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NEIL ROBERTSON
WAKE UP THE DEAD
CD Review by Rootstime, online folk/roots magazine, April 2008
Wake Up The Dead is the debut full length CD (after a total of 7 EPs and LPs between 91 and 2003) of Australian singer/songwriter Neil Robertson. It contains 12 tracks and runs for 50 minutes of contemporary music in the singer/songwriter and folk rock music genre.
He writes excellent melodies and powerful lyrics concerning his vision on living today. For the album he got the support of a number of Melbourne based musicians, including Nick Carrafa on drums and Pete Howell on bass, sometimes completed with Chris Pain (harmonica).
Neil himself sings and plays several instruments (including guitars, mandolin, keyboards, percussion). To refine his vocal pallet, he can also count on four ladies for the backing vocal. With three of them, Wendy Ealy, Leticia Maher and Moira Tyers, he has also formed the acoustic quartet UNSUNG since 2006.
On the CD, which was launched in March 2008, Neil sings about everyday realities and how he himself experiences these. He is very strong in his lyrics and writes strong colourful music. He has already won a songwriting Award (in 2006) at the Maldon Folk Music Festival.
"And I'm feeling okay now I've lightened up my load" he sings in the uptempo opener Rocking Down My Road. And thats a good and necessary thing when you learn how observing and critical he is in the presence of a lot events, situations and human behaviour this century. Along with Change The World, Wake Up the Dead (the title track) contains a good example of this too: "Kingmakers spin gold from fake celebrity and every nobody in there is somebody". In City or the Free he brings his experience of Melbourne by night. The the input of the violin this song turns it into something more folky. With the very lyrical Celebration he won the songwriting award in 2006.
The harmonica colours the following two tracks, which in moments (in Goodness Gracious) creates a bluesy environment. Fortunately there are also some love songs to listen to. The quiet What She Wants brings rest and a chance to hear the tender side of Neil, whereas the up tempo Kryptonite paints love with beautiful vocal arrangements. On the sober The Right Side Of The Road, Neil plays everything himself, and the song reminds me a little of the former work of Ray Davies. On the last two songs, the violin ensures an alternation in the feeling and colour and gives Beggar's Gold a strong folky feel.
In short, a very good songwriter, who lives with open eyes and heart. He has made an album with beautiful arrangements and vocal harmonies!
(jug) www.rootstime.be
9:52 AM
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