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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
⚫
| Name = Silverbird
| Type = [[Album]]
| name = Silverbird
| Artist = [[Leo Sayer]]
| type = Album
| Cover = Leo Sayer - Silverbird.jpg
| artist = [[Leo Sayer]]
⚫
| cover = Leo Sayer - Silverbird.jpg
| Released = 1973
| Recorded = 1973
| alt =
| released = November 1973
⚫
| Studio = The Barn, [[Sussex]]; [[Olympic Studios]], [[London]]; Nova Studios, London
| Genre = [[Soft rock]]
| recorded = 1971–1972
| Length = 34:53
| venue =
⚫
| studio = The Barn, [[Sussex]]; [[Olympic Studios]], London; Nova Studios, London
⚫
| Label = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]] (UK)<br>[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] (USA)
| Producer = [[David Courtney (musician)|David Courtney]], [[Adam Faith]]
| genre = [[Soft rock]]
| Last album =
| length = 34:53
⚫
| label = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]] (UK)<br>[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] (USA)
| This album = '''''Silverbird''''' <br /> (1974)
| producer = [[David Courtney (musician)|David Courtney]], [[Adam Faith]]
| Next album = ''[[Just a Boy]]'' <br /> (1974)
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = [[Just a Boy]]
| next_year = 1974
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r48745/review|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r48745/review|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review], ''AllMusic''</ref>
|rev2 = [[Robert Christgau]]
|rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
|rev2Score = B-<ref name="Christgau">{{cite news|last=Christgau|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Christgau|date= 1974|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Leo+Sayer|title=Christgau's Consumer Guide|newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]|location=New York|accessdate=10 March 2015}}</ref>
|rev2Score = B−<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: S|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=S&bk=70|accessdate=12 March 2019|via=Robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
⚫
}}
}}<!-- Automatically generated by DASHBot-->

'''''Silverbird''''' is the debut solo [[studio album]] by [[English people|English]] [[singer-songwriter]] [[Leo Sayer]]. It was originally released in late 1973 by [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]] (UK), and [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] (US). It was co-produced by former British pop teen idol [[Adam Faith]] and [[David Courtney]].
'''''Silverbird''''' is the debut solo studio album by English singer-songwriter [[Leo Sayer]]. It was originally released in November 1973 by [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]] (UK), and [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] (US). It was co-produced by former British pop teen idol [[Adam Faith]] and [[David Courtney]].


Sayer began his career as a recording artist under the management guidance of Adam Faith, who signed Sayer to the [[Chrysalis]] label in the UK and [[Warner Bros. Records]] in the USA. His debut single "Why Is Everybody Going Home" failed to chart, but he shot to national prominence in the UK with his second single, the plaintive [[music hall]]-styled song "[[The Show Must Go On (Leo Sayer song)|The Show Must Go On]]", which Sayer memorably performed on British television wearing a [[pierrot]] costume and make-up. The single went quickly to #2 on the UK chart,<ref name="500 Number One Hits">Rice, Jo. ''The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits'', first ed., Guinness Superlatives Ltd, Middlesex, UK, p.181. {{ISBN|0-85112-250-7}}</ref> as did this debut album, for which Sayer wrote nine of the eleven tracks; the other two tracks were co-written with Courtney.
Sayer began his career as a recording artist under the management guidance of Adam Faith and David Courtney who signed Sayer to the Chrysalis label in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the USA. His debut single "Why Is Everybody Going Home" failed to chart, but he shot to national prominence in the UK with his second single, the plaintive [[music hall]]-styled song "[[The Show Must Go On (Leo Sayer song)|The Show Must Go On]]", which Sayer memorably performed on British television wearing a [[pierrot]] costume and make-up. The single went quickly to No. 2 on the UK chart,<ref name="500 Number One Hits">Rice, Jo. ''The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits'', first ed., Guinness Superlatives Ltd, Middlesex, UK, p.181. {{ISBN|0-85112-250-7}}</ref> as did this debut album, for which Courtney and Sayer wrote all eleven tracks.


==Recording==
==Recording==
The recording of "Silverbird" was a difficult and somewhat experimental process, Adam Faith and David Courtney were having loads of ideas but had no real experience in record production. The writers were inspired however and the album started to come together at Virgin Records' Manor Studios in Shipton-On Cherwell in Oxfordshire. Further recording took place at [[the Who]]'s lead singer [[Roger Daltrey]]'s Barn Studio, Burwash, East Sussex, Nova Studios and Olympic Studios, and later at [[the Beatles]]' Apple studios. At Daltrey's the recording took further shape with the team creating, amongst others, the unique "The Show Must Go On".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leosayer.com/biography/leos-story-so-far |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2015-04-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310161951/http://www.leosayer.com/biography/leos-story-so-far |archivedate=2015-03-10 |df= }}</ref>
The recording of ''Silverbird'' was a difficult and somewhat experimental process, Adam Faith and David Courtney had many ideas but no real experience in record production. The writers, Sayer and Courtney, were inspired however and the album started to come together at Virgin Records' [[Manor Studios]] in [[Shipton-on-Cherwell]], [[Oxfordshire]]. Further recording took place at [[the Who]]'s lead singer [[Roger Daltrey]]'s Barn Studio, [[Burwash]], [[East Sussex]]; Nova Studios and [[Olympic Studios]]; and later at [[the Beatles]]' Apple studios. At Daltrey's the recording took further shape with the team creating, amongst others, the unique "The Show Must Go On".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leosayer.com/biography/leos-story-so-far |title=Archived copy |access-date=16 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310161951/http://www.leosayer.com/biography/leos-story-so-far |archive-date=10 March 2015 }}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
All songs written by Leo Sayer, except where noted
All lyrics by Leo Sayer, music by David Courtney.


===Side one===
===Side one===
#"Innocent Bystander" – 3:02
#"Innocent Bystander" – 3:02
#"Slow Motion" – 1:44
#"Goodnight Old Friend" – 2:50
#"Drop Back" – 3:29
#"Drop Back" – 3:29
#"Silverbird" – 1:12
#"Silverbird" – 1:12
#"[[The Show Must Go On (Leo Sayer song)|The Show Must Go On]] " (David Courtney, Leo Sayer) – 3:32
#"[[The Show Must Go On (Leo Sayer song)|The Show Must Go On]]" – 3:32
#"Dancer" ([[David Courtney (musician)|David Courtney]], Sayer) – 4:30
#"The Dancer" – 4:30


===Side two===
===Side two===
#"Tomorrow" – 4:12
#"Tomorrow" – 4:12
#"Don't Say It's Over" – 3:15
#"Don't Say It's Over" – 3:15
#"Goodnight Old Friend" – 2:50
#"Slow Motion" – 1:44
#"Oh Wot a Life" – 2:53
#"Oh Wot a Life" – 2:53
#"Why Is Everybody Going Home?" – 4:14
#"Why Is Everybody Going Home" – 4:14


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
* Leo Sayer&nbsp;- [[guitar]], [[harmonica]], [[Singing|vocals]]
* Leo Sayer&nbsp;– guitar, harmonica, vocals
* [[Russ Ballard]]&nbsp;- guitar, [[keyboard instrument|keyboard]]
* [[Russ Ballard]]&nbsp;– guitar, keyboards
* Max Chetwyn&nbsp;- guitar
* Max Chetwyn&nbsp;– guitar on "Drop Back"
* [[David Courtney (musician)|David Courtney]] - [[piano]]
* [[David Courtney (musician)|David Courtney]] – piano
* [[Michael Giles]]&nbsp;- [[Drum kit|drums]]
* [[Michael Giles]]&nbsp;– drums
* [[Bob Henrit|Robert Henrit]]&nbsp;- drums
* [[Bob Henrit|Robert Henrit]]&nbsp;– drums
* [[Henry Spinetti]]&nbsp;- drums
* [[Henry Spinetti]]&nbsp;– drums
* [[Dave Wintour]]&nbsp;– bass guitar<ref name="AMG">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/silverbird-mw0000710386#credits|title=Silverbird - Leo Sayer &#124; Album|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=26 October 2024}}</ref>
* [[Dave Wintour]]&nbsp;- [[bass guitar|bass]]
*[[Del Newman]] – string arrangements
<ref name="AMG">[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r48745/credits|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic.com album credits]</ref>
;Technical
*Graham Hughes – sleeve concept, photography


==Production==
==Production==
*[[Record producer|Producers]]: David Courtney, Adam Faith
*Record producer: David Courtney, Adam Faith
*[[Audio engineering|Engineers]]: John Mills Apple Studios.[[Richard Dodd]], Keith Harewood, [[Tom Newman (musician)|Tom Newman]]
*[[Audio engineering|Engineers]]: John Mills (Apple Studios). [[Richard Dodd]], [[Keith Harwood]], [[Tom Newman (musician)|Tom Newman]]<ref name="AMG"/>
<ref name="AMG"/>


==Charts==
==Charts==

===Album===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
!Chart (1974)
!Year
⚫
!Peak<br> Position
⚫
!Chart
⚫
!Position
|-
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=265}}</ref>
|rowspan="2"|1974
| style="text-align:center;"|14
⚫
|[[Billboard 200|Pop Albums]]
⚫
|-
⚫
|[[Billboard 200|USA Pop Albums]]
|align="center"|209
|align="center"|209
|-
|-
|[[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | page= 483 | isbn= 1-904994-10-5}}</ref>
|[[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | page= 483 | isbn= 1-904994-10-5}}</ref>
|align="center"|2
⚫
|}

===Single===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Single
!Chart
!Position
⚫
|-
|1973
|"[[The Show Must Go On (Three Dog Night song)|The Show Must Go On]]"
|UK Singles Chart
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|2
|}
|}
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{{Leo Sayer}}
{{Leo Sayer}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1974 debut albums]]
[[Category:1974 debut albums]]
[[Category:Chrysalis Records albums]]
[[Category:Chrysalis Records albums]]
[[Category:Leo Sayer albums]]
[[Category:Leo Sayer albums]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Records albums]]
[[Category:Warner Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios]]

Latest revision as of 20:59, 26 October 2024

Silverbird
Studio album by
Leo Sayer
ReleasedNovember 1973
Recorded1971–1972
StudioThe Barn, Sussex; Olympic Studios, London; Nova Studios, London
GenreSoft rock
Length34:53
LabelChrysalis (UK)
Warner Bros. (USA)
ProducerDavid Courtney, Adam Faith
Leo Sayer chronology
Silverbird
(1973) 		Just a Boy
(1974)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideB−[2]

Silverbird is the debut solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Leo Sayer. It was originally released in November 1973 by Chrysalis (UK), and Warner Bros. (US). It was co-produced by former British pop teen idol Adam Faith and David Courtney.

Sayer began his career as a recording artist under the management guidance of Adam Faith and David Courtney who signed Sayer to the Chrysalis label in the UK and Warner Bros. Records in the USA. His debut single "Why Is Everybody Going Home" failed to chart, but he shot to national prominence in the UK with his second single, the plaintive music hall-styled song "The Show Must Go On", which Sayer memorably performed on British television wearing a pierrot costume and make-up. The single went quickly to No. 2 on the UK chart,[3] as did this debut album, for which Courtney and Sayer wrote all eleven tracks.

Recording

[edit]

The recording of Silverbird was a difficult and somewhat experimental process, Adam Faith and David Courtney had many ideas but no real experience in record production. The writers, Sayer and Courtney, were inspired however and the album started to come together at Virgin Records' Manor Studios in Shipton-on-Cherwell, Oxfordshire. Further recording took place at the Who's lead singer Roger Daltrey's Barn Studio, Burwash, East Sussex; Nova Studios and Olympic Studios; and later at the Beatles' Apple studios. At Daltrey's the recording took further shape with the team creating, amongst others, the unique "The Show Must Go On".[4]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics by Leo Sayer, music by David Courtney.

Side one

[edit]
  1. "Innocent Bystander" – 3:02
  2. "Goodnight Old Friend" – 2:50
  3. "Drop Back" – 3:29
  4. "Silverbird" – 1:12
  5. "The Show Must Go On" – 3:32
  6. "The Dancer" – 4:30

Side two

[edit]
  1. "Tomorrow" – 4:12
  2. "Don't Say It's Over" – 3:15
  3. "Slow Motion" – 1:44
  4. "Oh Wot a Life" – 2:53
  5. "Why Is Everybody Going Home" – 4:14

Personnel

[edit]
Technical
  • Graham Hughes – sleeve concept, photography

Production

[edit]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1974) Peak
Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 14
USA Pop Albums 209
UK Albums Chart[7] 2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ AllMusic review, AllMusic
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: S". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 12 March 2019 – via Robertchristgau.com.
  3. ^ Rice, Jo. The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits, first ed., Guinness Superlatives Ltd, Middlesex, UK, p.181. ISBN 0-85112-250-7
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ a b "Silverbird - Leo Sayer | Album". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 265. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 483. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
[edit]
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