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In the Groove

A busy start to 2025 with another new album on the way. This one’s a Blues album and will feature a local muso mate of mine – Pat Eyre – who’s been playing the blues for around 50 years! … There’s been some fun studio sessions already. The 14th album, this one is yet to be titled but features 10 brand new tracks plus a couple of blues tracks reprised from some earlier albums.

So here’s an offer you won’t want to refuse….How’d you like to win a FREE copy of the new release which will include some bonus material? To enter, simply come up with the BEST title – send me an email to register – and the winner will be announced on my social media by the end of February. Here’s a bit of a descriptor to inspire you: The collection is a mixture of classic blues style, a bit of rock, a New Orleans number, a a cruisy swing style, couple of ballads (one in a rather Tom Waits style), there’s a Blues shuffle, an 8-bar Jump Blues, a Soul piece and a couple that defy a pigeonhole! Oh, and a comedy blues too (would you expect any less?). Looking forward to your contributions!

One other thing….One of my tracks from the 2023 album “Song of the Wetlands”, was selected by the United Nations to support their 2025 campaign for World Wetlands Day 2025. I’m pretty chuffed to be so honoured – and to be able to make a contribution to such an important initiative. (Did you know that wetlands are often referred to as the lungs of the earth – that’s how important they are to our survival. Could YOU survive without your lungs?)

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Officially Released

UPDATE: At Feb ’25 the review of this album is in ~ read it on the “Reviews” page

For some 15+ years I’ve been promising to write a Christmas album….it’s finally here! Today is the official release date for Embrace The Season. Australia is a diverse society and there are so many differing views, beliefs, opinions about the season. Consequently there are so many different ways that Christmas is celebrated here. I’ve endeavoured to reflect that diversity in the content of the album.

It consists mostly of originals in a variety of different flavours – ballad, folk, blues, comedy – plus a couple of (not-so) traditional pieces that are favourites of mine. You can listen to the tracks on my Bandcamp page as follows: https://maureenobrien.bandcamp.com/album/embrace-the-season … If you like it, I invite you to purchase the album [or individual tracks if you prefer]….and please tell your friends! The Album is also available – via direct email – on Flash Drive or CD (NOTE: these are in limited supply so order quick)

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A Heart for the Homeless

If you, like me, are moved by desperate need in our world today, here’s a small way you can help;

This month I released a single titled “Man of Uncertainty” into the new Rise ‘n Reprise single collection. The song is about homelessness and it’s purpose is to raise funds for homeless charities – in Nov & Dec, that will be Soul Hub in Newcastle NSW who do a fabulous job for those in difficulties. The track is just $5 [or pay more if you wish] and can be listened to and purchased on my Bandcamp page – maureenobrien.bandcamp.com (click on the Rise ‘n Reprise collection then go to track 6 ‘Man of Uncertainty’). You’ll find the lyrics and background to the song there as well – 50% of proceeds to Soul Hub. It can also be purchased direct with 85% of the $5 {any amount above that is fully passed on}going to the charity – just email me for details.

It’s a “great song, great sound, and so relevant” – so I’m told! And we who have a secure roof overhead, a warm bed, and food on the table can make a difference to someone else for the price of a small coffee. Lend a hand if you can, eh?

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Collection in October

A new addition to the stable arrives at my Bandcamp page on October 3rd. This is the result of my decision to no longer produce albums – due to the changed face of the music industry. With so much commercial music available free now thanks to the streaming channels, the cost of producing albums – especially for independent artists – has become prohibitive.

Releasing on 3rd October at Bandcamp is “Rise ‘n Reprise: A Single Collection” and as the name suggests, this will be the repository for future – and reprised – recordings;- brand new songs; songs from past albums which haven’t been made available online; songs from past recordings that have been re-mixed or simply re-recorded (where I felt the recordings at the time did not do justice to the song ~ sometimes, this is the compromise that must be made when you’re an independant artist on a shoestring budget).

This collection is not designed to be purchased as an ‘album’ because it will be a progressive initiative. Rather, fans can have a listen and if they like it, purchase the individual track and download to add to their own computer/phone/device playlist. Individual tracks will be released early for Subscribers only – they can get their copy, at an early-bird discount. So if you haven’t done so yet, can I encourage you to become a follower at my bandcamp page – just click the following link then hit the “follow” button. There’s no cost, there’s no spam, and you won’t be asked for any personal details. https://maureenobrien.bandcamp.com/

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LAUNCHED …

….AND DULY CHRISTENED! ##note: see September review on Review page

Now available to listen – and purchase – on the Bandcamp site; https://maureenobrien.bandcamp.com

About the Album; I’ve been a songwriter for some 30 years and for the last 15 years have been promising fans that I would deliver:- 1. a Woman’s Jazz collection and 2. a Christmas album. This was to be the year I stopped procrastinating! With the help of a talented, very young sound/recording engineer (Zac Limon, Lampstand Studio, Ashtonfield), we managed to get the first over the line in just a few months.

Woman loves Jazz is a 5-track album of all-original material, a mixture of Latin Jazz, Jazz-Blues, Folk-Jazz, and a straight Jazz ballad. 1. Empty Brown Bottle, written in 2022, has had very warm response when part of my live concert sets. 2. Imagination – has some rather lovely jazzy guitar included (courtesy of Zac) 3. My Oh My has the assistance of Stevi Cannon, Maureen Reeves, and Gayle Dedman on some lovely harmonies 4. Old Dog Blues was originally written for a music buddy of some 20 years (Russ Redford) who unfortunately was unavailable for the recording sessions. And 5. Miracles and Magic – one of those songs that just wanted to be written…and as any songwriter knows, when all your creative bones are working, a song in waiting just has to be written.

Thanks to the lovely people who came along yesterday to cheer this album – No. 12 – on loudly.

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Live! at the Wetlands

It will be a rare public performance for me this coming Saturday, 6th April at the Hunter Wetlands, Shortland. We’ll be welcoming back the “Sounds Sights Textures …etc…” exhibition to where its seed first germinated. The exhibition will run for the month of April and the official opening on Saturday will be from 3-5pm. It will be a lovely way to spend an afternoon if you’re in the Newcastle region; a chance to see a unique Fibre-Art exhibit and talk to the artists; spend the afternoon on the deck, overlooking the fabulous Wetlands and listening to some nice music from the album “Song of the Wetlands” – the inspiration for the artists’ work; as well as grooving along to an Open Jam where local musicians and singers will be joining in to share a ‘free’ music session [anything and everything goes] . No cost to come along to the exhibition and all are welcome.

This is Scottish Piper Ian Innes playing on the lower deck recently – serenading “Pi” the resident orphaned Magpie Goose who was raised at the centre by volunteers. One of the tracks on the album is titled “In Love With a Magpie Goose” – it wasn’t Pi but it could have been! he thinks he’s human. You can listen to the track here: https://maureenobrien.bandcamp.com/

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LOOKING AHEAD

Now that the first exhibition for the Wetlands Project has finished, it’s time to start looking ahead to the coming year – and what’s on the drawing board for 2024. #Note, if you missed the exhibit at Timeless Textiles, a smaller version will be travelling home to the Hunter Wetlands in April. I’ll keep you posted

With all the “creative bones” working again – thanks to that incredible project - there’s new compositions waiting to be written and, of course, recorded! So stay tuned for two new EP’s to be released in the second half of the year. I’m also keen to have the choral work from “Song of the Wetlands” worked on by a larger, established choir, then recorded and video’d. (and if YOUR choir would like to participate, let me know!)

One of my new year resolutions for 2024 was to finish my second novel “Between the Lines” and I’m tickled pink to say “I done it!” – completed by the end of January! Go me! So I’ll be looking for a publisher and if I’m not successful will take it – and “Table Manners” – to Ebook format this year. I’m also keen to write a sequel to the first novel [Table Manners] so that may get off the drawing board – or doodle pad – and on to the computer later this year.

Fingers crossed I’ve got enough puff left to get through 2024!

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OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

“Song of the Wetlands” has set sail in fine and cruisy style and is now available to listen and purchase at https://maureenobrien.bandcamp.com/ … that site has information about the album and each individual track and I do hope you enjoy a little meander through the Wetlands. Should you prefer a CD or Flashdrive, please contact me direct to get your copy post-free.

The first exhibition … Sound, Sight and Textures : connecting the Hunter Wetlands to music and fibres … opens at Timeless Textiles in Hunter Street Newcastle on 10 January – 11 February 2024 . The works of fibre art, from over 20 artists local, national, and worldwide, are based on the music from this album and from the sneak peek I’ve seen, it will be a fabulous exhibition. A smaller exhibition will return home to the Hunter Wetlands in April 2024.

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ALBUM LAUNCH

ABOUT “SONG OF THE WETLANDS”

  Well here it is folks, what you’ve been waiting for since September 2022! This is Phase One of the project.

I was invited by the Curator of the Wetlands Gallery space to compose a soundtrack of the Wetlands which would become the inspiration of participating artists for a new and unique exhibition.  I embraced the challenge and began composing in September 2022.     The first of the exhibitions was scheduled to open in January 2024 at the Timeless Textiles Gallery in Newcastle, with a smaller collection opening at the Hunter Wetlands in April of ’24. 

   Whilst the majority of exhibitions based on the Wetlands focus on mediums such as oils, watercolors, pen&ink, photography, and similar,  what made this concept stand out is that Artists were required to create their work based – not on what they SEE in the environment, but what they HEAR.  And of course the music needed to reflect that environment to inspire the Artists.  Secondly,  the participating Artists were to be recognized as Fibre artists.

   I began to immerse myself in the Hunter Wetlands and other areas of the region and then started to research the wildlife that exists in this environment.   What immediately became abundantly clear is that The Wetlands is teaming with such diversity that what I originally planned to be a 6-track project, grew exponentially.  And because there were to be some 20+ Artists involved,  I chose to reflect that diversity in a broader range of tunes – from choral to folk-rock, from comedy to light jazz, and a few shades in between!   

“Song of the Wetlands” is an 11-track album and  has been a fabulous community project to work on.  It is an organic, and low-budget production which, by it’s very nature, is also a reflection of the Wetlands community – and the local music community that enabled it to reach its destination.  It will be available on CD, Flash Drive, and digital format from 10th December when it will be officially launched at The Hunter Wetlands. You’re invited to come along – it will be a part-fundraiser for the Centre and the only cost will be the entry fee to the Wetlands itself [$7.50 adults, $5 senior/concession]  …… {there will be a documentary about this project available on one of my Youtube channels in December, stay tuned}

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