Performer Notes

Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire: Andrew Bird (vocals, violin, mandolin); Nora O'Connor (vocals); Colin Bunn (guitar); Josh Hirsch (bass); Kevin O'Donnell (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel includes: Gary Shepers (tuba); Pat Sansone (keyboards, vibraphone, marimba, background vocals); LeRoy Bach (keyboards); Kelly Hogan (background vocals).
Principally recorded at Engine Studios, Chicago, Illinois in June 2000.
Personnel: Andrew Bird (vocals, violin); Pat Sansone (vocals, keyboards, vibraphone, marimba); Nora O'Connor (vocals); Colin Bunn (guitar); Mike Napolitano (recorder).
Audio Mixer: Mike Napolitano.
Recording information: Electrical (11/1999-06/2000); Electrical Audio (11/1999-06/2000); Engine Studios, Chicago, IL (11/1999-06/2000).
The final Andrew Bird album to feature his backing group, Bowl of Fire, 2001's THE SWIMMING HOUR finds the Chicago-based singer/multi-instrumentalist mixing his signature vintage aesthetic with a more immediate indie-rock sound. An album seemingly tailor-made to showcase Bird's range, HOUR ranges from the rollicking "Two Way Action" to the elegant "Case in Point" to the breezy "Dear Old Greenland," with the performer's reedy vocals and expressive violin playing often at the fore. Arguably the best introduction to Bird, THE SWIMMING HOUR dabbles in jazz, folk, and classical music with impressive ease, and points the way to his lauded subsequent solo outings.

Professional Reviews

Entertainment Weekly (4/27/01, pp.118-9) - "...Bird artfully updates old blues, jazz, and swing without getting gimmicky..." - Rating: B+

Q (Jan/02, p.96) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...wilfully eclectic....folk and classical violin [with] an experimental lick with a touch of jazz....as credible a pop record as any violinist could make..."

Magnet (6-7/01, p.80) - "...Jaw-droppingly spectacular..."

No Depression (5-6/01, p.124) - "...Most sensual Americana: hot jazz, sugary doo-wop, lilting western swing and more....Buoyed by the sense that no good melody or style ever dies [this] floats beautifully..."

NME (Magazine) (11/10/01, p.41) - 7 out of 10 - "...One of the year's most refreshing releases..."

Album: The Swimming Hour
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Two Way Action
2)	Core and Rind
3)	Why?
4)	11:11
5)	Case in Point
6)	Too Long
7)	Way Out West
8)	Waiting to Talk
9)	Fatal Flower Garden
10)	Satisfied
11)	Headsoak
12)	How Indiscreet
13)	Dear Old Greenland

Album: The Swimming Hour
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Two Way Action
2)	Core and Rind
3)	Why?
4)	11:11
5)	Case in Point
6)	Too Long
7)	Way Out West
8)	Waiting to Talk
9)	Fatal Flower Garden
10)	Satisfied
11)	Headsoak
12)	How Indiscreet
13)	Dear Old Greenland