Harmony James (20.5.2008)
When I worked for the NT Govt, I heard of a would be country singer who worked for a different section – the lands mob on the Barkly Tableland down round Tennant Creek way. We exchanged a few emails and it turned out she was playing at the Freds Pass Show. I thought I’d check her out and write a review. (At the time I was a moderator for the Country Music Channel forum).
Well I went to see Harmony on Saturday night – it was an outdoor show, with people just sitting on the grass. You could have stood 6 inches from the stage if you wished – and if you could push your way through the little kiddies. She gave away a CD and a hat, so all the kids stood at the stage waiting for free stuff.
I really enjoyed the show – she was a lot ‘rockier’ than I expected and she worked up quite a sweat in the humidity and stage lights, putting everything into her songs.
I liken Harmony to a Willie Nelson or Kasey Chambers – a distinct voice which is unique and unmistakable, however, that tends to polarise opinions – love her or hate her. This can be a great advantage and lead to success like those above, or it can banish you to Independent Land for your entire career. As opposed to guys like George Strait, who can sing anything and sound good, with universal appeal, but not necessarily instil passion – with more of an every-man’s voice. We’ll have to watch and wait to see where Harmony ends up.
Harmony is having great success in song-writing ‘competitions’, and I think it is partly due to her unusual turn of phrase, which I believe comes from living in the remote Barkly region. She seems to me to be very honest and open, in her songs, on stage and to chat with – again, I think, due to her background. While she chats with the audience, sings and sounds fantastic on stage – there is no over-polished hype or fake motivational war-cries, like ‘Come on people, I can’t hear you….!!!!’
She gets up and she performs confidently and she performs well – I certainly hope to see her again.
I was meaning to ask Harmony about a new CD in the works but she said she will selling CD’s after the show – I assumed it was a new, full length item, so obviously didn’t bother asking about it. I had a chat, bought the CD and only realised it was the EP when she asked for 10 bucks. That rattled me a bit because I had 30 in my hand, so I forgot to ask when a full CD would be released.
I ended up doing the scarper before the Sunny Cowgirls came on – I’d been there, on my own for 3 hours and they had Whiskey Creek and Tom Curtain to play before the Sunnies would start. I really only went to check out Harmony anyway but it’s a fair show for 15 bucks. I would love to have stayed all night, if only I had someone to drive me the 35ks home!