"TEXAS" ~ Audrey Auld Mezera  (2005)

All songs written by Audrey Auld Mezera
Except 'Karla Faye' written by Mary Gauthier & Crit Harmon

“Texas” is the first release from Audrey Auld Mezera since becoming a U.S. resident and adopting her married name. Recorded live in the studio with Texan greats Carrie Rodriguez, Gabe & Kimmie Rhodes and Darcie Deaville, along with Will Landin (bass) and Wally Doggett (percussion) and Audrey’s Aussie mate Bill Chambers.

“Texas” is about people – Woody Guthrie, Harlan Howard, Billy Joe Shaver, Karla Faye Tucker, Dead Ringer Band, father, husband, and the universal family.

"her cracked-earth vocals that gleam here and there like broken glass." ~ No Depression

"The devotion of valuable creative space to Mezera's heroes pays off; the record is outstanding. "My Father" displays both the maturity that Mezera is gaining both in the pursuit of creative fertility and in personal relationships. This song pleads with a patriarchal figure to "never give up faith," among Gabe Rhodes' hauntingly spare harmonium. It is a treat of scant production and the power of minimalism." ~ Steve Martinez-Duhamell

"Her songs are vivid character-driven stories of heartbreak and heroes. The success of the album can be attributed to Mezera's beguiling voice and straightforward delivery. Her singing has a pretty lilt to it not unlike Iris DeMent, particularly on the achingly
beautiful "Hole in My Life." She can also adeptly traverse styles within the country genre including mimicking Hank Williams on "Ball and Chain" and the ethereal sound of Emmylou Harris on
"Song for Harlan." Fans of Texas-style country served with a twist will be sure to love this recording." ~ Country Standard Time

"If there's one thing to be said for Audrey Auld Mezera, when it comes to country, she certainly knows how to sing it in the finest traditional style. Now residing in the US, Audrey has come upwith one of her best albums to date, Texas.
This is an album which will delight those lovers of the more traditional styles of country. Audrey has the ability to put plenty of emotion and inflection in her songs and she shines on this album.With Audrey, you don't really expect to get anything else but country which has a strong connection to its roots and that's pretty much the case with the 11 tracks on Texas. Audrey has a voice ideally suited to singing this type of country and she has some good friends to help out on this album. If you are looking for something which is true to the heritage of country
and not some formulated production, Audrey Auld Mezera's Texas is definitely for you." ~ Bob Anthony Jr,. Daily News, Qld.

"GARAGE SALE " ~ Compilation  (2003)

A diverse compilation of unreleased and deleted tracks from Bill Chambers and Audrey Auld, including a live recording of Fred Eaglesmith and Audrey Auld, plus duets with Camille Te Nahu and Rick Carey, and sample tracks from The Yearlings and Mary Gauthier.

REVIEWS

DIRTY LINEN Sep 2004
"One of the most charming of the recent releases (and another destined for the iPod) is Reckless Records Garage Sale 1997-2003. The Australia-based label specializes in loosely defined country that encompasses singer/songwriter, alt-country, progressive country, country-rock,
Americana, and possibly every variation of these with the exception of the slick, generic pop sounds of big label country. Audrey Auld and Bill Chambers take the lion's share of disc space, and they make good use of it. Eaglesmith's 'Wilder Than Her' is not to be missed, and Auld's 'He's A Good Dog' should be included on a yet-to-be-made dog song compilation. Several more tracks are worth the price of the CD. Other performers including Mary Gauthier and The Yearllings contribute to the completely delightful collection."

FREIGHT TRAIN BOOGIE
"Reckless Records is primarily Bill Chambers (father of Kasey Chambers) and Audrey Auld. The two Australians started the label to put out their wonderful collection of traditional country songs called Looking Back to See. Since then Audrey has married an American and is living happily on
the coast just north of San Francisco. She handles most of the Reckless business and is starting to tour the States more. First off, don't be misled by the Garage Sale title, this is a great collection of tunes, not leftovers like some labels do. Almost all the tracks feature Audrey's gorgeous voice,
sometimes solo or with Bill. She sings harmony with Fred Eaglesmith on "Wilder Than Her" too. There are also 3 songs from Bill Chambers and one each from Mary Gauthier and The Yearlings. You'll also find more straight-ahead country here then on her 2 solo releases. Nothing but quality stuff at this garage sale!" ~ Bill Frater, Nov ’03

"LOSING FAITH " ~ Audrey Auld  (2003)

All songs written by Audrey Auld except 'You Did' - Fred Eaglesmith and 'Harmony' - Kieran Kane/Claudia Scott.

Audrey Auld's second album "Losing Faith" journeys to the depths of a broken heart and returns with one hell of a tale to tell. This is
no jagged little pill, this is life administered  intravenously. If you're looking for an easy genre, look out. This is a heart tuned with a hillbilly string to it, but it's funky and western, diversity city.

"Losing Faith" features duets with three of the biggest names in alternative country - Fred Eaglesmith, Mary Gauthier and Kieran Kane, plus special guest vocals from Kasey Chambers, Camille Te Nahu and Crystal Bailey (The Baileys).

REVIEWS

SANTA MONICA MIRROR
"She’s from Tasmania and lives in Northern California but Audrey Auld puts over that alt-country sound like a Texas native. On Losing Faith, her second album, “Not Who I Am” is one of those calling card songs like Kasey Chambers’ inviting “Cry Like A Baby.” This makes sense since Australian Kasey sings on this track and her dad, Bill Chambers, plays on Auld’s album. The soaring “Not Who I Am” also has a pop sheen to it. The wry “Next Big Nothing” has a country streak a mile wide and Auld’s duet with Fred Eaglesmith about a lackluster affair is a low-key keeper. Call her a Tasmanian angel." ~ Tony Peyser, USA, 2004

TIME OFF
"If you’re looking for a companion disc to Barricades & Brickwalls, this one should hit the spot. The follow-up to Auld’s 2000 debut The Fallen sees her continue in the same vein of jagged country pop, her aching voice carrying a raft of stories about could-have-beens and should-havebeens. Bill Chambers continues to bear a strong influence on her music and duets with Kieran Kane, Fred Eaglesmith and Mary Gauthier also indicate her rootsy sensibility. Picks are the sorrowful ‘You Did’, raw ‘Trashin’ Da Blues’ and folky
singalong ‘Not Who I Am’ (which also features Kasey Chambers)." ~ Matt Connors, Aust.

ROOTSTOWN EZINE
"It may still not be December for a long time to come but I’m sure that Audrey Auld's CD“Losing Faith” will be in my 2003 top 10. It’s such a magnificent record this Australian singer has delivered. With the aid of good friends like Fred Eaglesmith, Mary Gauthier, Kieran Kane and father and daughter Bill and Kasey Chambers “Losing Faith” has turned into an absolute “dream record”. To all surprise Audrey succeeded in giving it her own signature in spite of all those guest appearances. She managed doing this by writing 11 songs from the 13 tracks herself and taking the production into her own hands. It would be a real effort to try to pigeon-hole Auld in a
particular format. She covers too wide a spectrum to be able to. Try to imagine work by Gauthier and Kasey Chambers and you’re coming close. Pinpointing her best song on the other hand
would be almost impossible. Be it ”B-Grade Affair”, a duet with Eaglesmith, “Ain’t No Joy” with Mary Gauthier, “Harmony” sung with Kieran Kane the beautiful finale on the album or one of the many other varied songs on the album, each song is an outstanding gem in its own right. “Losing Faith” made the same impression on me like “Drag Queens And Limousines” by Mary Gauthier did at the time. That explains why Audrey Auld will be in my personal top 10 this year forthcoming. Perhaps you should venture into “Losing Faith“ as well or rather… you’d better!" ~ Jos van den Boom, NDL

"THE FALLEN " ~ Audrey Auld  (2000)

All songs written by Audrey Auld except 'Alcohol & Pills' by Fred Eaglesmith and 'Jackson' by G. Rodgers/B.Wheeler.

Audrey Auld's debut solo album, 'The Fallen', is a modern country album with all the steel guitar the traditionalists love.
Of the 12 tracks, 10 are from Audrey's pen and, like all good country songs, tell stories of the helpless heart - falling in love, falling apart, falling out of love, falling off the rails or falling down in a bar.

* ARIA nominee "Best Country Album" 2001
* Australian Independent Country Music Awards nominee -
  Album of the Year and the Female Vocalist of the Year 2001
* Golden Guitar Finalist - Female Vocal and New Talent 2000

REVIEWS

COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE *****
"Audrey's new solo offering remains in the traditional fold, but exudes a certain coolness that will appeal to the more image conscious fans. Although not related to Kasey Chambers, Audrey displays a similar tearjerk catch in her voice that is quite charming and works perfectly with the roots-based material, largely written by the artist herself. Audrey's own material is superb. 'The Fallen' is a stunning first album. Traditional yet cool, it should appeal right across the age divide, again demonstrating that Australia is producing some of the best country music on offer today. One more for my Albums of the Year." ~ Craig Baguley, UK, Nov 2000

ROLLING STONE, Aust. ***1/2 stars
"Once a punk, local singer-songwriter/producer Audrey Auld has found her real voice as a pure country crooner. This, her second album stakes her place as a rootsy purist from the teers-inyour- beer, dark-clouds-overhead variety - but, hey, that's done Kasey Chambers no harm at all. The jaunty western swing of "Jelly Roll" lightens the mood, but in the main this is the type of country where a little heartache is good for you, drawn from the time before big hair and even bigger hats took over twang." ~ Jeff Apted

RHYTHMS & SUNDAY HERALD SUN (Vic)
"Audrey has come of age from her country music apprenticeship with the redoubtable Bill Chambers to post a stunner of a solo album. She wrote all but two tracks and produced to boot, handling some of the country's top pickers and roping in US artist Dale Watson for a duet. This is a first class package that will find favour worldwide for the way Audrey has been able to blend the new with the old. Vocally she tends towards the strident style of 1950s/1960s country stars Kitty Wells and Loretta Lynn but Tassie born Audrey takes a post modern stance in the way she uses such influences. 'Black Cloud' is tending towards the sort of Gothic country Gillian Welch does and is adventurous indeed. It is followed by the straight ahead Bakersfield/Buck Owens style 'Shove It' while 'To The Bone' brings us back to the territory staked out on the previous Bill & Audrey album. There are convincing shuffles, weepers and the joyful romp of the classic 'Jackson' with duet from Watson to mark this as a special album sure to figure in the best country releases of the year." ~ Keith Glass, Aust. 2000

DRUM MEDIA
"The word is that this is one of the most impressive country albums this country has generatedsince 'The Captain', and after giving it a few whirls I'd have to agree. There are a variety of
country styles canvassed on 'The Fallen'. It possesses an alternately modern and 'old time' feel, with Audrey's influences obviously being fairly wide ranging. Overall it is an emotionally involving recording with much to admire about it." ~ Craig N Pearce, Aust. Oct 2000

"I just finished spinning Audrey Auld's THE FALLEN on Reckless Records for about the 4th time and all I can say is I'll do it again! This beautiful songbird has a voice that I am sure is making Tammy Wynette smile in heaven. Her vocals and her songwriting ability will take you on a journey that will convince you've made a happy pit-stop in old Tennessee. Audrey writes a country song the way it should be; from the heart and with a little bit of sass and humor thrown in for good measure. This lady has produced this neoclassic piece of work herself and smart enough to surround her work with talented, dedicated people like Bill Chambers, Nash Chambers and Jeff McCormack to name a few". ~ Belinda Coward bluntreview.com, USA Dec 2000

"LOOKING BACK TO SEE " ~ Audrey Auld and Bill Chambers  (1999)

* Denotes original song

Featuring classic country duets and close harmony singing Bill Chambers and Audrey Auld take their inspiration from Gram Parsons
& Emmylou Harris, George & Tammy, Porter & Dolly and the Louvin Brothers, then fuse these influences with a style that's all their own.

*  Winner of Best Album - Australian Independant Country Music Awards 1999
*  Golden Guitar Finalists 2000 - Vocal Group/Duo

REVIEWS

BILLBOARD
"BILL & AUDREY REVIVE CLASSIC DUET SOUND DOWN UNDER”
"If you're in the mood for some serious country music, look no further than the current Australian release "Looking Back To See" by Bill & Audrey on Reckless Records.... Together, they create the classic country duet sound that just isn't heard anymore. The title cut and "We'll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning" are especially compelling."
~ Chet Flippo, 1999

THE JOURNAL OF COUNTRY MUSIC
"No hesitant irony infects this recreation of a 1950s-era barroom jukebox. Audrey's mournfully beautiful voice joins with Bill's plainer one in some quietly startling harmony work, and the man who doesn't cry when they sing Rik Grech's "Kiss the Children" is cut off."

3RD COAST REVIEW
"Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius' title track can be taken as a mission statement for these Australians who, almost miraculously, revive what seemed lost beyond all prayer of recovery, the art of country duets. I've heard a lot of good lead and a lot of good harmony, but though I could
reel off a long list of male and female singers, names you'd recognise, whom I've heard making a miserable mess of it, I can't remember when I last heard a really well done country duet. Can it really have been Parsons & Harris? Bill & Audrey fill this aching void with a very nifty mix, a classic, Carl & Pearl Butler's "We'll Sweep Out the Ashes in the Morning", well thought out duet adaptations ... and seven originals, notably 'Road of Regret' and 'Losing Side of Love', which stand up very well in this company. As a vocalist, Audrey really has that spinetingling 40s/50s hillbillyette sound... Bill & Audrey looked back and saw something they could do that nobody else was doing, and they do it with an utterly disarming simplicity and lack of selfconsciousness. In short, they sound like they've been timewarped from the golden age of country duets." ~ John Conquest, USA

"In The House " ~ Audrey Auld Mezera & Nina Gerber (2006)
( Live - Double CD)

Audrey Auld Mezera and Nina Gerber performed to a sold-out show at Studio E, Sebastopol, California in December '05.  The concert was so fabulous they decided to release the recording of the show.
"The chemistry between the two women was electrifying. Nina played a variety of acoustic and electric styles, stretching out, even for her, complementing every nuance in Audrey's songs. Coupled with Audrey's fabulous songwriting, glowing smiles, gorgeous voice and giggles, the night was nothing short of magical. I suspect you'll be able to hear Audrey's smiles and Nina's voice in her guitars."
Laurie Schaeffer, Schaeff-Abel Productions.
Includes previously unreleased tracks and a guest appearance from Nina's brother, Scott Gerber.

REVIEWS

"Like Timbuktu or Kingdom Come, Tasmania usually exists in people's imaginations at the absolute end of the earth. If something is from Tasmania, so says the unquestioned opinion, then it must be from out of this world. Undermining this notion is Audrey Auld Mezera, a child of Tasmania who writes and sings songs with a worldly truth. She not only sounds like she grew up on Music Row in Nashville, but she writes the kinds of songs that built Music Row in the first place. .... it was only a matter of time before she crossed paths with one of the greatest accompanists in the world, Nina Gerber. ...upon hearing the recording, the two realized they had something special, and indeed, the resulting double live CD is a document of pure fluidity. Among a few well-chosen cover songs Mezera's own song shine. Among her best are "I'd Leave Me Too", a concise picture of the truly crestfallen self, and "Losing Faith", a winless double battle which pits faith in men against faith in the Bible.
There's a charming, tongue-in-cheek nature to the playfully vaulted 'tween song barbs, ....
"Love You Like The Earth", a heartfelt, metaphor-driven song beautifully highlighting one of Auld's most enduring melodies.
Second to her songwriting is her expressionistic phrasing, something that Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin share. When she sings that "you'd leave me stra-a-nded", it fees as if her entire body were supported by tiny twigs, each slowly starting to crack. When this delicacy is augmented by Gerber's sprawling atmosphere of arpeggios, absolute chemistry is at play.
"In The House' is unprocessed by editing software for the sake of the good, honest truth. "The less that you tamper with it," Mezera says, "the more of that magical something is preserved." ~ Gabe Meline, North Bay Bohemian, CA.

"If prejudicial barriers against country music go up on hearing the first couple of songs on this two CD live performance, I strongly urge you to hang in there. If these two very talented performers do not win you over, regardless of your musical bias, I would be very surprised. The concert is a delightfully refreshing, musical experience.
Singer/songwriter Audrey Auld Mezera, now living in northern California, is Australian. After listening to the CDs I felt there was a certain irony in the fact that, as an Australian, I really knew more about her American collaborator in this musical venture. I was familiar with Nina Gerber’s superb guitar and mandolin playing on the late Kate Wolf’s recordings and more recently on Greg Brown’s collection of live performances from Kate Wolf Music Festivals. I had heard a couple of Audrey’s songs during a radio interview a number of years ago and that was unfortunately the sum total of my acquaintance with her music. I say ‘unfortunately’ because after listening to this concert recording, I now realise what I have been missing.
This double CD concert recording showcases the songwriting talents of Audrey Auld Mezera. She has a definite flair when it comes to the self deprecating song about life’s low points (eg I’d Leave Me Too and Drinking Problem). Her humour and positive take on such subjects is refreshingly engaging. Losing Faith (which recently won her a songwriting award) is a strong, confronting song, full of biblical imagery. Two standout songs for me are her beautifully moving love song Love You Like The Earth, with its very memorable melody, and Half A World Away, which is about homesickness. There are some fine interpretations of other songwriters’ works including songs by Patty Griffin, Mary Gauthier and Fred Eaglesmith.
Gerber’s wonderful, sensitive guitar playing is further highlighted by the inclusion of three instrumentals, including a beautiful interpretation of John Lennon’s Imagine. Her ability on both acoustic and electric guitar and her proficiency in a variety of guitar styles enhance the listening experience. During the concert we are informed that this is Audrey and Nina’s second public performance together. Nina’s seeming familiarity with Audrey’s songs and the enrichment her thoughtful playing brings to them are quite amazing.
There is just enough appropriate dialogue between songs and Audrey Auld Mezera’s infectious giggle delightfully peppers her passionate, assured and engaging vocal performance. This is a refreshingly honest recording, with both performers firing off each other to reach those magical heights which live performances can sometimes attain. Thoroughly recommended listening."
Jim Low, http://folkaustralia.com

"Lost Men & Angry Girls " ~ Audrey Auld Mezera  (2007)

All songs written by Audrey Auld Mezera, except Track 2 written by Bonnie Lamb (of Bonnie and Clyde).

"Strong, mature album" David Obermann, KUT Austin

“a superb vocalist and songwriter in the roots tradition... excellent collection... an artist who deserves wide recognition...” ~ C. Baguely, Country Music People, UK

“Lost Men and Angry Girls” chronicles the past three years Audrey Auld Mezera (Mez-air-ah) has spent living on the coast of Northern California. Musically and personally it’s been an eventful period for the Chris Austin Song Contest winner and two-time ARIA nominee (Australian Recording Industry Association).

“My first year in America was spent living in Bolinas in Marin County. It's the Wild West! Within a matter of months I got married, moved hemispheres, filed a restraining order on a stalker, dealt with grief, and missed my musician friends back home” says Audrey.

No surprise then at the title of this album.

Mezera calls it 'Ameri-kinda' music - traditional American music influences with Australian roots.

Love, Hate, Life, Death, Money and Music.
Mezera’s writing has evolved to be less about the state of her heart and more about the path we all share as human beings in this time of political and global imbalance. But there’s no finger-pointing in these songs of small towns, self-help, lives derailed, musical heroes, lost men and angry girls. Mezera travels her path with humor, insight and a great band.

“the songs here consolidate Mezera’s enormous writing talent” ~ Forte Magazine, Aust.

Recorded primarily in Australia with her home-land’s best musicians and produced by her trusted collaborator, Bill Chambers, who retains the sparse arrangements that characterize Mezera’s work.

“It’s always exciting to work on music with Audrey. These songs reflect her life, where she now lives and the places and people she comes in contact with. I’ve always been proud to be part of Audrey’s recordings, but even more so with this one.” ~ Bill Chambers

“a clutch of melodic, thoughtfully observed songs shot through with wisecracking humor... her most fully realized, polished effort to date.” ~ Bliss, Pasadena Weekly, CA.

REVIEWS

"Australian native Audrey Auld Mezera is finding America very fertile land. This disc marks her third release in three years; however, she continues to write to her strengths without treading over old ground. Mezera can be a sharp-eyed storyteller, whether talking about herself (the wistful expat's lament "Half A World Away") or about a stranger's life (the riveting missing person's tale "Last Seen In Gainesville"). She also can flash some sly social satire ("Self-Help Helped Me") or a powerful sense of moral indignation ("We Cry"), all the while sounding like your good friend. "Looking For Luckenbach" and "Clinch Mountain Prayer" continue her interest in writing about her musical influences; her sole cover, "Morphine", features lyrics penned by Bonnie Parker (of Bonnie & Clyde fame)." ~ Michael Berick, No Depression March 07

"A few years ago, Audrey Auld was one of Australia’s best country singer-songwriters. As a solo artist, and in a duo with Bill Chambers (Kasey’s father), she made several fine albums down under before relocating to California. This latest effort, released under her married name, should help solidify her reputation on this side of the planet. Among the highlights are Bolinas and Looking for Luckenbach, a couple of songs that capture the mystique of almost-mythical towns in California and Texas, and the hilarious Self-Help Helped Me. Another hilarious number is Buck Hungry, one of two duets with Bill Chambers. Auld Mezera also includes an interesting oddity in Morphine, a setting of an obscure poem by Bonnie Parker of Bonnie and Clyde fame." ****
~ Mike Regenstreif, Montreal Gazette

"... her strongest album yet. It doesn’t hurt having some of the best players in Australian roots and country music along for the ride. It all still comes down to the songs and Audrey’s new maturity and confidence is to the fore taking on Celtic, Appalachian and very Australian themes. The singer/songwriter comes fully to grips with her sea-change. Now living on the other side of the Pacific she can appreciate both what she had and has, or so it seems in songs such as Half A World Away and opener Bolinas. There is the bleak (Down In A Hole) mixed with the humourous (the Chambers duet Buck Hungry) and the semi-flippant Looking For Luckenbach. Audrey wears her heart on her sleeve and gets it out in tales of small towns, musical heroes and as the title says ‘lost men and angry girls.’ Wrapping it all up and bringing it back to a personal home is the warm Lullaby For Baby Taylor – a very sweet conclusion." ~ Keith Glass