Up until now, Canadian-born Frazey Ford is best known for her work as a member of the Vancouver trio The Be Good Tanyas. About to embark on her maiden Australian tour (including a spot at Bluesfest 2016), it will be a splendid opportunity for locals to experience first hand this talented singer-songwriter.
Tour dates are below and the timing of Ford’s visit works well, as it pretty much coincides with the release of Indian Ocean (2015 – Netwerk) which is her second solo outing (the first being 2010’s Obadiah).
Indian Ocean is a memorable album, reflecting a good deal of feeling. Take track four, “Done”:
” I was taking every hit from you…You drive-by-shooting son-of-a-bitch…And I’m done…Well you criticize by numbers…You hammer at the roots…Wait for me to f%#k up to find yourself some proof…And I’m done…You’re just stoking the hatred of a story line…While you hide behind decorum and a fake smile”
Phew! A break-up song with deep grooves.
The story behind the album is an interesting one. Filmmaker Robert Gordon was working on a documentary on Memphis soul and in particular focusing on Al Green and legendary producer Willie Mitchell’s base Royal Studios in Memphis (a place I was lucky to visit in 2008 during Roy Young’s rehearsal for his appearance at New Orleans’ Jazz Fest that year). After hearing one of Ford’s songs, he invited her to record at Royal. What gives Indian Ocean an emotional and soulful edge for me is the use of The Hi Rhythm Section, the architects of the iconic sound that came out of that studio and in fact that great city.
Ford’s voice is soulful and uncommon, a high-pitched plea and an emotional caress around the (sometimes biting) lyrics. The album has a nice touch of spontaneity about it as well. The opening track “September Fields” is alluring with just a guitar and backing vocals, which enables Ford’s voice to cut through immediately commanding your attention. Other highlights are “Runnin'” which has a seductive arrangement simmering in the background – it builds beautifully and organically, the aforementioned “Done” and “You Got Religion” which just drips with the best of Memphis-infused soul.
Indian Ocean is a fervid treat and strong evidence that catching a one of her live shows will be invigorating and rewarding.
Here’s the official video for “Done”:
FRAZEY FORD AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2016
MARCH 19-20 | BLUE MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL NSW
Tickets – http://www.bmff.org.au/
23RD MARCH | NEWTOWN SOCIAL CLUB SYDNEY NSW
Tickets – https://newtownsc.ticketscout.com.au/gigs/5061/FrazeyFord
26TH MARCH – 27TH MARCH – BLUESFEST BYRON BAY NSW
Tickets – http://www.bluesfest.com.au/
30TH MARCH | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB MELBOURNE VIC
Tickets – https://corner.ticketscout.com.au/gigs/5062/FrazeyFord
31ST MARCH | THE WHEATSHEAF ADELAIDE SA
Tickets at oztix.com.au
1ST APRIL | CARAVAN MUSIC CLUB MELBOURNE VIC
Tickets – http://www.trybooking.com/KHUK
Via footstompmusic
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