Totally Biased Fan’s Review – Melissa Robertson – My Heart’s On Fire EPNov20 by cowgirljohnson
Of the 79 different kinds of country music, one of my two favourites is country folk. Melissa falls comfortably into this category for the bulk of her work, but there is no mistaking the fact that she is a country girl.I know that this has been a labour of love and a lot of time and effort has gone into the making of this EP. It is a long awaited follow up to the LP, My Beautiful World (see review). As good as that album was, Melissa shows that she has turned a page with this 6 track EP. It seems that she has stepped things up a notch, giving us the easy comfort of the last album and an added polish.
Produced by one of the best in the country, Simon Johnson and mastered by another Aussie great, Jeff McCormack, Melissa’s recording was always going to be in good hands. With quality musicans: Glen Hannah, Simon, Trent Simonson, Mick Albeck, Dave Ristrim, Vaughan Jones and one of my all time heroes, James Gillard working with her, how could she go wrong?
Well, I have heard Mel sing at a pub in Tamworth with a guitar and nothing else and she still knocked them dead. Having such a great team behind her just enhances her already obvious talents.
The title track makes the best of her lilting folk/Celtic voice. It is easy on the ears and goes down like a river of Lindt.
Burnt that bridge is an easy rocking song, it has an edge of familiarity and it will be a good hand clapper at gigs. It has a slight swing beat to it and it will be a crowd pleaser.
Old House on the Hill – Is probably my favourite track. I can imagine Emmylou or even Trisha singing this, though it has a distinctive Aussie feel to it. Nice guitar work.
Until we meet again – This is another Celtic/Folk kind of song, a pretty ditty for all points north of the city. Nice work, Mick.
Tumbarumba – I know some of the characters in this song, which is a catchy, singalong song about a town in the Snowy Mountains region of Australia. It is a different kind of song to the others on this EP but a fun song.
My Butterfly – Mel dedicates this song to her late Mum and her sisters. Her influences are very strongly evident in this song….I can imagine Joan Baez singing this one. It is an appropriate one to finish the EP off.
With the exception of the more upbeat Tumbarumba, these songs are very haunting and very beautiful. Mel’s voice can vary greatly in octaves and accents. She handles the low notes as well as she handles the high ones.
Her last words on the EP are “watch me soar”. I believe that given the exposure, the opportunities and the encouragement, Melissa Robertson will indeed soar.
Of the 79 different kinds of country music, one of my two favourites is country folk. Melissa falls comfortably into this category for the bulk of her work, but there is no mistaking the fact that she is a country girl.I know that this has been a labour of love and a lot of time and effort has gone into the making of this EP. It is a long awaited follow up to the LP, My Beautiful World (see review). As good as that album was, Melissa shows that she has turned a page with this 6 track EP. It seems that she has stepped things up a notch, giving us the easy comfort of the last album and an added polish.
Produced by one of the best in the country, Simon Johnson and mastered by another Aussie great, Jeff McCormack, Melissa’s recording was always going to be in good hands. With quality musicans: Glen Hannah, Simon, Trent Simonson, Mick Albeck, Dave Ristrim, Vaughan Jones and one of my all time heroes, James Gillard working with her, how could she go wrong?
Well, I have heard Mel sing at a pub in Tamworth with a guitar and nothing else and she still knocked them dead. Having such a great team behind her just enhances her already obvious talents.
The title track makes the best of her lilting folk/Celtic voice. It is easy on the ears and goes down like a river of Lindt.
Burnt that bridge is an easy rocking song, it has an edge of familiarity and it will be a good hand clapper at gigs. It has a slight swing beat to it and it will be a crowd pleaser.
Old House on the Hill – Is probably my favourite track. I can imagine Emmylou or even Trisha singing this, though it has a distinctive Aussie feel to it. Nice guitar work.
Until we meet again – This is another Celtic/Folk kind of song, a pretty ditty for all points north of the city. Nice work, Mick.
Tumbarumba – I know some of the characters in this song, which is a catchy, singalong song about a town in the Snowy Mountains region of Australia. It is a different kind of song to the others on this EP but a fun song.
My Butterfly – Mel dedicates this song to her late Mum and her sisters. Her influences are very strongly evident in this song….I can imagine Joan Baez singing this one. It is an appropriate one to finish the EP off.
With the exception of the more upbeat Tumbarumba, these songs are very haunting and very beautiful. Mel’s voice can vary greatly in octaves and accents. She handles the low notes as well as she handles the high ones.
Her last words on the EP are “watch me soar”. I believe that given the exposure, the opportunities and the encouragement, Melissa Robertson will indeed soar.
'My Beautiful World' review by Susan Jarvis - Capital News July 2012
'The thing I like most about country music is that it has a heart and soul.
And this album has those qualities in spades. Melissa is a real country girl,
who channels her experiences into some well-written songs that
capture some of the qualities that are missing from much ntemporary country:
her songs are authentic, they tell stories that matter, and they connect with listeners.
This is overwhelmingly a positive album, with celebratory tracks like My Beautiful World, I Love My Country
Boy and the highly appealing Ride Of Your Life. But there are some darker moments on the album, including
Runnin’ Off The Rails a realistic look at love, and the disturbing Daddy. Other appealing tracks include By The Riverside the exquisite folk tinged Deep In The Ground and Melissa's cover of the wonderful PETE SEEGER hit Where have All The Flowers Gone. This album is a warm, delightful journey into what makes country music so special and why it touches the heart so effectively. '
And this album has those qualities in spades. Melissa is a real country girl,
who channels her experiences into some well-written songs that
capture some of the qualities that are missing from much ntemporary country:
her songs are authentic, they tell stories that matter, and they connect with listeners.
This is overwhelmingly a positive album, with celebratory tracks like My Beautiful World, I Love My Country
Boy and the highly appealing Ride Of Your Life. But there are some darker moments on the album, including
Runnin’ Off The Rails a realistic look at love, and the disturbing Daddy. Other appealing tracks include By The Riverside the exquisite folk tinged Deep In The Ground and Melissa's cover of the wonderful PETE SEEGER hit Where have All The Flowers Gone. This album is a warm, delightful journey into what makes country music so special and why it touches the heart so effectively. '
Totally Biased Fan Review - My Beautiful World - By Kaz Johnson
I did a review on this album a while ago, but when Facebook changed, it all got
lost in the process, so I am going to do a re-review now!
Mel is one of many talented Australian Country Music Artists who are Indies,
and while they are not signed to big labels, have the marketing and promotion of
the big artists, they are just as talented (sometimes more so) and they have
done the hard yards.
This album is a mixture of traditional country sounds and folk music. Melissa
has a soft and tender voice, much like the folk singers of the sixties.
Mel and I are both big fans of 60′s folk, and it is obvious when it comes to
her voice and her selections. Most people know my catch phrase now with mellow
albums: It goes great with a merlot! But it does, trust me. The songs are all
reminiscent of that era, or have elements of that time. Her voice is a cross
between Joan Baez and Judy Collins, and because they are two of my heroes, that
is a big compliment. Folk and country are closely connected. Mel proves that
here.
It is lazy Sunday arvo music. Late night Saturday night music. There is a
simple sadness (as James Taylor once wrote) in her songs, yet when you meet Mel
in person, she is a down to earth, slap your back, hey, how ya goin’ type of
gal. She has a good ear for a good song and she works hard at it. She is setting
a different trend in country music, could easily fit in with the Lyn Bowtells
and Liana Roses and Kaylee Bells.
This is a lovely, easy listen to album. Watch out for Mel, she is not
mainstream, but sometimes the tributaries do it better.
http://fiftyshadesofcountrymusic.wordpress.com/category/biased-fan-reviews/
lost in the process, so I am going to do a re-review now!
Mel is one of many talented Australian Country Music Artists who are Indies,
and while they are not signed to big labels, have the marketing and promotion of
the big artists, they are just as talented (sometimes more so) and they have
done the hard yards.
This album is a mixture of traditional country sounds and folk music. Melissa
has a soft and tender voice, much like the folk singers of the sixties.
Mel and I are both big fans of 60′s folk, and it is obvious when it comes to
her voice and her selections. Most people know my catch phrase now with mellow
albums: It goes great with a merlot! But it does, trust me. The songs are all
reminiscent of that era, or have elements of that time. Her voice is a cross
between Joan Baez and Judy Collins, and because they are two of my heroes, that
is a big compliment. Folk and country are closely connected. Mel proves that
here.
It is lazy Sunday arvo music. Late night Saturday night music. There is a
simple sadness (as James Taylor once wrote) in her songs, yet when you meet Mel
in person, she is a down to earth, slap your back, hey, how ya goin’ type of
gal. She has a good ear for a good song and she works hard at it. She is setting
a different trend in country music, could easily fit in with the Lyn Bowtells
and Liana Roses and Kaylee Bells.
This is a lovely, easy listen to album. Watch out for Mel, she is not
mainstream, but sometimes the tributaries do it better.
http://fiftyshadesofcountrymusic.wordpress.com/category/biased-fan-reviews/
'My Beautiful Word' by Alex from Bryan Farrish Promotions Santa Monica CA
The crystal clear and richly orchestral soundscape in Melissa Robertson's My
Beautiful World significantly set this folk artist apart from the rest. "Where
Have All the Flowers Gone" talks about the value of the individual. It
speaks volumes about anyone who has compromised their indivual identity to
gain another's approval. Melissa sings about individuals as flowers, and her pain at seeing these "flowers" slowly disappear. The way the violin swims in and out of this song is absolutely
divine.
"Deep in the Ground" talks about Melissa's experience of burying her sadness
after she is betrayed by a lover. The layered vocals harmonize perfectly and
have a ghostly echo to them which seems to be coming from a faraway place, and
this absolutely entranced me. "Daddy" recaptures Melissa's memory of
losing her father who was very near and dear to her. The slow drawl of the piano
carries the song, and succeeds in putting you in Melissa's shoes. Melissa
follows this sad song by reminding us to keep a positive outlook.
"I Can See Clearly Now," "Wouldn't Be Without You," and "By the
Riverside" all speak of love and hope. The guitar and violin combination in
"Keep This Love Alive" seem to be reflective of the relationship spoken about in
the song. My Beautiful World is a beautiful album that incorporates all
quintessential folk elements.
Alex 4/13//2012 Bryan Farrish Promotions Santa Monica CA
Please NB "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" written by Pete Seeger
"I can see Clearly Now" written by Johnny Nash
*All other songs written by Melissa Robertson
Beautiful World significantly set this folk artist apart from the rest. "Where
Have All the Flowers Gone" talks about the value of the individual. It
speaks volumes about anyone who has compromised their indivual identity to
gain another's approval. Melissa sings about individuals as flowers, and her pain at seeing these "flowers" slowly disappear. The way the violin swims in and out of this song is absolutely
divine.
"Deep in the Ground" talks about Melissa's experience of burying her sadness
after she is betrayed by a lover. The layered vocals harmonize perfectly and
have a ghostly echo to them which seems to be coming from a faraway place, and
this absolutely entranced me. "Daddy" recaptures Melissa's memory of
losing her father who was very near and dear to her. The slow drawl of the piano
carries the song, and succeeds in putting you in Melissa's shoes. Melissa
follows this sad song by reminding us to keep a positive outlook.
"I Can See Clearly Now," "Wouldn't Be Without You," and "By the
Riverside" all speak of love and hope. The guitar and violin combination in
"Keep This Love Alive" seem to be reflective of the relationship spoken about in
the song. My Beautiful World is a beautiful album that incorporates all
quintessential folk elements.
Alex 4/13//2012 Bryan Farrish Promotions Santa Monica CA
Please NB "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" written by Pete Seeger
"I can see Clearly Now" written by Johnny Nash
*All other songs written by Melissa Robertson