Woolshed Creek
The Age
Friday February 11, 2011
Woolshed Creek James Blundell (Other Tongues/Revenge Records) RATING: 3.5/5THIS is exactly the album James Blundell needed at this point in his career. Woolshed Creek is a back-to-basics showcase of what the former jackaroo built his mulit-ARIA and Golden Guitar-winning reputation on in the first place. In recent times the twice-divorced father of two has attracted more attention for his not-so-private life (in 2007 he left his second wife for a young Australian Idol contestant) but this 10th studio album puts the focus squarely back on the music. Recorded in the woolshed of the family property in Queensland, the stripped-back production of Woolshed Creek suits his finely honed sketches of rural life that show his knack for both sweet hooks and heartfelt, humorous storytelling. He gives fresh insight into well-worn themes, such as country versus city (Moving to the City), addiction (Billy), love and longing (Can't Love Alone), but there are new stories, too, such as life from the perspective "the Fresian reason" of a dairy cow (Milk Me). An endearingly creaky version of Arlo Guthrie's I Ride an Old Paint sung by, I suspect, Blundell's dad, gives a fittingly warm conclusion to an album full of heart.
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