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Portishead is a trip hop band from Bristol, United Kingdom, named after the small town of Portishead, 12 miles west of Bristol. The band was formed in 1991, after Geoff Barrow, who had previously worked with two other trip hop bands from Bristol - Massive Attack and Tricky - met Beth Gibbons. Portishead is the birthplace of Barrow. The name is pronounced 'Por-tis-head', with an 's' in the middle, and not 'Por-ti-shead'. After releasing a short film (To Kill A Dead Man) for which they had written the music, Portishead signed a record deal with Go! Beat and their first album, Dummy, was released in 1994, with Gibbons singing, Dave MacDonald as a drummer, and Adrian Utley playing the guitar. In spite of the band's media-shyness, the album was a big hit in both Europe and the United States, as were the singles from the album, "Glory Box" and "Sour Times". Their second, self-titled album, Portishead, was released in 1997, of which the single "All Mine" was drawn. A live album mostly recorded in Roseland in New York City, was released in 1998 with a DVD of the concert soon following. All records were released on Go! Beat. 1999 saw a cooperation with singer Tom Jones for a track on his album Reload. There have been rumours of a third album to be published, possibly called Alien, but no such record has been released, and Portishead's official site dismisses the rumour as such: "We have noticed that there is some confusion on an album release called "Alien". Please be aware that this is NOT a Portishead release. The band are in the studio working on new material now but no release dates are scheduled as yet. Keep an eye on the site as any release plans will of course be announced here first!"[1] (http://www.portishead.co.uk/breaking/index.htm) As a note about trip hop, Portishead and some other similar artists have shown dislike for the term, as it is a media invention designed to categorize their otherwise not-so-categorizable music. DiscographyAlbums
Hit singlesThe chart positions are for the UK, the highest US chart position was #53 for "Sour Times".
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The chart positions are for the UK, the highest US chart position was #53 for "Sour Times". (Their three-part arrangement of the normally four-part "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah", featured on Keep on Doing [1982], is legendary in a cappella circles.). As a note about trip hop, Portishead and some other similar artists have shown dislike for the term, as it is a media invention designed to categorize their otherwise not-so-categorizable music. They have also recorded their own arrangements of songs from a variety of New York folk artists, as well as a few covers of famous songs. Keep an eye on the site as any release plans will of course be announced here first!"[1] (http://www.portishead.co.uk/breaking/index.htm). The majority of Roches songs are written by the three sisters, alone, in every combination, and occasionally collaborating with other songwriters. The band are in the studio working on new material now but no release dates are scheduled as yet. Suzzy's daughter Lucy Roche has also contributed vocals on the Roches' and McTeigue's albums. Please be aware that this is NOT a Portishead release. Maggie's son, Felix McTeigue, has recorded two albums (one with his group Filo). There have been rumours of a third album to be published, possibly called Alien, but no such record has been released, and Portishead's official site dismisses the rumour as such: "We have noticed that there is some confusion on an album release called "Alien". Brother David is also a singer-songwriter with his own solo album, and has often backed up the trio on their recordings. 1999 saw a cooperation with singer Tom Jones for a track on his album Reload. Musical talent runs further in the family. All records were released on Go! Beat. While touring as a trio, all three sisters accompany themselves on guitar and keyboard, frequently without additional musicians. A live album mostly recorded in Roseland in New York City, was released in 1998 with a DVD of the concert soon following. Suzzy playfully fills in the middle range to complete the trio. Their second, self-titled album, Portishead, was released in 1997, of which the single "All Mine" was drawn. Terre provides a soprano that brackets the upper range of the sisters. In spite of the band's media-shyness, the album was a big hit in both Europe and the United States, as were the singles from the album, "Glory Box" and "Sour Times". Maggie has a dramatic contralto voice that provides an unusual bass element for all-female harmonies. After releasing a short film (To Kill A Dead Man) for which they had written the music, Portishead signed a record deal with Go! Beat and their first album, Dummy, was released in 1994, with Gibbons singing, Dave MacDonald as a drummer, and Adrian Utley playing the guitar. All three sisters can be found periodically participating in New York-area events. The name is pronounced 'Por-tis-head', with an 's' in the middle, and not 'Por-ti-shead'. Suzzy, who has acted on the stage and in several movies, released two of her own albums and two with Maggie, with whom she is currently touring. The band was formed in 1991, after Geoff Barrow, who had previously worked with two other trip hop bands from Bristol - Massive Attack and Tricky - met Beth Gibbons. Portishead is the birthplace of Barrow. Terre teaches guitar workshops and has released a solo album. Portishead is a trip hop band from Bristol, United Kingdom, named after the small town of Portishead, 12 miles west of Bristol. They continue to work on solo projects and often collaborate on albums and performances. 1998 "Only You" #35 UK. In 1997, the three sisters formally put The Roches group on indefinite hold. 1997 "Over" #25 UK. After a tour that was interrupted by the death of their father, The Roches crafted a more somber and thoughtful album, Can We Go Home Now (1995), the last original recording they released as a trio. 1997 "All Mine" #8 UK. After another pop album (A Dove, 1992), they recorded an entire album of children's songs entitled Will You Be My Friend?, featuring a song by brother David and a gaggle of young backup singers, including Suzzy's daughter Lucy. from "Portishead"
1995 "Glory Box" #15 UK. Maggie's "The Married Men" from this album was eventually to become the biggest hit of the songwriting trio — not for them, but for Phoebe Snow, as often happens to singer-songwriters. from "Dummy"
1994 "Dummy" #2 UK, #79 US. Around this time, they parlayed bartending jobs at famous Greenwich Village folk venue Folk City into stage appearances, an experience they commemorated in their song, "Face Down at Folk City" (from Another World, 1985). Shortly after that, youngest sister Suzzy (rhymes with "fuzzy") chimed in to form The Roches trio. They returned the favor, so to speak, by getting his assistance (along with an appearance by The Oak Ridge Boys) on their first (and only) album as a duo, Seductive Reasoning (1975). The sisters got a break when Paul Simon brought them in as backup singers on his album There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973). In the late '60s, eldest sister Margaret and middle sister Terre (pronounced just like "Terry") quit school to tour as a duo. Maggie wrote most of the songs, with Terre contributing to a few. Now on hiatus as a trio, they still perform in various combinations and venues. Although they never had major commercial success, they developed an enthusiastic audience for their unique "family music". Their musical career spans more than four decades, taking them from neighborhood carolling and a touring duo to working the Greenwich Village folk scene as a trio, getting record contracts, doing more touring, occasionally appearing on television and in movies, and collaborating with other musicians on a variety of projects. The group is known for its unusual harmonies, quirky lyrics, and casually comedic stage performances. The Roches are a female vocal group made up of three songwriting sisters, Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy Roche, from New York. Loudon Wainwright III. Paul Simon. Felix McTeigue. Kate & Anna McGarrigle. David Massengill. Christine Lavin. Mark Johnson. The Indigo Girls. Jack Hardy. Philip Glass. Robert Fripp. Laurie Anderson. Suzzy was one of the latter-day Babes in this rotating-membership pop-folk group founded by Christine Lavin. Some Assembly Required (Shanachie, 2002), by the Four Bitchin' Babes. Suzzy produced as well as performed on this album by various artists. Moms That Cook (Baby Boom, 1999), by The Music Workshop For Kids. Tracey Takes On..., episode "Music" (30 Apr 1997). Christmas Songs (One Voice/Satellites Records, 1996), by the Carolling Carollers, another über-group consisting of The Roches, Ilana Iguana, Margaret Dorn, Libby Mclaren, and Bonnie Mann. Anthem (Intersound, 1996), by the Desolation Angels, an über-group consisting of The Roches, Karla DeVito, Kit Hain, Deborah Berg, the Blister Sisters, and Jane Kelly Williams. Includes performances by The Roches and The Music Workshop For Kids. A Family Concert (K-Tel VHS, 1995). The Roches appropriately played a trio of singing roaches. Tiny Toons Adventures, episode "New Character Day" (20 Feb 1991). The Roches provided several songs for the soundtrack. Suzzy played Marilyn, a friend of Isabelle (Irving). Crossing Delancey (1988), starring Amy Irving. The Roches were the featured group in one episode of this televised music series. Soundstage (1983). Why The Long Face (Red House Records, 2004). Zero Church (Red House, 2002). The Sound of a Tree Falling (Earth Rock Wreckerds, 1998). Songs From An Unmarried Housewife And Mother, Greenwich Village, USA (Red House, 2000). Holy Smokes (Red House, 1997). Collected Works of the Roches (Rhino/Warner, 2003). Can We Go Home Now (Rykodisc, 1995). Will You Be My Friend? (Baby Boom, 1994). A Dove (MCA, 1992). We Three Kings (MCA, 1990). Speak (MCA, 1989). No Trespassing (Real Live Records, 1986). Another World (Warner, 1985). Keep On Doing (Warner, 1982). Nurds (Warner, 1980). The Roches (Warner, 1979). Seductive Reasoning (Columbia, 1975). |