Stan Coster - Men Beyond the
Black Stump
Brielle - Brielle
Crosby Sisters -
Coming On Strong
Fisk & Cristian
The Open Road Vol 1
Mitchell Shadlow - One Of These Days
Shot To Pieces - Freebird
STAN COSTER - Men Beyond
The Black Stump ; The Best of 
Stan Coster is undoubtedly one of Australia's finest Bush Balladeers and songwriters. Many of his songs have been recorded by Slim Dusty, but his own recordings have earned him a place of his own in the history of Australian Music. Some of the songs included on this release are, "By a Fire of Gidgee Coal", "Old Gilbert", "You Can Never Do Wrong", "Your Country's Been Sold", "Dusty's Den" and "Cunnamulla Fella's Wedding". Stan's song have captured the unique characters, and amusing tales, of an Australia culture that is fast disappearing. This record was released about a month before Stan Passed away and this is a great way to remember a great man. Thanks to Festival Records for releasing fifteen of Stan Coster's earlier Opal recordings on this "best of" album. Back to Top
THE CROSBY SISTERS - COMING ON STRONG
Jodie and Kelly Crosby have been pleasing
audiences with their beautiful harmonies for many years but to date we have
had to be content with the odd CD single from this talented duo. Even without
an album, 
they
have still managed to gain four final golden guitar nominations in the past
two years. They also won the coveted TSA New Songwriters Awards, with a track
included on this album, "Train of Desperation". The Crosby Sisters
have chosen to use mostly Australian songwriters on this their first album.
Allan Caswell wrote "One By One" for the girls after seeing their
live performance, and Russell Morris wrote the title track "Coming On
Strong" after working with Jodie and Kelly on the delightful re-make of
his hit song "Wings Of An Eagle", also included here. The girls
dedicated the Brent Parlane and Geni Kane song "Same Blue Still" to
their late Grandfather, Jim Crosby, who they say "had the bluest eyes we
ever saw". One of my Favourites on the album is "Eastbound
Train" written by television presenter and sometime Country Singer, Dr
Caroline West. The thirteen songs on "Coming On Strong", have
been carefully chosen to showcase the Crosby Sisters perfect harmonies. An
interesting and pleasing inclusion is a McKean Sisters Medley, where the
Crosby's pay tribute to the Sister Act who are a now a part of Australian
folklore. Back to Top See Crosby
Sisters Collection at online store for available material
THE OPEN ROAD - VARIOUS AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS
ABC Music have brought together 20 young Australians on a Country Music compilation called "The Open Road". Some of the performers on the 19 track album are well known, some are not, all of them are very talented. This years Starmaker winner, Lyn Bowtell, sings a self composed song called "Burn On the Wind" , while previous Starmaker winner, Tanya Self, shares the vocals with Adam Harvey on "Drive Away". Andrew Clermont and Steve Berry collaborate on a wonderful instrumental track "Once Upon Arrival". Nash Chambers from the Dead Ringer Band has produced Hot Diggety's Olivia-Jane Crick's "Don't Tell Me The Truth" Peter Denahy, who I admire greatly, sings "Over The Floodway" on this compilation ABC Music is leading the way in recording Australia's finest new Country Talent. "The Open Road" is an opportunity for us to hear many of the talented youngsters who are not yet signed to a major record label. Back to Top
LESLIE AVRIL - LIVE
Leslie Avril has one of the more unique voices
in 
Australian
Country music, but for some reason , she has never got the breaks that someone
of her talent deserves. Leslie sings with a passion that can make you believe
that she has travelled a long and hard road. When she sings the housewives
anthem "I'm a Woman" or the line dance song "Trashy
Woman", she lets you know that she's not be messed with. Under that tough
facade there is something tender, because she sings the beautiful "He
Thinks I Still Care" and "Break It To Me Gently" with so much
feeling, they could break your heart. Rarely do I prefer live recordings to
studio recordings, but in Leslie's case, "Live" is better. Back
to Top
MACCA ON AIR - VARIOUS ARTISTS
Here is a collection of songs from Ian McNamara's very popular "Australia All Over" radio program on the ABC. It includes some tracks that have been much sought after by Macca's listeners, particularly the "Port Augusta School of the Air Song" recorded by the Woden Valley Youth Choir, and the Waratah Girls Choir singing "I Am Australia". Digger Revell has a couple of songs on this collection (Australia All Over & Worlds Gone Crazy Cotillion), it also features Gary Shearston (Shopping on a Saturday), which has been just about impossible to pick up in recent years, Mary Schneider (Silver Bell Yodel), Tex Morton (The Travelling Showman) another hard to get song, Neil Adam (Pickers' Train) , Dermot Dorgan (Cockroach Rap), Dennis Rose (Yarrabah), Jim Low (Bogan Gate) and numerous others. This recording is available on CD, Cassette and even on Vinyl LP (from a couple of specialist Country Music stores like us). Back to Top
Donna Fisk and Michael Christian come to this
project with very healthy credentials. Both are experienced musicians and
writers, and especially Donna who is the past has done some great duet work
with Johnny Chester.With recording split between Melbourne and Nashville where
Rafe Van Hoy lends a helping hand in Production, there's not a big difference
in the songs done there or here. Donna carries most of the album with her
fluent and powerful vocals and it will probably take a few listens to get into
some of the 11 original tunes. The arrangements move from the acoustic lead
into Michael's vocal on "Only One For Me" to the funky arrangements
of "Station Of Love".
For a new song writing and performing duo it's a fine debut for the
independent Cherry Music label that leans into the contemporary side of
country with a retro flash here and there. Back to Top
SHOT TO PIECES - FREEBIRD
Country /Rock band Shot to Pieces are well
known for their live performances around Australia. Since the band was formed
in 1992 they have received two golden guitar nominations, the first for the
song "Gods Country", the second for the "Gympie Muster"
both of them included on this album.
"Freebird" has a contemporary feel although, the harmonies on
"Don't Let Go" remind me of the sixties group the Deltones, and
there are Elvis Presley overtones on "Single Man". The lovely
mandolin on "Pipeline Of Dreams" gives it a more traditional sound,
and the haunting steel playing of Michel Rose on the first track "What a
Man's Gotta Do" adds a very country flavour to a rocky little song.Shot
to Pieces are a tight outfit, good vocals, and musically sound. But, I
believe, the real strength of this band is it's songwriting. There are two
beautiful songs on this album, "She's Leavin" and "Freebird",
that could be exported to anywhere in the world. Festival/Larrikin have so
much faith in this band that they have signed them to a five year/five album
contract, so we've got more to come yet. Back to Top
GREG CHAMPION - Australian music
If only I'd been taking notes at the Greg Champion launch at the Longyard in Tamworth for his 4th album "Australian Made". All those beaut one liners I could have used in this review as he and Col Buchanan sat centre stage reviewing the album track by track for the assembled audience. Never mind, you don't really expect to get anything right at The Tamworth Country Music festival except the road out of town when its over. Well he's definitely back. More quirky songs about love, trucks, good times and unusual animals and places. He's called in a few favours for this album and gets a good lend of muso friends like Brod Smith on Harp, the boys from Zydeco Jump touch the cayan pepper to "Hope the Crocs Don't get You" and Songstress Jane Saunders does an unusual duet on "That Look In Your Eye". Old mate (by now) Beccy Cole lends a hand to 2 songs, including "Leave Him In The Longyard" joining Jo Campbell and it's interesting to hear the female voice lead out on this Country Classic.Greg is very keen on his version of Col Buchanan's "North Bourke Bridge" and there certainly has been a lot of work go into the arrangements making it a different cut to Col's. The remaining songs on this 13 song album are all the work of Champs, and vintage they are. Songs for the Band (If I ever Get Old), his new wife (Kickin & Screamin Down The Aisle) and the party animal in all of us (Longyard on a Saturday Night). His hit song from last year "Big Trucks Are Rolling Into Tamworth" is included, but no Chrissie songs, sorry. Back to Top
When Darren Coggan won Starmaker in 1996, everyone sat up and took notice. This year Darren was a finalist at the CMAA Golden Guitar awards and now ABC records has released his debut album. Under the direction of highly respected producer Roger Ansell, Darren has recorded an album that is unashamedly country. Most of the songs are Darren's own work and I particularly like "The Night Is Still Young", "Hearts on Fire" and the delicate "Emily Rose". Darren has done a very good cover of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" but I honestly prefer Darren singing his own excellent songs. In the past year or so there has been some terrific young talent emerge in Australia, now we can add Darren Coggan to that list. Top of Page
MITCHELL SHADLOW - ONE OF THESE DAYS
"One Of These Days" is everything a
debut album should be, it's obvious that quite a deal of time
has been spent in preparation. The selection of songs, the vocals, and the
musical arrangements are all spot on. Nine of the 14 songs on the album were
penned by Mitchell, three of those are co-writes with other Australian
songwriters. Kevin Bennett shares credits on the emotional ballad "Can I
See You Again", & Fiona Kernaghan's influence can be heard on
"Love Lies Bleeding". Fiona & Mitchell also got together and
wrote song inspired by Slim Dusty and Stan Coster titled "Stockman".
Mitchell says the first track "Framed" takes him back to his
childhood and listening to the music of Steve Earl, who's own composition
"Rains Came Down", is featured later on the album. A re-make of the
Little Heroes hit "One Perfect Day", and the song that won a final
nomination in the Male Vocal category of the 1996 CMAA Country Music Awards,
"Big Decision", are both pleasing inclusions. There are a variety of
styles to showcase Mitchell's talent, from the intensely personal "Marnies
Ballad", to the blues/rock feel of "Cool Cow Cafe".
"Mother Trucker" is a fun rocker, although it is rather derivative
of the Garth Brooks hit "Ain't Goin' Down Till The Sun Comes Up".
Some of the songs have an Australian flavour while others like "Now
That's She's Gone" and the title track "One Of These Day's",
could be straight out of Nashville. There is no doubt that producer Colin
Watson ( who is one of the best in his field) has played a major part in the
final result of this fine album. Top of Page
This is a debut album for a very sweet little girl with a wonderful voice. Unfortunately I have a problem with someone so young singing sophisticated songs such as "Moon River" and "You Are so Beautiful". There has obviously been a lot of planning and thought put into this recording and some of Australia's best musicians have contributed including Kirk Lorange, Mark Punch, Mitch Farmer, and Michel Rose. The instrumentation on this 12 track album is faultless, as are the vocals. To my mind, the stand-out track is "September's Sweet Child". This CD is a nice effort from someone so young, however I will be far more interested in what she does in several years time. With a bit more maturity, she will have the experience to be able to present this style of song with a great deal more sincerity. Top of Page
| countrymusic.com.au | Country Music Store | Nashville Tours | Review Pages | New Releases | online store |