MUSICIANS' REVIEWS
musicianship. " Alan O'Day 13/4/00
" Reminiscent of San Fransicos' musical heyday. Many colors for the Rock and Roll palette." James T. ( Canned Heat/ The Last Volunteers.) 26/2/98.
" A unique singer songwriter " Matt Taylor ( Chain ) 8/2/98.
" A favourite album " Phil Manning. 9/2/98
" Al's working his own turf. " Jeff Lang. 21/2/98
" 100% original with fuel to burn ". Kevin Borich 20/2/98 .
" Als'strongest talent is in his songwriting " Rob Tognoni 15/8/98.
" Fabulous listening
if you like Rock,Country, and Blues Roots Variety.
Jeff Usher 7 /4/98.
" One of the most captivating sounds of our time ". Wyley Reed 5/5/98.
" The blues's got soul, and a bit broke off and landed right here in this music " Blind Dog Donny (The Delta Rhythm Kings) 21/4/98
" Music from the heart " Larry Cook (The Bluesmasters) 25/2/98.
" The wildest Rock
and Roll I've ever had the pleasure to listen to".
Chris Bailey (Buzz and the Blues Band ).
MEDIA REVIEWS
" I think one of the interesting things about "Call Up", is that it is different yet similar to many popular songs, having a distinctly original freshness about it. A truly talented songwriter and lyricist backed by some of Australias' best musicians. Try and find that in Granmas' cookbook."
Mr Blues 1/2/99". ( full review.)Personally, I can't stop playing this Rock/Blues/Ballads trilogy CD! It rocks from the first track which has classic rock riffs, big sound, and a raunchy beat. The CD is professional but still fresh - not overly polished. The raw energy & enthusiasm show from someone who's been around a while. 23 tracks, over 70 minutes of music and no "fillers" - you'll play it again & again.
Neil Shedden 1000 Great Guitar sites." I must say I was Impressed " John Laws 29/5/98
" The growing success of an artist such as Al Smith augers well for the futureof the Brisbane music scene. Brisbanes' great strength is creative diversity and you only have to slot in Als' debut CD to get the point.{s}." Ritchie Yorke Sunday Mail Music Writer 9/2/98
" A trilogy of three minute Rock ,Blues and Ballads that highlight the earthiness of Als' creativity. There is certainly musicianship on this C.D. but above all raw energy is king. Adrian Pertout Australian Musician Summer 1998.
" An aching intensity and integrity that effectively conveys the full range of emotions expressed in the material." Testimony indeed that he can come up with songs of such consistent high quality ". Helen Farley Rave magazine 8/7/98.
" A good pub entertainer no doubt." Andrew Tucker 1/8/98.
" A mix of styles and professional musicianship at its best " Matt Connors Time Off Magazine 19/11/97 .
" Sensational ” Blues Association of South East Queensland 1998.
" Extremely talented in music and songwriting ” Access Arts Spring 1997.
"A quality studio recording with a live' ish, spontaneous feel." Tony Moore Queensland Times 6/12/1997.
Call Up by Harry Smith (formerly Al Smith)
An interesting concept with this great CD from Harry Smith (previously known as Al Smith) in that it is divided into 3 sections, being Rock - Blues - Ballads. A total of 23 songs cover the versitality of Harry's songwriting in a very impressive manner as personally I feel each song has traces of each section within and will appeal to a very wide market. The Rock section opens with "You and Me", a very similar feel and style to Roxette and is a track that would be a top 10 contender, should it get the airplay it deserves. "Earth Shuffle" has a mega cool catchy tune and simple catchy lyrics to match. I love the guitar riffs in the opening bars of "Back To You" which has all the feeling of the early 80's Australian bands such as The Sports and The Radiators, Sunnyboys etc. This is a great compostition and the musicianship is outstanding, transporting the listener to memoirs of those bygone days. No stone is unturned as the trend continues through "Empty" - "When Do I Cry", this is simply hot cookin' 80's pub rock at it's 90's best. "The Confidence Song/I'm a V8" reminds me of the good times I used to have dancing around to the still going strong Gangajang, each track so far has the goods to keep you on your dancing toes and continues with "In a Song" - "All I need Is You" and the soulful "I Got A Thing", the later being better than anything I have heard from Cold Chisel yet having a similar yet original and fresh flavour. This rounds up the Rock Songs section, and all I can say is that this stuff is damm good. I now have 9 different 80's style rock songs that i wanna keep playing over and over again. Well I had better let you know about theBlues Songs section.
Blues Songs, brings to the fore another aspect of Harry's prolific songwriting abilities. "The Blues" with it's finger pickin' guitar work and great piano layers blended with a stompin bass beat, brings in the contrast between harry's rock style and blues style. I thought I was listening to the opening bars of Takin' Care of Business by BTO, but instead it was a great rocking number with a blues tinge titled "Fade Away Blues". The great sounds of Hammond B3 swirl through the opening bars of "Hey Baby", a rocky jazz influenced track which has elements of rock blues and ballads within it. Paul Cheeseman lets rip with some great guitar licks in "You Can Tell Me" and the swing feel continues in its rocky blues flavoured vein with "Maybe Baby". The guys get a great jazz funk feel happening as they groove into "Journey", this track has some great Herbie Hancock - Stevie Wonder - Chick Corea influences that seem to drift out from within the song. The Blues Songs section winds up with a barrelhouse piano layered track titled "A World Is Turning". Summing up the Blues songs section - well it isn't Delta or New Orleans, it isn't Southern or Traditional or any of those commonly identified blues styles. This pure Australian Harry Smith style blues, hot - fresh and different.
Now we hit the Ballads section, kicking off with "Step Ahead", a great lazy country southern louisianna rock style, sort of like an Aussie Lynyrd Skynryd mellowed with a few fine Bundaberg Rums or Kentucky Whiskeys. The following track "Cream and Peaches" is a fine composition, worthy of belonging on a movie soundtrack, a cocktail bar, jazz lounge, in fact anywhere. Harry Connick Jnr - eat your heart out. having mellowed with cream and peaches, I was whisked off to the land of country with the cool "Today" then drawn back into that mellow ambience with "For Your Romance" then back into country land with a great swingin' country rock number "What Kind Of Love" - Hey take this one to Tamworth, it's a winner, Don Williams in true Aussie Harry Smith style. The country trend continues with "Over The Line" featuring some cool Dobro licks by the legendary Phil Manning, through till the last track "Love Is", the good ol' Don Williams style coming through again. Ballads I am not so sure, but cool country it sure is. However this is one compelling listen, A CD that encompasses a vast range of styles that is neither intimidating to the ears nor kind on the feet. In fact I would bet that many will kick up their heels many times to this great CD. I think one of the interesting things about "Call Up" is that it is different yet similar to many popular songs, having a distinctly original freshness about it. A truly talented songwriter and lyricist backed by some of Australia's best musicians. Try and find that recipe in Granma's cookbook. Mark " Radar " Watson " Mr Blues Online Haven
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