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Reviews
“Kindred” by Swoon
CD review by Julie Minto for the Folk Rag
I am almost swooning from the heat as I get into the car to leave
Woodford Folk Festival 08/09. This quickly changes to swooning with
delight as the great music from the “Swoon” CD and the air
conditioning start to take effect.
I ran into Swoon (Josh Notting and Angela Smith from Mackay) doing a
set at Woodford who gave me their new CD “Kindred” to review.
Many make the mistake of over doing the CD production and not sounding
how they actually sound live. Thankfully Swoon self- produced and
managed to stay true to their real sound, except for some subtle
overdubbed harmonies and extra guitar. They also added drummer (Peter
Vadiveloo) and well known bass player (Liz Frencham) on a few tracks.
Swoons music is refreshing, unpretentious and very easy to listen to.
The overall flavour is original, vibrant, jazzy and acoustic. Angela
on lead vocal has a real knack for melody and superb phrasing. Her
vocals sometimes cruisy jazz -cool sometimes gutsier seem to flow
effortlessly over Josh’s clever guitar accompaniment. Josh is one
resourceful player with finger-picking, heavier rock and percussive,
jazz/ blues influenced guitar riffs all featuring on the album.
Percussion, stomp box and occasional guitar effects also compliment
the sound.
Swoons songwriting is about love and life and covers many tempos and
styles so listening to them never becomes boring or monotonous. An
added bonus is most of these Swoon tunes have a great hook. From the
melodic title track “Kindred” to ballads like “I Can’t Fall”, the
catchy “Watch Out” which builds to a crescendo and great danceable
acoustic folk rock like “Free Tonight” and “Give In To Me.
Angela and Josh list some of their influences as Led Zepplin, Jigzag
and Brisbane’s Stringmansassy to name a few, along with nice swimming
holes and alcohol. They are now featuring on JJJ Unearthed and are two
very nice, very talented people who are sure to go far.
Recorded by Steve Vella at Dog and Bear studio Melbourne, the very
professional lucky number 13 song package features great artwork and
lyrics to all the songs. The “Kindred” CD released in December 08,
tour information, other recordings and merchandise available online at
www.swoonmusic.net.
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