Sitting On Your Fence EP''A Romping, Raucous, Stomping, Country Rocking, Anglicana, Seedy Blues Infested - HULLABALLOO.'' |
Track Listing:
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The latest EP from Gary O'Dea features guest appearances by such luminaries as Steve Gibbons, PJ Wright, Gary Lammin and Glenn Somerville. "Gary O'Dea...the only man I know who can touch on WOODY GUTHRIE / BOB MARLEY / RONNIE LANE + STEVE GIBBONS in the course of one set!" Highway 61 Web Site. "GARY O'DEA - keeps the roots watered with his Black Country Americana
folk blues…grazing shades of back porch n' bluegrass''… "…independent, enthusiastic country/blues. Only this isn't Alabama country,
it's the Black Country…O'Dea clearly takes his music, but not himself,
seriously, the writing and playing being consistently strong…a warmly
humorous slice of bluegrass…Dylanesque…impassioned…the whole band are
in top form putting across woozy urban cool…All in all, well done to everyone
concerned, including Anew Music for giving a home to the Wild (West -
Midlands) Bunch.''... "GARY O'DEA - songsmith and purveyor of fine musical fare to all who'll
listen, once again excels on his 'Sittin' On Your Fence' EP. Harmonica,
acoustic guitar, fiddle, slide, banjo, tea-chest bass and a wonderfully
wild chorus injects the title track with spirit and freshness. (Black)
Country music they call it, and it succeeds admirably. With the likes
of Steve Gibbons and P J Wright guesting, you hardly need any further
recommendation." "…a refreshing piece of original work." "I have to admit my music taste is more traditional country but…your
music grew on me… really enjoyed the musicians on the tracks. Big City
Blue hits me as my favourite track here, the piano and harmonica are terrific.
I'm sure these tracks would get radio play in the UK and USA if the right
people get to hear it. Show the world what talent there is over here." "The Black Country can definitely say they have a singer / songwriter
to be proud of in the shape of Gary O'Dea." " We received Gary O'Dea's "Love Hounds and Fortune Cookies" a few months
back, an open hearted collection of Steve Earle type numbers with infectious
guitar and uptempo piano that you couldn't help but like. "Sittin' On
Your Fence" is the more recent follow up to the album, and although only
a four track EP, still marks itself out as a worthwhile successor, at
least on the quality of the songs themselves. It's a more rootsy and traditional
country orientated collection of songs than its predecessor. Beginning
with the EP's title track " Sittin' On Your Fence" storms along with some
biting fiddle and a rousing semi-chorus which becomes more vocal as the
track progresses. It's the best song here, but pretty representative.
Next up "Singapore Joe" is nicely arranged, with a very angst O'Dea fleshing
out characters well. "Searching For Sal" lets the pace a little and introduces
some great lap steel with a slightly leftfield rhythm for a country song,
and the EP climaxes with the smoky and Dylan-ish "Big City Blue" with
the real deal as far as harmonica goes. It's still incredible to think
O'Dea comes from suburbia Birmingham but it's significant that he's probably
received more airplay in the States (several radio station picked up on
"Love Hounds…" over there) than here. For lovers of Americana and real
country, that should be as good a reason as any to go out and discover
the guy, and this EP is a good place to start." |
Singapore Joe (excerpt) mp3 format [213Kb]
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