 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
| It's a telling clue because 'Blame Train' opens the book on one man's many journeys. Every passport needs a photograph but trying to identify Mick amongst the album's artwork can be something of a challenge. It's the songs themselves that provide the clearest picture. |
| Great songs require complete honesty. As Mick says in 'Different Shell', 'throw away the cover and read the book'. During the recording of 'Blame Train' many heads were scratched trying to pigeonhole Mick Wilson's music. In every song, there is a phrase, a word, an audible emotion that will touch someone somewhere. And that's where the honesty comes in. You can't have good music without it. There's no great genius associated with working out the song order here. The titles were thrown on the table and picked at random. But it works. Uncomplicated verses lay the foundations for refrains and choruses that glitter like diamonds. From beginning to end, 'Blame Train' is easy-listening. But when you discover that little bit of yourself hidden in there somewhere, the listening becomes a tad less easy. Mick Wilson spent over fifteen years back of beyond, working in the mining industry. Most of the time it was just Mick and his guitar, stranded on what seemed another planet. The songs he wrote were a lifeline to everything he left at home - his wife, his passions - and perhaps more importantly, a means to vent his frustrations. His songs felt the full fury of his sense of loss and isolation, they plunged into the depths with him. But when he soared, the songs soared, too. If you want to experience the troughs, listen to 'Black Dog'. Then crawl out of the hole and get airborne with 'Justy' In 2001 Mick left the mining industry and moved with his wife to Tweed Heads in Northern New South Wales. Much earlier, Mick took guitar lessons but was put off by a technically focused teacher when all he wanted to do was strum some songs around a campfire. Ten years on he learned a few chords and wrote a song for his wedding. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. This was, as they say, the turning point. Mick has done the hard yards, playing covers at pubs and classy venues and being screwed every which way by unscrupulous agents and venue managers. In 2006 he began laying the tracks for his debut album in studio one at Bignote Productions, on Queensland's Gold Coast. Song by song, 'Blame Train' is an emotional rollercoaster. The payoff is an album that leaves the listener refreshed and relaxed. Overall, the message is a positive one. It's the kind of album that leaves you with a smile on your face and an overwhelming urge to hit the replay button. |
As Mick says: 'To actually realise my first album is an amazing dream come true. This experience has shown me that no matter who or what we are, you can achieve anything as long as you believe in yourself'. |
||||||||
