As previously stated, I recently purchased a copy of a Dead Ringer Band cd. It came in the mail last week. Much sooner than expected! It's the one in the photo above. TheDead Ringer Band was the family band of Bill Chambers and included wife Diane, son Nash and daughter Kasey. Kasey went on to become of one of Australia's most successful singer/songwriters. Kasey is the girl on the right in the photo. She started with the band when 11 years old and soon became the lead singer. She was a teen when most of the songs on this album were recorded and sings lead on all but 4 of the 18 tracks (I like that they were so generous as to include 18 tracks!). I also recently purchased Kasey's latest release, Little Bird. The 2 albums make a nice contrast between early and recent Kasey. Interestingly Kasey's voice has changed little over the years. She has what one critic described as a voice with a million dollar catch. It's very appealing and won't be mistaken for anyone else. I'll confine the bulk of this post to the Dead Ringer Band album, but let me say that I highly recommend both albums. The thing that really appeals to me about the band cd is that it's done for the most part in traditional country style(s). There's plenty of aucostic and steel guitar, fiddle and mandolin as well as classic country electric guitar like I remember from my youth. The musicianship is top drawer both vocally and instrumentally. This was an award winning band in its hayday and it's obvious why. This album makes it difficult to pick favorite cuts. The covers are tasteful and include songs from such notables as Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Michelle Shocked, Nanci Griffith and Slim Dusty. The originals are no less worthy. I found it interesting that this album leads off with Am I the Only One Who's Ever Felt This Way. This came about a year before the Dixie Chicks layed this song down as one of my favorite tracks of all time! Another testament to Bill and company's taste. Right up my alley! It's also fun to listen to these Aussies pronunce words like past and can't (pahst, cahn't). Not what you expect from country artists. So genuine and unaffected! I bought this partiular cd more out of convenience and cost than anything, but it really surpassed my expectations. It turns out to be a great choice, but whets my appetite for more. Some of their stuff is out of print and is getting hard to come by. Most of their material is going to cost more than you usually expect to pay due to where they're coming from I suppose. Life is difficult! The family band concept still continues in some fashion with Bill playing a major role in Kasey's solo career. Nash also makes frequent appearances. Mom and dad divorced so I'm not aware of Diane having a significant role in Kasey's career of late but Kasey's husband, Shane Nicholson, is now a major part of her musical as well as personal life.They did an outstanding rootsy country album, Rattlin' Bones, that needs to be checked out as well. Kasey has been to the states a couple of times where she's considered an alt folk/country artist, not quite as much in the main stream as at home. She came here with Lucinda Williams awhile back but I missed her as it was a Sunday performance. Too bad. I'd love to catch her live. I've been a fan for a number of years, but only recently caught on to the family band music. My local library has a number of her cds that I've enjoyed over the years. About time I got around to putting my money where my mouth is and purchasing a couple of cds. Check out Kasey and the Dead Ringers. You won't regret it!
Til Now - the Very Best of the Dead Ringer Band - 5 stars
Little Bird - 4 stars
Here's the band with a live performance of Already Gone, one of Kasey's self penned contributions to the band album:
