SHADY TREE. Reviews.
Media reaction.
On The Web At: www.radiocountry.org -- Email: intlcma@aol.com -- POB 292937, Nashville, TN 37229
Australia, Greg Champion, "Shady Tree," 13 sides It's somewhere between bluegrass and folk. I just call it first rate. 5 Stars
Oklahoma, Roy Anderson, "Real Country," 2 sides, Top notch songs and clean demo production. 4 Stars
Pennsylvania, Kevin Morgan, "Live At The Funkhouse," 12 sides, Good songs, fine vocals, and acceptable production. 4 Stars
Arkansas, Mulehead, "Rocket Surgery," 13 sides, Roots country almost as good as it gets. 4 1/2 Stars
Colorado, Kimberly Jane, "Kimberly Jane," 11 sides, She from a long line of good entertainers and it shows. 4 1/2 Stars
Ohio, Rochelle Summers, "Right As Rain," 10 sides, This country blues album shows the lady's Mississippi roots. 4 Stars
Canada, Tammy Fassaert, "Corner Of My Eye," 12 sides, Bluegrass, honest, simple, clean, with and without gimmicks. 4 1/2
FROM BOB ANTHONY: Tweed Daily News, + Country Update:
Greg Champion has always been a songwriter of note though his serious side has tended to be overshadowed by his “comic genius”. Now with this album, Shady Tree, Champs has the opportunity to show what he can do when given the chance. This is a serious album by Champ’s standards and if you have only known him from his comedy offerings, you will be surprised – pleasantly. Shady Tree is an album which taps into the traditional elements of country – folk, blues, bluegrass and gospel – and incorporates some outstanding acoustic instrumentals, wonderful harmonies and songs which will draw the listener in. Greg has “enlisted” some help from his friends namely Rod McCormack, James Gillard, Mick Albeck, Andrew Clymont, Dan Thompson and vocalists Jane Saunders, Jodi and Robyn Martin, Beccy Cole and Gina Jeffreys. This album draws on a traditional feel through songs like the folk sounding title track, ‘Shady Tree’, the fine harmonies of ‘I’ve Never Been’, the gentle rhythms of ‘Further Up The Mountain’ featuring Jane Saunders, the soulful ‘The Singing Bird’, ‘Rough With The Smooth’, the gospel influences and outstanding harmonies of ‘Slow And Mournful’ and the soulful ‘Love In The Heart’. But Champs mixes it up nicely with the uptempo, driving rhythm of ‘Might Be Jesus Knockin’’, the bluesy sounds of ‘Rise Up’, the jaunty ‘This Body’s Gonna Wear Out’ and the bluegrass flavour of ‘Sleep on Stony Ground’ which features Beccy Cole. But Champs can’t help himself and there is the mandatory quirky number in, ‘When I Kick The Bucket’ an unusual look at the after-life. This is an album to sit and savour. Greg Champion has shown a side to his music which will impress – seriously.
FROM MIKE KEAR: -- Webmaster, Bluegrass Australia. www.bluegrass.org.au
Chairman, IBMA's Pacific Bluegrass Network
Presenter: Music From Foggy Hollow on Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM, and www.bluegrasscountry.org 7 days a week.
As you'd expect from a Champion project, good humour, original melodies, yet still not so far away from what we know already to have that familiar feeling from the first hearing. I like the selection of material - lots of different styles. I'm sure it's because it reflects a wide interest in music, but it can't help the commercial appeal either. It'll appeal to country fans, and the folkies and the bluesheads. With this album Greg ought to pick up quite a few bluegrass pickers too.
DAVID ANDERSON, ABC Rockhampton Queensland Australia :
"...the depth of writing in the songs: each one is a fruit of the shady tree which, when broken open, yields a seed of truth, a reminder that there is a place for peace, for reflection"
FIFI JONES, Warner-Chappell: "very rich and creamy"
ROLAND LANZARONE, 90.6FM, FRANCE (where Greg will perform in June):
Shady Tree is just terrific and that applies to the lyrics as well as to the music. It reveals a different kind of Greg showing again that he is the Champion. In "Further up the Mountain" Jane Saunder's voice is magnificent. "Might be Jesus knocking" reminds me of a song Georges Brassens used to sing. It's lovely. In "When I kick the bucket" I find the previous Greg in the music and the new one in the words. It shows how you can have fun on a serious subject
DAVE PRIOR,
98FM,and 25 other Australian stations:
Love this new CD "Shady Tree". It has spent more time in my car CD player this week than most CD's. It shows a different Greg Champion and brings out the singing/songwriting and musicianship, albeit out of left field, way up front. Congratulations!
“Shady Tree” is with out a doubt Champ’s best effort, produced by Rod McCormack with thirteen songs all penned by Greg. I particularly love the bluegrass sound. Duets with Greg by Beccy Cole, on track (10) “Sleep On The Stony Ground”, Jane Saunders track (3) “Further Up The Mountain” and Gina Jeffreys with track (11) “Love In The Heart” are sure to be played over and over again as well as topping the charts. There’s something here for everyone no matter what your taste or style from bluegrass to comedy to folk to grassroots country music. Well-produced, well-presented, great vocals, top musos, fantasticpackage
Thanks for sending that delightful Shady Tree. What a wonderful combination you and Rod McCormack [The Producer] make, not to mention that bevy of sweet-voiced beauties that surrounded the recording. I can't get Further Up The Mountain out of my head.
Greg Champion's new CD Shady Tree is his best his yet....heartfelt songwriting and a wonderful mix of folk, bluegrass and harmony singing, combined with some hot playing and sparkling production from Rod McCormack. Greg's Shady Tree invites us into a more thoughtful world.