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– by Melinda Chambers
For those of you in the industry, you’ll know, getting a cd recorded, mixed, mastered, pressed, distributed and promoted is an expensive business. Not to mention the days upon weeks upon months of writing and perfecting each and every bar of music! That’s what makes the generosity of the artists featured on the Jordan Jives Compilation CD so extraordinary. Not only did all seven acts give their time and energy so unstintingly on the night of ‘Jordan Jives’ at the Bay Hotel, they have also donated their heart’s gift of music freely to create this eclectic cd.
The diversity reflected in these eight tracks brings it home clearly that Victoria is capable of producing some of the most talented and inspirational artists around. From the raw honesty and heartbreak of Juvita Pingiaro’s vigil in her mother’s last few months of life on Guesswork’s ‘Sinking Sands’ to the opening quirk of Elva Scandal’s ‘Katie’ which explodes into a cascade of sound and questioning lyrics about self-determination, personal choices, consequence and responsibility. From Josh Roydhouse’s soft and soulful declaration of love stronger than the ‘Test of Time’ to Aussie hip hop crew, Tenfold’s ‘Bigger Than Us’, “music is our spirit we create and never die”, “I want to live a life that’s monumental, more than sentimental, that’s beyond our goodbyes” and what has perhaps become the world’s plea “open your eyes” anchored with strong beats, a sweeping, surprisingly delicate guitar line and rhythmic vocals. From Bridget Pross’s warm, honeyed phrasing of a love that can’t be even though “I know, I’ve wanted you every minute of my life, but I just can’t be with you now” backed with a quiet, sure acoustic guitar on her track ‘To The Water’, to Dodging Archer’s new radio friendly single ‘Slides Away’.
What perhaps best delineates the shape and texture of this album are Sam White’s words in ‘Give Me Strength’. Backed with an exquisite guitar melody, the lines “Music fills the gap you left on a day like this… Well, I’m just lucky to have this gift to bring me out of darkness” encapsulate a need we all have for self-expression and some measure of comfort and consolation – all so often provided by music, as each of these artists so clearly demonstrate both lyrically and melodically.
The final track on the cd comes again, from Guesswork. Given that the inspiration for ‘Jordan Jives’ came from Jan Jordan, a vivacious lady who taught her four daughters to live with passion and determination, and to love deeply and with hope. Above all, she passed on her hunger for music – whether it be Cake’s version of “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps’, quirky tracks from the Strictly Ballroom soundtrack, Melanie’s quiet lyricism or raucous, all out rock – she loved it all. It’s fitting that this cd covers such a range of genres and also extremely apt that each of these artists show a clear understanding of language and its power and have the talent, creativity and drive to express themselves in so many different ways with a mere seven notes, five flats and five sharps.
Guesswork’s final track, ‘Give Me A Sign’ was penned just a few short weeks ago in the wake of Jan’s passing. Her daughter, Juvita, opened this cd with the harsh reality of being on the sidelines while her mother slowly succumbed to the ravaging of cancer, unable to do any more than be there and bear witness. ‘Give Me A Sign’ raises the unanswered questions when a life has passed out of reach of those who loved them most.
“Guess it’s no surprise
to lose a little faith
when you lose
your best friend
and I’m okay
and I’m coping
but I have a question
that’s haunting me again…
Where are you now?
Are you happy?
Are you at peace?
Where are you now?
Can’t you hear me… scream?
Oh, where are you now?
Can’t you see me… please?
Where are you now?
Just answer me…
Always thought you’d be around
for that time;
lend a hand
Now I’m staring at the sky
Just waiting for a sign
Something I can understand
Something I can see
Something I can feel
But you’re gone
You’re gone
You can’t answer me
Where are you now?
Can’t you hear me?
Can’t you hear me scream?
Where are you now?
Can’t you see me… please?
Where are you now?
Can’t you just answer me?
Where are you now?
…………………………………….. answer me
Won’t you answer me?
Oh, won’t you answer me?
Show me a sign
Show us a sign
I want you to make up your mind
and show me a sign
Give me a line
Give me a line
In time”
Track |
Artist |
Song Title |
Duration |
|
| 01 | Guesswork | Sinking Sands | 4:00 |
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| 02 | Sam White | Give Me Strength | 4:43 |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
| 03 | Josh Roydhouse | Test Of Time | 3:29 |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
| 04 | Bridget Pross | To The Water | 3:43 |
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. |
| 05 | Tenfold | Bigger Than Us | 5:39 |
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| 06 | Elva Scandal | Katie | 4:11 |
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| 07 | Dodging Archer | Slides Away | 4:00 |
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| 08 | Guesswork | Give Me A Sign | 6:22 |
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Not quite 30 photos taken by the lovely Mr. Andrew Dredge have been added to our Photo Gallery. Taken on Sunday the 27th of September at the Bay Hotel, these pics show Guesswork during their set and a few happy snaps as well! Click the image below to go straight there, or browse through past performances and cheery little snapshots from Guesswork’s ‘downtime’ in our Photo Gallery by clicking here.
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