Andrew Bird: The Loft at City Winery 2019

Andrew Bird has consistently released great albums for over 20 years, but his latest album is his finest work yet. Well, officially it’s My Finest Work Yet. The title began as a bit of a joke, but it's actually a pretty accurate description.

After years of honing his songwriting skills, Bird is at a high point in his career with this new batch of songs. The melodies are expertly arranged around violins, piano, guitars, and his savvy whistling. Most impressive on My Finest Work Yet is his clever lyricism which is often filled with dark humor, historical facts, and even Greek mythology. In the lead-off track "Sisyphus," he wonders, “Did he raise both fists and say, 'To hell with this' and just let the rock roll?”

There is an interesting philosophical examination of politics in many of the songs too, sometimes masked by the sparkling sounds and witty banter, but it is most definitely there. During this FUV Live concert at the Loft at City Winery, Bird took time between his set to talk with me about the meaning behind the music. We were also treated to lovely vocals and guitar work from Madison Cunningham, who accompanied him.

Setlist:

• Sisyphus
• Bloodless
• Olympians
• Cracking Codes
• Manifest
• Lusitania
• Bellevue Bridge Club
• Pulaski at Night
• Orpheo Looks Back
• Something To Believe In (Madison Cunningham song)
• Capsized

[Recorded: 4/11/19; Engineers: Hear No Evil and Jim O'Hara; Producer: Sarah Wardrop]