Posted by Pete Smith on May 29, 2008, 10:59 pm
86.159.202.133
"The Advertiser" (UK) 23 May 2008
It does not seem so long ago that the country music of the UK and Australia was a bit of a joke. Thankfully today the position has changed and both nations now make a real contribution to the global scene. In Australia country was once described as Slim Dusty, sheep shearing and “Waltzing Matilda”, today that could not be further from the truth thanks to the hard work and considerable talents of “new wave Aussie country performers” such as Neil Andrews and others. Andrews is an excellent singer/writer who pens story songs with traditional country themes transported to the modern day. His moods and subjects are diverse as beautifully portrayed by his album “Still Not Over You”. Neil penned eleven of the twelve tracks, and the strength and diversity of this work is guaranteed to draw the listener again and again. As you listen you will find humourus “Ladies In This Town”, “The Ballad Of Ronald Ryan #2”, modern song with an Elizabethan feel to it, a lovely cover of “The Letter Edged in Black” and stories about ignoring parental advice (“Drinkin’ and Women”), Charlatan preachers (“Holy Roller”), Lost love (“Still Not Over You”) and “Becky” one of the most beautiful sad songs I have ever heard. It pierces my heart every time I hear it (which is more often than is probably good for me). I believe if Neil Andrews were Nashville based he would by now be enjoying worldwide success. Please feel free to e-mail Neil at neiland@ozemail.com.au
Dottie Rambo, the “Queen of Southern Gospel Music, was tragically killed on Sunday 11 May when her tour bus ran off a highway. She was 74. Dottie Rambo began writing songs at the age of seven and this God given talent revealed more than two and a half thousand songs in her lifetime recorded by many leading performers including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Barbara Mandrell, Dottie West, Crystal Gayle, Larry Gatlin, Tom T. Hall, Vince Gill, Whitney Houston and many others. A multi-award winner, Dottie’s her unique mountain style, black tinged voice has graced over a hundred albums (her own, The Rambos (Dottie, her husband Buck and Pattie Carpenter) and compilations). Health problems interrupted Dottie’s career throughout the eighties and nineties but she made a triumphant comeback in 2003 with the release of the album “Stand By The River” featuring a duet with Dolly Parton on the title cut. A few years ago she was instrumental in helping George Jones re-find Jesus and it was her encouragement that helped George record a Gospel double CD. One of Dottie’s most popular songs was “Build My Mansion Next Door To Jesus”. I am sure this has happened and that Jesus is mighty pleased to have Ms, Rambo as a neighbour.
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