DAVE'S DIARY - 12 JULY 2005 - PAUL COSTA
SUNRAYSIA EXPORTS PAUL COSTA
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The
Sunraysia citrus belt scores an avalanche of publicity for its Mafia
connections. It was a subject given wide exposure in Undercover - the graphic book by former cop Damian Marrett. Marrett was a latter-day adviser on the sadly defunct Nine Network show Stingers that also featured Carnegie country singer Doug Mansfield in cameos. Music directors of U.S. and U.K. TV crime shows have taste with plenty of country music in closing scenes and other relevant stanzas. |
Meanwhile the Sunraysia has another export to compete with prolific Golden Guitar winner Sara Storer and revered roots country band The T-Bones.
Paul Costa
and brother Don share the same hometown - Robinvale - as T-Bones key writers
Andrew Pupillo and Charlie Wilde.
Despite making six albums Costa Brothers are virtually unknown outside
the bush.
They have performed since 1988 on rural festivals, with corporate functions
the vino on their tables.
Despite 12 years at Tamworth and other festivals they rarely made a dent
in cities.
ROD MCCORMACK
But that
may change because of prolific producer Rod McCormack who once headed
south of the Murray Dixon line with The Wheel.
McCormack broadened appeal of clients Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole and Bella
with co-writing and production.
So it's no surprise he produced Walkin In These Shoes - www.paulcosta.com.au
- the debut solo disc by Paul Costa.
McCormack honed Costa's rough edges to produce an accessible disc that
accentuates his warm vocal style.
It resembles a hybrid of the late Marty Robbins and Mavericks singer Raoul
Malo.
Costa co-wrote two tunes with McCormack and singing spouse Gina Jeffreys
- I'm Just A Man and When The Right One Comes Along.
But it's the south of the border-flavoured entrée Incommunicado
that sets the mood for a disc that grows on repeated listening.
Equally accessible is the tearjerker House Of Mirrors penned by
Will Kimbrough who deputised for the late Eddy Shaver on his famed dad
Billy Joe's discs.
Mick Albeck's fiddle and Michel Rose's pedal steel fuel the Jerry Salley-Billy
Yates weeper When My Lips Are Sealed.
There are also Tex-Mex trips on Salley-Yates tune I Think I Like It
and Stone Age Romeo featuring guest vocals by writer Kim Cheshire
of The Wheel.
McCormack also plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and organ on a disc that
is a welcome relief from so many releases that suffer poor production.