2018 – Landslide Records
By Phillip Smith;
Sep. 3, 2018
Sovereign
Town, the latest release from Melbourne, Australia
recording artist Geoff Achison is exquisite and timeless. Achison, who was awarded the Albert King Award at the International
Blues Challenge in 1995, centers the landscape of this new album during Australian
gold rush of 1850. Recording at Pilgrimage
Studio in the historic mining town of Ballarat, Victoria weaves
another layer of authenticity and connection into the music. Joining Achison on this album is Andrew
Fry on stand-up bass, drummer Dave Clark, organist Liam Kealy
and backing vocalist John McNamara.
A hint of impending doom
lurks as the opening bassline kicks “Skeleton Kiss” off the diving board with
an ominous and catchy delivery. Achison’s
melodic, raspy vocals remind me of Mark Knopfler’s on this track. It truly is a great song to lead the album
with. Achison sings of a man’s journey
to find his golden fortune which ends with little more than bad luck and empty
pockets in title-track “Sovereign Town”.
The delicate melody and lyrical
cadence is very Dylan-esque and draws my attention quite swiftly.
A beautiful new life is
given to Ben Harper’s 1994 forlorn tale of lost love “Walk Away”. Achison,
taking a more rustic approach, fills the song with a ton of heart and soul. “Misha Bella”, a smooth jazz instrumental showcases
Achison’s guitar prowess and sounds so good. “Small Time Crime” is another catchy-as-hell
song. Achison’s funky guitar riffs
have an uncanny way to burying themselves right into my subconscious. A magnitude of empathy washes over with each
listen of “World of Blue”. It is
brilliantly written, and passionately performed. The way he makes his guitar wail is
breathtaking.
I love this album from
start to finish. Give Sovereign Town a listen. You won’t regret it.
