Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham reimagine Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks’ cult classic Buckingham Nicks with Cunningham Bird, a bold collaboration that transforms the elusive 1973 album into a modern masterpiece.
Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham, two of today's most respected musicians with a shared passion for reinvention, present their latest collaboration, Cunningham Bird. The project finds the pair tackling the entirety of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks' Buckingham Nicks, the cult 1973 album that remains shrouded in mystery due to its limited availability. While staying true to the creative essence of the original, Cunningham Bird reimagines the record for a contemporary audience, showcasing the duo’s exceptional musicianship and unmistakable chemistry. Variety lauds the effort as “a piece of music that will stand on its own,” extending the reach of Buckingham and Nicks’ buried masterpiece.
Their rendition of “Don’t Let Me Down Again” brims with playful energy and intricate harmonies, epitomizing the synergy that has defined their collaboration. The accompanying music video, filmed during their sold-out performance at Los Angeles’ iconic Troubadour - where Buckingham and Nicks graced the stage in 1973 - adds an extra layer of homage to this ambitious endeavor.
Produced by Mike Viola and featuring Griffin Goldsmith on percussion, Cunningham Bird strips down the arrangements to their emotional core, lending an intimacy to tracks like “Crying in the Night,” “Crystal,” and “Without a Leg to Stand On.” The project, Bird says, stems from his admiration for Cunningham’s artistry: “Madison is the most talented musician I’ve encountered. Her voice is goosebump-inducing, nimble, and emotive at any volume. I just had to find the right project for us to go deep on, and this is it.”
For Cunningham, the album provided a rare opportunity to connect with the material on a personal level. “This buried record found us when we were searching for what we could do together,” she reflects. “It became a lifeline for me, and I hope we’ve done it justice.”
The duo’s shared history, which began with their collaboration on Bird’s Grammy-nominated My Finest Work Yet in 2019, is evident in every note of Cunningham Bird. Their mutual respect and creative synergy shine through, offering a fresh perspective on a classic album while affirming their status as two of today’s most compelling musicians.