Zkye Blue Live at Mixmasters Volume 1 - Album Review

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Zkye's powerful vocals, sensual tones and style that her devoted audiences have come to love in her energetic charged performances are bound to be captured with this varied program of blues infused with R & B, rock, jazz and swinging soul material.

Just as Zkye's live performances command her audience's attention so will this album, Zkye Blue Live at Mixmasters Volume 1, command listening to her gutsy gripping vocals to her sweet soulful singing.

Her band consists of Paul White on Hammond organ, Nick Panousakis on guitar, Damien Steele Scott on Bass and Andrew Bignell on drums, who surround Zkye with a mixture of powerful, raunchy, soulful, rocking backup to a more subtle and soothing accompaniment.



Just as Zkye won me over when I first saw her performance some months ago, at a folk/blues concert at Trinity Church, Clarence Gardens SA, so does this album. I had not heard or seen her perform previously, and was blown away by her powerful voice and sensual performance with simmering soulful sounds. Zkye sings with guts and credibility without screeching. She is a world class performer and singer.



Zkye Blue at the Semaphore Workers Club

If you are not familiar with Zkye (pronounced 'Sky') Compson-Harris, she was born in Adelaide, studied music through school and studied jazz voice at University.
Zkye Blue Live at Mixmasters Volume 1 is her 4th album.
Mixmasters is one of Australia's premier music studios, where Recording Engineer, Mick Wordley has recorded various local and national artists. To name just a few: Eric Bogle, John Schumann, Archie Roach (The Tracker), The Yearlings and The Dingoes. Only recently Mixmasters offered a truly unique experience of recording Yesterday's Heroes Mixmasters Sessions, whereby 10 SA Music Hall of Fame Inductees re-recorded 10 classic songs with 10 of SA's best up and coming singer-songwriters. This album will be released late 2015.



Zkye's first album, Beyond the Pane gained her a dedicated following. Her second, In This Case was recorded mainly in Nashville, Tennessee. It helped establish Zkye in the American music scene. Her third album, Just The Way It Goes, was also recorded in Nashville, along with some of Nashville's top songwriters, studio musicians and engineers.

With Zkye Blue Live at Mixmasters Volume 1, Zkye has new material, some blues standards, gutsy tuned accompaniment, lively studio audience, all recorded at Mixmasters Studios , by Recording Engineer, Mick Wordley. This album is certain to have wide appeal and draw much attention. It has already attracted rave reviews and has been nominated and won Album of the Year at the ARBA Awards.



Zkye Blue Live at Mixmasters Volume 1 is bound to please with a wide variety of material that offers songs that either rock, swing or slowly sway. It is bound to appeal to your mood no matter, whether you are partying, driving, relaxing with friends or simply seeking background listening to suit whatever you may be doing.

Zkye once again presents an album in her in own style that is sure to attract a wider audience.

Cat walks in - Driving lead guitar from Nick Pan
rockin' blues number with some metaphors for when a relationship just isn't working.

Just Your Fool – another grand opening on lead guitar accompanied with some honky Tonk piano and an accompliment that will get you moving around the dance floor where ever you fancy.

As The Years Go By – a slow blues jazz ballad for slow dancing. Wonderful backing from the lead guitar and organ solos along by the exciting drum accompaniment and beautiful clear vocal of Zkye.

Early In The Morning – another outstanding uptempo lively Hammond organ playing from Lachy Doley with some spontaneous backing from the studio audience with Zkye remarking that they could get onto the album.

Back To The River - lively jazz/blues song written by American singer/songwriter, Tony Joe White ( Best known for Polk Salad Annie and for Rainy Night in Georgia."

Get What You Deserve - uptempo rockin' number with lively exchanges between Paul White on Hammond organ and Nick Panousakis on guitar, Andrew Bignell on drums and Damien Steele Scott on Bass is bound to get you dancing.

Love Thing – a touch of R & B from Zkye along with the band highlighting their ability to continually play tight providing a punchy sound.

I'd Rather Go Blind - Zkye sings this great blues standard of Etta James with such soul and gusto giving it her own magic touch.

Strongest Weakness –Opens with some rockin' honky tonk, cling, cling piano, driven by solid drumming, great guitar sounds and soulful pleas of Zkye that will have you dancing.

Someday After a While – a great closing blues number with a soulful Zkye and some fantastic solo exchanges between Paul White on Hammond, Nick Panousakis on guitar, and a very energetic Andrew Bignell on drums, with back-up from Damien Steele Scott on Bass.

This album is a top quality recording with great singing from Zkye and musicianship from her band. You can see and hear Zkye Blue at clubs and venues around Adelaide by checking out Zkye Blue's gig guide. The only unanswered question, when can we expect
Zkye Blue Live at Mixmasters Volume 2 ?



Zkye Blue at the Semaphore Workers, November 2015.

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