Along woodland rides, through tunnels of
evergreen - Eva Trout
1996 - Phantom Records
Recorded at Albert Studios
Engineered by Rob Taylor
Produced by Rob and the band
Mastered at 301 by Don Bartley
Players : Bek-Jean Stewart, Grant Shanahan,
Steph Miller, Blue Dalton,
Bert Thomson, Matt Galvin
Songs :
- Beautiful South
- Country Radio
- Much the Same
- Mazzie
- Some Other Town
- All She Wrote
- Leave It Behind
- Let Me Bleed
- You're Wonderful
- Ardsville
Reviews :
**** 1/2 stars -
Sydney Morning Herald - Aug 9 1996
Send the children, that
is anyone under 25) out of the room for a minute.
Listening to Eva Trout is like being back at the Trade Union Club of the
Southern Cross Hotel 15 year ago, listening to the Flaming Hands or The
Passengers or The Lighthouse Keepers. That Sydney sound of slight
jingle-jangle, a country touch or three and some white, soulful rock
voices over the top. The sort of sound which would appear on the Phantom
label, home now of Eva Trout. While the lyrical concerns are slightly
different - more about the beauty of South Coast NSW and country living.
This time around - it's the same musical route. And there's nothing
wrong with that and plenty right with acoustic guitars, some mandolin
and Blue Dalton's roistering harmonica. Bek-Jean Stewart has a warm
voice that stays within it's limitations, and a good ear for a melody.
Her song Beautiful South - which blossoms into almost a folk song chorus
- sets the tone for the album and challenges bass player Grant
Shanahan's Leave It Behind for simple pop shine. This is pretty, but not
lightweight and not just for fogies with good memories. - BZ
**** 4
stars - Rolling Stone - Dec 1996
Although featuring
ex-Honey and Catherine Wheel bassist Grant Shanahan as well as a former
Lighthouse Keeper, Blue Dalton, Eva Trout's irresistible debut album is
initially most notable for the discover of Bek-Jean Stewart. An obvious
Neil Finn fan, her "Beautiful South" has all the instant but
indelible melodic appeal of Crowded House, while the natural warmth of
her voice effortlessly carries Shanahan's equally splendid "Country
Radio". What ultimately makes the album such a success however is
the great ensemble playing that gives Eva Trout's pastoral,
harmony-drenched folk-pop such energy and life. Along Woodland Rides
is simply one of the year's best independent releases. - Andrew
Stafford
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