by Chris Familton Melbourne duo The Weeping Willows released Till The North Wind Blows last year but their superb collection of songs could have dropped at any time in the last hundred years, such is the timeless quality they bring to their music and songwriting. The album drips with authenticity which can be a hard … Continue reading
Tag Archives: 2012
ALBUM REVIEW: The Glorious | Sweetwater
by Chris Familton The Glorious revolve around the songwriting of Melbourne singer Dave Mather and they’ve been peddling their classic pop rock sound in a variety of incarnations since 2004. Their sophomore album Sweetwater makes a strong case for the appeal of well crafted songs that succeed on nuance and feel rather than a band … Continue reading
Album Reviews / Americana / Blues / Country / Videos
ALBUM REVIEW: Delaney Davidson and Marlon Williams | Sad But True – The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Vol. One
by Chris Familton In a strong year for New Zealand americana music comes yet another release to boost the profile of a genre that has mostly lurked on the musical fringes. Delaney Davidson has been on the scene for a number of years touting his folk, blues and country music through endless tours and living … Continue reading
Americana / Country / Folk / Gig Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Joe Pug @ The Annandale Hotel, Sydney (23/11/12)
by Chris Familton This night of folk and country music kicked off with the soft and lilting sounds of Patrick James who was accompanied by a banjo/mandolin player and who showed right from the opening notes that he is another of the many outstanding new singer/songwriters emerging on the local americana scene. His was an … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Drive-by Truckers’ Mike Cooley releases solo LP
In the wake of Patterson Hood’s solo record Mike Cooley has also decided to release a new solo album of some fan favourites in an acoustic style, live. Fool on Every Corner is out Dec 11, 2012 and features Carl Perkins Cadillac, 3 Dimes Down, Marry Me, Shut Up And Get On The Plane and more plus one … Continue reading
Americana / Country / Home / Six Strings
SIX STRINGS: Greg Fleming
In our recent review of Edge of the City, the impressive new album from Greg Fleming and The Trains (New Zealand) we said “This is resolutely a landscape of concrete and streets, traffic lights blinking through the Auckland drizzle and people struggling with work, dreams and love” and it is that noir quality that he has … Continue reading
Americana / Country / Folk / Gig Reviews / Indie Folk / Photos / Rock / Rockabilly
LIVE REVIEW: Henry Wagons, Fanny Lumsden @ Achoo! Bless You @ The Annandale Hotel, Sydney (10/11/12)
by Chris Familton Fanny Lumsden is one of those personalities for whom the phrase ‘born entertainer’ was created. Boundless energy, a warm and endearingly funny stage persona and a stellar voice are what made her set so appealing. Her band of country/folk players played a critical role in presenting Lumsden’s songs making her the real deal and … Continue reading
Country / Home / Rockabilly / Six Strings / Videos
Six Strings: Fanny Lumsden
Fanny Lumsden’s reputation as a songwriter and performer has been getting her a lot of attention in the last 12 months with the release of her new EP Autumn Lawn and a higher live profile since moving to Sydney to live. She is backed by the brilliant playing talent of The Thrillseekers who flesh out … Continue reading
Album Reviews / Americana / Country / Rock / Stream
ALBUM REVIEW: Greg Fleming and The Trains | Edge of the City
by Chris Familton Amid the current bountiful run of country and folk music releases coming out of New Zealand is the latest album from songwriter Greg Fleming. Fleming has been writing and recording since the late 80s, exploring his muse and refining his art with each of his handful of albums. His latest, Edge of … Continue reading
Album Reviews / Americana / Country / Folk / Videos
ALBUM REVIEW: Bernie Griffen & The Grifters | Everything So Far
by Chris Familton People who say they hate country music have generally only been exposed to crass country pop, that shallow veneer that exists on the surface of a genre that has much more to offer. Real country music, whether it be outlaw country, alt-country, americana or tex-mex, has deep, rich roots both historically and … Continue reading
Americana / Country / Folk / Indie Folk / Photos
PHOTOS: Henry Wagons, Achoo! Bless You & Fanny Lumsden & the Thrillseekers @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (10/11/12)
We’ll have a full review of the show up soon but in the meantime here’s a selection of photos from Henry Wagons’ excellent gig on the weekend. You can see more photos over on our Facebook Page: Henry Wagons Achoo! Bless You Fanny Lumsden & the Thrillseekers Continue reading
Album Reviews / Blues / Rock / Soul / Stream
ALBUM REVIEW: Gary Clark Jr. | Blak and Blu
by Chris Familton Roots music of the kind that encompasses blues, folk and country is often perceived as still living in the past. Most artists choose to work within the boundaries of their chosen genre, maybe mixing in some soul, jazz or funk but still operating in a safe zone. When a musician decides to … Continue reading
Album Reviews / Americana / Country / Folk / Rock
ALBUM REVIEW: Two Gallants | The Bloom And The Blight
by Chris Familton In the five years since their last record Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel played in different bands and in Stephen’s case spent time recovering from a van accident. Reconvening as Two Gallants seemingly allowed them to reflect on the experiences of those years and create a batch of songs that swing wildly … Continue reading
Album Artwork / Americana / Country / Folk / Stream
ALBUM REVIEW: Shovels & Rope | O’ Be Joyful
by Chris Familton Country couples have always been an integral part of the genre with the likes of Johnny Cash and June Carter, George Jones and Tammy Wynette and more recently Gillian Welch and David Rawlings mixing business and pleasure. South Carolina duo Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent continue that lineage as Shovels & … Continue reading
REVIEW: The Falls | Hollywood EP
by Chris Familton On their new EP Hollywood, Sydney folk duo The Falls have captured both the organic and ornate essence of their heart-laid-bare songs. This EP is the documentation of Simon Rudston-Brown and Melinda Kirwin’s romance from its beginnings to its dissolution one Valentines Day. It is a fascinating background story but nonessential information … Continue reading
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