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Edward Barton
 
Groove - Issue 9 - Edward Barton Groove
Issue 9
August / September 1994
Page: 3
 
Groove - Issue 9 - Edward Barton

One nice day in 1983 Edward Barton looked out across the grass from his home in Hulme, and wrote a poem.

The poem became a song which was sung acappella by Jane. It went on to become a top five indie hit.

And this was the story of "It's A Fine day" ... that is until Opus III revived the song, turning it into one of the most distinctive dance tracks of the nineties, reaching the UK top five and giving Edward a belated and unexpected worldwide hit.

In the nine years between the Jane and Opus III releases Edward embarked on a solo career and subsequently became a living legend in Manchester and Belgium. This all began with a memorable, insanely touching performance on ITV's The Tube, singing "I've Got No Chicken But I've Got Five Wooden Chairs". More songs and records followed, including "Me And My Mini", "Belly Box Brother Gob" and "Barber Barber". Edward continued to collaborate with other singers and musicians, most notably on his 1989 Edward Not Edward album, a compilation of Barton songs by a spectrum of bands including 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald, the Ruthless Rap Assassins, Stump and the Inspiral Carpets. In 1990 he released his first solo album, Here Is My Spoon. The follow up, Oblong, is already recorded and will be out later this year.

A multi-media man, Edward runs his own record label. Until recently he had an art gallery situated in Affleck's Palace. One of his exhibits, "Holekeeper", gave art enthusiasts the chance to put a penalty kick past Edward, whilst another, called "Stolen", resulted in Edward's arrest and the gallery closure by the police and 15 minutes of tabloid fame! He directed the video for "Sit Down" by James, and even popped up on Wogan once, playing guitar on Tears For Fears' "Sowing The Seeds Of Love". Last year he was invited to appear on The Big Breakfast, but he couldn't get up and appeared on The Late Show instead. Edward is one of the few performers to have had his work featured on Radio One, Two, Three, Four and Five. Edward's latest project "5 Songs 4 Voices" is currently causing quite a stir in the North on club promo and is soon to be in session on Radio One (11th August). It is released via Wooden Records on Thursday August 11th, with an album, 4 Voices, to follow in October.

[Author: Groove Magazine]