At long last I’ve an opportunity to escape the English winter and spend a month cycling in the heat. Australia was an obvious pick albeit it is a long way away! The ease comes with the language, quality of the campsites, weather and my desire to see more of the country.
I cycled there in 2020 until I was pulled out of the country at a couple of days notice due to the onset of Covid 19. That exciting trip, which included losing my passport, torrential rain, meeting an old friend and time in three major cities – Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane is covered in a series of blogs starting with the first (click here). That was a ride from Melbourne, across country to Sydney and then onto Brisbane up the coast. I’d intended to cycle further north to Cairns. However, I got to drive it in reverse with Anna in 2023 but the itch for Australia still remained to be scratched but on two wheels.
In compiling another bike ride I wanted to see Adelaide and Canberra. I looked at a coastal ride via Melbourne but the road route meant quite a lot of time on a motorway hard shoulder. I did this last time and whilst direct and never dangerous it obviously lacked a lot of charm. A trip across country and maybe a little sightseeing in the outback appealed. Frankly this is where you find the real Australia rather than the inevitable diverse selection of folk and concrete sprawl of the large cities.
My planned route is below although things usually change when I’m on tour. There will a lot climbing to start with on the first couple of days and then things seem to flatten out but with, often, undulating terrains. The weather seems to be late 20’s or early 30°C throughout. Checking on the weather in Australia can be a peek through your fingers activity with the potential of out of control bush fires or flooding, however, I’m not anticipating any of that on this route but if things do deteriorate I’ll find somewhere else to cycle in the country.
Sydney to Canberra to Adelaide. 1,100 miles
I will be blogging, as and when, I get the time but I may more frequently put some videos and snaps up on Instagram so please follow me.
Deniliquin is 450 miles from Sydney in a dry scrubby landscape with a population of 7,500. However it does have pies. I plan to be ‘Australian’ on arrival
In the meanwhile it’s been about getting and maintaining fitness. Normally during this cold weather without a trip in mind I’d cycle regularly but not long distances. However, given the ride in Australia it’s been necessary to gird my loins, wrap up and do the miles. The coldest I’ve had this winter is 1.8°C and when it’s not been perishing I’ve had flood detours to contend with. I’ve never seen York so underwater! Anyway, as they say, it’ll be worth it.
Blackberry Smoke reconvened in Nashville’s RCA Studio A and continued where they left off from 2021’s I Hear Georgia. The ‘live’ sound continues and the songs could have come from the same sessions judging by their similarity. This is their eighth studio release and should follow their last record to Number 1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk chart.
Riff heavy rock n’ roll is always going to find an audience and Blackberry Smoke have a large following. In fact they may be an audience whose record collections place their tastes somewhere between 1971 and 1978 when the large beasts Lynyrd Skynrd, Little Feat and The Rolling Stones bestrode the planet brandishing a bottle neck slide on their fourth finger. Clearly some are still out there ‘playing the hits’ but Blackberry Smoke is releasing new songs yet the whiff of nostalgia hangs heavy in the air.
The opener, Dig A Hole, is the brightest track here with a funky introduction; Charlie Starr steps up to the microphone and the band quickly finds a deep groove as we move toward the earworm chorus. As a signpost of what’s to come this song contains all the vital ingredients: wailing Banshee girly backing singers, a dab of B3 organ or honky tonk piano, some blissful howling heavy guitar signatures and a drum beat that’s so deliberately brutal that the police must be still looking for the perpetrator.
There’s some shameless appropriation such as Little Bit Crazy. It starts with a Stones riff and groove that’s driven by some Nicky Hopkins-esque piano as an ersatz Keith Richards’ lead squalls over the pungent rhythm guitar. It’s terrific but change the vocals and you’d hope it’s from the latest Rolling Stones album. There are some dialled down moments such as Other Side Of The Light that’s written from the perspective of a young boy on an obstacle filled road trip. The acoustic guitar intro gives way to some slide and the best melody on the album that has a wonderful chorus. Whatcha Know Good is another understated song and a co-write with Brent Cobb. It’s an antidote to our doom laden media where this character is seeking some positivity. Amen to that.
The album is solid over its 10 songs and it’s a much loved sound. Blackberry Smoke don’t just blast you with rock band antics but also great tunes and choruses. It’s an enjoyable listen from when the needle hits the vinyl.
PS I have tickets, with the present Mrs Ives, to see the band in Manchester in September. Must dig out my loon pants and a bandana!
I spend a lot of time conflicted with my music. I receive so much of it and can never do it justice by listening it properly. Do you remember when you were younger and when you bought an LP or CD you nearly wore it out? Now with the availability of music through the radio, podcasts, streaming, downloads, CD’s and vinyl it’s hard not to become buried by it all.
I must have received around 80 albums of country music or americana to download from my editor at Country Music People (CMP), various monthly emails from PR agencies promoting their artists and then the occasional album I buy myself. The Mighty Jessney of Vixen 101 gifts me another 40 or 50 blues albums and then I see the odd CD in a charity shop and then there’s vinyl…
As part of a return to being a teenager I’m slowly acquiring a lot of vinyl released between 1970 and 1980. Happiness is a record store in a holiday destination. In Malaga I found a new release of 60s ‘golden era’ country music from a Swedish band, the awesome Country Sound Of Harmonica Sam! Such a discovery seems spooky in Spain but if you search you can find all sorts. In the bargain bin in Auckland I found the second album by Zephaniah Ohora, a fabulous New York based country artist in the bargain bin! There’s no way I’d ever find this in the UK. Providing your luggage has a large flat space you can bring quite a bit of this stuff back! Generally new vinyl is a deplorable price with most new releases well over £25 and then considerably more for the major artists. I’m more of a second hand vinyl guy and over £15 makes me start to feel faint. However, I’m childishly pleased to have snaffled lots of second hand Wishbone Ash, Santana, Steely Dan, Average White Band, Wilson Picket, Buck Owens and Be Bop Deluxe in the year.
So a top 10?
1. Stephen Wilson Junior – Søn Of Dad
his came via Country Music People and I’d never heard of the artist before. It’s a showstopper of a raw boned wham of an outing veering between country and americana with a lot of rock thrown in. Great lyrics, arrangements and thoughtful lyrics captivated me. His videos on YouTube were the final seal on my thinking I’d discovered a future star.
2. Jaimee Harris – Boomerang Town
At The Crescent in York she was supporting Mary Gauthier and her set was wonderful. Her singer songwriter album displays her siren of a voice. When coupled to some great melodies and often dark lyrics there’s a maturity and authenticity that make me think she’ll one day get a big break.
3. The Country Side Of Harmonica Sam – Back To The Blue Side
This unpromising band name is the country vehicle for Sweden’s Harmonica Sam (Samuel Andersson) who plays ‘golden era’ country. I found this album in a Malaga record shop (Sleazy Records), this shop also had a record label and this was one of their releases! The shop was fully of rockabilly, early 50s rock n’ roll, country, surf and other 60s sounds. After finding this place I’d thought I’d gone to heaven or was having an out of body experience! This album is early 60s country with original compositions and covers. We’re planning to get to Malmö now!
4. Jon Byrd – All Your Mistakes
This nearly escaped my attention amongst all the music I receive but on the first play this selection of originals and covers captivated me and became a ‘go to’. It’s traditional country oozing with pathos, sincerity and drenched in pedal steel. What’s not to love?
5. Ashley McBryde – The Devil I Know
Now riding high in Nashville and the charts she’s a big star. However her ascent has been a long climb and now at forty her talent has won through. This is her third release that has consecutively made my end of year lists. Straight country with tunes, humour, sentimentality and no little verve
6. Brennen Leigh – Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet
This long time female troubadour sings a batch of honky tonkers and ballads with the comforting themes of cheatin’, drinkin’ and lyin’! Slightly care worn but she’s still battling. Fabulous, the real thing.
7. Cody Johnson – Leather
It’s never too early to go back to the 90s and he’s leading the charge with this quality song packed album beautifully played and produced. There’s a variety of sounds and always an interesting lyric. He’s near the top of the Nashville pile at the moment. No wonder why.
8. Elle King – Come Get Your Wife
Take a voice with a lot of personality and experience of singing many genres then couple it to some fabulous contemporary country songs and the production of a top producer and you have a gem.
9. Steely Dan – Two Against Nature
Back to over 20 years! I discovered this lurking on my shelves and played it a lot. This was the last Steely Dan release and it’s passed over as it follows they’re golden period by 20 years when their classic albums were released. So it was great to hear some sophisticated rock, jazz, funk with arresting lyrics. A great band.
10. Wishbone Ash – Live Dates 2
Another retro pick from 1980. I came across the vinyl at a record shop in Beverley, East Yorkshire and loved it from start to finish. Live Dates One had the hits and no doubt spawned the idea to release a second volume. This a truly great rock album.
So 2024 will mean listening to lots of new music including a comforting dose (of hunted down) old rock and soul. Bring it on!
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