A DIVERSE MAN
Mike Smith
There were always preconceived expectations when STEVE EALES made the move from lead man in the popular award winning band SOVEREIGN to the solo stage.
The band had established a unique harmony driven sound, built around songs mainly written by Steve, and fans obviously wanted more of the same, so when band members went their separate ways in 2007, the biggest decision was his own future musical direction.
Play it safe or play it honest? Certainly a potential dilemma for the talented guitarist and singer/songwriter.
“There was always the possibility of being ostracized because you’re not in the box where you belong,” said Steve.
“It did take a lot of soul searching,” he admitted. “Like a lot of musos I know, I can easily slip into any genre. I’m in country music because that’s the music I love, the crowd I like to play to and be amongst.
“But when I listen to other artists who are loosely attached to country music like KEB’ MO’, who is one of my favourites, and hear the diversity from country to blues to jazz – I think the ultimate result is that those influences comes through in what I write and how the songs sound.”
The Battler, Steve’s first solo album, was a transitional effort in some respects.
“When Sovereign finished I was broken hearted because of what I’d poured into it, but at the same time it was like someone had slipped the chain and off I go,” said Steve.
The songs were still quintessentially Australian, had the Ealesy stamp, and it produced a number of hit songs like Girls On Horses, the title track, and When a Cowboy Gets The Blues. The album was also awarded Album of the Year at the 2008 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards
There were still some resonance from Sovereign but the album also had distinctive Steve Eales elements.
“When I worked with (producer) GARTH PORTER, we basically worked a song until it sounded like a country song. With Battler the formula had subtle changes, but on my new release This Is The Life, I’m being totally honest and true to myself in the presentation.”
The new release is still country – make no mistake about that. From the first kicking bars of Simone and the title track, that point is established. Driven by Steve’s weather-beaten vocals and powerful songwriting, it’s attention-getting from the start, but as the album progresses the diversity becomes apparent.
The opener Simone is a fun song live because it really gets the feet moving, and the title track is an autobiographical reflection from Steve’s early days in the bush. Echuca Sun, one of the absolute standouts, is a great traditional country rock ballad, but as always in an Ealesy song there’s a little extra in the guitar work.
But as the spread of Steve’s influences kick in, so does the musical inspiration.
Unwanted has a raw emotion to it underpinned by a spacious sound - essential, bare and stripped down to create the mood. All The Time In The World has an almost bluesy feel to the song that musically is taken to a traditional style bluegrass setting with a little help from the DAVIDSON BROTHERS.
Closer to the Moon is a song Steve laughingly attributes to “too many late nights watching old black and white Bing Crosby movies”. A bit of a crooner as Steve shows a depth of musicality with jazzy chords and traditional vocal melody.
And just to complete the musical circle, the collection finishes with Stand In Line, the only co-written song on the album. Steve worked with ex-SOUTHERN SONS member REGGIE BOWMAN to craft this hard-edged and up-beat song of angst and stubbornness.
It’s been a busy 12 months for Ealesy – 105 live shows Australia wide, and that’s despite the fact that his domestic itinerary had been temporarily put on hold with the offer of a move internationally which would have seen him touring with the likes of GARY ALLAN and JASON ALDEAN and spending a considerable time in the U.S.
But enter the global economic crisis, and the overseas plans have been put back, so it’s on with business for the in-demand performer.
“Promoting the new album and touring is top of the list,” said Steve. “And we’ve also filmed a live performance of the album songs at the Barra Shed in Gladysdale (VIC) which will come out on DVD shortly.”
