Description
Now that Brian and Toni are both living in the UK - albeit at different end of it - they bring you a collecton of songs reflecting their old & new lives. A refreshing combination of traditional Australian and Scottish songs sitting alongside original blues and some of the best in contemporary song writing from both sides of the planet.
Tracks
1) From the Bush
2) Wrap me in yer Airms
3) Jim Jones
4) You'll Never Know
5) Augathella Station
6) Drunk on the Moon
7) On the Wallaby
8) Outback Australia
9) Gloomy December
10) Streets of Forbes
11) Forty Days of Rain
12) Lay Down
Artist Profile
Toni Wood and Brian Heywood met up a few years ago in the wilds of Yorkshire and immediately hit it off despite the fact that Toni originally comes from Brisbane and Brian hails from Sydney. They soon began performing together first as a duo then as a larger ensemble with Donna Whitlock on percussion and Thomas Fairbairn on violin. For larger festival gigs they also added a bass player to give the dynamic possibilities of a fully electric linup.
This album has been a long time in the making - about half of the tracks were recorded in Melboume at the beginning of 2002 and the rest in sessions that took place in Milton Keynes and Dunstable, with side trips to Wales and Yorkshire to record some of the guest artist's performances.
Musically, "vibrant and versatile" are the words best used to describe the superb voice of Toni which, coupled with her gift for finding the spirit of a song, makes every performance a heart-stopping experience.
Backed by Brian's guitar and voice, the jazz/rock influenced violin of Thomas and a fantastic "worid" influenced rhythm section based around the stunning percussive talents of Donna, the band make a compact unit with a wide dynamic. The music encompasses new and traditional Australian and British folk, contemporary material, blues and unaccompanied song.
WoodworX are...
Toni Wood - vocals
Billed by the Loaded Dog Folk Club (Sydney) as: "Brisbane songstress supreme", folk has been Toni Wood's first love ever since finding the Brisbane folk scene in 1991. She has toured extensively and performed at all the major folk festivals on the Australian East Coast. Toni is a performer of the very highest calibre whose fine voice supports presentation skills honed by ample experience at the highest levels.
Brian Heywood - elecric & synth guitars, vocals
Brian was muscially bom at a very early age in Sydney, and soon after he was asked to join a new Australian Bush Band which eventually came to be known as Bluetongue. In 1979, he relocated to England and has been playing with various concert and ceilidh outfits ever since. He has recently released an album with the roots fusion band enO.
Donna Whitlock - hand percussion (plus kit drums in 5 pc llne-up)
Donna has many years experience in a wide range of music styles ranging from Jazz to Early and Medieval music. Donna plays Djembe, Bodhran and other percussion as well as kit in the five piece line-up. Donna also works with the innovative percussion duo Hum Drum and English ceilidh band Moon Dance.
Thomas Fairbaim - viollin
Thomas was first introduced to the violin at the age of three through the Suzuki method. He is acknowledged as one of the brightest young fiddle talents around. He has already won North West Irish fiddle championship, undertaken teaching work in the Shetlands and played alongside percussionist Evelyn Glennie. As well as violin, Thomas also plays five-string viola. He has recently started to study for a degree in Folk Music at Newcastle University.
Paul Francis - fretted and fretess bass guitars (5pc llne-up only)
Paul's first professional gig was with rock guitarist Steve Hillage (Open, Virgin Records). Since then Paul has recorded, toured or appeared with many bands/artists including: Midge Ure, Paul Weller, The James Taylor Quartet Galliano London Beat and Omar & Michelle Gayle, Chris Farlowe, Ian Hunter & Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites) Hamish Stewart, David Sneddon, and Danen Bowers.
(c)2004 Poke Records
Label: Poke Records