It's not difficult to immerse yourself in Bob Corbett's 'Storyboard' album.
I fell in love with it one morning on a drive from Newcastle to Muswellbrook, and was hooked by the time I got to East Maitland.
Singer songwriter Bob Corbett has crafted an acoustic pop album that spans styles as diverse as bittersweet ballads (One Wing,)skat vocals over African rhythms (One Song), a joyful skiffle (Pieces of Me) and bluegrass banjo soaked with simple harmonies (Devil's Tenders) and that's only the first four tracks.
As I drove along the New England Highway through Mayfield, Sandgate and Hexham, I heard flashes of Stevie Plunder-era Whitlams circa 1994 and some songs (The Bush Band From Botany Bay) that could hold their own on any Paul Kelly-penned album - those guys are best known for their knack of combining poignant lyrics with a serious sense of fun, and that's what you get here from Bob.
One Wing could be a meditation on the nature of resolve. Lines that stick are "it wasn't hard at all I just had to see / to stop feeling low I just had to stop thinking about me" and "I've come back to the start / pressed reset on my damaged heart" that leave you in a contemplative mood.
Then, with Ex-Friends On The Road, the CD breaks out from acoustic mode, opening up into organs swirling, tambourine doubles, tight do-wop backing vocals and an uplifting feel.
At 2 minutes and 52 seconds it is the most perfectly timed piece of pop confection, with not an ounce of fat. And funny? Try lines like "I wanna cut but, you got the water / I know you wanna hit me, and you think you oughta but you know / I've got the car keys."
Bob Corbett scooped the pool at this year's ABC Newcastle Music Awards for Blues and Roots Just Leave Me"; Folk for The Lambton Lights and its beautiful descending chord progression; and Pop and broadcaster's choice award for The Prettiest Face. For mine Just Leave Me was a standout for its dirgy feel, blues slide guitar, a menacing tone, and overdriven vocals.
Bob's lyrics are seasoned with years of life experience and it shows, and his reputation as a working musician in any number of Hunter bands over the years shows in his masterful, natural and effortless transition between genres; from the funny playful Monkey with its jazzy chorus and swinging beats, using brushes and snares and cymbals, to the full blown rock and reggae in I'm Breaking Up with more organ and some very tasty drums fills, he handles it all.
Bob also won this year's 1233 ABC Newcastle tour support prize, which means he'll be on the road with one very hot band soon at a venue near you. Don't miss him.
5 STARS
Anthony Scully
1233 ABC Radio - 18 December 2008
http://www.abc.net.au/local/reviews/2008/12/18/2449882.htm
Monday, January 19, 2009
Storyboard Album Review by Nick Milligan - Reverb Street Press
Troubadour Bob Corbett has been receiving a swag of praise lately and Storyboard is the reason why. He calls himself a folk singer, but that title doesn’t do justice to the eclectic nature of these songs. Shifting from pop to alt-country, and then back through roots, reggae and blues, Corbett’s thread is sublime melody and emotional sincerity. Like the great Australian story-tellers (Paul Kelly et al), Storyboard is consistently excellent and insightful. What particularly impresses are some of the rhythmic vocal arrangements, like the a cappella finale, ‘The Prettiest Face’. Check it out. Nick Milligan
4 STARS
Nick Milligan
Reverb Street Press
Bob Corbett Storyboard – Album Review - Dec ’08 Edition 029 - Page 23
http://www.imwiththeband.com/reverb-street-press/
4 STARS
Nick Milligan
Reverb Street Press
Bob Corbett Storyboard – Album Review - Dec ’08 Edition 029 - Page 23
http://www.imwiththeband.com/reverb-street-press/
Storyboard Album Review by Music Feeds Street Press
Now Bob Corbett is hardly your run of the mill acoustic artist. His performances are a quirky mix of Battles, Dylan and John Butler, and he has a smile that could send a pious man blind.
He’s just lovely, in a take him home and put him on your shelf way, and that’s exactly what you should do with his album.
Bob exhibits impeccable use of loop pedals and vocal skill. He weaves intricate vocal landscapes over his at times poppy and others dirty acoustic guitar.
Storyboard wanders between styles like a curious child, chewing on a slice of reggae/roots here before leaving crayon carvings over some blues-rock or airy acoustic pop.
Bob is a masterful songwriter, with simple yet transporting lyrics and melodies. His riffs stick in your head, and you’ll be singing his songs to yourself for days.
90/100
Daffodil Hippiebottom
Music Feeds Street Press - 01 September 2008
http://musicfeeds.com.au/album-reviews/700/bob-corbett-storyboard/
He’s just lovely, in a take him home and put him on your shelf way, and that’s exactly what you should do with his album.
Bob exhibits impeccable use of loop pedals and vocal skill. He weaves intricate vocal landscapes over his at times poppy and others dirty acoustic guitar.
Storyboard wanders between styles like a curious child, chewing on a slice of reggae/roots here before leaving crayon carvings over some blues-rock or airy acoustic pop.
Bob is a masterful songwriter, with simple yet transporting lyrics and melodies. His riffs stick in your head, and you’ll be singing his songs to yourself for days.
90/100
Daffodil Hippiebottom
Music Feeds Street Press - 01 September 2008
http://musicfeeds.com.au/album-reviews/700/bob-corbett-storyboard/
Sunday, November 9, 2008
6 awards and a baby
Six awards and a baby girl!! Sounds like a title to a sitcom but that was my last Thursday. I am only just beginning to come to terms with the massiveness of all of this… and it feels good.
It is my pleasure to introduce Matilda Hazel Corbett to the world. My brand new baby girl is beautiful and I can’t wait until mum and bub are home from the hospital.
They are both doing extremely well and Kirrily, Marley and I are pretty stoked that we now have a little girl in the family. It will not be long before to tu-tu’s, fairy dresses and magic wands appear on the scene. Oh and requests for a pony.
The six awards came later that day at the 1233 ABC Music Awards. I was blown away to discover that I was awarded the following:
1. BEST BLUES & ROOTS SONG – Just Leave Me
2. BEST FOLK SONG – The Lambton Lights
3. BEST POP SONG – The Prettiest Face (tied with Sarah Humpreys “Waiting to Burn”)
4. HUNTER BROADCASTERS CHOICE AWARD – The Prettiest face
5. APRA & ABC MUSIC PUBLISHING SONGWRITER RECOGNITION AWARD
6. 1233 TOUR SUPPORT PRIZE
So many speeches! I’m proud to say that I put the audience to sleep and had to be removed from stage in my late night delirium. I went down in flames.
A BIG CONGRATS TO MY FRIEND JASON LOWE!!! Jason took out the big prize… ABC ARTIST OF THE YEAR. I am so happy for him. He is such a talent and it will only be a matter of time before the world understands what we all know to be true here at home.
And a final congrats to SARAH HUMPREYS who also took out 2 awards on the night. It is so great to see recognition where it is deserved and Sarah deserves every bit of it.
Onwards and upwards. Stay tuned for my new TV Sitcom “Six awards and a baby girl’ coming to a plasma screen near you.
It is my pleasure to introduce Matilda Hazel Corbett to the world. My brand new baby girl is beautiful and I can’t wait until mum and bub are home from the hospital.
They are both doing extremely well and Kirrily, Marley and I are pretty stoked that we now have a little girl in the family. It will not be long before to tu-tu’s, fairy dresses and magic wands appear on the scene. Oh and requests for a pony.
The six awards came later that day at the 1233 ABC Music Awards. I was blown away to discover that I was awarded the following:
1. BEST BLUES & ROOTS SONG – Just Leave Me
2. BEST FOLK SONG – The Lambton Lights
3. BEST POP SONG – The Prettiest Face (tied with Sarah Humpreys “Waiting to Burn”)
4. HUNTER BROADCASTERS CHOICE AWARD – The Prettiest face
5. APRA & ABC MUSIC PUBLISHING SONGWRITER RECOGNITION AWARD
6. 1233 TOUR SUPPORT PRIZE
So many speeches! I’m proud to say that I put the audience to sleep and had to be removed from stage in my late night delirium. I went down in flames.
A BIG CONGRATS TO MY FRIEND JASON LOWE!!! Jason took out the big prize… ABC ARTIST OF THE YEAR. I am so happy for him. He is such a talent and it will only be a matter of time before the world understands what we all know to be true here at home.
And a final congrats to SARAH HUMPREYS who also took out 2 awards on the night. It is so great to see recognition where it is deserved and Sarah deserves every bit of it.
Onwards and upwards. Stay tuned for my new TV Sitcom “Six awards and a baby girl’ coming to a plasma screen near you.
Monday, November 3, 2008
What will it be? Hmm?
The last month has been a whirlwind to say the least. One thing I have discovered is that I’m just no good at writing blogs but bugger it… I’ll have a go.
I’ve finally stopped, if only for a short time to be at home for the birth of our second child who is due any day now. So magic times lie ahead for us here at the Corbett’s. Lots of drop ins and Coo Chee Coo’s. The stocks of non-gender specific items are building up… hmm what will it be???
I want to thank everybody who came along to the Newcastle, Central Coast, Sydney and Melbourne launches of my new album Storyboard. They were a great thrill and success. The memories I have will last forever.
I’ve shared the stage with many fine muso’s over this time and I’d like to list them for you. You must check these people out: Sue Carson, Mikey Stove, Dave Carter, Darren Brollo, Sarah Humphreys, Sam Buckingham, John Meyer, Fergusson, Jehan, Cotton Sidewalk, Kim Dewar, Morgan Evans, Vaudeville, Rosie Burgess and Rachel Brady.
The shows were received amazingly and I can’t wait to get back out there in a fortnight and do it all again, this time at Bar Me in Sydney on the 16th of November. The last one was probably my best show to date, so we will be pulling out all stops for the 16th. Also, we may just have a little bundle to celebrate about. … Hmm what will it be??? Boy or Girl??
I am also honoured to have received four top five nominations in the 2008 ABC Music Awards this Thursday. Two of my most loved and respected artists, Jason Lowe and Sarah Humphreys are sharing some of these nomination lists with me. I don’t see it as a competition; I see it as a win-win and an honour just to be on the same list as them. Jason will be playing on the night as well, can’t wait for that one. Good luck everyone!!
A lot of my southern tour has been booked in for December. I have six dates in Adelaide and Melbourne already booked and I hope to be able to get down to Tassie as well. Fingers crossed.
My northern expedition up the coast and into QLD will start early next year and it is my hope to get over to WA in the following months. Everybody says that I must get over there. Sounds intriguing.
Blog again soon. Until then...What will it be??? Hmmm.
I’ve finally stopped, if only for a short time to be at home for the birth of our second child who is due any day now. So magic times lie ahead for us here at the Corbett’s. Lots of drop ins and Coo Chee Coo’s. The stocks of non-gender specific items are building up… hmm what will it be???
I want to thank everybody who came along to the Newcastle, Central Coast, Sydney and Melbourne launches of my new album Storyboard. They were a great thrill and success. The memories I have will last forever.
I’ve shared the stage with many fine muso’s over this time and I’d like to list them for you. You must check these people out: Sue Carson, Mikey Stove, Dave Carter, Darren Brollo, Sarah Humphreys, Sam Buckingham, John Meyer, Fergusson, Jehan, Cotton Sidewalk, Kim Dewar, Morgan Evans, Vaudeville, Rosie Burgess and Rachel Brady.
The shows were received amazingly and I can’t wait to get back out there in a fortnight and do it all again, this time at Bar Me in Sydney on the 16th of November. The last one was probably my best show to date, so we will be pulling out all stops for the 16th. Also, we may just have a little bundle to celebrate about. … Hmm what will it be??? Boy or Girl??
I am also honoured to have received four top five nominations in the 2008 ABC Music Awards this Thursday. Two of my most loved and respected artists, Jason Lowe and Sarah Humphreys are sharing some of these nomination lists with me. I don’t see it as a competition; I see it as a win-win and an honour just to be on the same list as them. Jason will be playing on the night as well, can’t wait for that one. Good luck everyone!!
A lot of my southern tour has been booked in for December. I have six dates in Adelaide and Melbourne already booked and I hope to be able to get down to Tassie as well. Fingers crossed.
My northern expedition up the coast and into QLD will start early next year and it is my hope to get over to WA in the following months. Everybody says that I must get over there. Sounds intriguing.
Blog again soon. Until then...What will it be??? Hmmm.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Album Launch Dates Announced!! For Newcastle, Sydney and Central Coast
That's right folks. I am very happy to announce the official launch dates for Newy, Central Coast and Sydney. They are....
Newcastle
Wednesday 24th September
The Gallipoli Legion Club
Beaumont Street, Hamilton
7pm, $10 Entry
Central Coast
Wednesday 1st October
Lizotte's at Kincumber
7pm $12 Entry
Sydney
Sunday 26th October
BAR ME
Broughman st (cnr William) Kings Cross
6pm $10 Entry
Newcastle
Wednesday 24th September
The Gallipoli Legion Club
Beaumont Street, Hamilton
7pm, $10 Entry
Central Coast
Wednesday 1st October
Lizotte's at Kincumber
7pm $12 Entry
Sydney
Sunday 26th October
BAR ME
Broughman st (cnr William) Kings Cross
6pm $10 Entry
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)