San Antonio Express-News June 2003
The city is set for an invasion of touring extravaganzas, but the calendar also shows a couple
of weeks worth of club and etc. shows crammed into a short period of time. So buckle up.Australian country
Last Sunday afternoon, the blackboard behind the bar at Gruene Hall showed Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez.
Under their names was scribbled, in tiny letters, "Bill Chambers."
What could have been an annoyance (an opening act for a free show staged in sweltering heat) the appearance by Chambers, plus his sometimes-duet partner, Audrey Auld, was a large bonus. An extra kick was provided by the trio version of Sisters Morales sitting in at the break, but that's another story.
If you missed the impromptu Chambers/Auld show, the duo will be back at Gruene Hall this weekend. Chambers is set to do the 1-5 p.m. Saturday matinee. Auld opens the Sunday proceedings at 12:30 p.m. Both shows are free, and Chambers and Auld will guest on each other's gigs.
Chambers and Auld both hail from Australia. Chambers is the father of rising country, etc. star Kasey Chambers. He's also the guitarist in her band. Kasey started her career in the family's The Dead Ringer Band.
Auld, a songwriter, singer and guitarist, works solo and with Chambers. The duo's "Bill & Audrey" CD ranks with the best of classic-country duet albums. Chambers is touring with his "Sleeping With the Blues" disc. Auld's latest is "Losing Faith."
"I grew up in Australia listening to American country and folk," Chambers said. "My parents had Jimmie Rodgers and Carter Family records. Then I got into the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. My favorite music is Texas singer-songwriter music, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jimmy LaFave, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Terry Allen. It's hard to find that music in Australia. You have to look for it."
Auld came to country music later than Chambers.
"I was in my 20s," she said. "My mom and dad broke up when I was 10. At a party I heard these three divorcees singing Tammy Wynette's 'Stand By Your Man.' I remember thinking, 'This is sort of weird.' An art teacher made me a tape that had songs by Jimmy LaFave, Patsy Cline and Bob Wills. I began a journey of learning about the music and the traditions. When I met Bill Chambers, it was the first time I met anyone who was into the tradition."
Chambers acknowledges working with Kasey is his main gig now, but he's the kind of person who loves to play and sing. And he sings his tunes as well as some by Mary Gauthier, Fred Eaglesmith and others.
"There's so much good music, and a lot of bad music, too," he said with a laugh. "A song just has to be well-written. I never thought of myself as a solo artist. I love to play guitar and sing harmony. I'm a music fan."
Auld's "Losing Faith" disc mixes country with a more alternative sound in spots.
"I don't want to keep making the same album," she said. "I reflect my life in song and sometimes you have to go into different areas. I like the thing about creativity that's unknown."
Houston Press by John Nova Lomax August 2002
Bill Chambers may be from the other side of the world, but in a way, this show is a homecoming for one of God's natural Texans. After all, what is Australia but a sort of giant floating Texas? What is the Outback but a sort of über-Panhandle? And what could be more Texan than hunting varmints for a living? (The Chambers clan spent a decade singing under the stars and supporting itself in the most desolate and remote stretches of the Australian bush by killing such imported, habitat-destroying pests as foxes and rabbits.)
Daughter Kasey grew up to be a soulful singer who's often compared to Lucinda Williams. And the Texan influence shows in the elder Chambers's music, too. On his solo debut, Sleeping with the Blues, amid covers of Fred Eaglesmith and John Sebastian tunes, Chambers sings of trying to throw up out the car window and forgetting it wasn't rolled down, carpets sticky with stale beer, and how George Jones's voice can ring the Devil's bell. While Chambers's rough-and-ready Butch Hancock-ish voice can't quite plumb those fiery depths (his daughter's can, but that's another matter), his Down Under charm, glinting musicianship and first-rate honky-tonk originals have won him a few shelves full of Australian country music awards.
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Austin Americana by Bill Groll August 2002
Don't be mislead, although there are lots of the blues in these songs, this is not a "blues genre" recording. This man is a skilled songwriter who writes and sings about his blues in the best folk and western-style singer-songwriter traditions. Did I mention he is from Australia? Crikey! No, he sounds nothing like that. He doesn't even sound like his daughter. Maybe you have heard of her, Kasey Chambers. Ironic that in this neck of the woods his nasal-soprano voiced little girl is better known than he. They sing a duet together on the recording and their voices mesh very well.
Then again his voice has an edge, too, kind of like an old rusty hand-saw that manages to slice deep. He brings images of John Prine to mind, his voice and songs of the early 1970s. I haven't listened to those old John
Prine songs in quite a while, but the comparison feels strong. In fact I may have to pull those LPs out and put 'em on the turntable real soon.
These are songs of the human condition - in pain & confused, dreaming & drinking, regretful & randy. Whaaa? You haven't been both regretful and randy at the same time? Sheesh, then listen to "Gimme One More Chance" to
hear what the rest of us have been feeling. It's a pretty good two-step shuffle, too; about the only danceable song on the whole record.
Some of the songs seem simple, but then the emotions in those songs are simple, too. He writes appropriately - complex songs for complex emotions and confusing situations, then plain and simple songs with lovely harmonies
as fits the situation.
Most of the songs on the CD are Bill's though he does sing one of my favorite Mary Gauthier songs "I Drink." He also includes Fred Eaglesmith's "Big Ass Garage Sale," John Sebastian's "Stories We Could Tell," and "The
Whiskey Isn't Working" which Bill wrote and sings with compatriot, Audrey Auld. He is backed by a talented band that never overshadows Bill's vocals.
Record Review by Jim Caligiuri
A 3 star (out of 4) review of Bills CD by Jim Caligiuri, in the Austin Chronicle. The free weekly Alternative paper in Austin is responsible for the Annual Austin Music Awards and is a primary sponsor and organizer of South By Southwest.
Jim Caligiuri is a regular contributor to No Depression magazine, as well as the Los Angeles Times and rollingstone.com.
Phases and Stages
BY JIM CALIGIURI
August 23, 2002:
Bill Chambers
Sleeping With the Blues (Reckless)
With his now nearly famous daughter Kasey on a music industry
hiatus after the birth of her child, Australian (and frequent Austin guest)
Bill Chambers has cranked out his first solo album in more than a decade.
Sleeping With the Blues amply demonstrates why Chambers is famous in his
native land as both guitarist and songwriter. It's brimming with easy
going country folk, the same type of music Kasey's mastered, yet the
elder Chambers brings a ruggedness, a world weariness to it that his
daughter just can't muster. Tunes like the deceptively simple "Sometimes"
and the shimmering title track are prime examples of Chambers' expertise
with melodies and words. There are also a couple of prime duets.
Kasey joins in on a cheerful take of John Sebastian's classic
"Stories We Could Tell," then Audrey Auld, who recorded an album
of duets with Bill in 1999, shows up for "The Whiskey Isn't Workin',"
a tune so damn twangy, it deserves to be a country classic someday.
For those curious about the Dead Ringer Band -- composed of the entire
Chambers' family, Kasey, Bill's wife Dianne, and son Nash --
they reunite for "Hold You in My Heart," a trad-country type ballad in
the style of the Carter Family. In many ways, Sleeping With the Blues
recalls the work of John Prine or Kevin Welch, songwriters with a keen
eye for detail and an uncomplicated way of putting their observations
and ideas across. Anyone with an ear for music that's unadorned yet
sincere is sure to like what Bill Chambers has accomplished here.
Bill in SA
4th Sep 2002By Tara
I had an absolute ball, and you may just excuese any typos cause yheas i did have a couple of scotches which were lovely thjaks .
I ran into Bill at the bar tonight just after we walked in and was about to say hello but he said to me, i know you don't i. well i was rapt, he rememmbered me just spoke to him for about a minute said that my mate hamster had told me about steve poltz and how great he was and so we were looking ofrward to seeing him. Bill was sensational. Audrey Auld was on stage with him and also Trevor Warner ( i think is his name but please forgive me if i'm wrong) he played the mandolin. Bill started off with what i thought was calle d valentines day but hamster and brenton ganged up on me and said it is dreaming of texas i love that song (even if i don't know what it's called ) the next song was I drink. good song that one. Audrey led on the next song but i'm really sorry cause everything gets distorted from here because i'm not sure of song titles and stuff. May i just get away with saying that Bill's and Audrey's set was magnificent. It truly was, cmjunkie would have been happy there were at least 2 fred songs thrown in, Big hair and Big ass garage sale. Very funny songs.
Steve Poltz what can I say, i'm in love not only is he gorgeous, but he knows how to write and sing a damn good song. The man is hilarious and if you get the chance to see him i honestly recommend it, because i think you would have to be dead not to enjoy one of his gigs. especially if you get to see him sing 'the chair' or 'chinese vacation', hilarious. and did i mention gorgeous
enough from me, because i seriously doubt i have made any sense at all, but i had a fantastic night and i suggest anyone who has the chance to catch these guys in concert make sure that you do
Bill in Melb.
6th Sept 2002By Robyn
What can I say, except that we had a magical night last night!!!
Our table was right at the front of the stage, it was just a touch away!!
First up on stage was a guy called Andy Gaunt. He sang about 6 songs, and he is a very energetic guy. He really enjoyed himself up on stage and involved the audience too.
There was then a break for about 15 mins and then Bill Chambers and Audrey Auld came out on stage. They played a fantastic set and I must say that for the first time in seeing Audrey I was blown away. She truly is an amazing singer!!
Here is the set list:-
I'm gonna be the next big thing - Bill
Losing faith - Audrey
I drink - Bill
Dreaming bout texas - Bill
Gimme one more chance - Bill
Sometimes - Bill
A big grand affair - Audrey & Bill
He's a good dog - Audrey
The whiskey isn't working anymore - Bill & Audrey
Promises - Bill & Audrey
Sweeping out the ashes - Audrey & Bill (not sure if correct title)
Sleeping with the blues - Bill
Big ass garage sale - Bill & Audrey
The set was absolutely BRILLIANT!!!! Bill was awesome as always. He and Audrey work really well together on stage.
The set went for about an hour. And I loved every minute of it too!!!!
After Bill & Audrey the curtains closed for about 15 mins. Then this guy came out on stage and introduced Steve Poltz and lo and behold it was the man himself
Steve is a wonderful performer. We had so much fun and never laughed so much in the space of around 2 hours. The way he involves the audience into what he doing is unbelievable!! At one stage during his set he had the audience doing yoga. Yes!! YOGA!!
Pretty amazing. Steve was onstage for what felt like an eternity. He had Bill up onstage for a few songs, as well as Audrey. I was having so much fun I didnt write out the set list but he did sing " You were mean't for me" and the song he wrote for the movie 'Notting hill".
Steve called out for volunteers to go up on stage and help it out with little antics that he was doing during his songs.
Steve had 2 encores which were fantastic!!! He came out and said he was going to sing a song the only problem was he hadnt written it yet So he asked us all to sing out 3 typically australian things that he didnt know were. So we came up with an esky, sheila's and a wombat. So he then asked what an esky was, then he asked Mark to help him out with what a wombat was. Mark told him it is a small animal. So then Steve made this hilarious song up about an esky, sheila's and a wombat. Can't tell you what some of the lines were as children read this forum. ( Very Rude )
It was one hell of a night!!!!
I met Steve after the show and he signed my autograph book and gave me a hug and a kiss
We also caught up with Bill and Audrey. Audrey is an amazing person, very friendly I could have chatted with her for hours!!
We had no problems with taking photo's and they should be up on Mark's site that he has for Bill during the week. There are about 160 pic's in total so we need to go through them all first.
So if you get the chance do yourself a favour and go and see Steve Poltz he is brilliant.
Also, I didnt post this when we got home last night as we didnt get home until 3:30am. It's a long way from Richmond to Ballarat
Bill in Beat Magazine
AUGUST 2002By DAVID DAWSON
BILL CHAMBERS
SLEEPING WITH THE BLUES (RECKLESS-SHOCK).
When Bill Chambers played Houston, Texas, it was dubbed a “homecoming for one of
God’s natural Texans” by members of the Lomax field music archivist clan.
“After all, what is Australia but a sort of giant floating Texas?” John Nova
Lomax wrote in Houston Press.com.
Well, there are probably a few less mobile phones and a few more road trains on
the Nullarbor where the Chamber clan roamed like pre fame dingoes.
But the parallel is true for Chambers on his solo debut disc - sequel of sorts
to Bill & Audrey duet album, ‘Looking Back To See.’
Chambers sings about pain for a lost lover in the Lone Star State capital of
Austin in ‘Dreaming ‘Bout Texas’ - inspired by Kasey Chambers gig at a venue
eulogised by a now defunct Little Texas in ‘Amy’s Back In Austin.’
“La Zone Rosa held a crowd like we never seen before/ more than one thousand
faces were lined up across the dance floor/ but you could’ve heard a pin drop
when we played The Nullarbor Song.”
Well, the girl got away as they often do in the neon nirvana of foreign locales,
but not the song which sets the mood for this earthy exploration of Chambers
roots.
‘Devil’s Bell’ recalls Chambers flirtation with rock - a feat for which I was a
humble witness when he did Hank Williams ‘I Saw The Light’ with a rock band at
Pinewood Festival near Mt Gambier just 28 years ago.
“The only masters I did was a course in rock’ n roll/ with a foolish heart that
fell for souls who rang the devil’s bell.”
Chambers name checks George Jones - Rolls Royce of country singers - but his
world weary vocals owe more to Dylan, Hank, Butch Hancock, Bob Neuwirth and an
army of foot soldiers,
But, like Tom Pacheco, vocal frailties are a vibrant vehicle for messages of the
multi talented musician.
Chambers ambles through verdant valleys of ruptured romance, redemption and
better love next time in worthy originals ‘Sometimes,’ ‘Promises,’ the title
track and ‘Hold You In My Heart’ performed with ‘The Dead Ringer Band.’
He cuts Fred Eaglesmith tune ‘Big Ass Garage Sale’ with Audrey harmonising and
their co-write ‘The Whiskey Isn’t Working’ as a duet.
Bill’s lap steel, dobro, mandolin and guitar are extra strings in his bow with
Kasey joining him for a cover of John Sebastian’s ‘Stories We Could Tell.’
Speculative sources of ‘Gimme One More Chance’ and finale tune ‘The Last Thing I
Expected’ are fertile phosphate for debate among cyber chappies and chappettes.
But that enriches the organic music of Chambers and peers - a product with few
radio outlets but a healthy live audience reaped by his offspring. - DAVID
DAWSON
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