis’ is a throwback to the early Barnaby Bye and Freddie Mercury‘s school of song writing. It’s great fun but the best cuts are near the end.
This includes the wonderful ‘You & I’ with vocals by Castro and should light a fire under any self respecting Balance fan. If that’s not enough, how about a smokin’ live version of the Balance chestnut ‘No Getting Around My Love’.This is worth the price of the disc alone.
In Summary
Barnaby Bye are playing a lot of shows in the New York area so check ’em out if your in the neighborhood. Let’s hope a second album is in the works picking up right were they left off with ‘Thrice Upon A Time’. Welcome back boys.
Barnaby Bye on Video
Track Mix
