As a taster to his forthcoming new record 'The Wayside Ballads Vol 1', produced by Shannon Bourne, Bill Jackson has released a two track single - 'Try' / ‘Somebody's Darlin' through Laughing Outlaw Records.
'Try' and 'Somebody's Darlin' were recorded over two days with eight other songs at Tendertrap Studios in Northcote (Melbourne, Australia) and Engineered / Mixed by Roger Bergodaz - during September, 2014. They represent a defining intersection in Bill Jackson's music between his acoustic and electric roots.
The Songs on the Single:
TRY
Information travels fast these days. So much is going on and so many good, hardworking people are trying to stem the tide of so many things that are at risk. The party goes on against a soundtrack of confusion. This was written against the backdrop of the ‘Occupy’ movement. Video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKT4KCbQUYA
SOMEBODY”S DARLIN’
I guess everybody wants to be somebody’s darlin’ – we live in insecure times and more than ever people are lost in a search for self worth, where self image is challenged at every turn – ‘ lookin’ at that misty rainbow wonderin’ where it hides it’s soul’.
‘The Wayside Ballads Vol 1’ will be Melbourne singer-songwriter Bill Jackson’s follow-up to his 2011 release ‘Jerilderie’. The songs on this record were handed over to Melbourne musician/producer, Shannon Bourne early in 2014 with a view to making a record that was more electric, eclectic and rocking than Jackson’s previous few. He last worked with Bourne on ‘Diggin’ the Roots’ (2006) and had great respect for him not only as a musician with an eclectic taste but also as someone who had an instinctive appreciation for the lyric and feel in a song. The songs were pre-conceived during ‘around the table’ acoustic sessions/conversation and essentially recorded ‘live’ over two days to capture ten performances from a band that had never rehearsed or played together before. The other common link on this recording is Pete Fidler, Jackson’s constant musical companion since 2006. They have travelled a long road together. A musician’s musician, Fidler got to showcase his electric roots and brilliance in a side of him here that people rarely get to see. Bourne brought in the brilliant rhythm section of Dean Addison and Roger Bergodaz and they proved to be the perfect foil for this group of songs.
The Band:
Bill Jackson (Vocals)
Pete Fidler (Lap Steel/Electric Guitar)
Shannon Bourne (Electric Guitars)
Dean Addison (Upright Bass)
Roger Bergodaz (Drums)
Engineered and Mixed By Roger Bergodaz / Mastered by Adam Dempsey
Includes unlimited streaming of Try / Somebody's Darlin' - (Single from 'The Wayside Ballads Vol 1' - Bill Jackson)
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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
'Try' comes from the soon to be released fifth Bill Jackson solo record 'The Wayside Ballads Vol 1'.
Information travels fast these days. So much is going on and so many good, hardworking people are trying to stem the tide of so many things that are at risk. The party goes on against a backdrop of confusion. This was written against the backdrop of the ‘Occupy’ movement.
lyrics
Verse 1
Gas hub in the Kimberley, dead whales in the Southern Seas
Blood on the Gaza strip, Refugees and one-up-man ship
Razor wire detention Indigi intervention
Baby seals, coral reefs, banning bombs and cigarettes
Verse 2
Children in custody, shame on my country
Oil spewing outa broken ships, lies spewing over leaders lips
The planets getting’ warmer we just keep on warrin’
And the Daily News has got us confused
Chorus
We’re drownin’ in lies, truth and surmise
‘Cause it all comes down to dollars and cents
And the ninety-nine percent who struggle for rent
They try, try, try, try and they try
Verse 3
Lost touch politicians makin’ piss poor decisions
Africa’s still got nothin’ to eat war rages in the desert heat
For the cost of one missile there’d be full bellies and wide smiles
And the Evening News is a dose of the blues
Chorus
We’re drownin’ in lies, truth and surmise
‘Cause it all comes down to dollars and cents
And the ninety-nine percent who struggle for rent
They try, try, try, try and they try
Verse
Sunami’s earth shakin’ gun laws forsaken
Species disappearing genetic engineering
We're being rorted by bankers, celebrity wankers
If I’m sounding confused it’s because I’m confused
Chorus
We’re drownin’ in lies, truth and surmise
‘Cause it all comes down to dollars and cents
And the ninety-nine percent who struggle for rent
They try, try, try, try and they try
'His songs are gritty and real and come at you like a hammer, ringin' in the mornin'. Take it or leave it, he's telling it
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