FEATURE:
Here, There and Somewhere in Between
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 2005 in a promotional image for Aerial
The Role of Dan McIntosh on Kate Bush’s Albums
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IT is understandable that…
Kate Busk keeps her private life just that. We know she has a son, Bertie, but she does not choose to thrust him into the limelight or discuss him outside of music. Through the years, she has kept her romantic relationships personal – or she does not decide to discuss it and do magazine spreads! One of the reasons as to why I want to talk about Dan McIntosh is because of the role he plays on her albums (I could not find any images of McIntosh that were good quality, so the music will do the talking). Look at releases before The Red Shoes (1993) and one can highlighted various musicians who made multiple appearances. They include her brother, Paddy, and her engineer and former partner, Del Palmer. Bush and McIntosh became an item around 1993. They have been together ever since. Before sharing thoughts on McIntosh’s role in Bush’s music, there is an article where we learn more about McIntosh’s previous work and when he came into Bush’s life:
“Dan quickly became a guitarist with the bands "Bandit" and "The Quick." The talented guitarist also played guitar on albums by Dollar, Deniece Williams, and Amii Stewart throughout the 1980s, thereby making his mark on the entertainment scene.
The legendary guitarist received critical acclaim for his work with his famous wife. In 1993, he played the guitar on several of Kate's notable songs, including "Rubberband Girl," "The Red Shoes," "Constellation Of The Heart," "The Song Of Solomon," "Top Of The City," and "Lily."
Bush, who initially was romantically involved with Del Palmer, began a relationship with Dan in the early nineties, and the couple finally tied the knot in 1992.
After their marriage, the iconic guitarist continued to work with his famous wife. He featured in subsequent songs of the talented singer such as "Architect's Dream," "King Of The Mountain," "How To Be Invisible," "50 Words For Snow," amongst several others.
Dan McIntosh runs a record label called Independent and makes use of New Age Style Instrumental to create his musical sound. The guitarist has an album titled Dave, and has also recorded songs such as "Tough Times Right Now," "Give Me Warmth" and "Because That's Where I Find My Comfort."
The couple has a son together, Albert. He is now 21 years and has followed in the footsteps of his parents by building a career in music.
Also known as Bertie, the talented young artist was the main feature in the "Before the Dawn" concert series in 2014. Bertie has also worked with his mom, replacing Rolf Harris on vocals in the re-release of her album "Aerial" in 2018”.
Obviously, there is a massive connection and chemistry between Kate Bush and Dan McIntosh. Although The Red Shoes is not Bush’s best-regarded album, it is one with some really interesting songs. It was actually McIntosh who taught Bush to play electric guitar. I am not sure how extensive the tuition was but, accordingly, she took to it like a natural. One can hear her skills laid out on the album track, Big Stripey Lie. It is a performance with darkness, mystery and power. I am amazed that she never played electric guitar on record before then!
Maybe it was McIntosh’s presence and importance that led Bush to play electric guitar. On The Red Shoes, McIntosh plays fabulously on Rubberband Girl (you can see him in the video with blonde hair providing an excellent arpeggio). He also plays on The Song of Solomon, The Red Shoes, Lily, Constellation of the Heart and Top of the City. Having worked with a range of guitarists prior to 1993, I think that McIntosh really shines and stands out on The Red Shoes. It is small wonder he has such a big role on 2005’s Aerial. Ensuring that her family features on her albums, Dan McIntosh adds so much texture and story to songs like King of the Mountain, How to Be Invisible and An Architect's Dream (among others). If his playing on The Red Shoes was fairly intense and powerful, Aerial is a more subtle and layered album. He does not try to steal the spotlight, nor is he a player one can ignore. His contributions are incredible! I wonder what the atmosphere was like when Bush and McIntosh were playing together. I like to imagine that they plotted songs together and there was rehearsal between them before other players were in the mix. With Del Palmer and Paddy Bush appearing on the album, there were some long-time collaborators making Aerial such a wonder. McIntosh also played guitar (McIntosh has provided acoustic guitar parts) on 2011’s Director’s Cut, though I think that it is his performances on 50 Words for Snow (2011) that are especially amazing. Once more changing skin and performing guitar parts that were very different to anything that came before, 50 Words for Snow is another light album.
If Aerial is about nature and the dawning and completion of a warm day, the frostier and darker snow on 50 Words for Snow is no less magical. Aside from Lake Tahoe and Among Angels, McIntosh plays guitar on the other five tracks. As 50 Words for Snow compromises longer songs, one hears more of McIntosh’s touch. Many reviewers highlighted Steve Gadd’s drumming and Bush’s piano as the standouts in terms of instruments. I love the bass work through the album…though it is guitar work of McIntosh that adds these colours, light touches and wonderful moments. I know Bush would have been as tough/precise on McIntosh as the other musicians when it came to the execution of her concepts and designs. The relationship between Bush and Gadd is sensational, though McIntosh’s guitar is an essential and component. I wonder, if there is another Kate Bush album, who will appear on it. I am sure Del Palmer will be there in some form. I hope Paddy Bush also returns, as he did not appear on 50 Words for Snow. I feel, whatever is released, Dan McIntosh will play a big part. Having read biographies of Kate Bush, I know that McIntosh (from Aerial onwards) helped to taxi musicians and get people to and from the house. He was not in the studio as much as Bush. He would nip in and out, though I really like that he brings to her music. From the wonderful angles and flurries on The Red Shoes, to the beauty he brought to Aerial and 50 Words for Snow, Dan McIntosh has been integral! The legendary musician has worked with a number of different artists, though it is his work with Kate Bush, unarguably, that he treasures most. I look forward to another Kate Bush album so one can hear what Dan McIntosh…
SUMMONS up next.