Reviews > CD review - 'Sitting on the Corner'


Brian Fraser's latest solo recording is a 16-track follow-up to his award-winning CD, 'Don't Ask Me'. This CD is a must have, particularly for fans of the traditional country blues style.

The title track, SITTING ON THE CORNER, is a jaunty, finger picking, toe tapping tune. Some great lyrics here too ..."I got no reason to live, I got no reason to die, I ain't got no whiskey, I ain't got no wine, I got no stuff to be smokin', but I'm doing fine". Brian's finger picking and plucking on this song is fine and beautiful, the vocals are hoarse and sweet at the same time.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME's lyrics detail touring and staying in hotel rooms while 'Travelling the road, singing the blues'. A nice chunky riff on this one and a gravel-road vocal style really highlight the clever and wry observations of the lyrics.

DIFFERENT MOMENTS is a breathtakingly beautiful instrumental piece that showcases Brian's awesome guitar talents. The slide sounds like a duet between Robert Johnson and Hank Williams. Believe it !!!

TELL ME MOMMA features some sharp train harp from Geoff Donaldson. Brian's foot stomping accompaniment on this is magic and the guitar is sweet and low, with some more great delta-style finger-picking.

RUNNING AGAINST THE WIND features the pure and delicate vocals of Bev Harris contrasting perfectly with the throaty deepness of Brian's voice. This song is almost a folk blues lament, poignant but not depressing.

THE WAY THAT IT IS opens with some lovely bell-like flute from Joy Stoneman. It reminded me of the flute solo that opens the Canned Heat classic 'Goin' up the Country', taken at a slower pace.

The last song on this recording is a beauty .... GOSPEL IN THE PARK has humorous and witty lyrics about an impromtu jam in the park, "Some people passed us by and looked at us real strange", " We played some Daddy Cool, did their entire repertoire, and some old TV themes, it must have looked bizzare". This number features the deep bass vocals of Terry Lockwood and some great solo and harmony vocals from Bev Harris, sounding like they just stepped out of the local Southern American Baptist church ..."Astounding". You must buy this CD.

Sue Turner, SABS 3WAY FM

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Brian Fraser Trio "Passing the Time":
Cover art concept and design: Black Widow Design - www.blackwidowdesign.com.au
Photography: Gina Milicia @ Whitehouse Photography - www.whitehouse.net.au