Begginners Guide To Jazz - Looking The Part
Jazz music. Depending on your point of view, this can be the ultimate interpretation and display of skill of a musician…or it can be the antithesis of the core of music. You’ll never please a purist.
Love it or hate it, there aren’t many parts of the world where there isn’t access to good jazz in even better venues. Even here in little old Perth. But for jazz virgins everywhere, what happens when you get that phone call from that muso friend inviting you out for the night – ‘artist X is playing, want to go…?’ and in a moment of weakness, you agree. And as you put down the phone, that cold grip reaches down your throat into the pit of your stomach and squeezes, as you realize that you are entering a world you know nothing about. Are you expected to start smoking cigars? Drinking neat scotch from highball glasses? Wear bow ties? Or feather boas? Or comment on how that girl’s improvisational scat really lent itself to the syncopation underneath? And have no idea if that even makes sense? (more…)
CD Reviews #98
.jpg)
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
White Lunar
EMI
This is a masterpiece. Here, Nick Cave and Dirty Three’s Warren Ellis join forces to deliver a double disc compilation of soundtrack delights to create an album that is robust, melancholic and heart-breaking in its beauty. With songs from the likes of The Assassination of Jesse James, The Proposition, The English Surgeons, The Girls of Phnom Penh and new motion picture epic The Road, this collection of songs will delight and stir the soul. You don’t need to be a fan of Nick Cave to enjoy this, just a lover of cinematic music. – Scott-Patrick Mitchell (more…)
CD Reviews #97
The Transients
Crossfades EP
Independent/MGM
This electro pop outfit from Perth has created a well crafted and catchy CD. All 5 tracks grab you instantly and are easily likeable. Lead single One Day, with its dirty bass line and indie rock vocal, is a highlight, as is Can’t Let You Be Lonely, featuring vocals by ex Halogen singer Jasmine Lee. This CD got the double thumbs from my UK dance loving friends, which definitely says something! Co-produced and mixed by Lee Groves of Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode and Bertie Blackman fame, this is definitely worth a listen. – Nat Ripepi (more…)
CD Reviews #95
Abbe May and The Rockin Pneumonia
Hawaiian Disease
Independent/MGM
A special limited edition EP from Perth’s own blues-rock siren, Abbe May, and her band. It’s a taste of what’s to come from their forthcoming album Sexorcism, due out later this year. Six tracks of ballsy, blues infused rock with an eccentric twist that is a fine showcase of May’s powerfully sexy vocals and her band’s equally as powerful, and sometimes quirky, accompaniment. The title track has a distinct Concrete Blonde vibe about it and there is a great cover version of the Tom Waits classic Jesus Gonna Be Here. – Nat Ripepi (more…)
CD Reviews #92
Living Things
Habeas Corpus
Jive/Sony
Habeas Corpus is the sophomore album from Missouri band, Living Things. Influenced by the state of the global economy and the American political environment, their lyrics are politically charged with attacks on capitalism, war and the ‘dumbing down’ of society, hidden behind anthemic funk rock melodies and guitar/synth based glam rock. Superbly produced and well crafted. This is rock-n-roll with a conscience that will also have you up and dancing with your fists in the air. – Nat Ripepi (more…)
CD Reviews #91
Antony & The Johnsons
The Crying Light
Spunk
The Crying Light is laden with dark lyrics and soaring musical arrangements that require complete absorption and absolute attention. Such effort is rewarded, as diligent listeners will be transported into the world of the gender-queer Antony Hegarty, whose androgynous vocals sing about the pain of identity confusion amid a landscape of art and redemption.
Megan Smith (more…)
XMas Gift Guide - CD Stocking Stuffers
This Christmas season some of the biggest stars and hottest new acts are releasing albums and that means only one thing, it’s time to let OUTinPerth stuff your stocking… To win some of these fab CD gifts, visit our giveaways page!
ELECTRO-FYING (more…)
The Best Album of 2008?
.jpg)
So, what was the best album of 2008? OiP asked some of our favourite music experts for their take on it – here’s what they had to say!
—
Roisin Murphy – Overpowered
She’s into the disco this time… God, she’s a hot woman. Her voice is like therapy. She is a clown. Simply Brilliant. (more…)
Preaching the Gospel Beth Rowley
.jpg)
‘Beth is a skinny white girl with the voice of a big black mama,’ raves one fan on Youtube.
And that pretty well sums it up, Beth Rowley, born in Peru, raised in Bristol, is a skinny white girl with a mess of blonde curls who belts it out like the great divas of old school gospel. However, if you think that a blonde with a Bristolian accent singing with a whole lotta soul is ironic, think again. According to Beth Rowley gospel is for everyone. (more…)
Grace Jone’s Hurricane
Hurricane
Grace Jones
Wall of Sound
She’s back. At the age of 60 Grace Jones is set to rock the music industry again with her first release in nearly 20 years, the whirlwind that is Hurricane. Lead single off this new album is Corporate Cannibal, an incredibly intense and moody song which hungers in a sultry manner, the remixes to which are out of this world. Elsewhere Williams’ Blood is anthemic, uplifting and joyfully exuberant while Well Well Well surges with Jamaican influences. The entire album is a fusion of reggae fun and an ‘80s onslaught or wall of sound. It’s a rich, solid bombastic return, one which sees Jones lose no ground in the 20 years she’s been gone. (more…)
business exposure