SOUNDWAVEONE
NOVEMBER 2018
AS I AM HONORED AND PROUD TO FOLLOW UP WITH A SECOND MUSIC REVIEW OF THE SUPREMELY TALENTED AND GIFTED SINGER SONGWRITER MICHELLE WALKER AND HER NEW RELEASE ALBUM CALLED “BACKBONE”. I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WRITE HER LINER NOTES IN THIS MARVELOUS AND WONDERFUL MUSIC ALBUM. AS I STATED IN MY LAST REVIEW OF MICHELLE AND HER LAST ALBUM I’VE TRULY HAD A “BETTER DAY” AFTER DISCOVERING MICHELLE’S MUSIC. WITH THIS AMAZING AND TALENTED SINGER & SONGWRITER MICHELLE ARRIVES WITH THE ALBUM CALLED BACKBONE & THE FIRST SONG ON THIS AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL & TRULY SPIRITED ALBUM IS CALLED “TRYING TO BE ME” THE SONG RIGHT OFF THE BAT STARTS OUT WITH THE SOUND OF TOTAL HIT MUSICALITY. MICHELLE REALLY HAS THAT VOICE THAT IS TOTALLY MIRACULOUS, AND WHEN MICHELLE SINGS SHE SINGS ABOUT REALISM, THIS SONG IS A SONG THAT REALLY SINGS HER HONESTY AND LYRICS THAT ADD THAT TRUE VALIDITY TO THEM. MICHELLE NEVER NEEDS TO TRY TO DO ANYTHING, HER VOCALS AND THE MUSICALITY OF THIS SONG ARE EQUALLY BEAUTIFUL AND NICE HARMONIES FALL RIGHT INTO PLACE. “JACK OR JILLAROO” MICHELLE CONTINUES HER AMAZING HARMONIES AND HER SMOOTH AND COMFORTING VOCALS AND THE LYRICS OF THE AND MAKE THE SONG COME ALIVE WITH A TRUTHFUL STORY ABOUT LOYALTY & TRUE FRIENDSHIP AMONG TWO FRIENDS. THE NEXT TRACK CALLED “PHOENIX” IS A TRULY AMAZING TRIBUTE TO MICHELLE’S ABILITY TO CROSS OVER THE MUSIC GROOVE AND THE SONG HAS A TRULY BLUESY FEEL AND IS A REALLY NICE SONG, AND MICHELLE’S VOCALS ARE OUTSTANDING. THE NEXT SONG “BACKBONE” MICHELLE CONTINUES TO SOAR ABOVE & BEYOND ALL EXPECTAIONS IN HER AMAZING VOCALS AND THE HAVE A CATCHY FLARE AND ALLOWS ONE TO HEAR MICHELLE AND HER SHEER MUSIC ARTISTRY. THE SONG IS A TOTAL HIT AND MICHELLE ARRIVES & KICKS AND PUNCHES HER WAY THIS GRINDY AND UP TEMPO SONG. “WE’VE GOT SOMETHING” HAS A FEEL OF OLD SCHOOL COUNTRY, HOWEVER MICHELLE ARRISES TO THE OCCASION WITH HER AMAZINGLY CATCHY AND FULL OF FLAVORFUL VOCALS, THE MUSICALITY OF HER BAND ADDS TO THE AWESOME APPEAL TO HER GIFT OF SINGING A SONG THAT JUST SOUNDS GREAT. “SUMMER’S NEARLY OVER” AN ALMOST ACCAPELLA OF SORTS, WHERE MICHELLE SHOWCASES HER SMOOTH HARMONIES AND MAKES THE SONG ONE OF THOSE FUN SONGS TO SING ALONG TO, AND MAKES ONE YEARN FOR SUMMER. THE NEXT AMAZINGLY GREAT SONG ON THIS ALBUM IS CALLED “SHE’S GOT CLASS” WHERE MICHELLE ADDRESSES THE ISSUES THAT SOME GIRLS HAVE TO DEAL WITH HAVING CLASS. “WHAT I LOVE” AS THE SONG STARTS I FELT THE TOTAL TALENT IN THIS SONG, THIS SONG HAS A MATURE AND REAL HONEST FEEL TO IT AND ONE OF MY FAVORITES ON THE ALBUM. MICHELLE IS ONE OF THOSE SINGERS THAT I CAN IMMEDIATLEY TELL FROM THE START OF A SONG WHAT KIND OF SONG IT’S GOIN GTO BE, AND THIS ONE IS A MOST ENJOYABLE SONG. “BURNING UP INSIDE” THE BLUES ARRIVE AGAIN THROUGH MICHELLE’S AMAZING VOCAL RANGE AND THE SMOOTHNESS AROUND THE CURVES OF THE SONG MAKE IT A REAL PIECE OF SOLID MUSIC, ONE I REALLY ENJOYED VERY WELL. “COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOU” A DUET WITH TYSON COLMAN AND THERE DESCRIPTION OF A COUPLE THAT CAN’T STAND THE WAY THINGS ARE WITH EACH OTHER, HOWEVER, THEY CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT EACH OTHER, AND MICHELLE REALLY MAKES THE SONG FEEL ALIVE AND A BREATHING SONG THAT PROJECTS REAL AND HONEST FEELIINGS THROUGH THE MUSIC AND HARMONIES OF BOTH MICHELLE & TYSON. “WHEN I TAKE THE STAGE” MICHELLE AND HER VOCALS ARE OUTSTANDING AND HER VOICE REALLY BRINGS IN THAT SOUND OF MATURITY AND SOUNDS AMAZINGLY CONFIDENT AND STRONG, I PERSONALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH HER HARMONIES THAT ARE JUST OUTSTANDING AND THE SONG HAS AN UPBEAT RHYTHM THAT MICHELLE KEEPS THE PULSE ALIVE WITH HER PERFECT VOCALS THAT MAKE THE SONG FUN AND CATCHY AND ONE THAT HAS RADIO FRIENDLY THROUGHOUT. “HOMEWARD CALL” MICHELLE HAS THAT OLD STYLE WITH FIDDLE AND STRUMMING IN AN ALMOST BLUEGRASS FEEL TO THIS SONG AND IS FRESH AND HAS A TEMPO THAT ALLOWS TO PLACE THOSE DANCING SHOES ON AND START SHOWING YOUR STUFF ON THE DANCE FLOOR. ALL IN ALL I LOVED THIS ALBUM, THE ALBUM BRINGS IN MICHELLE AT HER BEST, AND SHE SEEMS TO HAVE A MATURITY IN HER VOCALS THROUGHOUT, AND THE MIX IS SUPERB AND MICHELLE SHOWS HER REAL TALENT AND TRUE MUSICAL DIVERSITY AND HER ABILITY TO CHANGE IT UP, FROM OLD STYLE COUNTRY TO BLUES TO FALVORFUL AND AMAZINGLY FUN SONGS THAT TRULY HAVE “BACKBONE” TO THEM. I THANK MICHELLE OF HER TREMENDOUS GIFT OF PURE MUSICIANSHIP & WONDERFUL SONGWRITING AND HER TOTAL MUSICALITY. I ALSO THANK HER FOR HER “MATESHIP” AND BRINGING THIS WONDERFUL ALBUM TO MY EARS AND ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM THIS AMAZINGLY TALENTED MUSICIAN AND MATESHIP MICHELLE WALKER AND ALLOWING ME TO DO “WHAT I LOVE”
STEVEN F. ADAMS
MUSIC REVIEWER PUBLICIST OWNER SOUND WAVE ONE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIA
NOVEMBER 2018
AS I AM HONORED AND PROUD TO FOLLOW UP WITH A SECOND MUSIC REVIEW OF THE SUPREMELY TALENTED AND GIFTED SINGER SONGWRITER MICHELLE WALKER AND HER NEW RELEASE ALBUM CALLED “BACKBONE”. I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WRITE HER LINER NOTES IN THIS MARVELOUS AND WONDERFUL MUSIC ALBUM. AS I STATED IN MY LAST REVIEW OF MICHELLE AND HER LAST ALBUM I’VE TRULY HAD A “BETTER DAY” AFTER DISCOVERING MICHELLE’S MUSIC. WITH THIS AMAZING AND TALENTED SINGER & SONGWRITER MICHELLE ARRIVES WITH THE ALBUM CALLED BACKBONE & THE FIRST SONG ON THIS AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL & TRULY SPIRITED ALBUM IS CALLED “TRYING TO BE ME” THE SONG RIGHT OFF THE BAT STARTS OUT WITH THE SOUND OF TOTAL HIT MUSICALITY. MICHELLE REALLY HAS THAT VOICE THAT IS TOTALLY MIRACULOUS, AND WHEN MICHELLE SINGS SHE SINGS ABOUT REALISM, THIS SONG IS A SONG THAT REALLY SINGS HER HONESTY AND LYRICS THAT ADD THAT TRUE VALIDITY TO THEM. MICHELLE NEVER NEEDS TO TRY TO DO ANYTHING, HER VOCALS AND THE MUSICALITY OF THIS SONG ARE EQUALLY BEAUTIFUL AND NICE HARMONIES FALL RIGHT INTO PLACE. “JACK OR JILLAROO” MICHELLE CONTINUES HER AMAZING HARMONIES AND HER SMOOTH AND COMFORTING VOCALS AND THE LYRICS OF THE AND MAKE THE SONG COME ALIVE WITH A TRUTHFUL STORY ABOUT LOYALTY & TRUE FRIENDSHIP AMONG TWO FRIENDS. THE NEXT TRACK CALLED “PHOENIX” IS A TRULY AMAZING TRIBUTE TO MICHELLE’S ABILITY TO CROSS OVER THE MUSIC GROOVE AND THE SONG HAS A TRULY BLUESY FEEL AND IS A REALLY NICE SONG, AND MICHELLE’S VOCALS ARE OUTSTANDING. THE NEXT SONG “BACKBONE” MICHELLE CONTINUES TO SOAR ABOVE & BEYOND ALL EXPECTAIONS IN HER AMAZING VOCALS AND THE HAVE A CATCHY FLARE AND ALLOWS ONE TO HEAR MICHELLE AND HER SHEER MUSIC ARTISTRY. THE SONG IS A TOTAL HIT AND MICHELLE ARRIVES & KICKS AND PUNCHES HER WAY THIS GRINDY AND UP TEMPO SONG. “WE’VE GOT SOMETHING” HAS A FEEL OF OLD SCHOOL COUNTRY, HOWEVER MICHELLE ARRISES TO THE OCCASION WITH HER AMAZINGLY CATCHY AND FULL OF FLAVORFUL VOCALS, THE MUSICALITY OF HER BAND ADDS TO THE AWESOME APPEAL TO HER GIFT OF SINGING A SONG THAT JUST SOUNDS GREAT. “SUMMER’S NEARLY OVER” AN ALMOST ACCAPELLA OF SORTS, WHERE MICHELLE SHOWCASES HER SMOOTH HARMONIES AND MAKES THE SONG ONE OF THOSE FUN SONGS TO SING ALONG TO, AND MAKES ONE YEARN FOR SUMMER. THE NEXT AMAZINGLY GREAT SONG ON THIS ALBUM IS CALLED “SHE’S GOT CLASS” WHERE MICHELLE ADDRESSES THE ISSUES THAT SOME GIRLS HAVE TO DEAL WITH HAVING CLASS. “WHAT I LOVE” AS THE SONG STARTS I FELT THE TOTAL TALENT IN THIS SONG, THIS SONG HAS A MATURE AND REAL HONEST FEEL TO IT AND ONE OF MY FAVORITES ON THE ALBUM. MICHELLE IS ONE OF THOSE SINGERS THAT I CAN IMMEDIATLEY TELL FROM THE START OF A SONG WHAT KIND OF SONG IT’S GOIN GTO BE, AND THIS ONE IS A MOST ENJOYABLE SONG. “BURNING UP INSIDE” THE BLUES ARRIVE AGAIN THROUGH MICHELLE’S AMAZING VOCAL RANGE AND THE SMOOTHNESS AROUND THE CURVES OF THE SONG MAKE IT A REAL PIECE OF SOLID MUSIC, ONE I REALLY ENJOYED VERY WELL. “COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOU” A DUET WITH TYSON COLMAN AND THERE DESCRIPTION OF A COUPLE THAT CAN’T STAND THE WAY THINGS ARE WITH EACH OTHER, HOWEVER, THEY CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT EACH OTHER, AND MICHELLE REALLY MAKES THE SONG FEEL ALIVE AND A BREATHING SONG THAT PROJECTS REAL AND HONEST FEELIINGS THROUGH THE MUSIC AND HARMONIES OF BOTH MICHELLE & TYSON. “WHEN I TAKE THE STAGE” MICHELLE AND HER VOCALS ARE OUTSTANDING AND HER VOICE REALLY BRINGS IN THAT SOUND OF MATURITY AND SOUNDS AMAZINGLY CONFIDENT AND STRONG, I PERSONALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH HER HARMONIES THAT ARE JUST OUTSTANDING AND THE SONG HAS AN UPBEAT RHYTHM THAT MICHELLE KEEPS THE PULSE ALIVE WITH HER PERFECT VOCALS THAT MAKE THE SONG FUN AND CATCHY AND ONE THAT HAS RADIO FRIENDLY THROUGHOUT. “HOMEWARD CALL” MICHELLE HAS THAT OLD STYLE WITH FIDDLE AND STRUMMING IN AN ALMOST BLUEGRASS FEEL TO THIS SONG AND IS FRESH AND HAS A TEMPO THAT ALLOWS TO PLACE THOSE DANCING SHOES ON AND START SHOWING YOUR STUFF ON THE DANCE FLOOR. ALL IN ALL I LOVED THIS ALBUM, THE ALBUM BRINGS IN MICHELLE AT HER BEST, AND SHE SEEMS TO HAVE A MATURITY IN HER VOCALS THROUGHOUT, AND THE MIX IS SUPERB AND MICHELLE SHOWS HER REAL TALENT AND TRUE MUSICAL DIVERSITY AND HER ABILITY TO CHANGE IT UP, FROM OLD STYLE COUNTRY TO BLUES TO FALVORFUL AND AMAZINGLY FUN SONGS THAT TRULY HAVE “BACKBONE” TO THEM. I THANK MICHELLE OF HER TREMENDOUS GIFT OF PURE MUSICIANSHIP & WONDERFUL SONGWRITING AND HER TOTAL MUSICALITY. I ALSO THANK HER FOR HER “MATESHIP” AND BRINGING THIS WONDERFUL ALBUM TO MY EARS AND ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM THIS AMAZINGLY TALENTED MUSICIAN AND MATESHIP MICHELLE WALKER AND ALLOWING ME TO DO “WHAT I LOVE”
STEVEN F. ADAMS
MUSIC REVIEWER PUBLICIST OWNER SOUND WAVE ONE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIA
COWGIRL UP
SEPTEMBER 2018
Michelle has already had successes off this album with Jack and Jillaroo and the duet with Tyson Colman which is also on his album, “Couldn’t Live Without You”. Backbone is the current single and title track.
All of the tracks are different and Michelle’s sound is a little bit different to most female singers in Australian Country….it has a unique timbre to it and it allows her to explore different octaves almost within an octave!
If you look at the 79 different types of country music, she just about covers every kind on here, with the amusing “She’s got Class”, the earthy country songs, the up tempo ones, the twangy ones and bluesy ones. She covers a few bases.
I really like What I Love, especially lyrically. Burning Up Inside sounds like she could be Melissa Robertson’s twin…..they could interchange songs here…or maybe a duet….now there is an idea! I think that she might go an octave lower than Melissa on this one though. Some nice piano on here too.
I didn’t find too much production information on this, but it works very smoothly and it is a very natural sounding record. Nothing is forced or over technical.
I love the duet with Tyson, but I am a bit biased there, I am a big fan of his. The opening track is an interesting track vocally. Not many people would be able to pull that one off.
A lot of the songs seem to be saying that she loves what she does and she doesn’t worry about what people think anymore about what she is doing – on or off the stage or record. Songs like Trying to be Me, What I Love and When I take the stage, seem to reflect that.
I don’t think that Michelle has anything to be worried about. I can imagine the fans lapping this one up and enjoying every song.
Homeward Call is full of awesome fiddles and it is a real yee haa song. Tamworth audiences will go crazy for that one. It is the best song to end the album with.
I think that there is something for everybody here, no matter what your country music tastes are.
KAZ JOHNSON
SEPTEMBER 2018
Michelle has already had successes off this album with Jack and Jillaroo and the duet with Tyson Colman which is also on his album, “Couldn’t Live Without You”. Backbone is the current single and title track.
All of the tracks are different and Michelle’s sound is a little bit different to most female singers in Australian Country….it has a unique timbre to it and it allows her to explore different octaves almost within an octave!
If you look at the 79 different types of country music, she just about covers every kind on here, with the amusing “She’s got Class”, the earthy country songs, the up tempo ones, the twangy ones and bluesy ones. She covers a few bases.
I really like What I Love, especially lyrically. Burning Up Inside sounds like she could be Melissa Robertson’s twin…..they could interchange songs here…or maybe a duet….now there is an idea! I think that she might go an octave lower than Melissa on this one though. Some nice piano on here too.
I didn’t find too much production information on this, but it works very smoothly and it is a very natural sounding record. Nothing is forced or over technical.
I love the duet with Tyson, but I am a bit biased there, I am a big fan of his. The opening track is an interesting track vocally. Not many people would be able to pull that one off.
A lot of the songs seem to be saying that she loves what she does and she doesn’t worry about what people think anymore about what she is doing – on or off the stage or record. Songs like Trying to be Me, What I Love and When I take the stage, seem to reflect that.
I don’t think that Michelle has anything to be worried about. I can imagine the fans lapping this one up and enjoying every song.
Homeward Call is full of awesome fiddles and it is a real yee haa song. Tamworth audiences will go crazy for that one. It is the best song to end the album with.
I think that there is something for everybody here, no matter what your country music tastes are.
KAZ JOHNSON
SOUNDWAVEONE
DECEMBER 2016
A Better Day
Review Title: Just Right
Well my friends I have been truly blessed and honored at all times to be able to love what I do. As normal I attempt to contact as many musicians that I am able to in order for me to write about the positiveness that they all bring to the music table. One of these fine musicians, I have the real pleasure to write about is a lady named Michelle Walker. Upon listening to her album called "A Better Day" Michelle brings out the sound of simple is better. With the first song called "A Better Day" she really brings that just good old singing to your ears, and this is refreshing to know that there are artists out there that can create and convey that through the use of good lyrics and just good musicianship. When listening to the album I felt a little flare of tropical sounding vibes. The next song "Just Right" I kinda got the just of what sort of artist Michelle is. Then.. After listening to the next track called "Letting you Go" where she sings about feelings brought on through lifes visits with relationships. As I listened on Michelle really evolved into the sound that showed me her true talent almost "bluesish" with a twist. With the next song "Crying", this really had nice sounds and the band came alive adding to the ever present vocals of Michelle and hearing the Dobro and the Viola, and the vibes of all the true musicianship being heard within. Michelle has that voice that just has range from "down home" to a real bluesy and and added harmonies that allow you to feel the emotion of the song you are listening to. One of the songs that really portray the focus on the band is "Grandmas Diary" and you can really hear the story telling side of Michelle through her pointed lyrics. With the continued use of mandolins and the Ukulele and Banjo pickin' throughout it makes this album really polished and finished. Another Song on this wonderful album that caught my ears was the song "Take you Away" this really projects a superb sound and adds to the realism of Michelle and her lyrics. All throughout the album Michelle takes music to a new level and shows real command of her singing and steers this wonderful album and I really love this album, it has real substance and a superb feel added with the flare of real country twist to make it her own. All I have to say after listening to this album I will and you will have a "Better Day". Thank you Michelle for allowing me to be this part of your music career and exposing my ears to your wonderful talent.
Steven F. Adams
Writer/Owner SoundWaveOne
DECEMBER 2016
A Better Day
Review Title: Just Right
Well my friends I have been truly blessed and honored at all times to be able to love what I do. As normal I attempt to contact as many musicians that I am able to in order for me to write about the positiveness that they all bring to the music table. One of these fine musicians, I have the real pleasure to write about is a lady named Michelle Walker. Upon listening to her album called "A Better Day" Michelle brings out the sound of simple is better. With the first song called "A Better Day" she really brings that just good old singing to your ears, and this is refreshing to know that there are artists out there that can create and convey that through the use of good lyrics and just good musicianship. When listening to the album I felt a little flare of tropical sounding vibes. The next song "Just Right" I kinda got the just of what sort of artist Michelle is. Then.. After listening to the next track called "Letting you Go" where she sings about feelings brought on through lifes visits with relationships. As I listened on Michelle really evolved into the sound that showed me her true talent almost "bluesish" with a twist. With the next song "Crying", this really had nice sounds and the band came alive adding to the ever present vocals of Michelle and hearing the Dobro and the Viola, and the vibes of all the true musicianship being heard within. Michelle has that voice that just has range from "down home" to a real bluesy and and added harmonies that allow you to feel the emotion of the song you are listening to. One of the songs that really portray the focus on the band is "Grandmas Diary" and you can really hear the story telling side of Michelle through her pointed lyrics. With the continued use of mandolins and the Ukulele and Banjo pickin' throughout it makes this album really polished and finished. Another Song on this wonderful album that caught my ears was the song "Take you Away" this really projects a superb sound and adds to the realism of Michelle and her lyrics. All throughout the album Michelle takes music to a new level and shows real command of her singing and steers this wonderful album and I really love this album, it has real substance and a superb feel added with the flare of real country twist to make it her own. All I have to say after listening to this album I will and you will have a "Better Day". Thank you Michelle for allowing me to be this part of your music career and exposing my ears to your wonderful talent.
Steven F. Adams
Writer/Owner SoundWaveOne
COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL NEWS
JULY 2015
A Better Day
In the space of a few short years, North Queenslander Michelle Walker has established herself as both a talented songwriter and recording artist. Her latest release A Better Day will no doubt win her more fans and more accolades. There is a timbre to her voice that stands out, allowing her to competently handle different styles, and if she hadn't made country her music I'm sure she could have developed a successful career as an impressive jazz singer. The first single lifted from the album Cool Cool Cowboy has already seen chart success, including overseas, making it to number 19 on a station in New York. The follow up single A Better Day is now gaining good airlplay across Australia. If you haven't heard Michelle yet ask your local CM presenter to give her a spin. The album is yet another of the great productions by Lindsay Waddington on Kross Kut Records and as usual some top musos have worked on the project. Michelle's spine tingling vocal warmth shines throughout this release.
Garry Coxhead
JULY 2015
A Better Day
In the space of a few short years, North Queenslander Michelle Walker has established herself as both a talented songwriter and recording artist. Her latest release A Better Day will no doubt win her more fans and more accolades. There is a timbre to her voice that stands out, allowing her to competently handle different styles, and if she hadn't made country her music I'm sure she could have developed a successful career as an impressive jazz singer. The first single lifted from the album Cool Cool Cowboy has already seen chart success, including overseas, making it to number 19 on a station in New York. The follow up single A Better Day is now gaining good airlplay across Australia. If you haven't heard Michelle yet ask your local CM presenter to give her a spin. The album is yet another of the great productions by Lindsay Waddington on Kross Kut Records and as usual some top musos have worked on the project. Michelle's spine tingling vocal warmth shines throughout this release.
Garry Coxhead
FIFTY SHADES OF COUNTRY MUSIC
MAY 2015
A Better Day
The beauty of having a blog like this is that you get to expose and promote not only the artists that most people know or sort of know, but those who people may not have heard of before. Through Facebook and going to Tamworth every year, I have been able to make contact with many talented artists who do not get the coverage that they deserve. One such artist is Michelle Walker. There is no doubt in the world that Michelle is a country singer. There are so many different kinds of country music these days and everyone is labelling more kinds every day. The purists will put this one in their pockets.
Like the majority of musos at Tamworth, Michelle works pretty hard, with a list of jobs that would make Olivia Walton feel like a lazy old woman. This album has been brewing for a while. Most of the songs follow a formula that is tried and true. Having said that, the formula isn’t followed a lot these days, so for a lot of country music listeners, this will be refreshing and new and that is a good thing. There are a few little surprises, however.
The title track is a winner. It has a theme that is familiar with country songs, but it is very catchy and beautifully delivered. Great guitar work and the fiddle is very cool. A very positive song that could end up on the shower song list.
The songs on the album showcase Michelle’s vocal range, from the deep 50’s/60’s style song: Letting You Go, to middle range It’s Your Life (easily my favourite on the album) to the high notes of Tropical Paradise which is almost as though Bob Marley stepped into the room.
The clichés are there on some songs, but generally, this is a well balanced, easy to listen to feast for the ears. The band is great. I haven’t got the details as I downloaded this from itunes, but the arrangements and the musicianship are spot on. Grandma’s Diary is almost Anne Kirkpatrickesque. In Australian country music, there is no bigger compliment than that.
This is not intended as a criticism, it is actually a compliment. I think in many ways that Michelle’s music and style would have fitted beautifully into the 1970’s/80’s country music era. She was born too late! Having said that, there is still a niche out there for this kind of music and even though the country music world is changing, the industry still has respect for its roots and in music, like most everything in life, everything old can be new again. The beauty of country music these days is that all types fit. You can have your funktry, punktry, hunktry, neo-traditional, bluegrass, country rock, country blues, country trad, country soul etc and they are all welcome. Michelle’s voice and music would be what I would call Pure Country. I think that most people know where I stand country music wise, even though I dabble in lots of different types. What makes Michelle’s music work is that she has remained true to herself. It is raw, honest music.
Kaz Johnson
MAY 2015
A Better Day
The beauty of having a blog like this is that you get to expose and promote not only the artists that most people know or sort of know, but those who people may not have heard of before. Through Facebook and going to Tamworth every year, I have been able to make contact with many talented artists who do not get the coverage that they deserve. One such artist is Michelle Walker. There is no doubt in the world that Michelle is a country singer. There are so many different kinds of country music these days and everyone is labelling more kinds every day. The purists will put this one in their pockets.
Like the majority of musos at Tamworth, Michelle works pretty hard, with a list of jobs that would make Olivia Walton feel like a lazy old woman. This album has been brewing for a while. Most of the songs follow a formula that is tried and true. Having said that, the formula isn’t followed a lot these days, so for a lot of country music listeners, this will be refreshing and new and that is a good thing. There are a few little surprises, however.
The title track is a winner. It has a theme that is familiar with country songs, but it is very catchy and beautifully delivered. Great guitar work and the fiddle is very cool. A very positive song that could end up on the shower song list.
The songs on the album showcase Michelle’s vocal range, from the deep 50’s/60’s style song: Letting You Go, to middle range It’s Your Life (easily my favourite on the album) to the high notes of Tropical Paradise which is almost as though Bob Marley stepped into the room.
The clichés are there on some songs, but generally, this is a well balanced, easy to listen to feast for the ears. The band is great. I haven’t got the details as I downloaded this from itunes, but the arrangements and the musicianship are spot on. Grandma’s Diary is almost Anne Kirkpatrickesque. In Australian country music, there is no bigger compliment than that.
This is not intended as a criticism, it is actually a compliment. I think in many ways that Michelle’s music and style would have fitted beautifully into the 1970’s/80’s country music era. She was born too late! Having said that, there is still a niche out there for this kind of music and even though the country music world is changing, the industry still has respect for its roots and in music, like most everything in life, everything old can be new again. The beauty of country music these days is that all types fit. You can have your funktry, punktry, hunktry, neo-traditional, bluegrass, country rock, country blues, country trad, country soul etc and they are all welcome. Michelle’s voice and music would be what I would call Pure Country. I think that most people know where I stand country music wise, even though I dabble in lots of different types. What makes Michelle’s music work is that she has remained true to herself. It is raw, honest music.
Kaz Johnson