Handsome Devil (Jim Bianco album)
Encyclopedia
Handsome Devil is the first official studio album released by recording artist Jim Bianco
. The song "So Far, So Good" was featured on an episode of HBO's "Real Sex" and also used in a German car commercial in 2009. In August 2010, "So Far So Good" was featured in episode 33 of "True Blood
" on HBO. In the 2005/2006 season, A&E
's show "Random 1
" featured the following songs over the course of three episodes:
Everything else recorded by Brad Gordon at Magic Carpet Studios.
“More Hands” was recorded completely at Magic Carpet Studios.
Kenny Lyon’s guitar work was recorded at the Gaylord-6th floor.
this record would not have made it into your hands, sounding and looking the way it does, if the following people hadn’t been born: brad gordon, jeff gross, scott and seth at acoustic live, brad gordon, miles eastman. little dawnee frinta, matt mariano, tammy bumann, brad gordon, mary bones, ratsy, duckman, nate and vito, brad gordon, shu lan tuan, kia kamran, ashley/amy/bridgitte, petra haden and brad gordon, and brad gordon.
i would not be who i am or where i am if these fine people hadn’t stumbled their way in my life (or vice-versa): dad, mom, dana hash-brown, chris L and the nossan, julkie kole, chazz turner, jordan burger, chandos erwin, quincy, Sir Gary Jules, max and marko at the hotel café (and mazi and lee and megan and kiersten and jen and vanessa and jDubbs, and mikey and will), johnny ciccolella, petra haden, nic Harcourt and everyone at kcrw, kim and wncw, shula bula, lisa foxy brown, and anyone who has ever lent me money, done me a favor, bought me a drink or made me laugh so hard I lost my balance.
a special thanks to my band, too, who collectively not only exercise colossal talent and charm, but humor, patience and unyielding loyalty…most of the time. A nod to the P.I.P. for driving around this country with me, sleeping in less than respectable places, playing less than respectable gigs for less than respectable pay and somehow loving every minute of it. you’ve got a heart of gold, brother (or maybe just a serious lack of self-worth).
the time and energy brad gordon put into this project is certainly notable, but the adventure and imagination he put into it is truly remarkable, big thanks, BG.
and finally, a note of thanks to you, whoever you are and wherever you may be reading this. it’s good to know that there are people like you still out there, who have a wild appetite and a curious heart, so much so, that you actually allocate time in your life to read the liner notes.
you are uncommon, outnumbered and hopefully will never change.
cheers
Best That You Can Do
Jim Bianco
Jim Bianco is a critically acclaimed independent musician, singer, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, California.-Early life:...
. The song "So Far, So Good" was featured on an episode of HBO's "Real Sex" and also used in a German car commercial in 2009. In August 2010, "So Far So Good" was featured in episode 33 of "True Blood
True Blood
True Blood is an American television series created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris, detailing the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a fictional, small town in the state of Louisiana...
" on HBO. In the 2005/2006 season, A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
's show "Random 1
Random 1
Random 1 is a documentary-style reality television series that aired from November 2005 to January 2006 on the A&E cable network. In each episode, hosts John Chester and Andre Miller travel from town to town, in Miller's real-life, rickety pickup truck Jackie, searching for total strangers who are...
" featured the following songs over the course of three episodes:
- "Untended Fires"
- "Best That You Can Do"
- "Sorry"
and - "Tennessee Wedding"
Track listing
All songs were written by Jim Bianco- “Best That You Can Do“– 3:51
- “Handsome Devil“– 4:09
- “Goodness Gracious“– 3:58
- “Sorry” –3:55
- “The River Waltz“– 3:22
- “Tennessee Wedding“– 4:48
- “So Far, So Good“– 3:47
- “More Hands“– 3:15
- “Ready or Not“– 4:44
- “Untended Fires“– 3:22
- “Handsome Devil (Reprise)” –4:53
Personnel
- Jim BiancoJim BiancoJim Bianco is a critically acclaimed independent musician, singer, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, California.-Early life:...
–lead vocals, acoustic guitars, piano on 4 and 7, electric guitar on 1 and 8 - Brad Gordon– accordion, winds and brass, piano/electronic piano/organ, background vocals
- Jason Pipkin–drums and percussion
- Josef Zimmerman–double bass and additional background vocals on 1, 6, 7 and 9
- Matt DeMerritt–tenor saxophone
- Kenny Lyon–electric guitars on 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and nylon on 11
- Gary JulesGary JulesGary Jules is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his cover of Tears for Fears' third single "Mad World", which he recorded together with friend Michael Andrews for the film Donnie Darko. It became the UK Christmas Number One single of 2003...
– background vocals on “Tennessee Wedding” - Petra HadenPetra HadenPetra Haden is an American violinist and singer. She is or has been a member of several bands, including That Dog, Tito & Tarantula, and The Decemberists; has contributed to recordings by The Twilight Singers, Beck, Mike Watt, Luscious Jackson, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age,...
– violin on “River Waltz” and all female vocals - Dr. Gonorbad – vibes on 8 and 10
- Bang Dordor – chamberlain on 10
- Rob Barndog – castanets on 11
- Vincent Mourou– francais
Additional Production Information
- Produced by Brad Gordon and Jim Bianco
- Mastered by Matt Mariano at mmmusic
- All photography by Miles Eastman at Quixote Studios
- Art design by Jim Bianco and Tammy Bumann
- Art production by Tammy Bumann
Studio Information
Basic tracks recorded by Jeff Gross at Jag144 Studios.Everything else recorded by Brad Gordon at Magic Carpet Studios.
“More Hands” was recorded completely at Magic Carpet Studios.
Kenny Lyon’s guitar work was recorded at the Gaylord-6th floor.
Liner Notes
Liner notes written by Jim Bianco.this record would not have made it into your hands, sounding and looking the way it does, if the following people hadn’t been born: brad gordon, jeff gross, scott and seth at acoustic live, brad gordon, miles eastman. little dawnee frinta, matt mariano, tammy bumann, brad gordon, mary bones, ratsy, duckman, nate and vito, brad gordon, shu lan tuan, kia kamran, ashley/amy/bridgitte, petra haden and brad gordon, and brad gordon.
i would not be who i am or where i am if these fine people hadn’t stumbled their way in my life (or vice-versa): dad, mom, dana hash-brown, chris L and the nossan, julkie kole, chazz turner, jordan burger, chandos erwin, quincy, Sir Gary Jules, max and marko at the hotel café (and mazi and lee and megan and kiersten and jen and vanessa and jDubbs, and mikey and will), johnny ciccolella, petra haden, nic Harcourt and everyone at kcrw, kim and wncw, shula bula, lisa foxy brown, and anyone who has ever lent me money, done me a favor, bought me a drink or made me laugh so hard I lost my balance.
a special thanks to my band, too, who collectively not only exercise colossal talent and charm, but humor, patience and unyielding loyalty…most of the time. A nod to the P.I.P. for driving around this country with me, sleeping in less than respectable places, playing less than respectable gigs for less than respectable pay and somehow loving every minute of it. you’ve got a heart of gold, brother (or maybe just a serious lack of self-worth).
the time and energy brad gordon put into this project is certainly notable, but the adventure and imagination he put into it is truly remarkable, big thanks, BG.
and finally, a note of thanks to you, whoever you are and wherever you may be reading this. it’s good to know that there are people like you still out there, who have a wild appetite and a curious heart, so much so, that you actually allocate time in your life to read the liner notes.
you are uncommon, outnumbered and hopefully will never change.
cheers
Jim Bianco on Handsome Devil
- "I call "Handsome Devil" my sex record, because there’s a sexual theme throughout the whole thing. It’s about the tenacity of the male libido. When I perform songs from that record, I always feel successful when people understand that I’m in character. I’m sort of speaking from the perspective of a full-on testosterone-charged male running on a thousand gallons of fuel—saying whatever he wants to without consequences."
- “These songs aren’t cynical; they’re dark. This shows a side of males that they often try to hide, but which can be found to some extent in all of us. The difference with the character is that he doesn’t try to suppress or hide any of this. He’s unaware of the consequences of these actions until they happen, but then he has to deal with them.”
Videos
Bianco filmed and produced one video for this album.Best That You Can Do