Anthony Joseph has worked hard at it. His writing & his music have taken parallel paths in the last few years. His latest book of poems was launched on SALT in Februrary 2009, the title Bird Head Son refers to a name he was known by in his local Trinidad, or Trinny as he calls it. The book invokes nostalgia, remembrance, the pain & joy of parting and re-visiting the haunts of one’s past. With The Spasm Band Anthony explores other territories that his poetry is both born from & infused with. In performance he is an undisputed soul brutha, groovin', rockin' & a shaman all at once against the backdrop of a free jazz, afrobeat orchestra.
Bird Head Son celebrated its album launch of the same name at Cargo on March 5th, 2009. Once again, AJ & The Spasm band do not fail to overjoy & overwhelm their audiences with their wall of sound, and otherworldly words. Movement perpetuates every beat, rhythm & holler riding up from the deep recesses of the band’s soul, and there is a lot of that, along with heart…AJ is a memorable performer with buoyant vibes & an Elvis like shakin’ in his hips. Expect to feel like you’ve been transported to subtropical jungles smoldering with heat & you must groove, groove for your life…
Bird Head Son the book is available from SALT PUBLISHING
http://www.saltpublishing.com/books/smp/9781844714353.htm
Bird Head Son the album is available on Amazon amongst other places:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bird-Head-Son-Anthony-Joseph/dp/B001KVW5AQ
All images SAkhtar/AMetcalfe ©2009
