Formed in Berkshire in 1998 by guitarist Phil Mercy and bassist Paul Beecham, the band quickly acquired singer Simon Boys and drummer Mark Robotham, but the search for a suitably talented keyboard player was to take nearly two years, with the intervening time spent writing and rehearsing with sequencing software. Recording for their independently released debut album Head (2000) began just six weeks after the arrival of Wolfgang Kindl on keyboards.
Writing began almost immediately for the next CD, but a few months later Paul Beecham announced his departure due to family commitments and the band recruited bassist Andy Bonham. Andy introduced some fretless bass playing for variation and the less pressured Beecham was able to contribute some oboe playing to the second album, Argot (2001).
The next lineup change came with Simon Boys leaving for nearly identical reasons as Paul Beecham. Never ones to miss an opportunity, the remaining members decided to shake things up a bit and persuaded Amy Darby to join on lead vocals and woodwind. Shibboleth, the third album, was released in 2003.
After some touring and appearances at various prog friendly festivals in the USA and Europe, Wolfgang Kindl decided to return to his native Germany and start a family. This kicked the band into a period of hibernation. Without knowing the palette of sounds and influences that a new keyboard player would bring, Phil Mercy found himself uninspired to write new material and he instead concentrated on updating his recording studio and ironing out the many problems that the process uncovered.
Eventually, when it looked like the studio update would become a never ending saga, It was discovered that Anglagard alumnus Thomas Johnson was living and working in Oxford. A few emails and a pub meeting later and Thieves' Kitchen had a new keyboard player.
Phil, Amy and Thomas quickly forged a blissful writing team and soon had much of the material written that was to become The Water Road. Thomas had brought with him a darker and more symphonic approach which blended well with Phil's Canterburyesque fusion stylings. Amy's folk influences were also highlighted with the introduction of her harp playing. With the richness that was starting to become apparent in the sound of the new material it was decided to go all the way to achieve a more orchestral and organic sound. Ironically, considering the extensive update of Phil's studio, this involved the band recording the backing tracks live without a clicktrack as an ensemble in Aubitt Studios. This allowed the tempo to ebb and flow naturally as the mood required. Mark Robotham also set aside his hitherto ubiquitous electronic kit and used acoustic drums for greater sensitivity. Additional instruments were added, with Anna Holmgren of Anglagard on flute, Stina Peterssen on cello and Paul Beecham making a reappearance on oboe and soprano sax.
The Water Road was released in 2008 to critical acclaim.
While work continued on new material, during delays caused by various factors, including Thomas Johnson's relocation back to Sweden and his work on the new Anglagard release (all with everyone's full blessing and encouragement), it became apparent that Thieves' Kitchen was not destined to be the busy live act that both Andy Bonham and Mark Robotham would wish for, so they and Thieves' Kitchen amicably parted company.
Their places have been taken for the recording sessions by the rhythm section from Sanquine Hum, Paul Mallyon on drums and Brad Waissman on bass.
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www.thieveskitchen.co.uk
Cardinal Red
Thieves' Kitchen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tapers to vanity
Cardinal red
Blushing unsure
Of all that will be
Apologies die untold
You lied when you said
That you'd prefer
Intoxication
Of dreams that are gone
Living in levels
And loving alone
Take me away
Folded in harmony
And rescue me
From myself
Lucid stranger
Speak to me with your mind
Your tears, your touch,
Your music
Whatever you'll find
To catch the spark
The hope in the dark
That subtle danger
Appeals to my pride
Deepening still
A tribute to lost embrace
An elegy for happier men
There's rosemary for
Remembrance of darker days
There's violets for
Ophelia again
I will remember
I can not forget
Holding my temper,
I know you regret...
...Fading away,
A voice like a lullaby
For sinners and thieves
And glorious good
Devious still
I tempt you beyond the veil
With cardinal red
And blossoms of blue
Intoxication
Of dreams that are gone
Living in levels
And loving alone
The lyrics to Thieves' Kitchen's "Cardinal Red" represent a mix of emotions and experiences. The song feels like a lamentation to the beauty and pain of life that nobody can escape from. The first few lines of the song seem to describe someone fading away, their glory and relevance diminishing. This fading is noted but barely causes a stir, being considered ultimately unimportant.
The mention of ‘Cardinal Red,' which is a vivid shade of red, represents a color most associated with passion, love, and power. Red is also the color of blood, which links to the concept of sacrifice and death. Throughout the song, it is clear that the color red represents the struggle to maintain one's power, while feeling uncertain and vulnerable. Likewise, the reference to "intoxication of dreams that are gone" highlights the bittersweet aspect of life. Life is filled with beautiful dreams and hopes, but often, they remain unfulfilled and lead to heartache.
Overall, the lyrics of "Cardinal Red" describe the complexities and ambiguities of life, showcasing it's the beauty and pain, but also the potential for rebirth and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
Faded release
The previous sense of freedom or escape has faded away
Tapers to vanity
This fading has led to a state of worthlessness and self-centeredness
Cardinal red
A vibrant and intense color, possibly symbolizing passion or danger
Blushing unsure
Feeling uncertain and embarrassed
Of all that will be
An uncertain and anxious anticipation of the future
Apologies die untold
Avoiding apologies or owning up to mistakes, leading to unresolved guilt or conflict
You lied when you said
An admission of betrayal or dishonesty
That you'd prefer
A false choice or preference presented
Intoxication
A state of overwhelming desire or allure
Of dreams that are gone
The intoxication is based on unfulfilled or impossible dreams
Living in levels
Existing in a disconnected and compartmentalized way
And loving alone
This separation leads to a solitary and unfulfilled love
Take me away
A desire to escape and be rescued
Folded in harmony
To be embraced and surrounded by peace and unity
And rescue me
Asking for help and deliverance from one's own struggles
From myself
The struggle is an internal one
Lucid stranger
An unknown presence or force with a clear and direct message
Speak to me with your mind
Communicating nonverbally, through intuition or insight
Your tears, your touch, your music
Expressing emotion and connection through different sensory experiences
Whatever you'll find
Allowing for unforeseen but hopeful outcomes
To catch the spark
To grasp or capture something elusive and fleeting
The hope in the dark
A glimmer of optimism and possibility in difficult circumstances
That subtle danger
The thrill of risk or unpredictability
Appeals to my pride
The personal satisfaction or ego boost that comes from challenging oneself
Deepening still
The struggle or conflict intensifies
A tribute to lost embrace
A fond memory or homage to something or someone no longer present
An elegy for happier men
A mournful poem or song for a time or state of happiness that has passed
There's rosemary for remembrance of darker days
A reference to Shakespeare's Hamlet, using the herb rosemary as a symbol of remembrance and healing
There's violets for Ophelia again
Another reference to Hamlet, this time to the character Ophelia and the flower violets as a symbol of sorrow and mourning
I will remember
A determination to hold on to certain memories or experiences
I cannot forget
A recognition that some things cannot be erased from memory or consciousness
Holding my temper, I know you regret...
Exercising self-control in the face of someone else's regret or apologies
...Fading away, a voice like a lullaby
The fading of something, perhaps a memory or relationship, that is accompanied by a calming or soothing presence
For sinners and thieves
A comforting reminder that all are imperfect and flawed
And glorious good
The recognition that there is beauty and goodness in the world and in oneself
Devious still
Continuing to be deceptive or cunning
I tempt you beyond the veil
A tantalizing or dangerous proposition, inviting someone to cross a line or boundary
With cardinal red
Using the color red as a symbol of seduction, passion, or danger
And blossoms of blue
The color blue as a symbol of mystery, longing, or sadness
Contributed by Chase C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.