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  • Bluebird Memories: A Journey Through Lyrics & Life

  • Words + Music, Vol. 3
  • By: Common, Awoye Timpo, NSangou Njikam
  • Narrated by: Common
  • Length: 1 hr and 21 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,197 ratings)

Bluebird Memories: A Journey Through Lyrics & Life

By: Common, Awoye Timpo, NSangou Njikam
Narrated by: Common

Publisher's summary

“I’m an instrument, stay in tune with me.”

In a performance that combines the personal and poetic with the literary and the lyrical, Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe-winning artist Common spins something entirely new and bold for both his old-school fans and those new to one of hip-hop’s most essential voices. This is Bluebird Memories, part of Audible's Words + Music that blends storytelling, music, and performance to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience.

Written and conceived by Common with Awoye Timpo and NSangou Njikam, originally recorded live at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City, and backed by a world-class band including special guest appearance by Robert Glasper and an ensemble of vocalists, Bluebird Memories tracks Common’s intimate journey from childhood to manhood. At its heart, it serves as both an open letter to his estranged father and a personal meditation on the quest for greater self-understanding, self-worth, and connection to the world that surrounds him.

As a young artist, introduced to the work of literary icons from James Baldwin and Gwendolyn Brooks to Rakim and Melle Mel, Common would grow to use their works as motivation and a high-water mark for what would become his life in words. In a performance that recounts stories about growing up in Chicago, discovering hip-hop, longing for a consistent father, and his awakening into Black consciousness, the evolution of Common, as son, as man, artist, and activist, is all here - unpacked and laid bare.

At just under two hours, Bluebird Memories is constantly in motion, soaring with emotion and pulsing with raw vitality. Seamlessly blending, stretching, and playing with forms, Common slides between poetry and candid conversation, kicks into one of his classic tracks, and backs out into a moment of nearly silent reflection. For those hip-hop heads, the treat of hearing Common bounce between bars of his own self-admitted cringey party raps to rapturously reciting classic hip-hop’s most revered verses is a joy to behold. (Yes, bumping human beatbox included.) In a performance that calls forth the spirit and legacy of so many artists, thinkers, and heroes who informed both his artistry and personal philosophy, Common invites listeners to experience him in his totality. A finely tuned instrument capable of conveying a sweeping breadth of power, range, and tone. Listen to a modern icon deliver at the top of his craft.

©2020 Common (P)2020 AO Media LLC
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Common Answers the Audible Questionnaire

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Our favorite moments from Bluebird Memories

  • Bluebird Memories: A Journey Through Lyrics & Life
  • The Corner
  • Bluebird Memories: A Journey Through Lyrics & Life
  • The first record
  • Bluebird Memories: A Journey Through Lyrics & Life
  • Leaving Chicago

About the Co-Writer and Performer

Common (Performer, Co-Writer) is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy-winning artist, actor, author, and activist, who continues to break down barriers with a multitude of critically acclaimed, diverse roles, and continued success in all aspects of his career.
Common most recently toured with his new album Let Love, inspired by his work and experiences while writing his second New York Times best-selling memoir, Let Love Have the Last Word, released May 2019. He starred in the Oscar nominated film, Selma, which centered around the civil rights marches that changed America. Alongside John Legend, he won the Academy Award and Golden Globe in 2015 for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for Glory which was featured in the film. Stand Up for Something, co-written by Common in 2017, received Oscar, Grammy, NAACP, and Critic Choice Award nominations. The anthem Letter to the Free, the end-title track to Ava Duvernay’s powerful Oscar-nominated documentary 13th, received the 2017 Emmy for Best Music and Lyrics.
For the past few years, Common has dedicated countless hours and has been deeply engaged in social justice and advocacy work around mass incarceration, mental health, and voting. After the success and impact of his Imagine Justice concert in 2017, and his Hope & Redemption Tour to eight different prisons, Common decided to establish and launch Imagine Justice as a new nonprofit in 2018. Centered at the intersection of art and activism, Imagine Justice is dedicated to leveraging the power of art to advocate for communities around the country, to fight for justice and equality, and to stand united against injustice wherever it appears.

About the Director

Awoye Timpo (Director) is a director and producer based in New York. Credits include: Pipeline (Studio Theatre), In Old Age (New York Theatre Workshop), The Loophole (Public Theater), Paradise Blue (Long Wharf Theatre), Good Grief (Vineyard Theatre), The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll’d (Playwrights Realm), The Homecoming Queen (Atlantic Theater), Sister Son/ji (Billie Holiday Theater), Carnaval (National Black Theatre), Ndebele Funeral (59E59, South African tour, Edinburgh Festival), In the Continuum (Juilliard). She is the producer of CLASSIX, a reading series exploring classic plays by Black playwrights.

About the Co-Writer

NSangou Njikam (Co-Writer) is an actor, playwright, and Hip Hop Theatre Artist. Writing credits include Syncing Ink, When We Left pts 1 & 2, Re:Definition, and The Turn Up. Acting credits include Syncing Ink (Alley/Flea Theater), Henry V (Classical Theatre of Harlem), Re:Definition (LaMama Theater), and Deep Azure (Congo Square Theatre). NSangou is a member of the 2015 Emerging Writers Group at the Public Theater. He received his BFA in acting from Howard University. He was named NSangou in Cameroon, West Africa by the Bamum King Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya. NSangou is represented as a writer by Abrams Artist Agency. He resides in New York.

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What listeners say about Bluebird Memories: A Journey Through Lyrics & Life

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I felt like I was in the Room!

what an amazing piece of art. I felt like I was in the room with Common. what an awesome lyricist.
thanks so much for publishing this wonderful piece of art.

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15 people found this helpful

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LOVE

I was excited when I saw this by Common. Always loved his music this definitely did not disappoint! 🧡

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Common is amazing

A very candid journey through the life of Common with some of the hits. Beautifully told story, great vocals, easy to listen to and groove along with.

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1 person found this helpful

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absolutely fabulous

I love common I'm a big follower truly enjoyed this artistic expression from him I highly recommend

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Awesome!

Really enjoyed the interweave of the music with these moving memory glimpses, as well as gaining some insight into Common.

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IN LOVE

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS! I will listen over and over again. Love Common's poetic style and love the musical interludes. This brings back memories and speaks to the present. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys poetry and music mixed at it's finest. COMMON YOU DID THAT!

CON: Not long enough. I could listen to audibles like this ALL day.

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WOW

I have been a long time fan of Common. I hope I get to meet him one day in my lifetime. This audiobook started off slowly, but pleasantly progressed. It was poetically inspiring and a feel-good, and I love the he ended it with my favourite classics.

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Beautiful Listen

Another example of Common's amazing talents. Bluebird Memories goes beyond a showcase of his abilities and gives the listener a glimpse into his soul, both past, present, and hopefulness for the future. Accompanied by a multitude of other gifted musicians, Bluebird Memories is truly a special offering by Common, Audible, and all who collaborated on this.

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A beautiful, loving, and honest tribute

A beautiful, loving, and honest tribute. The storytelling was engaging and thoughtful. The transitions were masterful done.

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Outstanding

This is an outstanding performance. The sound and production quality of the music is fantastic. Common does an excellent job of weaving his songs into the story of his relationship with his father.

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