Doug Sandrini – 1.2.3.4.5

“Merit comes from what others say of you.” If this is the case, Kalgoorlie-born, Perth-raised singer-songwriter Doug Sandrini has much to smile about. Happy to let his songs and the response of his listeners be the true gauge of his music, Doug has set about doing what comes naturally. As a result, he has played to crowds throughout Australia from Perth to Sydney, and even as far afield as the US and South America. Doug has also received solid airplay on over 50 radio stations across the country and has had his songs added to compilations ‘Sounds Like Cafe’, ‘Grow Your Own’ and ‘Home Grown Roots’.

Tracks: 1] Black Heart Ache 2] I Begin 3] So Very Afraid 4] Your Heart 5] I Will Love You.

“He plays guitar and mandolin like a god” – Tsunami Magazine. “Holds his own amongst a Sydney scene which demonstrates a good deal of depth and strength” – Steve Baker, ABC.

CD REVIEW – by Chris Spencer

Sandrini grew up in Kalgoorlie, moved to Perth and currently works out of Sydney. Primarily a singersongwriter, he has performed with a band and in a duo and toured the USA in 2002. He has also released a full length album, titled “Welcome to my Day”. The songs on this ep are in a pop rock vein and the songs deal with “hearts” and love. “Black Heart Ache” kicks off the release: it’s an upbeat acoustic guitar driven tune. “I Begin” is in a similar vein, but it uses staccato guitar chords underneath an eerie organ melody, but when the drums and bass thunder in after the fi rst stanza, the song gets a big lift. “So Very Afraid” is a slower ballad, again just with an acoustic picked guitar, that has Sandrini exhibiting a very English sounding voice – don’t know exactly what is typical of an English voice, but something in his sound made me think of something English! Doug has a pleasant voice and is able to croon admirably on the ballads such as track 4 “Your Heart” which features the cello playing of Sophie Glasson. The last track, “I Will Love You” is another ballad. I can’t imagine readers who like their traditional folk enjoying this, but if you like contemporary pop rock, see if you can listen to a couple of tracks.