| "TEXAS" Audrey Auld Mezera “If I were American, I’d be Texan. In Texas the air is as balmy as a Sydneysummer, the people are as friendly as Tasmanians, & like Melbourne, the music community embraces everyone regardless of genre or origin. “Texas” is a child of that embrace. When in Austin I love to play music with Gabe Rhodes. His casual invitation torecord led to the casual creation of this album. We had no band or masterplan. The only decision made regarding the production of this album was to make asfew decisions as possible; to not assume knowledge of the overall outcome and to let the players have theirway. In October 2004, Bill Chambers and I were touring Texas so it was natural toinvite Bill along to the recording session. Carrie Rodriguez & Darcie Deaville came along to the shows, so I invited them along to the session. Will Landin &Wally Doggett from Jimmy La Fave’s band are Austin natives so I invited them along too. Gabe’s mum is Kimmie Rhodes & his studio is located out back of herhouse at Briar Cliff, West of Austin. He built the place, brick by brick, over a 6 year period & it’s imbued with all the earthy beauty you hear in his music. “Texas” is about people – those who have inspired the songs –Woody Guthrie, Harlan Howard, Billy Joe Shaver, Karla Faye Tucker, Dead Ringer Band, father, husband and the universal family to which we allbelong. It’s also about an ensemble gathered in the studio, capturing the moment when,united by the music of a song on the edge of being known, the here & now is transcended. The ‘one-take’ tracks include the creaking of the pump organpedals, the anticipation of skin on steel & wood, the deflated sighs as John Kerry conceded, and the ash softy falling from Gabe’s cigarette...” ~ Audrey |
