Ross Wilson: Reviews

An album full of new acoustic based treatments of an artists' past hits will tell you two things. Stripped of much of the original fairy dust, it will give an accurate indication of just how strong the songs were in the first place, and in regard to the new arrangements, will reveal how well their creative juices are still flowing. What 'Tributary' tells us about Ross Wilson is that as a songwriter he's up there with the world's best. Its also plainly obvious that, as a singer, his emotive delivery can breathe new life into almost any pop/rock standard. Apart from tremendous new versions of 'The Fugitive Kind', 'Cool World' and 'State Of The Heart', Wilson also offers a Cuban style 'Bom Bom', Trad jazz 'Eagle Rock' & a bluegrass 'Bed Of Nails'. The real revelation with this disc however is that a new song, 'If You Ever Come Back', stands up against the best of these other gems.

If anyone has earned the title Godfather of Aussie Rock, its Ross Wilson. Imagine the music without Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock or so many artists he's written for and/or produced, from Skyhooks to John Farnham and Renee Geyer. On the latest, and best, of Liberation Blue's acoustic series a relaxed Wilson revisits his best known work. This excellent label continually inspires performers to reinvent familiar material, rather than just reheating it for the 'golden oldies' circuit. On 'Tributary' Wilson calls on bluegrass muso Gerry Hale for some rippling mandolin on the leisurely 'Come Back Again' and a delightful twang-fest on 'Bed Of Nails', while 'Eagle Rock 1908' relocates Daddy Cool's best-known hit to an old-time New Orleans barrelhouse with John McAll rolling out big, fat piano chords to Philip Rex's 'oompah' tuba. Other highlights: Dorian West's dreamy slide play on the guitar-rich 'Cool World' and a gorgeous, harmony laden 'State Of The Heart'. Wilson closes with an atmospheric cover of 'Heartbreak Hotel' & the new 'If You Ever Come Back', his breezy, 21st-century response to the teenage angst of 'Come Back Again'. Four decades on, Ross Wilson's at the top of his game.
(4.5 stars outta 5)

It can be tempting for artists of Wilson's achievements to approach his catalogue a little timidly. What to do with songs such as 'Eagle Rock' and 'Cool World' that are ingrained in the collective conciousness of your countrymen? Brave boy, this Ross. 'Cool World' is nudged along by gentle slide guitar musings, but keeps its shape. 'Eagle Rock's reinvention - retitled 'Eagle Rock 1908' for the exercise - sees it emerge from a subterranean ragtime joint smelling sweetly of something illegal and asking for Cab Calloway. And 'Bed Of Nails' gets a Hank Williams makeover, with Gerry Hale on dobro, mandolin, fiddle, banjo & bass. A new song, 'If You Ever Come Back', picks up the life of the loner who was watching you dancing & followed you home back in 1971 and raise the possibility that Wilson and rock'n'roll bumped into each other by accident.
(4 stars outta 5)

Ross Wilson is one of the greatest Australian artists ever, if not the greatest. From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock, as well as producing the first three Skyhooks albums, and writing Bop Girl and A Touch Of Paradise, he’s been making music for more than 40 years. This Liberation Blue album is a quite a trip. There’s a ragtime reinvention of Eagle Rock, a doo-wop version of State of the Heart, and a
bluegrass Bed of Nails. There have been more than 40 albums in the Liberation Blue acoustic series, but this is the best to date.
(4.5 stars outta 5)

Ross Wilson has been a stalwart of the Australian music industry for forty years and he shows no signs of slowing down, nor diminishing standards. He is recognised as an influence on many artists that have come through the ranks in his time and he has lent his songwriting to other artists. Some of the artists who would acknowledge the contribution are John Farnham, Renee Geyer, Jimmy Barnes, Christine Anu, and Beccy Cole. He has great respect amongst his peers and this latest album “Tributary”, part of the Liberation Blue live recording series, emphasises his standing as he takes a nostalgic trip back over his history and conjures up new acoustic-based recordings of his classic hits. The songs are spread from his days in Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock, and as a solo artist. Probably the most famous of Ross Wilson songs is “Eagle Rock”, from his Daddy Cool days. In this collection, Ross provides a version as if it was out of vaudeville - quite a departure and something most inventive. Although there are many worthy tracks here, I particularly liked the reworkings of “The Fugitive Kind”, “Hi Honey Ho”, “Bom Bom” and “Bed Of Nails”. Ross would have wanted to make the old favourites different for his own little challenge and he has succeeded in transforming the arrangements beautifully. This is one of the best CDs of the Liberation Blue series and highly recommended.

"TriBEAUTary! Freaking great." Vanessa (Wagga Wagga)

"OMG - I LOOOOOOVVVVVVEEE Tributary !!!! So full of amazing reworks of some of my fave songs !!!! Best CD of the year !!!! Sheer Brilliance !" Love, Jen (Melbourne)

"F@#% Tributary is great! We love it, possibly ur best, until the next one! Seriously good." John (Melbourne)

"I got my signed CD today – it’s bloody brilliant!! I love it. Well done – AGAIN!" Amanda (Brisbane)

"I managed to get an early copy of “Tributary” last week and I love it! The whole album is wonderful, you are in fine voice, and I’d like to see “Come said the boy” B/W “Bom Bom” become a number 1.
“Heartbreak Hotel”, “Bed of Nails” and “State of the heart” are fantastic."
Robert (Wollongong)

"It's hard for me to unbiased about your work......you could beat on a 50 gallon oil barrel, and I'd call it brilliant. That aside, I've got to say that Tributary is waaaaay beyond brilliant. Given proper promotion, this could be the album that makes you a major star in the USA......no fooling.

You see, many of the tunes in there are major hits seldom to never heard in the USA. In other words, this, to us Americans, would not be an exercise in nostalgia, remixed. It is mega talent, fresh, and in a contemporary style.

For example, Bom Bom not only gave me goose bumps, it evoked a vision of strolling down Miami Beach on a balmy, tropical evening with my wife, hand in hand. The Salsa/Cumbia influence hit all the right notes for me. Your Eagle Rock 1908 likewise gave me goose bumps.......it reminded me of Little Feat. Bed of Nails with bluegrass influence....who'da thunk it? One gem after another.....not a clinker in the bunch.

Serious business, Ross......if ever you gave fleeting thought to investing the time, energy and resources to mounting a significant promotional effort, this is the recording! It's fresh, it's contemporary, and only a few of here know that it represents the very best of a long and productive career. It's the right time to be an overnight sensation!"
Mark Meyer (Key West USA)

"Love the new album - we drove 1000kms last weekend & it stayed in the player the whole way"
Tony (Moruya, NSW)

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
"He's our Mick Jagger - an ageless, timeless, brilliant rock performer. Ross Wilson - who celebrated his 60th birthday in 2007 - has been making music for more than 40 years & shows no sign of stopping. Daddy Cool went on the road in 2007, blowing them off stage ( and Ross joked that there were more Wilsons in DC than in The Beach Boys). Daddy Cool also added a live disc to there comeback album. Meanwhile Mondo Rock did some shows in Malysia. And Ross continued as a judge on Channel Seven's 'It Takes Two'. But despite his stardom Ross was always happy to support public radio & TV. And he never stops making music - 2008 will bring his Liberation Blue album. For ongoing excellence Ross Wilson is Howzat!'s Artist Of The Year"

Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival, Narooma, NSW October 1, 2006
"I've left the best til last, as the organisers also did. After all, who could follow Daddy Cool? Thanks to well-matured musical skills and improved concert PAs, these guys actually sounded better than in their heyday. Those harmonies, those classic songs, that white suit, and hanna, where'd ya get that outfit? OK, Ross Wilson doesn't quite shake it about as much as he did in the 70s but, hey, who does? They say you can't go back. Well these guys went back and took it forward at the same time. An absolute highlight."

ARIA Hall Of Fame, Regent Theatre, Melbourne 16 Aug 2006 - "Daddy Cool's early performance, which included 'Eagle Rock', was outstanding and it set the mood for an entire night of great live songs" (from the other inductees)

A really good concert - Christopher Cross opened with a nice bracket of old and new material. Daddy Cool were brilliant, the original lineup pumped out its classics with plenty of energy (can't wait to see Ross Hannaford at the Guitar Festival). Ross Wilson was his usual garrulous, hyperactive, entertaining self. The night was topped off by The Beach Boys - your report says it all. Over 4 hours of pure entertainment - a great night had by all.

It was a fantastic show. Perhaps Daddy Cool was the highlight, but The Beachboys were the most musically pure on the night, and better than they have been on any of their trips to Adelaide, and that includes the infamous concert at Football Park. What we did see was a legendary front man surrounded by a superb band, playing great songs. You're hard to please if you didn't enjoy it!!!

I was on holiday in adelaide and decided it would be a great experience to see the Beach Boys, Daddy Cool and Christopher Cross. I was disappointed that Mike did not do more vocals or showed more enthusiasm. I understand that he is older now, but I also saw Elton John last year and he had more energy. My grand mother also has more energy than Mike. I would pay that money again to see Daddy Cool live anytime.

Daddy Cool haven't changed a bit, and they really got the crowd in the mood, what a lot of fun memories they brought back, they really entertained.

I thought Daddy Cool kind of stole the night (clearly I'm a fan). Certainly great to see all of them, and in particular Hannaford, with some great guitar playing, after all this years.

Superb sequencing of songs, great production, & the quartet's ability to entertain, gives this legs. The band lives up to its name on its belated 3rd album. They are as relevant as ever.

Shamefully, I've only known about this Australian band for a couple of years....when I heard the classic "Eagle Rock". The song stuck in my head.....and on a whim decided to buy this CD. It's probably the most awesome CD I've ever purchased!! Simply perfect musicianship.....this CD seems to want to be played loud---very loud!! Visit Ross Wilson Dot for more insight and free plays of this most fantastic brand of rock, country, and everything in between. Highly Highly recommended!!!!

It seemed a good idea at the time (1970) & it still is. Thirty four years between albums must make this a candidate for the Guinness Book of Rock Records. They've aged yes, but their music is just as good, even better. Its not rock revival its rock reinvention at its finest. Amazing. Welcome back guys!

An excellent album that was years in the making but worth the wait. 'The New Cool' is an eclectic mix of 50s doo wop, soul, sweet ballads & duelling guitar-fuelled rock'n'roll.

' Ready!!!!......Aim!!!!!!.......PARTY!!!!!........best
describes the sense of fun & frolic that came through for me while reviewing
your very excellent ' Daddy Cool ' release , as well as the musical
brotherhood and the feel of fresh wax on an old T-Bird ' .

The unmistakable 50s doo-wop mixed with 60s surf city sounds & duelling jangly guitars that states 'Daddy Cool' is evident across all tracks. Ross Wilson is in fine form, while drummer Gary Young lends his vocals to the very Australian, quirky & self-explanatory 'Getting Drunk'. Ross Hannaford's baritone is superb on 3 tracks, the outstanding one being 'Sun Is Always Shining'. 'Everybody's In The Mood' sees a swing/party groove layered over sax & harmonica. The team also deliver their first surf instrumental 'Waves'. The new Daddy is indeed back.

Mark Shepherd is a longtime true Daddy Cool fan who really 'gets' what we're on about. Mark graced us with the first review of Daddy Cool's album 'The New Cool'. It hit the stores Nov 4, 2006, but we had signed advance copies at the 2 festivals we played on the NSW long weekend 30 Sept & 1 Oct .
"Eight hours from Sydney to Deniliquin to see the mighty Daddy Cool. Friendly locals, plenty of food & drink and great weather (a bit too much dust but as D.C. says "you can't have everything").... Eagerly awaited D.C. to hit the stage and blow me down if they didn't knock our socks off for the second time in 30 odd years. Brilliant ! Then got my copy of "The New Cool" and had 8 hours of Heaven (Teenage Heaven that is) to listen to it on the way home. Glad to see all the "one-off" songs are now on the one album. Especially "$64,000 Question" , "The Christmas Bug" and "For You".... which is a modern day 'classic'. Best of all... there are also some never released, never heard before, NEW ONES ! "Hey Senorita" is a ripper we heard at the Tsunami Concert but "Everybody's In The Mood", "Daddy's Back", "You Can't Have Everything", "They Built The Ute" and Gary Young's "Getting Drunk" are all new and all fantastic... and what about "Sexy Girl" ! D.C. showed us in the Seventies how "fifties" should be done, now in the Noughties, they are showing us how "Seventies" should be done! Then there's the magic vocals on "Sun Is Always Shinin' ". More Mr Hannaford please ! That reminds me... "Barbara".. who sings that ? It can't be either of the Ross's, or Gary, or even Wayne ?...The Album cover says Ross Hannaford ! ..no, can't be, must be a typing error.. Wonderful song anyway. Then there is the fairly heavy "Uluru", it freaked me out a bit at first but after a few listens I got right into it. Just shows D.C. can turn their hand to anything.
D.C. have a habit of predicting the future. In 1971 they told us "Eagle Rock is here to stay".. true, "Come back again, I'm just crazy about you babe".. true, now they have said "Daddy's Back".. TRUE !"

"The New Cool" is easily the best DC album yet - the songs are great, the
performances are particularly exciting and the tracks make up a real album rather than just a bunch of sides. I think you should be proud of what you have done here - you have created something in the incredibly ephermal world of pop that has LASTED! It's no small feat - I think it's a great shame you ever broke up. Congrats on a great comeback (if that's what it is) and I hope it sells a Million!!!! All the best. DNP

"The awfulness of the tsunami of Boxing Day 2004 had few good outcomes. One may have been the re-formation of Daddy Cool to play at the February 2005 benefit concert in Melbourne. Live recordings from that event, including 'Come Back Again' (Ross Wilson's 2nd greatest song) & a fiery 'Daddy Cool' close this rollicking album, which brings together songs recorded over a period beginning in 1994. Daddy Cool's musical palette is broader than first glance might suggest & here is disco funk (the opener 'Daddy's Back', the crooning 'Sexy Girl') driving rock ('Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' on' & Howling Wolf's houserocker 'Everybody's In The Mood' with saxaphonic assistance from Paul Williamson & Julien Wilson) & group vocal doo-wopping ('$64,000 Question'). And if you're looking for an anthem try Gary Young's 'Getting Drunk'. As ever, the Cool are a socking unit & Ross Hannaford's guitar lines are testament to a fertility of imagination."

Delightful & infectious retro grooves infused with humour & respect for the old forms.

Blues & Roots Top 50 chart - #4 The New Cool - Daddy Cool

My copy of New Cool arrived today from half a world away, and it's simply AWESOME. I would have been happy with just a half hearted rehash, but this is way beyond all expectations! The new stuff is AMAZING, perhaps the best tracks to date. Waiting for it was a long ten days, but well worth it! Tomorrow, it goes in the CD player in my taxi, and all of Key West can get turned on to what's kept me rockin for the last thirty four years.

OC/AC - so very very true!!!

"Reuniting with old friends after many years gives a feeling of 'it seems like only yesterday', and that nostalgia is apparent on Daddy Cool's first album in 32 years. The New Cool is new, but also familiar, thanks to lead-singer Ross Wilson. There's doo-wop on 'For You', rockabilly on 'Everybody's In The Mood' and 'Hey Senorita', jazz on 'Daddy's Back', rock 'n' roll on '$64,000 Dollar Question' and the New Orleans-esque 'Barbara'. Gary Young sings lead on one song, Ross Hannaford on three and there are three live bonus tracks. It seems like only yesterday."
Rating = amazing+

(edited text) "After a 34 year wait Daddy Cool's new album is pretty damn cool. Mixing doo wop, rock & jazz You Can't Have Everything, Sexy Girl, & Waves help make this an excellent album. Whether it scores any new fans remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Daddy Cool do it their way, and their way is still pretty cool." Rating 3.5 stars Adventurous

What a fabulous cd, I just love it & will be giving it plenty of air play on my show. Congratulations on your fantastic music.

"Love 'The New Cool' - an instant party! Rock solid."

Our 1st press review - ahead of the official release 4 Nov 2006.
"Here it is, half a lifetime later, Daddy Cool's 3rd studio album. And while the world is unrecognisably different, life in DC land has barely changed. 'The New Cool' is an irresistible mix of 1950's West Coast garage, Chuck Berry & doo wop." (4 stars)

(Reviewing 'The Countdown Spectacular Tour')
"Is Ross Wilson a genius? We're in the second half of the show & this question keeps coming back to me during the 10 minutes or so that Mondo Rock is on stage. He's the one performer tonight whom you look at & think, He could have done something overseas if he'd wanted to. Everything about him is unique. The way he moves, dresses, sings - & his songs. Sure, Mondo Rock may have not been the most sympathic vehicle, ("says you", RW) but it showed that in his third decade in the business he was still savvy & talented enough to have hits. The great 'Cool World' is the first one played tonight."