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'Blueprint'
is the long awaited for new cd from the original
Sebastian Hardie. It is a joy to
listen to - a collection of tracks that follow
'Four Moments' and 'Windchase'
as naturally as if they were written the day after. With guest
vocalist Dave Wilkins, it just adds
another dimension to their superb musicianship. I'm pretty certain
they will head off overseas where they are much appreciated. Contains
6 tracks.
Play anotherstring.mp3
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I always play a cd by an unknown artist
with a 'here we go again' attitude, but late bloomer
DC
Cardwell had me intrigued from the first chord. There's
no expensive big production sounds here - rather simply recorded, but
beautifully constructed, and clever chords, and lyrics that work! The
songs on 'Some Hope' have been likened
to McCartney and
Dylan and I can see that, but the harmonies
immediately said America to me.
Definitely a must. Contains 16 tracks.
Play Iamstillthesame.mp3
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This debut cd by Sydney prog rock band
Anubis has all the hallmarks of their
predecessors - interesting time signatures, great harmonies, and of course
the story that ties all the tracks together.
'A tower of silence' stands out amid the many prog rock cd's that
come through my mail, and though they definitely have the chops, IMO they
miss out on the more commercial licks that are needed. Not to say this
isn't a great offering, but just that the next one will be heaps better!!
Contains 8 tracks.
Play atowerofsilence.mp3
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Paul Norton
has produced this very pretty country cd
'Butterfly' by
Susan Lily. He not only played on
it with many other well known musicians, but did some backing vocals and
co-wrote a couple of tracks. The result is a lovely MOR cd, and Susan
- singer/songwriter - is very easy to listen to. Apart from a couple
of up tempo numbers (including 'You only kiss me
when you're drunk'!), most songs are pretty laid back.
Contains 14 tracks.
Play
broken.mp3
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The
Tol Puddle Martyrs are back with their
latest offering 'Flying in the Dark'.
Peter Rechter, singer/songwriter, has an
amazing ability to still write 60's songs that still sound
like 60's songs! Catchy, quirky, and a great follow up cd to
'A Celebrated Man' (below). Contains
16 Tracks.
Play spendalittletime.mp3
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If you love Neil
Diamond, you have probably seen
Steve Cummins sing his songs somewhere around the traps.
I love it when an act that earns a living playing covers goes out on a limb
with originals. But Steve has put together this great mix of
easy listening country tracks with guitarist Rob
Bostock and guests. 'I don't mind
walking' should do well. 8 tracks - this one with guest
Wendy Andrew.
Play whenwillIbeloved.mp3
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Mark Wilkinson
has only been around for a relatively short time, and
'Truth came running' is his third cd. Hi exceptional
songwriting is testament to the amount of work he has already done.
The fact that he has toured with Bolton, Frampton,
Chicago and America shows what a talent he is. Watch out
for him before he is snapped up overseas. 12 tracks.
Play
allIeverwanted.mp3
His
youtube clip
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From last count, Daryl Roberts
has put out 3 cds under the name
'Hey Gringo',
and from 'Three' I have chosen not one,
but two tracks to play on Wrokdown radio. They are very different -
the first being written and sung by Daryl, the second co-written with
Ross Wilson who sang the vocals.
Daryl has been working his way up over the last few years and plays with
Spectrum
as well as his own band. 14 tracks.
Play tickettogo.mp3
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The Great Divide is the
first cd from
Mark Gardner, and it's a great start. Mark is a Melbourne
singer songwriter and also a multi-instrumentalist who does brass
arrangements on the side. If I said this cd was a mix between
Goanna and Hunters
and Collectors you would
probably get my drift. Mark writes about our wonderful country.
Contains 6 tracks
Play heartsonfire.mp3
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Alex Formosa Baudo is
a drummer of long standing in the Australian Music Industry. Also a
singer/songwriter, this is his third offering. I am continuously
amazed at the quality of cds sent to me and his is no exception. This
one includes songs by Todd Rundgren and Marvin Gaye so you can see where
Alex's roots lie. And his own songs are definitely on a par with his
overseas influences, with other great Aussie talent adding to the
arrangements. Contains 14 tracks
Play
waves.mp3
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The third in the series, Breathing
Space As Well by
Spectrum
adds another dimension to the mind of legend
Mike Rudd as he writes a tribute to Max Merritt - a soul
number complete with a horn section. Is there no end to this guys
abilities? If there was a top 40 this song would be up there!
The rest of the cd is complete with more Mike masterpieces. Contains 6
tracks
Play
soulman.mp3
Our youtube clip
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Sam See and
Glyn Mason have again trumped with their
second cd 'Indulgences'. Same
witty, thoughtful lyrics from two exceptional songwriters, backed by the
same amazing musicianship by two master craftsmen.
The
Pardoners rule, what else can I say! Contains 12
tracks.
Play
givetheladysomerespect.mp3
Our youtube clip
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This is the second cd from
Gary George Davies,
and his is an interesting story having been in the army for 20 years.
Then,
after leaving, deciding to be a musician. I feel that
'Struggle' is probably a culmination of his
life stories, and you can hear it in his heartfelt voice and lyrics.
Maybe Leonard Cohen-ish.....? Contains 10
tracks.
Play butterfliesarefree.mp3
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Knowing that
Geoff Bridgford
wrote this CD for his children, I understand why these tracks from
'Another World' sound so personal -
almost like you are listening to a private conversation. It is
difficult to pigeonhole, so I tend to go for - 'sounds like' Pink
Floyd because of the creativity in building the tracks and Geoff's vocal
arrangements. Contains 9 tracks.
Play ordinaryman.mp3
His youtube clip
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'Decent People' is the
follow-up to
James Hampton's first cd 'Land or Sea'.
I love listening to James' songs as he doesn't add production for the sake
of it, they are wonderful on their own in their simplicity. He has
surpassed LOR as his lyrics have matured, but his piano playing is just as
pleasurable and clever. 10 tracks.
Play turnaround.mp3
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It's very hard to find women in rock that can not only sing
but play guitar as well as
Stevie Paige.
With a couple of Blues awards under her belt, this doesn't impress me as
much as her songwriting style and musicianship. She also has a good
ear for the vocal hook which is hard to find in the blues, but with a soul
edge it gives her more leeway. All in all an excellent newbie. 12 tracks.
Play
bestofme.mp3
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What can I say, except it's about time! One of our
best loved elder statesmen has spent 10 years putting this together, and
it's Johnny
Chester as we know and love him. Country, hooky, catchy, and
again singing songs about everyday things that we all relate to. Love
it! 'What you hear is what you get'
contains 12 new and 2 bonus tracks.
Play
vegemitekisses.mp3
Our
Youtube clip
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Always expect the unexpected from one of our most
extraordinary performers
Jeff Duff. Of course you can equate him to
Bowie, and he even includes 'Ziggy
Stardust' as a bonus track. (Bowie lauds 'Fragile
Spaceman' on his web site). Beautifully written, the
artwork and photography are superb and the cd depicts Duffo in a
contemporary light whilst not losing his individualism. Contains 11
tracks
Play
stampede.mp3
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I've lost count of the number of cd's this pianist and
composer has done, but
Andy Cowan
generally writes one a year.
'When the night comes in' is his 2011
contribution and it is brilliant. Andy reminds me of Joe Cocker and
Leon Russell rolled into one - the voice, the keyboard playing and the
songwriting. Add a pro band and you have world class. Contains
11 tracks
Play cry.mp3
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Joe Creighton is not a name that grabs headlines, but in the
music industry he is a highly esteemed bass player having shared the stage
with our top artists. As a result 'Falling again' contains the creme-de-la-creme of talent. Reminding me of Peter Gabriel, this cd is
beautifully recorded, and the songs have atmosphere and much class.
Contains 9 tracks
Play crowningglory.mp3
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John Farnham's
brand new offering 'Jack' just goes to
show what talent we have in our legends. But don't expect
'Whispering Jack', rather a collection of
covers and new originals highlighting the superb vocals of this amazing man.
Soul is probably the best overall description. Contains 11 tracks
Play
youtookmylove.mp3
Live on
Youtube
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Tramtracks is a group of Australian musicians, most notably
Toivo Pilt originally from 'Sebastian Hardie'. Toivo formed 'Tramtracks'
and calls the style 'progressive chill'. As the band is mentioned on
the 'Yes' fan site, you get an idea of the type of music. Contains 14
tracks
PLAY
usb.mp3
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Hot off the press, here is the newest cd
from Keith
Potger 'Smile Now'.
What else can I say about this prolific songwriter, except that if you have
already heard his previous offerings, you must sign up for this one!
With fans all over the world it stuns me to think that he receives very
little radio airplay in Australia.
Play
singingfordad.mp3
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The second cd in the Breathing Space trilogy,
Spectrum continue on their merry way producing quality material. Contains 7 tracks,
including 'Xavier Rudd is not my son' seen on Wrokdown C31. I also
like this track.
PLAY
hotelsmotels.mp3
Xavier
Rudd on Youtube |
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New release by
Jack McGrath -
'Spice of
Life'. This CD contains more of his wonderful instrumentals, but this
time his stand out track for me includes the exceptional skills of
collaborator and guitarist Brian Holloway. Brian was in
'The Dream' with Jack. Contains 12 songs
Play spiceoflife.mp3 |
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Mick Pealing and
Billy Miller have reformed the
'Spaniards'
and finally released this long awaited CD. This batch of 80's songs
haven't dated in any way and if you saw the fantastic band back then, you'll
remember them all. Contains 10 tracks.
Play
dreamers.mp3
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Here's a throwback from the past - The
Tol-Puddle Martyrs.
Their brand new CD 'A Celebrated Man'
sounds like it was recorded over 40 years ago! If you love
the sound of the 60's and but want something new, check this out -
definitely worth a listen. Contains 12 songs.
Play fastlane.mp3
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Good on these guys! The legendary
Les Stacpool and
Harold Frith who play around Melbourne
regularly as
'Stackfull' did a stint on 3PBS,
recorded it, and released it on CD. And why not!! Of course the
recording isn't brilliant, but it's fun, and live, with a couple of
originals thrown in for good measure. Which is why it's here! 7
tracks
Play
openheartsurgery.mp3
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In between playing and recording with
'Chain', Phil Manning gets stuck into his
own material. 'Checkmate Move' is
a very different style from what I'm used to, but there will be blues
guitarists out there who will probably disagree. Anyway, this is one
of our legends stripped down to some beautiful guitar tracks and a
vocal - very folksy. 13 tracks.
Play someoneelse'sname.mp3
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Ray Burton
started in the Executives,
and went on to play with Ayers Rock
before co-writing Helen Reddy's 'I am woman'. This cd 'Blu-Azz' is therefore full of interesting hooks, melodies, great
production and great musicians. His style
sometimes reminded me of Richard Clapton, and sometimes of Santana (which
then makes his style his own). 10 tracks.
Play australianheart.mp3
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Well he WAS in the
Masters Apprentices for a short while, so
Peter Tilbrook
added to our rich musical tapestry. And what an offering this is -
over 40 years later! 'Let's go to the Movies'
is a cd of new, I repeat NEW Rock and Roll songs. Well done
guys! The track I've picked for airplay was inspired by the fact that
both Peter and Davvo had prostrate troubles. Contains 19 tracks
Play
prostrateblues.mp3
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The first musical to get airplay on
Wrokdown radio!! It's all original, and the music written by no other
than Paul Norton, with vocals by Paul,
Wendy Stapleton, Mick Pealing and
Dobe Newton. Jungle
Book - The Concert Show
- is written by Glenn Elston,
and is one of the few musicals around not using recycled material. A
credit to the boys. 12 tracks
Play
junglelaw.mp3
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Don't expect this new offering from
Ross Wilson to sound anything like
Daddy Cool. His song writing has matured over the years to suit his
audience and age, with lyrics to match. He has co-written most tracks,
and my favourite is one of only two written solo.
'I come in peace' contains 11 tracks.
Play rosemarie.mp3
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Here's the second cd from
Robert James Kirk,
and if you liked the first one you certainly won't be unhappy with this.
'Show me the money' has the same feel -
nice, well written,
contemporary easy listening
songs with great musicianship and
thoughtful lyrics. Contains 10 songs.
Play
insideoutside.mp3 |
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Randy Bulpin
- ex Mondo Rock, ex
Broderick Smith and many other notable Aussie acts, moved to the USA
and continued his career as a touring and session musician. He has
joined up with vocalist Leslie Campos,
and together they wrote and recorded '2nd Avenue
Serenade'. Randy's professionalism shines through on the
production side, and Leslie's vocals are true and pure. Contains 11
tracks.
Play howcanyoulose .mp3
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I am really happy when I receive a new cd from some older
musos who have got together to write. To us at Wrokdown this is like
young up-and-coming bands, except the
Dukes of
Despair
are seasoned musos with the chops to prove it!.
Their debut cd 'Wood, wire and skin'
shows their country roots and it's hard to pick their best song.
Contains 10 tracks.
Play whereIcallhome.mp3
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Kinetic Method consists of two very
versatile guys with a lot of cred and competency. They seem obviously
trained with a big hint of jazz, so
'Find a Friend' contains a really nice mix of instruments - no
drums per se but percussion, so the cd is very mellow. It gives me
heart to know this sort of music is around, and is also a touch commercial.
11 tracks.
Play
monica.mp3
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Young guitarists and their parents would
do well to take a page out of Nathan Cavalleri's
book if they want to make a mark on the world. Practice, support, and
more practice. You don't get this good doing an hours 'homework'
during computer games! Great voice, great licks, great drummer, hard
rock. CD
Nat Col and the Kings 4 tracks.
Play
kickingandscreaming.mp3
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James Hampton writes
music beyond his years, but lyrics with the naivete of
youth which is wonderfully refreshing. This cd has 10 tracks, all great listening, and I love 'Got no
Friends', 'All my Money's Gone', and 'Just be Julia'. Jazz, funk, Jarreau, Steely Dan etc. Available on itunes.
Play
justbejulia.mp3
Our Youtube clip
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This is the 3rd release from Adelaide
band
Unitopia. 'Artificial' runs pretty much along the same lines as
'The Garden', so if you are a Unitopia fan you
won't be displeased. A band worth looking out for, and doing
very well for themselves in Europe.
Play
blinkofaneye.mp3
Youtube
video |
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Warren O'Neill is a Melbourne musician,
who has played in many bands, but decided to do a solo instrumental cd.
Warren has overdubbed his guitar, weaving in and out to create beautifully
calming and
mesmerizing tracks. Very aptly named 'Dreamspell',
this cd contains 9 tracks
Play
albatross.mp3
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From one of our 80's artists comes this
new cd 'Half Man Half Woman'.
Deborah Conway
made a name for herself as a brassy bold singer with a few charting songs to
her name. But she has returned quite toned down with this delightful
cd co-written with her partner Willy Zyglier.
Contains12 tracks. Love this one...
Play
cul-de-sac.mp3
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Not a household name, but
Leslie Avril
was singing around the traps in the 80's in a band called
'Blue Heelers' with
Chris Stockley. A great performer ,
Leslie has written quite a few of the songs on this cd
'I'm Alright Jack'. She reminds me of
an Aussie Janis Joplin, but tends towards country with an edge.
Contains 13 tracks
Play
howlong.mp3
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Suzie
Dickinson first came to my attention when she joined
Goanna for a short while. Well the 80's
were not a good time for her brand of music - kinda folksy/country/rock, but
hopefully the timing is right now. Surrounding herself with great
musos, this superb sounding cd '19 steps'
should do well. I hear influences of Janis Ian, but Suzie has many
others. Contains 10 tracks.
Play
redballoon.mp3
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From what I remember of
Chris
Doheny, his voice was one of the best
going around Melbourne in the 80's. More recently heard singing 'More
than a game', Chris has regrouped and recorded a new
Geisha cd. Called 'Yesterday,
Today and Tomorrow', it is a pot pourri of old hits, covers and
two great new songs - this one 'Birthday'
my fav. 13 tracks
Play
birthday.mp3
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Hide Mum in the granny flat with some ear
muffs and turn up the stereo! Yes, the great 70's rock sound that I've
yearned for is back.
Electric Mary
play the grinding hard stuff that we used to lie around getting stoned
to. Hard to pick the best tune from this Aussie band who are non stop
touring. 'Down to the Bone' has 11
hard hitting tracks.
Play letmeout.mp.3
Live on
Youtube
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It is hard to believe that
Jules Boult is so young when this cd reminds me of Smacka
Fitzgibbon. I hope he doesn't take offence, but his style and the
instruments he uses are so clean and simple. The cd is New Orleans
jazz/blues, and he has had plenty of good raves from people with more
knowledge of this genre than I! 'Mark my
Words' has 11 tracks.
Play playedforafool.mp3
Our
Youtube clip
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This cd by
Robert James Kirk is typical of the
type of material we would like to expose on Wrokdown. There is nothing
confronting here, just pleasant songs and good musicianship. Songs of
love and life, hope and dreams. The vocals and harmonies are tuneful,
and remind me a little of Billy Joel. 'Goodnight
Ruby' contains 11 tracks.
Play
thatkindofgirl.mp3
Our
Youtube clip
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Sounding a bit like William Shakespeare sometimes and a lot
like the Bee Gees other times,
Jay P has a unique voice. He surrounds
himself with good people and has a knowledge of great musicianship and
heartfelt lyrics. A great package. The songs ebb and flow
in a style probably not seen much since the 70's. This cd '1565
Patiently Waiting' refers to the great siege of Malta. Contains 12 tracks.
Play timeshavechanged.mp3
Youtube
video
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The Prairie Oysters are known around Melbourne as a covers
band, so good on them for sticking their necks out.
'Livin for the Weekend' is their first
original cd, and a great
collection of songs it is too! All country, good toe tapping, all good musos. Yes folks this is a real band. Hard to choose the best but have gone with this one. 12
tracks
Play yoursong.mp3
Youtube video
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I'd never heard of
Tracey Miller, but I am so glad I have
now. She obviously loves her old songs, and is inspired by R&B.
She has the perfect pure voice and a great ear for melody. I don't
know enough about this style to comment too much, but a good song is a good
song, whatever the genre. 'I can tell'
contains 11 songs and a couple of covers
Play lazy.mp3
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I'm impressed with Brothers3, because I believe that
talented kids should start young. If you wait til you have finished
tertiary music, it's a bit late boyo!! These boys are very talented,
and backed by their mother they are making their stamp from Tamworth to
Tennessee. If parents out there are looking for something safe, fresh
and pure for their young daughters to follow, you could do no better.
10 tracks
Play wheretheeaglesfly.mp3
Youtube
video
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