Just Released - 2013 [Ep.29]

“Well I’m sittin’ in the bar doin’ lift home deals,

  With the last two drinkers in a skirt and high heels…”

“Sitting In A Bar” [Don Walker 1993]

No, we’re not calling it a comeback. He may not have been in the spotlight lately but Don Walker has never really been away. His last solo album was released 7 years ago and prophetically titled, ‘Cutting Back’. Well, may have cut back in his solo work but the reunion of Cold Chisel certainly kept him busy, writing (or co-writing), most of the band’s ‘No Plans’ album. Now, with the good ship Chisel at anchor once again, Don Walker returns with his 3^rd solo record, ‘Hully Gully’, which we preview in this edition of JR.

John Mayer is also set to return later this month with his new album, ‘Paradise Valley’, continuing in the same Folk/Americana style of last year’s ‘Born And Raised’. Meanwhile, Sydney’s multi award winning Boy & Bear have a new preview song from their ‘Harlequin Nights’ album, released ahead of a national tour in October. The London-based Icelandic singer/songwriter Emiliana Torrini releases her 6^th long player, ‘Tookah’ next month, from which we have a preview.

The Las Vegas Pop Rock band, Imagine Dragons released their debut album ‘Night Visions’ some months back and interest from Australia continues to grow with the record’s 3^rd single just released. Imagine Dragons will make a brief visit to Australia in mid-October for gigs in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Also in this edition we have some great examples of new and emerging artists from Australia and beyond. Among them is Melbourne’s Kieran Ryan whose adventurous self-titled debut is not so much an introduction but a sweeping manifesto. Kieran Ryan’s songs are bold statements and his debut album stands as one of the strongest local releases of the year. Also emerging from Melbourne (via Brisbane) is singer/songwriter Dan Parsons. With true indie resourcefulness, Dan played almost every instrument and recorded the album himself.

Looking to the other side of the world, the JR Radar alerted us to previews from two new albums on the horizon by American singer/songwriter Lissie (channeling her inner Stevie Nicks) and a young Irish Blues/Rock band called The Strypes. Despite all its members being aged under 20 The Strypes sound like a band from another era, with their greatest influence coming from the days of the ‘60s British Blues Boom which spawned early innovators like The Yardbirds, The Animals, Manfred Mann, The Rolling Stones and Them.

Imagine Dragons: “On Top Of The World” (new single from the album, ‘Night Visions’)

Boy & Bear: “Three Headed Woman” (preview from the album, ‘Harlequin Nights’)

Emilíana Torrini: “Speed Of Dark" (preview from the album, ‘Tookah’)

Kieran Ryan: “Red-Eyed Birds”/”Are You A Conspirator?” (from the album, ‘Kieran Ryan’)

The Strypes: “What A Shame” (preview from the album, ‘Snapshot’)

Lissie: “Further Away (Romance Police)” (preview from the album, ‘Back To Forever’)

Dan Parsons: “Close Your Eyes, Let It End” (from the album, ‘Dan Parsons’)

John Mayer: “Wildfire” (preview from the album, ‘Paradise Valley’)

Don Walker: “Young Girls” (preview from the album, ‘Hully Gully’)

Just Released is heard Saturdays at 12pm and Sundays at 4pm (AEDT or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and via the streams of our metropolitan stations on the Gold Coast, in Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin.  You can also listen to the show during the week on ABC Dig Music Mondays @ 2pm, Wednesdays @ 8pm & Thursdays @ 11am (AEDT or AEST) and on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

To stream Just Released on demand, simply connect to our web pages via the hot links above. …(or even the shiny beast below): 

                                      Find 'Just Released' here.

               ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.

Just Released - 2013 [Ep.28]

 

“I said, I know it’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll but I like it,

 Like it, yes I do…”

                  “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” – The Rolling Stones (1974)

When The Rolling Stones played London’s Hyde Park on the 5^th of July 1969 it was their way of paying tribute to founding member and fallen comrade, Brian Jones. It was also an opportunity for them to introduce their new guitarist, Mick Taylor. The concert was free and the fans came in thousands. 44 years on, and almost to the day, The Rolling Stones returned to Hyde Park for two more shows as part of their celebratory “50 & Counting Tour”. And again, fans turned up in their thousands. In this edition of JR as we pay tribute to the band’s longevity with a taste of their digital album, ‘Hyde Park Live’ we find the Stones are still a formidable presence on stage.

Also winding back the clock in this edition is Western Australian music mainstay, Dom Mariani, whose 3^rd album with The Majestic Kelp revisits the golden age of Surf music. Far from simple pastiche, ‘Turn Up The Sun’ is a genuine attempt to recapture the sounds of an era changed irrevocably by the tide of Beatlemania.

Meanwhile, back in the present, we check the pulse of Australia’s musical youth with new releases from Sydney band The Holidays, a Dream-Pop band from Melbourne called Snakadaktal and Brisbane group, The Trouble With Templeton.

Spotted on the Comeback Trail this week is Sydney singer/songwriter, Alex Lloyd. After living in the UK for the past 5 years, Alex is returning to Australia for the release next month of his album, 'Urban Wilderness'. We have a preview of it for you in this edition in the song, "Better The Less You Know". Expect to see Alex touring again later in the year.

The JR Radar this week alerted us to the debut album by the English Electro-Pop duo of vocalist Aluna Francis and producer George Reid, collectively known as AlunaGeorge - as well as a preview from the 3rd album by one of New Orleans' favourite sons, Trombone Shorty and his Jazz, Funk 'n' Soul band, Orleans Avenue. Through their appearances at Bluesfest along with sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne on their two Australian visits thus far, Shorty is winning many fans here as well. 

     

  

Trombone Shorty: “Fire And Brimstone” (preview from the album, ‘Say That To Say This’)

AlunaGeorge: “Just A Touch”/”Lost & Found” (from the album ‘Body Music’)

The Holidays: “Voices Drifting” (new single)

Alex Lloyd: ”Better The Less You Know” (preview from the album, ‘Urban Wilderness’)

The Trouble With Templeton: “You Are New” (from the album, ‘Rookie’)

Snakadaktal: “Too Soon” (from the album, ‘Sleep In The Water’)

Dom Mariani & The Majestic Kelp: “Goin’ Back To Surf City”/”Where In The World” (from the album, ‘Turn Up The Sun’)

The Rolling Stones: “Brown Sugar” (from the digital album, ‘Hyde Park Live’) 

Just Released is heard Saturdays at 12pm and Sundays at 4pm (AEDT or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and via the streams of our metropolitan stations on the Gold Coast, in Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin.  

You can also listen to JR during the week on ABC Dig Music Mondays @ 2pm, Wednesdays @ 8pm & Thursdays @ 11am (AEDT or AEST) and on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

To stream Just Released on demand, simply connect to our web pages via the hot links above. 

…(or even the shiny beast below): 

                                      Find 'Just Released' here.

              ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.

Just Released - 2013 [Ep.27]

“And we’ll never be Royals,

  It don’t run in our blood,

 That kind of lux just ain’t for us,

 We crave a different kind of buzz …”

                       “Royals” – Lorde (2013)

It was the biggest news out of Belgium since Plastic Bertrand. In a week where Regal was bigger than Rock ‘n ’Roll, the ascension of Phillippe as newly-crowned King of The Belgians was the big Royal story. For almost 24 hours. But the Belgian fanfare had barely dimmed, when commoners were again being drawn into the streets, to celebrate the birth of a future monarch in a country a mere 300 kilometres away. In this edition of JR we acknowledge the rise, and rise, of Lorde. The New Zealand singer/songwriter made her debut in her homeland last year and is now finding a growing audience in Australia. At the same time, her songs are attracting attention on radio stations in North America. Achieving all that on her debut is commendable. Achieving it at the age of 16 is a triumph. Lorde’s song “Royals” is our timely tribute to a week of regal events.

As collaborators, David Lynch and Reality have shared an uncomfortable past. Lynch’s film career is legendary. On his music career however, the jury is still out. His just released 2^nd album is ‘The Big Dream’ and its every bit as spooky as its predecessor. It may be early days in his solo career but Lynch’s ‘sound’ traces all the way back to the ‘90s, and a town called ‘Twin Peaks’. Also arriving from somewhere left of centre is Moby whose forthcoming album, ‘Innocents’ will feature collaborations with various guests including Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips. Our preview in this edition features atmospheric vocals by Canadian singer/songwriter Cold Spex.

In a more acoustic realm, we preview the upcoming 9^th release by American Folk singer, Laura Viers and a 2^nd album by the small-‘S’-supergroup, Tired Pony (including former REM guitarist Peter Buck and Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody in its lineup).

Beating up much of the dust on the Comeback Trail this week was Wendy Matthews who is soon to release her first new album in more than a decade. Noticeably undiminished in that time Wendy’s voice remains an instrument, evoking her glory years of the early-‘90s. Serial collaborator, Elvis Costello makes a return with veteran Philadelphia Hip-Hop/Soul collective The Roots. Their album, ‘Wise Up Ghost’ is due in September. And Electronic duo Goldfrapp is back with the first song from their album, ‘Tales Of Us’ due in September ahead of their arrival in November for appearances at the Harvest Festival.

The JR Radar also had a big week, with a couple of album alerts of particular interest. In this edition we welcome the debut of American singer/songwriter Valerie June. Her music is an acoustic fusion of Blues and Gospel and Bluegrass and Soul - and a bunch of other styles. The result defies all of those genres in a strong arrival with an album produced in part by Black Keys’ frontman Dan Auerbach.

Another one on the Radar this week was the tribute to Ska music from The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra. The band includes Lee Thompson and Mike Barson, two founding members of Madness and their tribute is album-from-the-heart. Named in honour of the woman who established and ran a Jamaican Boy’s School and nurtured some of Ska music’s early Royalty, ‘The Benevolence of Sister Mary Ignatius’ is, in every sense, a celebration.

Mmm.. Celebrating Royalty. Isn’t that how all this began?

  

  

Lorde: “Royals” (from the ‘Love Club EP’)

Laura Veirs: “Sun Song” (preview from the album ‘Warp And Weft’)

Tired Pony: “All Things At Once” (preview from the album, ‘The Ghost Of The Mountain’)

Wendy Matthews: ”Follow You Down” (preview from the album, ‘The Welcome Fire’)

David Lynch: “Star Dream Girl” (from the album, ‘The Big Dream’)

Moby: “A Case For Shame” (preview from the album, ‘Innocents’)

Valerie June: “Workin’ Woman Blues”/”You Can’t Be Told” (preview from the album, ‘Pushin’ Against A Stone’)

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra: “Fu Manchu” (preview from the album, ‘The Benevolence Of Sister Mary Ignatius’) 

Elvis Costello with The Roots: “Walk Uptown” (preview from the album, ‘Wise Up Ghost’)

Goldfrapp: “Drew” (preview from the album, ‘Tales Of Us’)

Just Released is heard Saturdays at 12pm and Sundays at 4pm (AEDT or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and via the streams of our metropolitan stations on the Gold Coast, in Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin.  

You can also listen to JR during the week on ABC Dig Music Mondays @ 2pm, Wednesdays @ 8pm & Thursdays @ 11am (AEDT or AEST) and on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

To stream Just Released on demand, simply connect to our web pages via the hot links above. …(or even the shiny beast below): 

                                      Find 'Just Released' here.

              ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.

Just Released - 2013 [Ep.26]

 

“She looks like Eve Marie Saint,

  In “On The Waterfront”,

 As she reads Simone de Beauvoir,

 In her American circumstance…,

                       “Rattlesnakes” – Lloyd Cole & The Commotions (1984)

For the most part, Rock music has avoided the weight of intellectualism. You didn’t need to be au fait with the existentialist philosophy of Simone de Beauvoir to appreciate songs about cars and girls and good times. When Lloyd Cole released “Rattlesnakes” he brought Rock and intellectualism closer together. It didn’t matter that most radio listeners had never heard of Ms. de Beauvoir, much less read her books. Nor did it matter that it was Eva Marie Saint (not Eve) who starred in “On The Waterfront”. Having drawn much of his inspiration from Bob Dylan, Cole was again moved to action after hearing Bob’s recent ‘Tempest’ album. Contrary to the inference of its title, Lloyd Cole’s just released album, ‘Standards’ sees the 52 year old singer not trawling the Great American Songbook (a la Rod Stewart) but musing on mid-life themes and “going electric” for the first time in two decades.

Another newly reinvigorated singer featuring in this edition is Sting. Having finally put the lid on activities with The Police – and putting aside his dalliances with Classical music – we present the first song from his next album, ‘The Last Ship’, due in September.         

In this edition of JR we even have something for Cricket fans as Pop eccentrics Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy) and Thomas Walsh (Pugwash) return to the crease for a second innings as their alter egos, The Duckworth Lewis Method. With guest appearances from Cricket commentator Henry "Blowers" Blofeld, Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe and the unspeakably Anglo Stephen Fry, the pair’s new album, ‘Sticky Wickets’ is the perfect Pop soundtrack for The 2013 Ashes Series as you thumb through the latest Wisden’s Almanack.

In a week dominated by grand returns, this edition of JR also features the latest from England’s Pet Shop Boys, veteran American Blues guitar hero Buddy Guy and Australian Rock band Baby Animals.

Meanwhile, the JR Radar this week picked up on the French model, actress and singer/songwriter, Lou Doillon. Daughter of English actress and singer Jane Birkin (remember, “Je t’aime… moi non plus”?), Lou Doillon’s debut album, ‘Places’ is now released in Australia.

The JR Radar was also quick to alert us to a (not-so-traditional) String band from Western Australia called, Stoney Joe. In true Bluegrass style, they don’t have a drummer, making do instead with wobble board, slapping spoons and other innovative forms of percussion - but where Roly Skender and his bandmates break with tradition is with the many shades and textures they can wring from a vintage Roland synthesizer. Their 2^nd album, ‘Hot Jerky’ is officially launched in Perth on July 26^th but before then, you can hear their fusion of Folk, Country and Electronica, right here. 

  

Lloyd Cole: “Period Piece” (from the album, ‘Standards’)

The Duckworth Lewis Method: “It's Just Not Cricket”/"Third Man" (from the album ‘Sticky Wickets’)

Pet Shop Boys: “Weekend” (from the album, ‘Electric’)

Stoney Joe: ”Big Rock”/"Stars, Moon & Sea" (from the album, ‘Hot Jerky’)

Buddy Guy: “Meet Me In Chicago” (preview from the album, ‘Rhythm & Blues’)

Lou Doillon: “I.C.U.”/"Devil Or Angel" (from the album, ‘Places’)

Sting: “Practical Arrangement” (preview from the album, ‘The Last Ship’)

Baby Animals: “Winter's Afternoon” (from the album, ‘This Is Not The End’) 

Just Released is heard Saturdays at 12pm and Sundays at 4pm (AEDT or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and via the streams of our metropolitan stations on the Gold Coast, in Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin.  

You can also listen to JR during the week on ABC Dig Music Mondays @ 2pm, Wednesdays @ 8pm & Thursdays @ 11am (AEDT or AEST) and on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

To stream Just Released on demand, simply connect to our web pages via the hot links above. …(or even the shiny beast below): 

                                      Find 'Just Released' here.

              ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.