STACK #193 Nov 2020

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Midnight Oil The Makarrata Project

Something For Kate The Modern Medieval

This mini-album – Midnight Oil’s first collection of originals in 18 years – can be seen as a sequel of sorts to 1987’s Diesel and Dust , which saw the Oils venture to the outback to create an Aussie classic inspired by Indigenous Australian culture. More than 30 years later, we’ve had Mabo and an apology to the Stolen Generations, but no treaty. “Still waiting,” Peter Garrett notes in the opening track, First Nation . The Makarrata Project (the title refers to a Yolngu word “describing a process of conflict resolution, peacemaking and justice”) sees the Oils collaborate with Indigenous artists, both old and young, including Kev Carmody, Frank Yamma, Troy Cassar- Daley, Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan and Alice Skye. The result is another Aussie classic. (Sony) Jeff Jenkins

Paul Dempsey knows how to craft a multi-layered masterpiece. His songs are beautifully constructed soundscapes. And he’s certainly a deep thinker – there’s an intensity to his work. “I worry about things I never even got to regret,” he sings. But there’s also a deceptively dark sense of humour. Come Back Before I Come Back To My Senses is one of 2020’s great titles and he also wryly declares, “I’m the life of every party I never threw.” Along with bass player Stephanie Ashworth and drummer Clint Hyndman, this is a seriously great band. Their seventh album is their first in eight years, and Dempsey muses about “perfect comebacks that will never come back again”. No doubt about it, this is a fine return. (EMI) Jeff Jenkins

Bruce Springsteen Letter To You Bruce Springsteen’s 20th studio album has arrived, just in time for the US election – and, yes, there are references to the state of the nation. Burnin’ Train could be a metaphor for America, while no prizes for guessing the subject of these lines: “The criminal clown has stolen the throne/ He steals what he can never own.” But in a world of fear and division,

Springsteen has given us an album of understanding and hope. As JFK said, “What unites us is greater than what divides us.” Springsteen has crafted a classic that shows that the personal is more important than politics. And no one captures the pure joy of making music quite like Springsteen. “Count the band in, then kick into overdrive,” he implores in the exhilarating Ghosts . “I turn up the volume, let the spirits be my guide.” This record is aptly titled Letter To You – it’s old-school communication: genuine, personal, believable. “I’m the last man standing now,” Springsteen notes. And that might be true. He still believes that music can save us. “A thousand guitars, a thousand guitars,” he repeats like a mantra. And in a world gone crazy, the classic sound of the E Street Band is reassuring and comforting. “So, wake and shake off your troubles, my friend,” Springsteen invites the listener. “We’ll go where the music never ends.” They don’t make ’em like this anymore. (Sony) Jeff Jenkins

Sade This Far (Box Set)

Diana Krall This Dream Of You

Tanya Tucker Live At The Troubadour Tanya Tucker’s Grammy Award- winning 2019 album While I’m Living was her first release of original material in nearly two decades, but don’t call it a comeback! One of the first women of Outlaw Country says, “I can’t be with the fans, so this is my love letter to them: a live album." Recorded in October last year at West Hollywood's historic, Tudor font- fronted nightclub and live music venue The Troubadour, it features songs from her '70s, '80s and '90s career, her first single and hit Delta Dawn , and of course her recent material. Delivering a dynamic live show, you can feel the love and appreciation Tucker has for each and every person in the audience... and for you, too. (Concord) Denise Hylands

Brad Cox My Mind's Projection

Born in Nigeria and brought up in Essex, England, singer-songwriter- bandleader Sade Adu (or simply Sade, pronounced "Sha-DAY"), first came on the scene in 1984 with her eponymous band, whose album Diamond Life became the best-selling debut ever by a female British singer. Sade's husky, restrained vocal style was a perfect vehicle for the band's mix of soul, jazz and pop, with songs such as Your Love Is King , Smooth Operator , The Sweetest Taboo , Never as Good As The First Time topping charts around the globe. The good news is that remastered versions of all Sade's six studio albums on pure 180 gram black vinyl have been released as a Box Set. (Sony) Billy Pinnell

Diana Krall, the biggest-selling jazz artist on the planet, showcases her exquisite, articulate piano playing and expressive vocal talents throughout this collection of songs from the Great American Songbook, and a cover of Bob leads duos, trios and quartets of outstanding musicians across this album, enhanced on some tracks by subtle orchestrations and arrangements - bringing to life classic songs such as Autumn In NewYork , How Deep Is The Ocean , That's All , Almost Like Being In Love , More Than You Know , But Beautiful, Singin’ In The Rain , and I Wished On The Moon. (Verve) Billy Pinnell Dylan's This Dream Of You . Her signature sensual style

In a recent Qld tour vlog, Bad Cox shows off the kind of endearingly erratic clowning which punctuates the Jindabyne native’s usually deadpan humour: “That’s a f-cking massive mango!” he shrieks, as his van hoons past Bowen’s entry in the ‘Big’ Aussie statue tradition. But on second album My Mind’s Projection , the young musician proves he’s as serious about country as he is about having fun – as well as how he got those four Golden Guitar noms. Single Drinking Season is full of bluesy electric guitar, cowbell, gospel-style female BVs and Cox's signature smooth pipes, while Give Me Tonight is a sweet ballad in classic storytelling style. There’s plenty more to sink your teeth into here: the bomp ‘n’ stomp of the title track’s fat sax and suspenseful organ licks is particularly satisfying. Coxy is ready and rearing for stardom. (Sony) Adam Colby

90 NOVEMBER 2020

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