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| MAURA O'CONNELL/ WALLS & WINDOWS/ SUGAR HILL RECORDS 3937/ (***) It's about five years ago that we've heard of this fine Irisch-born singer Maura O'Connell. "Walls & Windows" is here first release for Sugar Hill Records. On this great CD she choos some beautiful songs from respected singer/songwriters as there are Ron Sexsmith (Don't Ask Why), Eric Clapton (I Get Lost), Van Morrison (Crazy Love) and John Prine (Sleepy Eyed Boy). Really good songs. As with each of her previous recordings, the musical landscape of "Walls & Windows" is varied and the sources of Maura's insperiation are numerous. |
| MARIANNE GRITTANI/ INTO THE SHIMMERING/ MOONWOMAN MUSIC/ (****) Sometimes there are great artists who don't have the attention they deserve. This contemporary country-folk artist Marianne Grittani is one of many. She comes from the same ground that spawned songwriter pals, Willie P. Bennett, Laura Smith, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Michell, Bruce Cockburn, early mentor and dearly missed friend Colleen Peterson and many more. Marianne sings with a warm, sensuous, passionated voice. Really outstanding songs. The variety and quality of musicianship speaks for itself, "I came to Know the 'Shimmering' as a state of grace on a sunlit beach one August afternoon, when I found myself and my loved one unmistakably in it" Marianne Grittani. |
| BRENT PARLANE/ THE CLOSEST bp-001/ GOOD MAN DOWN bp-002/ GIBBON MUSIC/ (*****) Brent, who's from down under, brings his songs mostly in an Americana, exceptionally, bluesy way (the blues). There are 10 originals on "The Closest" and 14 on "Good Man Down". Brent serve us with beautiful strong songwriting. He writes about real life, love or lost love songs, cowboy songs, and immigrant songs color both CD's Musically he get some help from Australian best guys like Dave Steel, Mick Albeck, Rod Mc Cormack and the Chambers family as well nown Bill, Kasey, and Nash. The Chambers family well known as "The Dead Ringer Band" is one of the best countrybands in Australia. Also a fine word for Nash Chambers, who produced both releases in modest but splendid way. |
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| BLUE MOTHER TUPELO/ DELTA LOW & MOUNTAIN HIGH/ SHO'NUFF RECORDS/ (***) Blue Mother Tupelo are Micol Davis and Ricky Davis with a little help from friends. The disc starts off with two rocksongs which could have been written by Lowell George. Some nice country songs and even a few songs that could be considered as funky soul songs. (Without you) is the absolute highlight of this CD, it's a ballad about loneliness, sung by Micol with nice piano, violin and acoustic guitar. (Working Man) is a good country-rock song sung by Rick. (Como Dust) and (What A Shame) could be described as acoustic blues orientated. The only disappointment is (Boogie Blues), wich is way overproduced, it's a minor shortcoming where a few other songs also suffer from. After all this cd reminds me a lot of John Mohead. People who love his cd's must give this a listen. |
| THE SPOILS/ HURTSVILLE/ CORDUROY RECORDS/ (***) The disc starts off with an Ennio Morricone-instrumental, followed by (Fading Out Down) witch is a sort of an Acoustic ballad (beautiful song). With (Give Me Some Love) the band pump up the volume a little bit, it's also a ballad with gospel influences. (Two Of Us) is a nice folky ballad. (Gone Away) is an instrumental dominated by the accordion, which reminds me of a French caf� in Paris. (Blood On The Ground) is a very slow ballad with super guitar playing. (Bitter) is a song that could have come out of Neil Young's pen. The disc ends with a lo-fi country song. You could consider this cd as a nice effort from a young Australian band. The only remark I have is that some of the songs may be a bit too long, but that's only a minor observation. |
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