The Stetson Family – The Stars, If You Look Closely
This is an unrelated Australian “musical family” absorbed in Americana-Bluegrass but why not? Australia has gone through many formidable years as America has & the country adopted similar music through its wonderful storytelling songs.
I’m not surprised that a Down Under group plays this music. B.B. King during an interview once said in so many words that once you put the music out there – it’s out there for anyone to interpret. If an Italian from Milan, Italy such as veteran rocker Eugenio Finardi can sing the blues effectively on his English-lyric “Anima Blues” (in a Tom Waits-like growl) & make a stab for Texas charts (which he did) then an Australian pedigree like The Stetsons need checking out
I have heard many great Australians in my career (Daryl Braithwaite, Keith Urban, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil & Colin Hay among many others). So here are 11 original sparklers from the Stetson Family’s 4th CD recorded pristinely in Melbourne. I assume instinctively that a family like the legendary Carter Family would appreciate what this group does together. Their music on The Stars, If You Look Closely (Drops April 18/MGM/Independent/42:00) was produced by Ern Rose & Nadine Budge (lead vocal/rhythm & resonator guitars).
Coming from such a distance as Australia may be the reason for its rural authenticity & clarity. They also emit a style similar to America’s Cox Family that isn’t artificially sweetened by requiring a hit, checking off the boxes for possible chart success & showboating. This music will be a success in the hearts & ears of people who understand the ancestry of such music. Lead vocalist Nadine sometimes lets loose with gutsy Reba McEntire intonation & tone, a marvelous vocalist.
Young players will more easily embrace these arrangements than rummage through old 78 rpm records that may sound too antiquated for their ears. But they’re picking up on bluegrass, country, folk & Americana. This gift is a lesson on one CD. They’re rich songs. Rich as a well-made jug of Kentucky moonshine. And bootleggers are artists – I’ve tasted it. You could drive a truck on that instead of gasoline. Typical of what an Australian would do. (I worked in the 80s for an Aussie movie company in NYC & met many wonderful Down Under personalities). I know.
Highlights – “The Stars, If You Look Closely,” the beautiful “The Other Side,” “Dollar In My Hand,” “Lonesome Valley,” “Nightfall,” “Better Left Unsaid,” “Heading West” & “Angel’s Hand.”
Musicians – John Bartholmeusz (lead guitar/harmony), Colin Swan (banjo/harmonies), Greg Field (fiddle/mandolin/harmony), Luke Richardson (double bass/harmony) with Liz Stringer (harmony), Pete Fidler (mandolin/resonator guitar) & Mike St. Clair-Miller (double bass).
Color image courtesy of Bree Hartley (percussion). CD @ Bandcamp & https://thestetsonfamily.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: The Stetson Family “Better Left Unsaid”