Search - Billy Barber :: Lighthouse

It's all about the music.

09/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Billy Barber is probably better known as the keyboardist and primary contributing composer to the 80s and 90s fusion group "Flim and the BBs," but this solo album really gives him an opportunity to strut his stuff.First, the bad stuff. By today's standards, the synthesized sounds; e.g. "Roller Coaster" or voices on "Heaven Help Us," are fairly harsh and/or corny. But this is more than made up for in the Montage, when he throws away the electronic experimentation (which was admittedly advanced for the time), sits at his piano and digs down deep to the heart of the music.And this is where the good stuff starts. The music. Flim and the BBs was a great improvisational group that was willing to cut loose and play straight-ahead jazz in a way that the Yellowjackets, for example, usually refuse to do. But even with Flim and the BBs, Billy Barber's virtuosic talents were reined in, except on occasional highlight pieces such as "Fun House" on the "Big Notes" album. If you liked that piece, you'll love this album.There is much more introspection on this solo album, though. Barber is able to not only cut loose into some really bluesy piano playing, but is able to pull it back and play some of the sweetest, simplest passages that make you just sit back and smile (or weep uncontrollably, depending on your day).It's light hearted, it's melancholic, it's expressive, it's simple. But most of all, Barber has demonstrated that sometimes the best way to bring out the music is to get rid of most of the instruments."

The Man Who Wasn't There

John P Bernat | Kingsport, TN USA | 05/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Billy Barber played with "Flim & the BBs" in their earliest explorations of the potential in partnering traditional jazz with electronics.



Here, in this solo effort, he shows his capability for non-jazz outings. His Chopin recording shows not only piano virtuousity (which Chopin will do) but also such heart and love.



I used this track twenty years ago as a sound background for a video compliation of movies of my best friend's son. Two weeks ago, he and I were driving somewhere and the song came on. Instantly, he said, "That's Matt's song."



That's the thing about Barber's music - you take ownership of it. It's light and yet deep, and it tells you things about how you're feeling.



I loved his stuff, and it's a shame he ended this thrust of his creative life and experience. His most recent work with members of his family is not attractive or listenable.



That does not take away from what he accomplished years ago, though. He gave so many people a soundtrack and lent joy and meaning to us all."

Energetic and fun.

A. Sullivan | Saint Paul, MN United States | 01/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Billy Barber is an extremely talented keyboardist and a gifted composer. Each piece on the Lighthouse album is unique and enjoyable. This is a CD I was fortunate to have while growing up. I love listening to it today just as much as when I was younger. The music is fun, intelligent, uplifting and very spirited."