Frank Baijens: Odd Man Out

• January 2008
• Rating: 10/10

With a little help from his famous friends, Frank Baijens cuts the mustard – and a debut CD.

So, when Paul McCartney is reported to have said “nice tunes”, you simplyhave to take notice.

When Frank gave Macca the basic cuts on CD at the Virgin Mega Store in London onNovember 22, 2006, he was later sent a FAX from a representative of Sir Paul’s,claiming the great musician had heard the basic tunes, and liked them.

“Dream of dreams” can come true, even if they take much longer thanyou’d expect.

This is exactly what’s happened to Dutchman Frank Baijens as he finally realisesa long-standing ambition to put his undisputed talents on disc. According toFrank, it all goes back to the halcyon days of pop: “it was the pop music ofthe sixties that definitely shaped my passion for music.” It doesn’t stop there though.

The long overdue result is the excellent Odd Man Out which is setto be one of THE albums of 2008. Using a host of internationally recognisedmusicians including compatriot Jan Akkerman (ex-Focus) and Brit Bob Weston (ex-Fleetwood Mac)we get an album giving a strong nod to his childhood idols The Beatles, Maccaand others. The “nice tunes” tag is an over simplification of what’sreally going on here, and as flattering as it is, it doesn’t do justice to it.

His keen observational skills combined with personal matters make this a verypotent album. Truth is, there’s a lot of stylish and sophisticated music happeninghere. We get solid pop ballads juxtaposed with jazzy outings, a la Steely Dan.Where The Heart Belongs, an undeniable nod to Macca (especially the vocalsby Eric van Dijsseldonk who does most of the vocals), opens this box of delights,though the album isn’t a Beatles tribute per se.A similar later Macca template runs through Welcome To My Life, a personalsong about escaping the rat race to Tobago.

There’s a dramatic shift of style and singer (Jo de Roeck) on Jake’s Own Personal Demon.Adopting a loungy urban Jazz style executed by the likes of Steely Dan. Despiteoozing Californian warmth, it tells the tale of a boy who leads two lives, showing adarker side to his personality. Then comes a masterful instrumental – Call For C.B.A. This jaunty tune is dedicated to one of his heroes ChetAtkins.

Floating In His Mother’s Palm reprises Macca once again. This ballad isone Frank’s favourites as it reveals the sad tale of a boy who’s the black sheepof the family. Witnessing a friend who encountered a ‘control freak’ partner,it gave rise to Words To Live By – “She laid her hands on everything /He even lost his toys / How could she be so cruel to him / For he was such a lovely boy.” – This exquisite jazzy ditty is highlighted by somevirtuoso trumpet from Eric Vloeimans.

The Void is a deeply emotive song, introduced by sublime piano-work, recountsthe tragic murder of a child near Rotterdam: this menacing song brings home thereality of psychopaths on the loose. There’s also a blistering bluesy guitar solothat adds drama to the piece.

Inspired by a Steve Martin flick, Home Again’s almost jazzy/music halltouch relates the funny side of domesticity for the typically married man seekingto ‘escape’, temporarily. Another instrumental – On Your Bike – shows theplayful side of Frank’s versatility, dipping into Kurt Weill’s theatrical territory,then a switch of code for the lush Song For Greg that tells the sad storyof Ernest Hemmingway’s eldest son.

For Back To My Childhood Years, his most personal song, Frank reminisces abouttime spent with his beloved mother, being the youngest of three children, herelates his fond memories with great sensitivity and empathy, given added melancholyby some divine splashes of pedal steel. Lovers torn apart decide the ownershipof their pet dog, Max.

The man is tricked by his ex, with Max relegated to a animal shelter, but iseventually re-united with, “…a hug to express / a lifelong devotion to him”

All the songs are self-penned, but so confident is Frank that he’s happy tolet a rotation of lead singers to deliver the lyrics and even opts out on somesongs, which is a brave move.

Holland has a major songwriting talent. Embrace him.

What the musicians say:

• Sir Paul McCartney – “Nice tunes.”
• Bob Weston – “My instant impression was that I was really taken by thisalbum. It’s very emotional showing great depth. Frank has put a lot of soulinto it and has achieved a tremendous amount of quality and all from the heart.

  Odd Man Out is a beautiful piece of work. There’s a wide spectrum of work: onefor everybody, and Frank should be proud of it.”

• Jan Akkerman – “I got involved with Odd Man Out because Frank called me andasked me if I’d play guitar on a tribute to his youth. He sent me some tracksto choose so I played on Out Of Breath. The album is very pleasant and influencedby The Beatles, 60s and 70s with a broad range of music.”

File under: Another Dutch master.