Jemma & The Clifton Hillbillies
Jemma & The Clifton Hillbillies
Independent
For a while now,
Melbourne has been somewhat of an alt.country hotbed, the cramped and
sticky-carpeted venues of the inner-north a breeding ground for a new take on
this earthy, gritty style of the genre. Jemma Rowlands, her Clifton Hillbillies
in tow, is a fine example of the talent emerging, as the band’s debut
illustrates to a tee.
Beginning with the
mournfully catchy April’s Fool, this eponymous release bleeds the realism, the
truth, the honesty inherent to this style of music, enhanced by some of the
finest instrumentation this side of Nashville courtesy of Sean McMahon (guitar),
Ben Mastwyk (banjo), Cal Walker (bass) and Ben Franz (pedal steel), amongst a host
of others, McMahon and Mastwyk also contributing to the songwriting. Town For
Two and Song Itself keep things jaunty, while Fightin’ Mad and Killing Time are
pure, slow old country (the latter with subtle accordion from Flora Smith).
Meanwhile, Rowlands’ voice should be bottled and sold to thirsty travelers –
all up, a masterful record.
4/5
Samuel J. Fell
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