SCALA Play Those Songs CD Review
A few thoughts came to me when I was given SCALA Play Those Songs to review. They were about the nature of reviewing. Reviewing compilation CDs is much different to reviewing a collection of songs by a group or individual artist. With the latter there is usually a similarity or unity of style, instrumentation, purpose, philosophy and production values. The songs often have a similar focus and reflect the views, approach and ability of one writer. One can review these CDs without going through all the songs. Most get mentioned but in being able to approach the review through the themes and style of the material or with a look at the artist's oeuvre or life/history/importance etc. or by placing the songs in a wider context, you have a lot more angles. Those angles aren't there for compilation CDs where each track is by a different performer and writer. One has to do a track by track rundown or at least that was the conclusion I came to! So let's start!
Heather Frahn's a fine up and coming local talent and her This Storm opens SCALA Play Those Songs. It's a classy piece of adult pop, soulful, passionate and very romantic. Romance is also a theme of Griffin's Baby Doll, another good example of adult pop with a touch of doo-wop. The vocal production on this song is first class and the chorus is compelling. It's an all-American effort, giving the CD an international identity. Avra Velis's Now About You completes a hat trick of fine romantic openers. This time the style is a lot more percussive and funky. tj brown's Strangers I Know strips back the production and instrumentation to just bass and guitar, giving it a degree of intimacy. There's an eerie and enigmatic mood which gives the song a unique presence. tj brown's song is followed by another personal and enigmatic song, Andy Williams' Bitter Pill, whose poignancy is enhanced by some lovely cello. John Munro is one of this state's most renowned names in folk music circles and he's also had success in SCALA circles too. His name is alongside the title of his song The Spirit of the Land, on the cover but he doesn't appear on the actual performance. (There's some fine local talent though!] This anthemic song which explores the Australian spirit and ethos is one of the production and writing highlights. Louisa Wise's The Other Older Nation follows The Spirit of the Land so appropriately (a master stroke in sequencing!) as it also deals with Australian history, perceptions and national consciousness. This is a beguiling number, thoughtful and descriptive, concerned with the lack of recognition of those who fell in the White Australia versus Aborigine wars and with the appalling injustices perpetrated against the Aborigines on the frontier. It’s a controversial matter for many and anybody who isn't aware of what this song is about should read any of a number of books by Professor Henry Reynolds (especially Frontier and The Other Side of the Frontier) or Blood on the Wattle by Bruce Elder. Those who understand the issue will certainly appreciate Louise Wise's plaintive and majestic song.
Zac Kingston’s The Poet is one of the catchiest numbers on the CD, a melodic and touching human portrait. Its lyrics have some telling images but I especially like, Moontune by Kristen Lawler slows down the pace and returns to romanticism with a fine introspective and lyrically strong number, underpinned by piano, cello and guitar. It’s a moving, eloquent number, so well performed. So many of us will identify with David Robinson’s bouncy Monday Bloody Monday, a wry look at what depresses so many of us – how weekends go so fast and it seems like Monday and the routine of work are looming up. Hey, as I write this, it’s a Sunday. O Gawd! So true, David. Adrian Miller’s sound on Bitter Bones reminds me of the Rain Dogs era of Tom Waits with its percussive sound. Like Waits too, it’s lyrically sharp with its quirky and world weary look at the human condition in the late 20th century. Judith Crossley is one of the treasures of the SA folk scene and she possesses one of the best voices in this state. Her contribution, Colours of the Ranges, is vividly descriptive, is performed to the backing of a lone digeridu and the song has a haunting and mystical power, beauty and eloquence. Equinox’s lyrics to Recurring Dream are a sharp and harrowing account of the bitter aftermath of a failed relationship, done to a compelling backing. There is a real insistent and energetic quality here. No, Le Menu’s Eastrumental is not an instrumental. There are lyrics, and rather good ones too, with their historical and ecological undertones. They make their entrance, after about a minute, to a swirling backing. Michael Burrows’ Lemon Tear (great title) has a Crowded House feel. It’s another piece of good adult pop music, a fine melody and reflective bitter-sweet lyrics with their sense of longing. The ethereal vocals of Lesley Kidd are in evidence in the opening chorus of Who Are You? and that’s enough to hook me! Concerning truth and identity, this is an enchanting song … but I just love those vocals! My Big Squeeze (another good title) by teenagers Mark Meade and Ben Abbott looks at both the redemption and excitement of finding love, is another catchy and emphatic pop song. You’ll get a real surprise when you hear John Legg’s and Ian Lehmann’s Orange Cake which is a good-natured and affectionate conversational song about an elderly couple having morning tea. (I kid you not!) Listen to it and smile. It’s unique and charming. The nineteenth song by Gerry Oyarzun, The Night is Nearly Over, is also the CD’s closing track so the CD is nearly over too! It finishes off SCALA Play Those Songs as the rockiest song, beginning with a burst of sledgehammer guitar chords before developing into a power-pop song about the need for love. As with all of SCALA’s CDs, opportunities are given to songwriters, performers, musicians, producers and engineers to put their talents on disk for an audience. This compilation is as good and as consistent as any SCALA release. There is a wealth of good songs and performances in a variety of styles. Get it and play those songs!
Adapted from SCALA News 1999
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