|
|
Tara Hall ProductionsMonica Weightman |
|
| Reviews |
Calm Before The Storm |
|
Former Townsvillean, Monica Weightman, has a new album out,
"Calm Before The Storm".
Weightman has created a marvellous piece of work, performing her superb
contemporary Folk songs in her honest and intimate fashion.
The album kicks off with a haunting lament, "Calm Before The Storm" before launching into the rocky "Better Than Nothin" complete with drums and bass. Weightman follows this up with the jazz-influenced "Here We Go" before heading into country territory on "Matters of the Heart". Weightman heads into funk on "Jam On Toast" and follows that with the tender ballad, "Miss You". All over this is a very good - and very classy - album. Even when Weightman has a go at a dance-pop feel on "Missdemeanour" it sounds good. Monica Weightman's "Calm Before The Storm" is a great record. Her songs are great and her unusual and deep voice is captivating. |
|
Monica Weightman has something in common with "John Prine" but she didn't
nail her train set to her dining table because her spouse left house.
Ms. Weightman (pronounced 'Whiteman') and Prine played the picturesque
Hanging Rock Racecourse about a decade apart. Monica who toured with
"Brian Cadd" and "The Seekers", is promoting her debut solo album,
"Calm Before The Storm" which she cut with multi-instrumentalist, "Nick Bomba".
|
|
Accomplished 9 track CD that shows to be a fine blender of folk, country
and pop. Generally upbeat (as opposed to some of the more plaintive exponents
of this kind of stuff), Weightman carries her songs with a soulful voice and
spirited playing. Weightman formerly from Townsville but now based in
Melbourne, is helped out by Nicky Bomba, who co-produces, plays drums, bass
and guitar on some tracks.
|
|
It is often difficult to pursue a given musical direction when your
influences have been as many and varied as those of guitarist,
singer/songwriter Monica Weightman. So there is little surprise
in these influences (such as country, pop, soul and blues) finding
themselves encompassed on "Calm Before The Storm", her debut CD. With
a number of forays within this musical melange, Monica touches upon
a more independent musical feel, yet regardless of whether your hearing
the 'bluesiness' of "Jam on Toast" or the laconic yearning of the title
cut, Monica's individuality is securely stamped on all.
"Calm Before The Storm" offers little to appease a blues appetite, yet
much enjoyment can be derived regardless through repeated listening.
"Calm Before The Storm" is a strong statement from this artist. |
|
Every so often the boss throws a curved ball at you. You can never be
sure what it is or where it is. One thing is certain - it will be oddball
different. Monica Weightman's "Calm Before The Storm" is a case in point.
Now let me clarify that Monica is not oddball, the album and the tracks
on it are different.
Monica is a young singer, now located in Melbourne after leaving Queensland, with a fresh approach, a songwriter, and a musician who with a striking vocal range has delivered an album of quality. Whilst it lacks some big record company polish, the style the catchy lyrics lend themselves to a very good example and display of her obvious talents. She is exploring life through her music, and the words and music reflect this. Some of the tracks are simple in their approach, but obviously recorded from experience. I first heard Monica at the Hanging Rock Picnic Race Meeting recently, and whilst she has backed or toured with "The Seekers" and "Brian Cadd", the people that day at Hanging Rock were impressed by her delivery, her handling of both Acoustic and Electric guitars. Whether on stage or just on the CD, Monica does let some warmth and feeling in her songs. A credible performance with Carol Hasna in the songwriting department also. At times in life it's easy to write about nothing but they have written otherwise. Bravo Girls !! In fact it was the only winner that day at the races. |
|
Monica has not asked me to write this. I do it because in her, I see
enormous talent and potential. Her voice and music is joy, pure joy.
I recommend her to any establishment looking for professional, versatile
A-1 entertainment. Best of luck in the future Monica, I look forward to
adding you to my record collection.
Community Arts Office Townsville City Council P.O. Box 1268 Townsville, QLD. 4810 |
Monica Weightman |
© 2001 Tara Hall Productions for Weightman RecordsALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
Back |