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~ THE GRACE OF GRAVITY ~ Caroline HammondReview by John Fegan, Rough Red
Whenever you attend a performance by Caroline Hammond you leave feeling glad you made the effort. These are songs forged in a glad heart, simple, beautiful observances from a life lived……
These are stories that we’ve all lived, A Certain Age, the inevitability of two hearts finding one another in the oldest game of all despite the banality of the suburban backdrop.
Her Eyes, we all have that thing within us that never grows old, something we can cling to in the face of the inexorable march of time.
As Winter Comes, Outside In, Moving Slow, Where the Time Goes, these songs wend and blend their way through the corridors of our lives. From the beauty and simplicity of enjoying the journey and growing old gracefully, not letting the harshness of the outside world shift the barriers we’ve created within ourselves, the pointlessness of fixing something if it ain’t broke and our never flagging ability to solve the problems of the world and make the minutes matter with a glass of wine and a kindred spirit.
Somebody’s Darling, the cold chiselled finality of a name infused with lichen, a story, one among many in a field of weathered head stones, gone but never forgotten.
I loved the sentiments in Hallelujah Rain, The Grace of Gravity and Late July (Iluka Sunset) these are songs of the joy of simply living, of the magic of falling rain (Send her down Huey!) and the serenity that enfolds us when we’re in our happy place taking long walks along a deserted beach at sunset. There is not a song on this album that doesn’t invoke a warm glow and a sense of deja’ vu.
At the risk of being a little parochial this is Australia, this is maggies in an early morning garden, the thunderous joy of Kookaburras on the back fence on a sweltering summer’s day. Beautiful voice, beautifully crafted songs, brilliant musicianship, this is a cracker. I’m glad I took the time to listen.
John Fegan - "Rough Red"
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~ ANOTHER DAY TO SWING ON CLOTHESLINES ~
Three of a Kind
Review by Ken O’Flaherty
I have been asked many times about how long it takes me to listen to a new CD before it grows on me. Sometimes it can take months and many plays. I recently received my copy of the first CD by “Three of a Kind” and wow, it struck a chord with me immediately.
"Three of a Kind" band consists of Jane Martin, Ann Morris and Shelley Schweikert, who I had met through various ukulele and music events and the occasional camp out in Kilcoy and other places over a few years. Click to see Band Photo
I settled back on the couch with a glass of wine expecting to hear some old favourites judging by the titles on the album cover. Well, was I surprised, the girls had taken 15 popular songs across the music spectrum and had stamped their own personal take on each track. From “Amazing Grace” to the Sarah McLachlan gem “Angel” to a brilliant rendition of the Hank Williams standard “House of Gold”, the surprises just kept coming. Excellent musicianship, and harmonies to die for, came along track after track.
Quite frankly it is hard to pick a favourite as I love all of the
tracks on this album but if I had to choose one stand out track it
would have to be “The Parting Glass”.
It is always difficult to perform a song that has so many versions
out there and to put your own particular stamp on it but the girls
managed to do just that.
I was so absorbed listening this well produced album by Linda Weston and Cameron Mitchell at Studio 446 that I forgot to drink my glass of wine. The multi talented Jeff Spencer also features on the CD playing Lap steel, Dobro and Guitar. Don’t just take my word for it contact Three of a Kind and purchase your copy, you’ll be glad you did. Can’t wait for the next one.
Ken O’Flaherty
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