Michael
Waugh – Heyfield Girl (Independent)
Things are looking good for Melbourne-based
singer-songwriter Michael Waugh. His new five-track EP “Heyfield Girl” is
steadily gathering acclaim, and the title track, when released in demo form to
festival organizers and songwriting competitions, resulted in invitations to
perform and a clutch of nominations and prizes.
It’s an outstanding track, rooted firmly in the folk
tradition, it tells the story of Waugh’s mother, her battle with illness and
his father’s love for her. It might have been maudlin or a trifle
over-sentimental, but thanks to a light-touch and a supple arrangement, it’s
uplifting and life-affirming.
Stories are central to Waugh’s style, probably the
result of a misspent youth listening to classic country music, and there’s a
gentle country influence at play throughout the recording. The remarkable “Both
of Your Kids” is chock full of detail, the tiny pieces of information that lift
a song beyond the ordinary, and “Burned”, a brushfire narrative that seems so
relevant to Australian life.
Local commentators are already comparing Waugh to Paul Kelly, and it’ll be interesting to see whether
he can make the same international impact. There’s a debut album release
planned for mid-2013, so we may not have to wait too long to find out.
Phil S.
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