The Desert Child – Kasey Chambers
By Phill JD for Country Music News International Magazine
Such a raw unique vocal that is distinctly amazing. Kasey Chambers, immediately a grand collection of songs come to mind that this talented Australian female award winning artist has released to the world. Kasey was born in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Kasey’s family travelled around the Nullarbor Plain, where her parents hunted foxes and rabbits for the better part of the year during her early years. Emmylou Harris was one of Kasey’s biggest influences. Kasey performed within the family band “The Dead Ringer Band” for years before taking the leap towards a solo career in 1999. Her debut album “The Captain” having immediate success setting up a platform for a career spanning through the times collecting many various music industry awards and recognitions along the way to her now recently released 13th album “Backbone” which hit number 1 upon the Australian ARIA album charts. Kasey tells of humble beginnings of her childhood growing up in rural Australia in the title track “Backbone” (The Desert Child). It is definitely a stand out track from the album. “The Divorce Song” featuring Kasey’s X husband Shane Nicholson shows another side of the true character that Kasey is within this song. The album also features a live recording of a cover song Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”, if you have not heard this then strap yourself in, turn up the volume and hit play as soon as possible. This is no doubt an amazingly beautiful rendition of a great song. Kasey definitely makes it her own. There is such honesty and joy blended in each of these recordings. Hailed as bringing Australian country music into the mainstream, Kasey has won 14 ARIA’s, 24 CMAA Golden Guitars, 10 APRA songwriting awards; her 12 albums have sold more than 14 x platinum and include 5 x No.1 albums and her No.1 single Not Pretty Enough.
A list of Kasey Chambers essential songs : The Captain ; Better Be Home Soon ; Not Pretty Enough ; Pony ; True Colours ; Nothing At All ; Rattling Bones ; Were All Gunna Die Someday ; If I Were You ; Barricades & Brickwalls ; Lose Yourself ; Backbone (The Desert Child).
Kasey still is the humble desert child that she was many years ago & we love her for her honest genuine self.