Barney's Epic Homer
This is the story of a "looney-bin" misfit whose chief pleasure in life is constructing a huge sculpture on his parents' lawn, from all manner of scrap items he finds littered about the place, sometimes pinching things from work to add to his monstrosity. Eyebrows are raised, the council informed, and Barney ends up desolate, when the authorities turn up and dismantle his construction.
"Barney" remains an appealing number, with the character affectionately sketched out and some novel wording in play. It was recorded by a group ensemble for 1979's If I Knew Who The Enemy Was (with Roy Bailey singing with Leon). Leon would think back in 2007, and write an update to the story ("Barney's Got a Job Now", on the album, A Proper State).
"Barney" remains an appealing number, with the character affectionately sketched out and some novel wording in play. It was recorded by a group ensemble for 1979's If I Knew Who The Enemy Was (with Roy Bailey singing with Leon). Leon would think back in 2007, and write an update to the story ("Barney's Got a Job Now", on the album, A Proper State).
"A warning against wasting one's life producing unsaleable products." - LR (sleevenotes to Guess What They're Selling at the Happiness Counter, 1992)
Recordings
Version 1 (1979)
Version 2 (2007)
Version 2 (2007)
- A Proper State Followed on the CD by its sequel, "Barney's Got a Job Now"