Fiona Joy Hawkins – Calling County Clare(Official)
Lily Duval New Single Two Souls
"Lily Duval New Single Two Souls"
Lily Duval New Single Two Souls
For many years from the 70’s through to the early 2000s Sydney Artist Lily Duval worked as a studio session singer and performed live with acoustic and rock blues bands in venues throughout Australia. After a 10 year hiatus she returned to recording in 2015. “The music I love is from classic artists such as Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Snow, Janis Joplin, Harry Nilsson, Billy Thorpe, Brian Cadd, Joe Cocker and Leon Russell, all tend to have a bluesy undertone and once that style seemed to not be the new thing anymore I kinda felt my style didn’t fit. ”But since the Blues and Roots resurgence and then Americana coming along Lily finally felt the time was right and started writing again from 2015 onwards.
“I got a tip about Damien Gerard Studios , who I was able to meet with and plan a bit of a ‘come back’. The studio vibe was just like the old days, lovely and warm and friendly with lots of analog gear and the ‘patient’ Russell Pilling. They also organised for me to do a photoshoot with Rock Photographer legend, Tony Mott, which turned out to be a great idea. Tony didn’t treat me any different to all those famous huge acts he has shot and that really helped me get my confidence back.”
Since restarting Lily has released a steady body of work each year in the modern-day EP and singles format, mainly original acoustic folky bluesy tunes but with some classic cover B sides thrown into the mix. The new songs have consistently been received well at community radio across the country with comparisons ranging from Carol King to Joni Mitchell. Lily Duval’s first outing for 2020 is what she considers her strongest to date: “These 2 songs, an original and a cover are both close to my heart. The Aside“Two Souls” is all about the entanglement of love. How loving someone sometimes makes life complicated even as you get older. The cover I chose ‘Angel from Montgomery is a song I love from John Prine, who sadly fell victim to Covid 19 recently, this makes it even more poignant.
I was very lucky to have the talented Peter Holtz & Scott Bird play on these new releases. Both guitarists have worked with me in the studio since I started recordings and besides their wonderful musical abilities, they are both good men. Rory McKenzie, who has spent the last 20years living and working in Los Angeles and Nashville, played drums on both of these tracks. Rory is a talented musician and moved home just in time for his recording! It was also great to be back working with Andrew Beck, whose musical intellect is always appreciated–Andrew also played bass on “Angel from Montgomery”. The new Damien Gerard studio is just as great as the old place
Two Souls/Angel from Montgomery by Lily Duval – check it out below
Graham Gouldman Album Modesty Forbids New Review
"Graham Gouldman Album Modesty Forbids New Review"
Review
By Michael Smith
Imagine being invited to play with one of the guys who inspired you to become a musician. For Eric Stewart, that became a reality for a few productive years when he joined Paul McCartney, not only playing guitar for but cowriting songs with him for his Tug Of War, Pipes Of Peace, Give My Regards to Broadway and the unfortunate Press to Play albums. For Graham Gouldman, Stewart’s one-time partner in 10CC, it came with a call to join Ringo Starr on a tour. Well, he was never going to get a call from Paul was he, being a bass player? Gouldman may be getting on a bit but as the opening track of his third solo album, ‘Standing Next To Me’, makes clear, Gouldman remains as youthfully starry-eyed about having had the chance to play with a Beatle, who adds his drums to this most Beatleish of tunes, as he would have been when he first heard The Beatles as an aspiring 17 year old playing in bands around Salford and Birmingham back in 1963.
Within a year, Gouldman was churning out songs that matched his obvious inspiration, McCartney, that were being recorded by everyone from The Yardbirds – ‘For Your Love’ and ‘Heart Full of Soul’ – to Herman’s Hermits – ‘No Milk Today’ – to The Hollies – ‘Bus Stop’, even if his own band The Mockingbirds never quite managed to break through. From 1970 on, Gouldman seemed happy to submerge his gifts within 10CC, cowriting within the initial four-piece then, after the split in 1977, with Eric Stewart, until he too stepped away. Across the 11 songs on Modesty Forbids, it’s obvious we’re in the presence of a master – and versatile – songsmith who, as it happens, has proven himself far more consistent in terms of quality control than McCartney, who obviously remains an unmistakeable influence, Gouldman’s bass lines often as stylishly melodic and unexpected as anything by the Fab One. There’s even a touch of the George Harrison’s not only in the lyric and melody of ‘What Time Won’t Heal’, but in Gouldman’s voice! It’s also not just silly love songs – Gouldman still has something to say, in ‘All Around the World’, cowritten with Beth Neilson Chapman, and the melodically very 10CC ‘Hangin’ by a Thread’ joining the call to face the reality of climate change. Modesty Forbids is the album McCartney fans have been hoping their man might make for years – a pretty bold statement, I know, but really, ‘Waiting All My Life for You’ is pure McCartney. Altogether, this is a truly quality album in the classic sense.
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Julie-Anne Marshall Releases Dream Pop Single Crossfire
"Julie-Anne Marshall Releases Dream Pop Single Crossfire"
Soundslikecafe is proud to feature the new single from Julie-Anne Marshall “Crossfire” –
Julie-Anne’s latest song release ‘Crossfire’ has her stepping into the dream pop genre. With her vocals taking on a whisper pop vibe in this song, she still remains true to her lyric driven evocative songwriting style. This diverse songwriter is showing that not only can she write across genre’s but her vocals are more than able to traverse the genre divide.
Hailing from Adelaide, Julie-Anne Marshall is an independent singer-songwriter who is not limited by musical boundaries – soft rock, easy listening with some jazz, roots and blues and a bit of folk and pop.
Julie-Anne independently released her first album “Bluebird” in 2016 with follow up singles “The Dawn” and “Memory”.
For Julie-Anne the song leads the way and songwriting is the sole reason she performed with bands around Adelaide working on her performing and song writing skills. Piano is her instrument and her vocal style is earthy yet ethereal, with songs that are lyric driven, melodic and wistful yet wishful.
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SLC May Playlist Additions
"SLC May Playlist Additions"
Our May Playlist Additions include some varied tunes from new releases to keep you chilled during these strange times. We hope you enjoy, just click the images to listen to individual tracks or the actual playlist.
SLC Digital Expresso Playlist
The songs are;
Code Blue by Gareth Koch(from the EP)
This is jaunty & upbeat featuring full band backing, Koch’s Aria Award Winning signature guitar and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, but there are clues to an underlying seriousness.
Crossfire by Julie-Anne Marshall (from the new single)
Julie-Anne’s latest song release ‘Crossfire’ has her stepping into the dream pop genre. With her vocals taking on a whisper pop vibe in this song, she still remains true to her lyric driven evocative songwriting style. This diverse songwriter is showing that not only can she write across genre’s but her vocals are more than able to traverse the genre divide.
Dancin’ by The Mezcaltones(from the album Hillbilly Surf Rock Music)
A song who’s vintage tones and grooves lends itself to a time when lyrics had to be subtle but you still get the meaning. Another killer radio friendly tune from whats shaping up to be the bands best album yet.
Mirror of Love by Tim Walker(from the album Bridge of Angels)
Tim’s songwriting has truly come of age on this album and theres just so may good songs – this is another uptempo, hooky, and fun tune which even features an old school ragtime piano break.
Prayer for Rain by Fiona Joy Hawkins and Rebecca Daniel (from the single)
Impressionistic neo-classical piano with ethereal layered vocals featuring vocals from both of the girls. The alto from Fiona and Rebecca is the Soprano. All proceeds from this song go to bushfire affected wildlife via the Billabong Zoo Koala Hospital.
The Fatal Hour by Steve Kilbey and Gareth Koch (from the album Chryse Planitia)
Another deep and vibrant tune from this acclaimed album.
A much more laid back tune showing the other possibilities on the album this song starts with only guitar and voice, drawing the listener into the Kilbey/Koch world. When the drums and bass do kick in the whole thing moves up a notch and theres some great choral ear candy featured as well.
Wonders To Behold by Throwing Shapes(from the EP Tranquility Base)
The second playlist addition for this prolific WA Electronica Act. This tune will keep your interest and feet tapping throughout.
Gareth Koch-Code Blue(Official)
Review of Steve Kilbey and Gareth Koch album Chryse Planitia
"Review of Steve Kilbey and Gareth Koch album Chryse Planitia"
By Adam Jones 24/3/2020
Some artists and bands change like a slow-moving chameleon. Listen to Bowie’s first and last albums, and Queen’s, and the Rolling Stones. None of them gathered any moss, but did they gain any shine?
In Australia we have some extraordinary and treasured original artists who consistently deliver creative fodder for the music loving Aussie cattle, and all those other beautiful creatures herding around this great continent and across the world. Enigmatic riders on the dragons of fiery passion and creativity.
Some amazing dragon’s sons also have a long tail that lashes our ears with a quirky but blunt sentiment, along with a hearty serving of provocative ideas. It takes a true lover of the art of contemporary music to really appreciate the legend that is Steve Kilbey, the master of The Church, and a maestro for the lovers of exceptional songwriting and performance. But he is still somehow pleasingly familiar. When you get this close to musical utopia, the worst thing you can do is change too much!
But wait, there’s more!! Another shiny dragon egg has borne a different, but kindred spirit, conjured up by the masters of fantastic melody and classical classiness, and his name is Gareth Koch. Wow, this Aria award winner plays the guitar better than the best lover in the world tinkers with the sweet body of the object of his desire. Gareth relentlessly pleased my ears, and they were suffering gladly from his incandescent acoustic sensory overload.
Their incredible collaboration, helmed by the solid and laconic vocals and songwriting from Steve, is a somewhat different, but just frigging awesome, version of those fantastic albums we were treated to last millennium in the only Church I would every prey in.
So what can we find between the pews, up in the mural-covered arches, and hidden in cobwebbed bell-towers? Well, I tell you right now. There is still so much to discover, even after a few listens I feel like I need to spend 6 months with this album hitting my ears at least a few times per week, before I could do it some real justice with my review. But with only a few spins on my digital turntable, I will do my best, and give it a go!
‘Chryse Planitia’ is a smooth round golden plain, found north of the equator on the planet Mars, AND probably one of the most interesting and original album names I’ve seen since Pink Floyd in the late 60s. Well, I suppose its a very appropriate name, because it definitely rocketed my mind to another planet!
This collection of great songs opens with the fast-paced band expression that is Fallen Crown. “Hey baby, I’m a billionaire! Woah! She said I’ve got everything I need”. Well, lucky her, but her crown has fallen to the ground, because “her broken King don’t know what to say, clinging to the throne by a piece of string”. Surely this is a critical appraisal of greed and power, but “wow, you look so pretty!”.
The Fatal Hour strikes early on, “still sour in its cage, while fools come out to promenade”. This slower, and darker song is modern folklore. With multiple acoustic guitars plucking along, this is moody melodies galore. Then a bit of Didge introduces us to that misnamed Tassie Tiger, the Thylacine, mourning the extinction of that weird native dog from the map of Tassie. “Somebody came and took them all away, but still I wonder where they are tonight”. Next comes Tears of The End Of The World, a ballad for all that we seem to have lost and destroyed on planet Earth. And some people want to go and live on inhospitable Mars! Why, so they can “smile at the end of the day, mean everything, mean anything, give nothing away”?
In ‘Ophelia Without Wine’ Steve is “dying for the chance for her to come my way”. Gareth is once again amazing on the nylon strings. This whole album has so much to offer. Rest assured that the rest of the album, with songs that are so easy to indulge in, and with titles such as ’Heart is Heavy’, ‘Lady Ishtar in her Garden’, ‘Broken Toys’, and ‘Lost At Sea’, are sweet or sour treats that just keep coming, like a bottomless bowl of your favourite dessert or chilli con carne.
Honestly, this album has just been added to my ‘Essential Listening List’. Say no more.
(photo credit: Tony Mott)
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Review of New Album from Graham Gouldman
"Review of New Album from Graham Gouldman"
Review
Graham Gouldman
Album: Modesty Forbids
by Adam Jones, 21/3/2020.
I click on the link and start to listen to the opener Standing Next To Me, without taking notice of the artist name. “Mmmmmm” I think as the song commences, “this is very groovy and that’s a nice feel on the drums”. Vocals start and it sounds like a cross between Paul and Ringo from those legends I have loved all my life. Now he’s mentioning Ringo and the story appears to be about the songwriter being a bit awestruck working with the great drummer.
I start doing a bit of reading about Mr Gouldman and hit his Facebook page only to discover that it actually is Ringo Star playing drums on the first track! Wow, what an honour to review this British gentleman’s interestingly titled new album Modesty Forbids. He has been active in the music scene as a performer and songwriter since 1965, AND this man was a hit songwriter and member of 10CC! I loved all their hits. Okay so now I’m really looking forward to writing this one. Can’t call it ‘work’.
“That’s love right there” we are then told to the tune of a bit of piano swing big band jazz. I’m smiling and suddenly life feels fine and my foots a-tapping. All Around The World takes us everywhere with some more nice chords on piano and a Beatley sounding band. This is as enjoyable as Ringo’s last album which I listened to on repeat when it came out.
It’s Not You It’s Me rocks on with a tasty acoustic guitar part and some cool, almost dreamy hippy style vocals. There’s a nice variety of songs on this album. I think Graham could write a hit song in his sleep, as the acoustic strums with some more great band sound reminiscent of George in the 70s on What Time Won’t Heal.
More luscious keyboards feature in the sadly romantic Different Times. Wake Up Dreamer is the next solid song with the opening guitars sounding like a Crosby Stills Nash and Young track. Oh, and the bridge in this one is simply magic, then Graham reminds us that “even though we must accept, that doesn’t mean we can’t reject”. Yep!
Now I’m treated to the Russian Doll instrumental with its majestic and classic melodic stylings. The last 3 tracks treat my ears to more cruisey acoustic folk rock with some beautifully played guitar and perfect harmony backing vocals on the closing track New Star. “When all is over, when all is done, only love survives”. Yes. So true. Modesty Forbids is a real gem, that is well worth searching for, and when you find it, give it a good shine!
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Review of New Single from Karissa
"Review of New Single from Karissa"
REVIEW OF
LIGHT AT THE END OF DARKNESS – KARISSA HAMBILTON
by Adam Jones. 20/3/2020
The piano notes tinkle gently as they introduce a voice with the huskiness of Stevie Nicks and the passion of the great late Janis Joplin. The light at the end of the darkness in so much piano rock is here, with a well-written song and the perfect level of emotion for the lyrical subject. This is what Delta might have been like when she came out, if she had some Aussie guts! And don’t forget the B-side “it was only me in this delirium..this reality…only to be with you” in a Utopian Coma, a gently contrasting but equally emotional performance from Karissa Hambilton, along with some complementary electric rock rhythm guitar.
This strong woman really does rock hard, well, hard enough for me. And those floating piano notes are always entrancing, every time it features momentarily during these songs. Karissa has been tapping the ebony and ivory and smashing out her dynamic vocals since 2011, and her latest offering reveals the maturity and development of a fine artist delivering from the pocket that she fits snugly into.
This is what I call ‘good driving music’. I can take the wheel and engage in her emotional rollercoaster whilst still happily avoiding those giant road trains! Although, I could have this on during a dinner party, and it would make nice vibrations for my guests’ ears to occasionally tune into, indulge in, during that sweet but brandy-drenched dessert.
So, without further ado, I tip my glass to you, Karissa, and say a simple ‘thank you for your music’. Never give up, because you’ve got this!
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