Description
Lucie Thorne – Botticelli Blue Eyes
CD review by Tony Smith
TN181 Nov 26
This Launceston born Melbourne based singer songwriter and guitarist has an impressive list of albums to her credit and has maintained an exhaustive touring schedule.
This 2002 album is among her earlier productions.
The tracks on this album are ‘Big Decision’, ‘Stubborn’, ‘Left Standing’, ‘Window Seat’, ‘Lack of Light’, ‘These Hands’, ‘Somewhere Around’, ‘Botticelli Blue Eyes’, ‘Different Postcodes’, ‘untitled’, ‘Not Grown Ups’, ‘Your Shelter’ and a largely instrumental ‘Song for Zoe’: ‘little one, new one’.
Supporting musicians included Will Guthrie (percussion), Tom Hall (guitar), Elliott Folvig (guitar) and Anna Read (mbira).
Neil Kelly plays bass, keyboards and guitar and Rohan Drape plays keyboards.
Kelly and Drape did the recording at POLKA records and joined Thorne for production.
Mastering was by Franc at Moose Mastering and artwork was by Rachel Stone.
Jeremy Drape supplied photographs and layout was by Lindy Orthia.
From the quirky introduction to the first track on the mbira, a thumb piano from Zimbabwe, you get the impression that this will be a highly individual album.
In the title track, Thorne sings ‘if there’s a hundred songs that sound like this one/ it’s ‘cause there’s a hundred hearts that ache like mine’.
Well, this is debatable because Lucie Thorne sees everyday events in a unique way.
Who else would sing a love song about being ‘slightly saturated’?
This song is about escaping the cliches: ‘do we have to make a whole new language/ just to let our feelings come alive’.
There is even a certain self effacing nature to the photographs on the sleeve.
While many artists would pose, the two photos, perhaps taken on a Polaroid, show Lucie snapped as though unaware, with her guitar propped nearby.
In ‘Different Postcodes’, Thorne muses that even though she might not address letters perfectly, they still get to her beloved.
Obviously when your letters refuse to get lost, ‘this is not a lost love’.
Standout track for me is ‘Not Grown Ups’, which reflects on schooldays and childhood friendships.
But people do grow up and marry even though a wedding might be a ‘giant game of dress-ups’.
It is also about loss of innocence, as a child climbs a tree and says ‘hey Mum, look where I am.
‘It’s a long way down’.
Lucie has a soft voice with a huskiness which is emphasised by multitracking.
She gives the impression of being calm and unhurried.
Her guitar style features some 6th chords which create a fresh and open outlook.
The gentleness of ‘Song for Zoe’ makes an appropriate ending.
Lucie Thorne’s lyrics are simple and invite active listening.
Ed. Lucie Thorne has two albums available for sale from the Trad&Now website, both of which can be heard on Trad&NowLive! from time to time.
One of Australia’s leading young soulful singer/songwriters, lucie thorne been earning herself a loyal following where ever she goes with her unique blend of passionate folk/roots music.
‘botticelli blue eyes’ (2002) is a heartfelt and joyful collection of lucie’s songs of people and place; an album brimming with the honesty and passion for which her work has become reknowned.
Lucie Thorne – Botticelli Blue Eyes
One of Australia’s leading young soulful singer/songwriters, lucie thorne been earning herself a loyal following whereever she goes with her unique blend of passionate folk/roots music. After growing up in Northern Tasmania, lucie is now based in Melbourne, and tours regularly and extensively across Australia, Canada, the US and the UK.
In June 2004, lucie released her new full-length album, ‘the bud’ (little secret records). The much-awaited follow-up to ‘botticelli blue eyes’- which was included in Rhythms’ Magazine’s Best Albums of 2003 – this new record captures the warmth and intimacy that so distinguish lucie’s live shows. Already hailed as “a stunningly beautiful album” [The Canberra Times] and as “the most beautiful and intimate collection of songs you’re likely to hear this year” [David Curry, Times Out Magazine] ‘the bud’ shines with lucie’s rich, dark voice and her compelling writing.
The album also features the beautiful and careful guitar playing of London-based musician Tom Hall, as well as cameo appearences by talented locals Carl Pannuzzo (singing and percussion) and Heath Cullen (guitar). lucie’s 2004 European tour dates will be in duet with Tom Hall, and Heath Cullen will be joining lucie on stage for much of her 2004/2005 Australian touring schedule.
lucie’s heartfelt songs of people and place, combined with her disarming honesty and charm, combine for “a really engaging perform[ance]…you don’t want to take your eyes off her” [Judy’s Punch Magazine].
