Canada’s Matt Andersen has one of the most extraordinarily soulful and powerful voices you’re ever likely to hear. It’s the kind of voice that hits you like a force 10 gale – once you’ve heard him sing you know you’ve witnessed something remarkable. Unsurprisingly he’s been building a global fan base on the strength of his live performances across North America, Europe and … [Read more...]
Rickie Lee Jones – Rickie Lee Jones
Sometimes records are like a new love - all infatuation and exhilaration until the initial interest begins to wane, at other times an album grabs you from the outset and then becomes something more meaningful over time as you develop a deeper appreciation. Rickie Lee Jones’ debut album is a lot like the latter for me. Initially it was the bright and breezy charm of the hit … [Read more...]
Bringing It All Back Home – Bob Dylan
Discovering Dylan is like being handed the keys to the universe. Once that light goes on suddenly the world seems vastly different than it did before. I have friends who’ll recite Dylan in any situation given half a chance, so it’s not unusual to hear one of them break into Shelter From The Storm at a dinner party for instance. For all the justifiable attention the … [Read more...]
Gossip – Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly’s formative years fall into three distinct periods – growing up in a large Catholic family in Adelaide as an inquisitive and thoughtful kid mad on sport; moving to Melbourne to pursue a career in music and having a brief dalliance in the world of pop (including an appearance on Countdown with the Dots); before finally finding wide recognition and success after moving … [Read more...]
Fire On The Floor – Beth Hart
The road to success hasn't been easy for Beth Hart. It was her second album Screamin' For My Supper, and particularly the single LA Song (Out Of This Town) that saw Beth score her first hit and subsequent inclusion on the soundtracks to a number of prime time television shows. At that time she was in her late 20's and after a long history of substantial drug use since her teens … [Read more...]