Totally Biased Fan Review: Together Alone Tour EEP – Ian Miss and Troy Cassar-Daley

Tracks:

Ain’t no sunshine (live)

South (live)

Bow River (live)

Born to Survive (live)

South (Radio Edit) Live

What happens when one of the greatest Australian Rock Singers teams up with one of the greatest Australian Country Singers? A tour and an EEP, that’s what.

The songs are a mixture of Troy’s and Ian’s songs and one of the greatest songs of all time.

Ain’t No Sunshine is the opening track covered beautifully and soulfully here. It could have been written for them.

South is a song by Troy which featured Ian on the World Today album.

There are two versions of the song here.

Bow River is probably one of the most famous Cold Chisel songs and an iconic Aussie song.

Born to Survive is another classic Troy song.

It is unusual that they opted for an EEP (more than 4 songs, less than 10) instead of a whole Live album.

I probably would have gone for the latter for maximum impact. What is offered is quality music by two of the world’s best, nevermind Australia’s best.

Both artists can sing just about anything and they have both been capable of switching camps on occasion, with Troy singing rock and Ian singing country.

This is chiefly a bluesy effort, and the boys can handle that without any great effort.

Two legends – magic.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Jamie McDell – Jamie McDell

Tracks:

Dream Team

Botox

Not Ready Yet

Limousine Running

Something More

Poor Boy

Baggage Claim

Sailor

Worst Crime

Mother’s Daughter

Daddy Come Pick Me Up

Where are you now?

Boy Into A Man

This is a generous 13 track album by Auckland born Jamie. This the 29 year old’s 4th studio album, and it is brilliant.

Produced by Aussie Nash Chambers in Nashville for ABC music, it certainly as a widespread coverage!

With Dan Dugmore, Jedd Hughes, Dennis Crouch, Shawn Fichter, Jerry Roe, Jimmy Wallace, Tony Lucido, Ross Holmes, McCrary Sisters, Robert Ellis, Erin Rae and Tom Busby on board for the ride, it is a trip.

By looking at the titles, you will gather that there is a strong message of family in a majority of them.

Family had a big influence on Jamie’s musical tastes when she was young and there is a strong pull towards folk/Celtic/Country.

Her voice is gently lilting with a slight twang when needed. There are some toe tappers like Daddy Come Pick Me Up and a lot of sweet refrains.

When I heard Not Ready Yet I must admit it was the first time that I had heard of Jamie. I bought this album on the strength of that song, and I have been more than justified for the risk that I took.

If you know the Chambers family, they are always going to zero in on a quality country artist who has a traditional leaning.

Her voice is very young and sweet, not that 29 is old, but she sounds much younger. The lyrics and the polish are from someone much older and wiser than 29, so it is an interesting mix.

Jamie could have very easily fitted into the 60’s , early 70’s folk music scene, which is probably why I like her so much.

Dream Team is a good way to open the album with a slightly more raunchy guitar sound and it sets up a subtle theme for the album. Botox is an interesting song to add to the mix, with a different style and lyrics which are finger pointing and relevant to today’s world.

The aforementioned Not Ready Yet is next and after hearing the whole album, it is still one of my favourites but there are others.

Sailor, Mother’s Daughter and Where are you now and Poor Boy are way up there too.

There is something different about every song – mood, style, rhythm – but they are all tied together with a theme and amazing vocals.

This album crosses genres, though the heart of it is country folk. The tracks go fast but they are mainly sweet and slow and at times, hauntingly beautiful.

One of the albums of the year so far. You will say to yourself, that sounds like someone but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

I think that is because it is familiar but fresh. There’s some Harris, Crystal Gayle and Moorer there but this gal is setting her own path with some clever lyrics and a great promise of more to come.

Bravo.

Totally Biased Fan Review: The….- Colin Lillie EP

Tracks:

The War

The Headlights

The Road (with Catherine Britt)

The Broken Crown

This is an absolutely stunning EP. There’s only one fault – it is only an EP! Produced at Beverley Hillbilly Records, it shouldn’t be a surprise. Anything that Catherine Britt has anything to do with is brilliant.

Colin has an amazing voice, reminiscent of our Johnny K and a few others with that deep, husky, strong vocals.

His music has a touch of Country Celtic, Country Folk and undeniably easy to listen to and at the same time, learn from.

All four songs are great, it is hard to pick a favourite. There are some wonderful lyrics and rich melodies.

These four songs are in the mode of everything that I love best about music…..particularly country music.

I hope that this means that we will be hearing more from Colin soon. This is an entree- a tasty one – for many splendid main courses to come.

Mind officially blown.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Mr Goodtime – Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers

Tracks:

Where my heart used to be

New Town

Judy’s Got a Shot Gun

18 Wheels on the road

My father’s son

Hot Balls

Don’t turn Me Loose

First thing in the Morning

Kind of Love

Mr Goodtime

Too Young (featuring Luke O’Shea)

Michael Carpenter wears many hats – literally. This is one of his three thousand bands that he plays with. He writes, produces, plays and sings for many.

With the talented Banks brothers, he took out the inaugural fan voted best album of the year at The Kazzies last year. Many of those fans were artists and it was a landslide win. So this second album was eagerly awaited.

Like most good albums, the boys mix things up. There are slow songs and some rockier ones, a healthy dose of humour and all the elements of real country songs. With all three fellas being way above average musicians, there is a prominent instrumental backbone. A lot of torch and twang, feisty and mellow guitars and steel.

Michael writes most tracks but Zane has a hand in a couple and legendary Luke O’Shea co-writes and sings wit them on the last track, Too Young. The intriguingly titled Hot Balls, is the instrumental offering- perhaps it is best that there weren’t words to this one.

There are some Beatlesque moments, Tom Pettyish stylings and even a Status Quo moment. However, it is an album heavily entrenched in country.

I have already told you how much I love New Town in The Single Life, but there are some other awesome songs, including: First thing in the morning, 18 Wheels on the Road, Kind of Love and my personal favourite, Don’t Turn Me Loose.

These guys were born to play together, (two of them actually were) and I hope that they continue to do so, though not at the expense of my April Family!

This is a great follow up to Introducing…. enjoy!

The Single Life – 26 February, 2022

Wow, a big batch of singles to review, today! Some newbies and some veterans!

Colin Buchanan is back and brilliant with In Real Life – a song of the times, and a song of hope. A singalong song and a potential number one song – a real cracker.

Another veteran finally releasing a new song, is Paul Costa, Drinkin Hours is the gently country rockin’ song about the things that make a country song a country song! One of our finest singers. Welcome back!

Craig Woodward looks to have re-released Get Your Boots on which is a song probably more relevant now then when it was first released. A big rocky number which inspires you to get up and go for it.

A bloke who has been so busy helping others over the years that it has been 15 years since he has released solo material. Some bloke that I mention from time to time, Mike Carr has released a catchy song called Haircut. You never know with Mike whether he is going to be deep or funny – part of the joy of loving one of the best songwriters this country has ever produced. Go Mikey.

From one of our legendary guys to one of our legendary women, Lyn Bowtell with I won’t do that again. What an awesome song! Lyn seems to be channeling a few classic music stylists here, it’s like Lyn and the Supremes with that voice that can soar and then soothe. Blues, soul and even a little brass.

James Johnston has hit the ground running in the last year and this is his finest yet. The new dad has a wonderful, emotional song Anything like me. Stunning.

God’s Walking out on me is the new Country grunge offering from Gareth Leach. Bluesy, dark and guitar crunching, Be afraid, be very afraid! Gareth always offers up some different.

Summertime, Sunshine and you is the latest offering from Jade Holland who helps us groove out the last days of Summer. This is a mellow country pop song with some cool guitar licks and a real feeling of summer.

The more I hear Copperline, the more I like them. The double Kazzie award winning band have done it again with Lucinda. A beautiful, sad song. Keep them coming Bradley and co.

Totally Biased Fan Review: I love this rodeo – Lynchburg

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14 tracks is very generous and they have more coming. Allan Caswell is one of the greatest songwriters ever in any genre. Teaming him up with a fella who is from a totally different generation and who is Burt Bacharach to his Hal David is a master stroke but perhaps not one which is expected.

As much as I adore Caswell’s music ( and I am a words person) teaming him up with someone who is chiefly an instrumentalist is a master stroke. On the precipice of his 70th birthday, Sir Allan’s lyrics are enhanced by Waddo’s melodies. The diverse range of Lindsay’s instrumentalisations have made Sir Allan’s words even better.

Lindsay has kicked up his lead vocals up to two on this album and an instrumental that can only be made better by My legend, Jen Mize’s harmonies.

Though Sir Allan has co written wth just about everyone in Australia, I think that it is the best fit. Sir Allan’s words and Lindsay’s music are the perfect match. I loved the first album but this second one is even better.

All of the songs are great, it is hard to pick a favourite. It is interesting to see a re- working of that famous song. The title track is a ripper and a feeling of full circle- since he started as best new talent with King of the Rodeo.

I love the collaboration on I don’t drink anymore and That’s Just the way it goes, That’s your life, Stronger all the time, Everything he needs and a remake of He liked horses more than people.

A fantastic album that everyone should have in their collection.

Sir Allan and Prince Waddo delve into few country music styles and come up trumps.

Enjoy!

Totally Biased Fan Review: Good Day for Living – Joe Nichols

Or simplified:

Broken-hearted

I’ve got friends that do

Home Run

Dance with the girl

I wanna be your tonight

Good day for living

Screened in

That’s how I grew up

Reckon

Why can’t she

One two step closer

Hawaii on me

She was

Produced byMickey Jack Cones and Derek George

I remember the first time that I saw/heard Joe Nichols. It was on his first American Country Music awards show. Mum and I fell off the couch at the same time – I think Dad thought that he would have to revive us both. It wasn’t just his looks, it was his voice and the sincerity that came through in his speech.

Joe is a real country singer. No bro country or rap in sight. It has been a while between drinks, but this drink is going down smoothly.

I must admit that he does serve up a feast here with lots of songs that should make up for time lost.

From Brokenhearted ( a not so subtle dig at modern country music) to the fabulous She was, Kaz is a happy girl. I’m just happy sitting looking at the cover. No, I’m not shallow. You can’t love real country music and be shallow.

Blake Shelton helps Joe out on I’ve got friends that do.

Home Run has some great metaphors. It is down home and nostalgic.

Dance With The Girl is a beautiful love song and a love lesson.

I Wanna Be Your Tonight – What Joe does best. I’ll leave it at that.

The title track is a positive song in a negative time.

Screened In is a bit funkier and more upbeat. You can feel Summer.

That’s How I Grew Up – has some great lines. A bit of a rebel with lots of contradictions, possibly the best song on the album.

The next song has one of my fave words as it’s title – Reckon. It has a few vocal gymnastics in it.

Why can’t she is a prayer and about regret. A brilliant song.

Songs don’t get much more country than One Two Step Closer. I must admit that I was half in love with it before I heard the song.

Hawaii On Me – this one was a little bit harder to read from the title but it makes all the sense in the world. Oh and I love Hawaii – that helps.

I have already mentioned the last song. Thank you Joe, it has been a while, but the soul is soothed. This will keep me going for a while.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Out of this Town – Shyanne Irwin

EEP (5-9 songs)

Tracks:

I don’t want this to end

Forever here

Out of this town

Things like that

Life’s a game

It’s just a house

I like it loud

Country pop star

Which way do I go

Produced by John Lee

Backing vocals – Penny Skehan, Hester Fraser

There are so many wonderful young country music artists in this country. It astounds me how many awesome young folks are writing, singing and creating different sounds and developing their craft.

Sometimes, they are mentored, sometimes they find their own way. Shyanne has just left home, off to uni and leaving a range of experiences behind her as she embarks on her new life in these songs.

The new life will provide more stories for her to tell, but Shyanne has the raw ingredients and a launching pad for a huge tomorrow.

She is already experimenting with different styles of country music here and her voice is strong and pure. The subjects on here are all apt for a young woman.

To have this much talent now, this much passion is a good sign. She is also writing about what she knows and that is always a good thing. If she sticks to that formula she can’t go wrong.

Shyanne has already been through a lot, including her childhood house being burned down, which is the premise of It’s just a house. I have family and friends in the Muswellbrook and Branxton areas and I did one of my degrees through Newcastle Uni, so I know a bit about the area from which she comes.

Her songs are very thoughtful and considered. There is no mistaking their ‘countryness’. Things like that is probably my favourite track, but all of the nine tracks are good, solid songs. Some are gentle country rock, others have more twang than some, some border on country pop, but they aren’t bubblegum songs.

I detect a fiercely independent streak which will keep her strong in a not always easy industry. From her styles, I detect some folks who she may acquire some mentoring from. Our country family is good like that.

I think that we will be hearing a lot more from this young woman. Hold onto your hats.

Totally Biased Fan Review- Trailblazer – Lance Birrell

Lance Birrell is pure country. He also must be a bit Irish, starting an album with a goodbye song. The Cowboy Rides Away is one of my favourite songs – George Strait had the first bite of the Throckmorton/Kelly song and there have been some fine versions. This is one of them.

I knew that I had heard Tomorrow before – so I looked it up – It is a Smokie song! You can actually tell by part of the arrangement which makes Lance go a bit higher than normal – like Chris!

The next song is not as puzzling – you’re right, I’m wrong is a Marty Stuart song and it is instantly recognisable (for a Marty fan!) – love it.

The next song is familiar too, Neil Diamond’s Blue Highway. Neil can slip into country quite easily. It fits Lance very well.

I believe in beer is a Lance original co-write with my country music grandson, Angus Gill. You can’t get much more country than this.

Talking about country, when it comes to cover songs, you have to have a Merle song, in this case, Runnin’ Kind. Lance does a great job.

The title track is an instrumental which I reviewed separately and Lance wrote this too. Trailblazer shows off Lance’s guitar skills best. Most of us saw Lance first as ‘one of the fine fellas in the band’ backing up some of the country’s biggest stars at festivals and on record. He is now more out on his own, but his contribution as a musician for others is just as important.

Thinkin’ about drinkin’ is a Troy Cassar-Daley song and provides another necessary drinking song for a country album.

The best way to put a smile on my face is to sing a Vince Gill or Randy Travis song – Lance does both for me here, first with Vince’s Take your memory with you and then with Randy’s Promises.

The Stonewall Jackson song, written by his brother, Wade, Don’t be Angry has an interesting history. Johnny Cash sang the song on the phone to convicted criminal, Gary Gilmore, just before he was executed. Think about that when you listen to Lance singing it.

Mark Wright penned the Mark Chesnutt song Danger at my door, then Lance goes from this upbeat number to the aforementioned Randy song, Promises.

The album was engineered and produced by Lance. It was mastered by Marcus Hooper and Simon Johnson.

This album is very easy on the ear. The covers that Lance has chosen aren’t ones that are done to death, in fact, if you aren’t an addict like me, you may not even know some of them. The guitar picking is top notch, but you just come to expect that with Lance. This is a fine album to while away the hours with.

Great job, Lance.

The Single Life – 12 Feb 2022

Lots to get through today with one arm, so please be patient with me! First up is Sammy White with Friends with the Bottle. I think that this is her best song so far. Drinking songs are a big part of country music. This is a beauty. Catchy and meaningful – doesn’t always happen.

Bo’Ness have a song which community radio will use as an advertisement. Light up the airwaves will also have them on the dance floor.

Dozzi have a new one, Thought I’d be which shows off their beautiful harmonies – a sad but beautiful song.

Lily Grace has The Two of Us Meet showing again what a great young talent she is. I have big hopes for Lily. She has found the balance of just enough trad country mixing with more modern sounds.

Bailey Perrie is 15. Crazy when you realise that she that age, still at school and then she is writing songs like this and singing like this. She’s a raw talent.

Like the majority of Australian Country Music fans, I am so excited to hear a new Tori Darke song. Her voice has never been better and it was always wonderful – Sit in a bar is a song for the times but it is also the perfect song to showcase Tori’s voice. Great stuff.

One of my country music sons, Ben Ransom has a new one out called Livin’. He has recently moved to the country to pour some wine, so I expect some drinking songs again soon. This song is a bit of a freedom song, a new lease of life. You can feel the wind in your hair.

Daniel Reeves with Ally Eley have released Chance to Grow which is a very singable and hummable song, with a pretty melody. Very sweet, gentle song.

With wonderful news that The Weeping Willows album will finally be out soon, they released House of Sin yesterday, which is a bluesy, folky song which showcases Andy’s guitar playing and their unique harmonies. The video is awesome too – spot the stars!