This is a pure country album and probably the best of Ronnie’s solo albums. He supports two up and coming Country artists, has more torch and twang than most artists have had and makes sure that Whiskey features in more than one song.
I saw Brooks and Dunn in Sydney with a friend who was crazy about them. I never understood the attraction to I saw them live. Ronnie by himself has never been totally appealing til this album. He does a great and surprising version of Ashley Monroe’s, TheBlade. Ashley is one of my favourites but I really love this version.
He wrote 7/11 of these songs and it far surpasses other solo albums. It is so country that you can smell the hay and the cow manure.
I have attempted to review other solo efforts as as much as it pains me to deviate from his albums with Kix and think about his other solo efforts, this is top notch.
I guess it is nothing new by Ronnie, but a nice comfortable style and something which we secretly hope for from him. Sticking to a formula which works and which fits, rather than trying to be too abstract.
This album has been a long time coming. It is probably the most ‘country’ album that they have produced.
I think that this album probably contains their best work. It is actually quite a stunning album from the Melbourne duo.
As I am playing the album, I keep saying that is my favourite until I play the next one – that is always a good sign.
Cowboy Lonesome, the title track, Midnight Choir, have already been released as singles, which I have reviewed and they were good teasers for the album.
Attention to detail is always a priority with this dynamic duo. Everything is always polished but not over produced.
There’s always a song with double entendres and metaphors and it usually involves food – this time Hot Apple Pie. The guitars on this one are almost as hot as the pie.
There are always a few songs that involve alcohol (what good country album doesn’t?) – Midnight Choir, Three Chords and the Brew, Beers a must.
There’s a touch of mid music life Keithy with a Little Love will fix you up and The Light. (That’s never a bad thing!)
There’s always clever twists and turns in the lyrics with these two and collaborator, Kenny Royster.
Of course there are your guaranteed sad songs and love songs which of course, are what I love best. 24.7.365 is a beauty, as is That’s why I’m here – which expresses a few different kinds of love; Forever Girl, which is adaptable to Forever Guy, and quite apt in today’s world.
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that my favourite is Change How You See The World. I think it is one of the songs of the year. Given the times that we live in and all of the conflict and judgement, this is the perfect cure for negativity and hate. Lyrically, words that paint a thousand pictures. I can’t say enough good things about this song.
There is always a balance on The Long and Short of it albums. There are songs that make you laugh and smile; songs that make you think and feel and songs that are upbeat and danceable and singalongable.
The harmonies, the musicianship and the crafting of these songs is fabulous.
The dynamic duo know how long that I have been waiting for this album. Perfection is always worth waiting for. Bravo Patsy and David!
This album will be released on 5th August officially. Pre-order now!
A few to catch up on! Andrew Swift released Good Old Days from his forthcoming album. It is a get up on your feet, fun song with some cool guitar licks.
Tyla Rodrigues has a song out called All She Is. It starts out quietly and builds up in meaning and strength. A song beyond her years.
One of the artists’ artists in Victoria, Sarah Carroll has released Haunted Highway. It definitely has that haunted sound and it is a wonderful mix of folk, country and grungy blues. Very cool.
Lindsay Waddington is on a roll lately and I think Sir Allan may have encouraged him to sing a bit more. Black North Queensland Snow is not an instrumental, it is a very thoughtful memory and Lindsay does a great job of telling the story. My Grandmother grew up in Bundaberg and told me many Sugar Cane stories.
Bo’Ness new single is Still Young is an anthemic song for the young and the young at heart. Good fun and it gets you up on your feet.
Chelsea Berman has Breakup with a friend out and it is a powerful song (sorry for my lateness) which many will relate to.
Warren Kearney’s new song is Music Fallin’ – is a collaboration with KCLacourse a cowboy poet. The song is a tribute to the many that we have loved and lost in the music family lately. Emotional song.
Wow, what a discovery! This is The Deslondes first album in five years, but I never knew that they existed. I do now. The quintet is from New Orleans.
One reviewer says that the band embraces the history of American music but they add a contemporary twist. I think that is pretty spot on. In each of the songs, you will detect one or more of the feel of some of the greatest American and maybe some Canadian artists. Leonard Cohen, The Band, America, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Everly Brothers,Jackson Browne, etc. They are all there in some form.
The Deslondes perform all originals here but there’s a definite nod and inspiration from some of those mighty musos.
I think that was an intentional approach. It is almost like a trip through time, gathering notes, chords, vocals, and lyrics in a time capsule that is finally opened up.
This would be described as epic or iconic if it had been produced by a more mainstream band. I am going to go out on a limb and call it that anyway.
There are 14 songs on the album and for those of a certain age – mine – it is kind of mind blowing how many influences you hear in them. For those who may be too young or unfortunate enough not to know any of the greats that we grew up with in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, you are in for a magical mystery tour.
There is a definite country thread through this album – which is classified in most reviews as folk, world, country. (Which covers most bases).
It is hard to pick a favourite, and I don’t want to spoil the adventure of travelling from one song to another by dissecting and describing the songs. It is cool just to be hit in the face by the surprises and the memories.
They are a fine bunch of writers and musicians who have very cleverly woven the fabric of the best of American music into one of the nicest surprises of the year.
They are hardly prolific- a self titled album in 2014, another one in 2016 and this one, now. However, quality is often better than quantity.
The band describes themselves as a family. To produce an album as intricate yet as fun as this album is, you would have to be that way.
Matt Fell produced this album by the critically acclaimed Jenny Mitchell. The Kiwi singer/songwriter is very well respected amongst her peers in both NZ and Australia.
She has been compared to Aussie Fanny Lumsden, who along with Kaylee Bell (we’ve adopted her now) appears on the album.
One reviewer calls her country with a little c. I think that is not a criticism on their part more so a lack of awareness of the 94 types of country music.
I guess in reality, Jenny’s music is a mixture of folk, country, blues and Celtic sounds. Her voice is pure honey and her words are thoughtful, poignant and thought provoking.
With a gentle delivery, Jenny presents us with some powerful messages.
This album was written after Jenny graduated from Uni and she could not travel or tour due to Covid rules.
The ten tracks are masterpieces. The album goes fast. The songs are very personal but they are all things that we can relate to.
This album will appeal to many, you don’t have to follow a certain kind of music to appreciate the beauty and passion of these songs.
Growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s with a country music mad, cowboy farmer father, it was a religious ritual to watch Reg on the tv. Probably one of the first Aussie country music songs that I ever heard was Armstrong. Reg was part of my childhood.
This album has been long in the works. Of course, Reg is not here to sing the songs to us but these are mainly written by Reg apart from a couple.
I reviewed his duet with the wonderful Jodie Crosby earlier, Silence on the line, which was a gentle teaser leading up to this release. The songs are a mixture of the upbeat, some lovely slow songs, love songs, fun songs and Bush ballads.
Reg is more known for his distinctive voice than his songwriting. Here, you have both. The songs have been re-mastered but not over produced. Country all the way, Special Kind of Love, Looking at a loser are some of the special songs.
Reg wrote over 500 songs in his 50 year career. He released 65 albums, 250 singles and won three Golden Guitars. John Stewart wrote Armstrong but everybody thinks of it as Reg’s song. If it wasn’t for his then brother in law, Slim Dusty, he probably would have won more GGs!
He was also a multi instrumentalist. His daughter, Dianne, has carried on the Lindsay music legacy.
It is hard to pick favourites, though I have already picked a few here. As you listen to the album, you find new favourites. The variety is wonderful and I do feel quite nostalgic and melancholy as I listen to it, but in a good way.
If you hear your older relatives talk about ‘real’ Aussie country, then this is what they are talking about. Reg was able to mix Aussie themes and roots with an American trad. Country feel.
Reg is an Australian Country Music Legend. He broke into pop charts with Armstrong, created a huge amount of music, broke ground on tv and radio and was and is an underrated integral part of our country music history.
Well done to all of those who put this together. It is a treasure.
I haven’t been there for as long as Lozza and Amber’s siblings, but I have been there since her first gig in Tamworth and she truly feels like part of my family. Off the record, she is always first there for charity gigs and telethons. She appeals to all generations and I have had the pleasure of seeing and hearing her evolving from a young raw artist who showed so much promise to this amazing entertainer who reaches and touches so many.
She is an amazing woman and she truly cares, even about us old cronies.
We have had a tough time meeting up lately, I have bought tickets to gigs but life events have stopped us from catching up. Hopefully, we will get it right soon. In the meantime, we have this stunning album to enjoy.
This album includes previously released singles and some awesome album songs which will be just as loved.
Angry features Ashleigh Dallas, Cass Hopetoun and Hayley Marsden, how can you top that? I see purple air guitars!
Rise is a personal fave with Casey Donovan. What a song! co-written with Lyn Bowtell – putting two magicians together, can’t ever be wrong!
The singles are all fab, I have previously reviewed them all on The Single Life.
You were mine is a two tissue box song, about the loss of Amber and Marty’s baby, Woody. Anyone who has lost a baby or couldn’t have one like me will understand. Amber always knows how to pull at the heart strings. Co-written with my dear Lyn Bowtell – who else could?
Jewel is co-written with Travis Collins and Matt Scullion, two of my fave fellas. One of the best songs in the album, if not the best. Oh boy.
Sing, co-written with Melanie Horsnell is a winner, but what song on this album isn’t?
Back to some of the singles- briefly – I’m coming home is co-written with Gunnedah gal – Katrina Burgoyne and is amongst my top 10 Ambs songs of all time.
Making up for Lost Wine is co-written with Phil Barton and Kyle Sackley – so apt for these times! Phil has a finger in just about everybody’s songs these days!
Bring it back is co-written with Melanie Dyer and again, is a song for the times.
Fill it up tells it all and sums up how most of us feel about the last couple of years.
The title track, features hot band, Darlinghurst and it is a hopeful song.
Ambs is here to stay. She is one of our very best and she never disappoints. Yes, I am probably more totally biased about Ambs than others, but it is with good reason. She is simply, so bloody good.
My dear mate and the woman who I consider to be the best female country music songwriter in Australia, Cathy Dobson, has released a new song with the help of a couple of our other beaut mates, A little faith. Cathy writes in a variety of styles within the country music genre, but I think that she feels most at home with the country blues/style. Cathy is a great storyteller and there is always meaning to her songs. Instrumentally, the boys add punch and polish. Gritty and raw. A song for the times.
In her bio, it says that Grace Amos is 18. Good Lordy! Not strictly run of the mill country, though probably country pop, Kiss you til I’m sober is definitely a country title though!
Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley are like good red wine, they just get better with age. Memory Lane is a powerful country rock ballad. Top stuff.
Just a few that I didn’t have officially for the last one!
My Melbourne mate, Johnny Shilo, has a 50’s style country rock song coming out soon, so this is a little heads up – Cowboys Come Alive After Five will make you get your air guitar out and get you on the dance floor. This Cowgirl sometimes comes alive after five, so I get it. On ITunes soon! Go Johnny Go!
A couple of old favourites have new singles. One is one of my country music daughters, Tori Darke. Pick Me Up is the kind of song that Tori does so well. I have always thought that she is Australia’s answer to Shania Twain. I think that this song proves it.
I shall forgive one of my fave fella’s bad English with his new song ‘One of them Nights’ because it is a good song…..bouncing around the kitchen with this one. Glad to have some new music from you, Travis Collins.
Same Songs is a newby from two of the hottest acts in country music -James Johnston and Kaylee Bell. It is a fun boppy song.
Courtney Keil has released Hard Place. She mixes it up, this gal, every song is different. That is a good thing. One thing remains the same – the voice.
The Long and Short of it are sounding more country every day – and that’s a good thang. Midnight Choir is a toe tapping, guitar driven, fun song. It’s a party song. Great stuff.
With a catchy tune and bittersweet lyrics, Matt Joe Gow’s Til My Whole Heart Bursts is a winner. Music is polished, lyrics are heartfelt.
Christie Lamb sings the soundtrack to her life in Three Chords and a Woman’s Truth. A catchy track with a fun edge as you listen for names and songs. Good stuff.
Some group called The April Family have a new song out, you may have heard me mention them before…..Ain’t gonna fit inside your box is – not necessarily what you would expect from The terrific trio, but it is good to mix things up. Lots of guitars and drums and Kylie belting out the lyrics in a big way. Hopefully an album is underway.
Cowgirlup 