It seems my OKOM collection is growing to
include more female artists these days. Had you have told me this a year
ago, I would've easily bet $100 against it. Maybe I’ve gotten more
open minded, or maybe I’m just finally finding high quality ladies exist
despite their minimal airplay on my radio station. Whichever the
case, Audrey Auld has made it into my top 5 favorite female singers, and
this CD was one of the best I received this year.
The Australian singer/songwriter has popped into my life with her music,
and I can honestly say that life is richer for it. I first heard
Audrey on a Fred Eaglesmith CD tribute CD entitled “20 Odd
Hollers”, and I liked her cut of “Crazier”. But it wasn’t
until some months later that a friend finally saw Audrey on her US Tour
at Gruene Hall, and gifted me with the CD “The Fallen”, a
wonderful gift indeed.
With ten original tracks, and a couple of covers, this is a “must have”
for the quality OKOM collector. Audrey’s fantastic songwriting,
coupled with her soulful voice, are an prime example of some of those
hidden treasures many of us are missing out on because we just don’t
have many choices to hear this kind of music. Not extremely well
known in the states, yet the Aussies have been enjoying Audrey for quite
sometime. I’m glad they are sharing her with us now!
Audrey’s versatility is well demonstrated on “The Fallen”.
A good ol’ country heartbreak song entitled “I’d Leave Me Too” gets to
CD off to a great start. She later comes back with “Shove It”, a catchy,
fun tune basically saying “to hell with you, I’ve had enough and I’m
moving on”.
Her rendition of “Jellyroll” is one of my kids’ favorites! Lots of
vibrant sing-along and giggling come from the back seats on this one.
In fact, I hear them singing it around the house sometimes with no CD
accompaniment, too. I was glad to actually hear it on the radio
one morning just this week, and I hope they’ll play more tunes off this
CD.
Audrey covers a Fred Eaglesmith tune, and as a hardcore Fredhead, I was
anxious to hear it. “Alcohol and Pills” has long been one of my
many favorites from Fred. I was in my van running errands the
first time I heard her sing it. I suddenly found myself in tears –
it really got to me. It still does. I never would have
dreamed anyone other than Fred LIVE could grip me that way with this
song. She does more than “sing a cover”, she “gets it” and conveys
that, almost as if she were mourning while singing. Very, very
powerful.
A good two step, then a waltz, and than an old favorite of mine done in
a duet with Dale Watson. “Jackson” was a favorite of mine as a
young child, my parents had it on an album with Nancy Sinatra and Lee
Hazelwood. I’m told I used to sing along saying “hotter than a
pepper scrout” instead of sprout. Well, this song is even hotter
than that. Not only are the two talented singers great, but the
chemistry as they sing is phenomenal. You almost forget you are
hearing a song, and feel more like you are eavesdropping on a little
spat between two passionate people.
A little bluesy two steppin’, a taste of bluegrass, then the final track
round out this great CD. “Clax” is another very powerful song.
Lyrically, musically, and in her singing, this song made me think of a
dearly departed one whom I miss terribly at times. This song is
somewhat bittersweet that way, very touching.
The music and production quality are absolutely superb. I just can’t
speak highly enough of “The Fallen” and of Audrey. I have
very fortunately heard more songs she’s written in the past few months,
and even managed to have her share with me a song written for one of my
favorites, Billy Joe Shaver. This incredibly talented lady is a
gem in Australia’s crown.
Lone Star Mama
Written by Dana Jones, January 2002
