Roots Archives Forum

Hi bredas...

Just a point about those *singing birds* that are real *digikal birds*... used on too many early 80s roots songs...

I really hate them! But suddenly, and I dont know why, they were all overdubbing their songs with those annoying *chip chip chip* ... Studio One did it, Channel One used them and even the 12 Tribes on their hard roots showcase...

I guess it was the beginning of digital effects and it sounded so cool to add them... Or maybe there is another explanation..? Do you enjoy them yourself?

Guidance

i think you are right about them being one of the first digital effects, and sound a lot more in place than a telephone ring or gunshot. i do like winston rodney's birdcalls on many of his fine records...

Where did it start?

Is it a Sly and Robbie thing? I know of it in Burning Spears' Social Living and than a tune or two Black Uhuru.

I seem to remember Coxsone putting the tweeting bird sound on a remix of Dennis Brown's "Easy Take It Easy" and for me it absolutely ruined it.

Regards

Rob

exact... Im not sure it fully ruined it... but would be better without! This second version has a dancehall drumbeat overdub too...

There were a few early toasters that could make bird sounds with their voice, maybe it was recognised and easier to add then some of the more adventurous sounds at the time.

Dennis Browns Easy take it easy is a good tune, as is Gregory Isaacs cut, never seems to come up..

I agree that Dennis Brown's Easy Take It Easy is a good tune but I much prefer the cut that doesn't have the tweeting birds overdubbed.

Regards

Rob

Might be a bit OT since it's not an effect but I love it when Ras Michael belts out his parrot voice. At least it sounds like a parrot, he used to do it often in concert and I think he did it on record, maybe it's Run Aggressor Run.