Description
“Let Freedom Ring”, is the sixth full length album from Joel Smoker. With this release Joel has enlisted the help of veteran musician and producer, Pete Grandison, to record this album at Shanghai Twang Studio. Pete recorded and produced Joel’s last album, “The Human Condition”, also at Shanghai Twang Studio. Pete has also contributed guitar, mandolin and keys to the recording. The other musicians who contributed to this recording include Ian Simpson on banjo and dobro, Dave Clarke on fiddle and harmonica, Vincent Donnelly on mandolin and guitar, and Brendan Leggo on bass guitar and drums. Imogen Pinelli provided harmony vocals. Pete, Dave, and Vincent also provided backing vocals. Joel Smoker provided lead vocals. Joel wrote all the songs on the album.
On his first album, “Out on Highway One”, Joel’s songs explored the themes of leaving home and discovering the big wide world. With the second album, “Outback”, Joel went back to his roots, writing songs that told the stories of the people of rural Australia, where he was born and raised. On “The Flesh and the Spirit” Joel explored internal issues such as the search for love and meaning. With the “Smile” album Joel used his song writing skills to look at the passage of time and how it affects us all. With “The Human Condition” Joel took on the role of the jester who holds a mirror up to out lives with songs that reflect who we are.
Beginning with the title song, “Let Freedom Ring”, we look at the crisis around the world where it is that women, children and the poor are the ones who suffer the most. “A Cut Above The Rest”, highlights those who step up to the plate and give their best. “Ghost Who Walks”, is a song about the comic book hero, The Phantom, who remains committed to dispensing with evil doers. “The 21st Century Blues”, is a talking blues that takes us on a journey to work, to the airport, to Mumbai, to the Horn of Africa, to Darfur, to our local neighbourhood and places in-between. “Penguins”, examines those black-clad civil servants who remain inscrutable. “The Hundred Year War”, charts the Australian frontier wars up until the present day. “World Gone Mad”, is a litany of complaints about things gone wrong in our society like graffiti vandals, mobs fighting in the streets, baleful politicians and wars in general, and calls for someone to show us the way out of this mess. “I’m Off To The Footy”, is an up-tempo song about the joys of going to the footy.” Country Music”, is a song for all those die-hard country music fans. “Drifters”, looks at those folk on the fringes of society who are doing it tough. “Off Road Warrior”, is a about those weekend warriors who go bush bashing. “Hot Stuff”, is a paean to women everywhere, who hold more power than even they know. “You Can’t Buy Love”, tells us why you can’t buy love. “Pearls Before Swine”, is a song taken from a warning given by Yeshua ben Yoseph, which the protagonist fails to heed.
The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Pete Grandison at Shanghai Twang Studios in Harvey, Western Australia.
The “Let Freedom Ring” Album Release Party will take place at the Old Lyric Theatre, in Bunbury, on the 30th of April 2026. Tickets from Eventbrite are $20.00 and include a Grazing Table. The band who recorded the album will perform on the night. Call Red Dirt Arts on 0439902520 for further information.
