Various Artists - Homegrown Roots (DDA Version) (Album)
Intrigued to find out the reason behind a rectangle shape box in the package I had retrieved from my letterbox, I madly ripped the thin cardboard parcel open. Once inside I was no more in the know, in my hand I was holding volume 3 of Homegrown Roots in USB form. The DDA only became available to the public in November 2008, so reviewing it in early 2009 means there is bound to be a few teething problems. Problems I’m sure could be fixed by a call centre or the likes, very similar to the teething problems I’m certain anyone owning an iPod has faced, all of a sudden a 'Windows has detected a problem it can not resolve’ message appears terminating the music and subsequently the DDA program. Though before that happens, you may get to enjoy a few songs from the particularly talented line up of Australian-roots artists.
Heading straight for an old favourite of mine, Danny Boy performed by John Butler, I realise it is only a drop-down box to scroll through the track listings. Butler again and again gives incredibly soul moving performances; the old Scottish Ballard is no exception. Though it possibly wasn’t a natural music progression, I flicked on Ash Grunwald’s The Devil Called Me A Liar. Stomping beats and strong vocals, Grunwald was undoubtedly an appropriate choice to add to the dynamic line up. If slower and mellow roots music is what you are after, or simply what your mood is calling for then have a listen to the smooth melodies of Paul Kelly's (The) Gift that Keeps on Giving or Jill Barber’s Legacy, Matthew Barber’s And You Give, Freetown’s Tomorrow or Michael Peter’s Last I Heard.
A long time fan of Karl Broadie’s I was keen to hear what he sounded like on record, as in not live. Though I don’t exactly think Chamomile Days does this musician justice, his gorgeous raspy voice certainly shines through. Don’t you love these days…they are our chocolate days…Of course we love Chocolate Days, and we love Kristy Coote enough to give her two tracks on the compilation. She also performs a wonderfully raw song Calling All You Wanted Angels. Because he is Australian country roots music, it would be sinful not to cast Paul Kelly with the opening track. The gentle strums of an old acoustic guitar leads into the singers 2002 hit The Gift That Keeps on Giving.
Providing all the ingredients for an Aussie lullaby, Kelly could encourage even the tightest scrooge to give and keep on giving. In summary the track listing gets at least a 9 out of 10. The device; probably about a 3 or 4. I’m sure some 7 year old could come along one day and correct me on my use of the DDA, meanwhile, I will continue to believe that the DDA isn’t as accessible as the good old CD.
