Totally Biased Fan Review- up, down and sideways: Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley.

TRACK LIST

Side A
1. Country Music, You And Beer
2. Roll On Baby
3. What Are You Waiting For
4. Memory Lane
5. Don’t Give Up On Me Yet
Side B
1. High On A Monday
2. Wild Side
3. Lost If I Lost You
4. Rock Bottom
5. Star Of The Show

Adam and Brooke were already coming into country music with solid careers – Adam with his brothers and Brooke with her sisters.

This and other works that they have produced, should prove that they are a force to be reckoned with. Their personal relationship and their winning ways at presenting in Tamworth have endeared them to many.

Winner of 3 Golden Guitars before this album was released- Duo, single and song. They have achieved so much in their separate interests but this is where they excel most. They harmonise, blend and just click most together.

With award winning singles released, interest turned to what else they could accomplish. When you listen to the whole album together, the ebbs and flows start to make sense.

Both Brooke and Adam can sing powerfully and this mixed with a bunch of songs that explore a few moods and swings, we get the full picture.

These two are definitely a power couple in Australian Country Music.

There are some bright and breezy tracks and some more heartfelt slow and easy songs. The next generation is definitely on its way.

Great stuff, Brooke and Adam.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Gareth Leach and the Narratives of Hope – Gareth Leach

Trigger is one of my fave albums, so again, one of my Victorian Country Music sons has a hard act to follow. Gareth is backed here by some of the best in Australia, he always surrounds himself with quality and he’s not afraid to push the envelope. He experiments with many of the 94 types of country music.

While he is involved with writing most songs, he does include a Steve Goodman song. He likes to surprise.

Steve is most famous for writing City of New Orleans, which has been covered by many. It is one of my fave country songs, most famously covered by Willie but I discovered the song through Judy Collins. Sadly, he passed away at 36 from Leukaemia. Here, Hareth songs You Never Even Called Me by My Name. I love the quirky instrumentals and the fabulous Big Ole Feelings with the Davidson Brothers. Brilliant stuff.

You never know what you are going to get with Gareth, he’s our musical version of Gump.

I love when Gareth does Celtic or traditional – I really think that is when he is at his best, but I also like it when he throws in something with shock value.

I love Discontinuation for that rugged Celtic feel.

Holiday Home has a cool rhythm and beat to it. It has a very cool easy country rock beat.

Bloodlines is brilliant, close to my favourite track. The musos are fantastic on this too.

I love how Gareth tries every kind of country music. He always has something for everybody.

Thanks Gareth for having the lyrics for us, so that we can sing along! Is there anything that really beats a CD or LP with the words, credits, liner notes, etc?

The Drive is a brilliant way to end the album.

Oh, country music son, you have done me proud again. sensational!

Totally Biased Fan Review: Something Rare and Beautiful – Nathan Seeckts

I only review my favourites, and Nathan is way up on my list of those. I had heard a little bit about him, then I met him at one of Allan Caswell’s songwriting classes with some amazing other folks. I bought his album on the spot – when you know, you know. This follow up has been a long time coming but I am oh so glad that it is here.

Nathan, with his deep, husky voice and his meaningful and thoughtful songs, can’t produce anything but a winner.

There have been a few singles released already, but not too many. I am pleased to say that the singles are as good as the album tracks – which is rare. I usually prefer album tracks.

Victoria is full of terrific singer/songwriters. Nathan Seeckts is one of them. When you can get the Queen of Melbournetown to do backing vocals for you, you know that you are doing pretty ok!

One of the singles, Cassette in the Tape Deck, reminds me of two Luke O’Shea songs – passenger Seat and Listen to the words. Not much bigger praise than that. I love No ifs, no doubts, no maybes – it’s a stunning track.

There are people who try too hard not to be country and others who try too hard to be country. Nathan is just a natural.

He’s a mixture of a few artists, but there is something that is uniquely Nathan.

Something Rare and Beautiful (the title track) is a beauty.

We all know a king of the room. Little Church reminds me of John Mellencamp or early Springsteen but it never stops being country.

Nathan is very ‘soul try’ which is never more evident than on Goodnight Bluebird.

There is a stunning cast of musicians on this album – the guitars are particularly excellent.

I love Measured and wanting. Firstly, because it is a cool title, but chiefly because Nathan is a superb lyricist. If you have never met Nathan, you would think (songwriting wise) that he was in his fifties. He has such a great maturity to his words and his stories, like he has been here before.

It is hard to pick a favourite, I love them all, but I watch you slip away from me is pretty close to it.

From The Wildest Thing to The End of the Rope, this is an amazing album. It is everything that I hoped it would be and more.

Nathan writes every song and you can tell, he doesn’t leave anything in the tank- it is all here.

He also co-produced it with Roger Bergodaz.

Let your ears feel the pleasure, let your heart embrace it.

The Single Life – 29/6/2023

Sorry, I have been out of action for a bit – time to catch up! John Williamson has released new music. It has been a while. How many songs is an ironic song considering how many songs that he has written. A song in typical Willo style.

Josie has released Down Here – very Australian and very country. Top song.

Jayne Denham starts this song with a cool riff. Stunt Double has a real cool groove to it.

Seaforth sing in a Keith Urban style – Get the Girl is uptempo country. Catchy.

Playing with fire is the latest from one of my favourite people, Ryan Daykin. He is just so underrated. One of the best voices in the biz.

Fred Smith is one of my favourite artists. He goes to different levels. His lyrics always make you think. This is Crisis. He doesn’t pull any punches.

My country music grandson, Angus Gill, explores different avenues and subjects- Little Green Man, continues this journey.

Raechel Whitchurch’s Untangled is one of the best female songs this year. I have a lot of love and respect for this gal. She’s a winner.

No doubt in the universe, Rick and Vanessa Hart are two of my fave people in the universe. I don’t think that I have longed for an album more than Rick’s one. This song is typical of the reason why I am hanging for it. The dam that holds your tears is brilliant.

Way out West (no, not that one), is the latest from Tyla Rodrigues. Super song. Get it into your ears, now. Awesome song.

My mate, Les Thomas, has produced a beauty with Man on fire. I love his style and this song is one of the best of the year so far.

Queen of Melbournetown, Gretta Ziller, kills it with Bones! What I wouldn’t give to sing like this woman! Genius.

I love you is the current single from my brother from another mother, Pete O’Brien. He sounds very John Lennon like on this. Fab stuff.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Dream of America – Hannah Aldridge EEP

• Tracklisting1. Dorero
  2. Portrait of the Artist as a Middle Aged Man
  3. Beautiful Oblivion
  4. Unbeliever
  5. Dream of America
  6. The Fall
  7. Psycho Killer
  8. Catacombs

I missed Hannah on her recent trip to Australia but she is an adopted member of our country music family.

She especially has a strong connection to Lachlan Bryan and The Wilde’s, whose song she covers on here: Portrait of the Artist as a Middle Aged Man.

Her own family has its roots firmly entrenched in American music with her Dad, Walt, being just a bit of a legend. One of his songs was covered by The Weeping Willows as well.

So with these connections, it is no surprise that her songs are either a bit dark or murder ballads! Hannah has made her mark on European audiences too.

Our boys, Lachlan Bryan and Damian Cafarella , play on and produce the album.

This album has been in the works for a while, with a lot of discussion and work on putting the album together. There are some interesting reworking of songs that you may not have expected on a Hannah release. I am pretty sure that I recognised a Talking Heads song there!

I think Unbeliever and The Great Divide are my favourites. Hannah likes to switch things up a bit and there are a few twists and turns on here to keep you on your toes.

It is an album (EEP) full of experiments. I read a quote that this album is more about dreams of America than the American Dream.

Hannah is at her best when she uses that gently haunting voice. If you aren’t familiar with Hannah, I strongly advise that you see her LIVe or buy her LIVE album too.

This album in many ways, is more of a sampler of all the possibilities that an artist in their prime can produce.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Girlhood – Hayley Marsten

Spectacular Heartbreak was one of the most honest and vital albums ever released in this country in any genre and it gets many spins still in this home. As a debut album, it was astonishing as well.

Thus, it is a hard act to follow. Hayley doesn’t pull any punches. In a recent interview, she said that she was drawn to strong female songwriters who had something to say. Well, Hayley definitely fits into that set.

She doesn’t name names in her songs but she tells the stories without fear or favour. Her voice is incredible. It is just getting stronger and more powerful.

Girlhood is a reflective piece which doesn’t just look back it also looks forward. Hayley mentioned in an interview that she was in a lot of musicals when she was younger and that the hard work that goes into putting on those shows was a good base for her music career but I also think that experience has served her well as her songs are a full on dramatic performance. Hayley has lived each of her songs, she can put her heart and soul into her songs and breathe extra life into them.

When you have the likes of two of the most sensational female singer/songwriters on your album – Melody Moko and Imogen Clark and also Michael Muchow involved, you can’t go wrong.

Hayley’s songs aren’t always easy to hear, touching on some tough subjects as she puts herself out there with every word and every note. She is very brave and very honest. It has always been my belief that if you are going to write an autobiography or write songs about your life, it has to be warts and all. Life is full of light and shade, it is not all pretty or all blue.

Hayley mixes her styles here. Her messages come through whether they are up tempo, power ballads or slow and smooth songs.

There are some ‘E’s next to her songs which drop the Clanger but the word fits the songs.

I think Getting Better is a great way to start the album and it has a double edged meaning. Equally, the gentle Last Transmission is a great way to finish, particularly being a LIVE recording. The applause gives it an uplifting finale.

The title track, Teen Movie, I Knew the pain, Bittersweet at best are amongst my favourites.

When Hayley released her last album it was pre Covid. A lot has happened since then and it has been an obvious time to reconnect and explore the past as well as the future and the present.

This album represents that jigsaw puzzle which shows how all the pieces fit together or don’t fit together. It is sometimes angry, it is sometimes sad, it is always a learning curve for the songwriter and the listener.

This album has been a long time coming. It is well considered and crafted and everything that you have come to expect from Hayley.

Bravo.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Any Less Anymore – Travis Collins

I first came across Travis Collins as a teenager in Tamworth. He’s all ‘growed’ up now. He has certainly worked hard and paid his dues. He’s married now with a child and one on the way. His music has ‘growed’ up too. Recent world and personal events have given him perspective. His music has evolved, as he has.

In the hands of Stuart Stuart who has had a lot to do with both Aussie and International artists, this album is sure to be a hit.

None of Travis’s albums are the same – they are very different. You can’t compare apples and oranges but you can love them both.

He mixes his country styles – country rock, country pop, some ballads. It is probably more poppy than his other albums.

It is a fast album, the time flies. There are some standouts, and as you would expect of me I love those ballads.

The last song, You think it will, is an absolute gem. I love Raise Me, Hard on this Heartbreak and Gettin’ Old is good for a groove. Good Time Found Me is fun and good for dancing as well.

I have always loved the Timbre of Travis’s voice. He can be so soulful and yet he can also vary his style from song to song.

There is something for everybody on this album.

Totally Biased Fan Review: No God in Juarez: Dallas Moore

All songs by Billie Gant

Some fast fingers and rapid vocals combine with a long highway being torn up by a truck and some mellow machinations. This is an album that would make George Jones smile, Waylon grin and make every outlaw in country music on earth and in heaven give a standing ovation.

Dallas Moore sings the songs of Billie Gant. He usually sings his own. Each one fits him like a comfy slipper.

Juarez is on the Rio Grande near El Paso. You can’t get much more of a western feel than that. This album reads much like a modern western. You think that you are riding into town or into a sunset on a horse, then a truck or a plane turns up. It doesn’t destroy the scene, it just makes for interesting listening.

The album is a good mix of rip them up guitars and gentle rhythms. The album tells great stories, gives you plenty of light and shade and it is a wonderful adventure- a wild ride.

No faint hearted listeners here, it is for rebels and wild ones only! It is like the Hole in the Wall of country music albums.

If you like your country music served to you from a whiskey glass in the Y’all come back Saloon, then this is the one for you. Tap your feet, get out your air guitar, grab your harmonica from your back pocket and tie your horse or motorbike up outside.

Totally Biased Fan Review: Billie-Jo Porter – Billie-Jo Porter

Track Listing

1. Feels Like Us
2. Home
3. All We Need
4. Let It All Roll Out
5. Like Bob Said feat. Kelly Brouhaha
6. Upside 
7. Real World feat. Kevin Bennett
8. Play It Cool
9. Eyes Wide Open
10. More Than Friends
11. Las Vegas
12. Last Leaves of Autumn

Billie-Jo’s first album has already given us a few singles. I often call singles released before albums, teasers. Sometimes they give you a clue to the album, other times they are nothing like the other songs.

It’s been a big few weeks for Billie-Jo – she co-wrote a big chunk of Clint Wilson’s album, that I reviewed last week and now comes her own album.

Produced by Shane Nicholson, the album also features Kevin Bennett and Kelly Brouhaha.

Billie-Jo seems like an upbeat kind of girl. This comes through in her music. Even in the songs that may hint about a tough time, the songs offer options and solutions to get out of that position. Thus:

One look at the album cover and you know that this album is not going to be sad. It is not going to play it safe, either. No funeral dirges here. No heartbreak songs either.

The first line of the album is it feels like fireworks, so you start the album with a bang. I think the message that’s repeated in many of the songs is that everything is going to be okay, it just takes patience and time.

It is an album about moving on, looking forward to better days, seeing the silver lining in the chaos.

With all the craziness in this world, it is good to have an album that gives us some subtle direction through the mire…..or you can just enjoy it without listening between the lines or reading the signs.

The gal from Quirindi has done good.

Totally Biased Fan Review: At the End of the Dirt Road – Drew Parker EEP

Ah, this is a lovely surprise. Most of you know that I love 90’s American Country Music. This young fella, Drew Parker, from Georgia, has taken that sound and he is singing it loud and clear. This is only an EEP at 6 tracks, but it is a great indication of what is to come.

There are some clever lyrics with tried and true traditional country themes. For example, King of Country Music is not what you may think and is aptly sing with his wife, Mallory Parker.

They are six great songs, all a little bit different to each other but with a familiar feel and style. My Baby Does is the last song and has a bit of a George Strait feel (even mentions him!). The title track combines cliche with reality.

I’ll love you longer makes Drew the King of comparisons, there are some good ones here.

She’s on a roll amps it up a bit but not too much.

Middle of Nowhere Class will get you up on the dance floor or playing that air guitar.

For those who love their country, country.