Rebecca Moore – The Uluru Concept Album

Rebecca has recently returned from Europe, where she released her Closing the Distance EP at folk clubs and festivals. Rebecca was a nominee for the 2012 Musicoz World/Folk Award. In 2010 she was a finalist in the Toyota Star Maker Competition. She was nominated Best Female Vocalist and Top 5 Blues and Roots Award Finalist in the ABC Newcastle Music Awards. Amongst many other award placing/nominations, in 2001 she won the APRA Professional Development Award in the Rock category.

Driven both by her music and a strong social conscience, Rebecca is co-coordinating a series of concerts to generate funds for Burmese children orphaned by the devastating Cyclone Nargis of 2008. These orphans attend the Phaung Daw Oo Orphanage in Mandalay, which supports over 7000 children, and provides one proper meal every day for street kids. In 2010 Rebecca toured Australia towing a caravan 11,000 km on her own. This national tour raised over $7,000 for lost children of Burma. In total, the concert series and the donations from the tour combined, have gathered funds in excess of $15,000.

Rebecca is a performer and writer of distinct individuality and an inspiring creative presence. Her forthcoming studio album (due September 2012) has just been completed with Afro Celt Sound System producer/engineer Martin Russell in London. The album spans a decade of touring and songwriting. It features songs that highlight the beauty of ancient folk music traditions combined with powerful rock instrumentation and strong artistic vision. This record is a diverse mix of tracks including: Storm in the Weather featuring a string quartet; the jazz inspired Not My Island complete with Doo-wop girls; the folk rock Deep Down; the solo nylon acoustic lamentation The Roses Were Few, the country pop ballad Pretty Big Mess; and the Bill Monroe tune Rocky Road Blues featuring piano, mandolin and baritone sax. This album will be released on a national tour September-December 2012.

Some career highlights to date:

Nominated World/Folk Award 2012 Musicoz Awards

Recorded new album with Afro Celt Sound System producer Martin Russell in London 2011/2012

Raising money for Burmese Orphans through the Burmese Orphans Concert Series

Nominated Best Female Vocalist 2008 ABC Newcastle Music Awards

Finalist in the Toyota Starmaker Competition in 2010

Supported the Afro Celt Sound System at the Sydney Opera House 2011

APRA Professional Development Award in the Rock category

Nominated Top 5 Blues and Roots Finalist 2004 ABC Newcastle Music Awards

Grand Finalist Melbourne Songwriting Awards 2009

Winner People’s Choice Awards Good Folk Song Comp Melbourne 2006

Supported the John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd and Archie Roach

Released The Uluru Concept Album, The Butterfly Catcher EP and the Closing the Distance EP

Played at The Falls Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival, Newcastle Blues Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival, Cobargo Folk Festival and The Illawarra Folk Festival

Venues played: Notes Newtown, The Corner Hotel, The Basement, The Sydney Opera House

CD Review
by Chris Spencer

Rebecca Moore has been a busy performer over the past few years, but has had little time to write new material!
This album was recorded in 2000 and released the following year.
Since then there has been only one cdep, Butterfly Catcher.
Moore has been too busy winning awards and touring that she hasn’t recorded any more music! A tragedy!
Originally from Perth, Moore has been employed as Music Director and co-ordinator of the Acoustic Music Series at the Star of the Sea Theatre in Manly for 2 years.
She has also won several awards for her song writing and performing.
From the fat bass introduction of the opening track, Moore provides us with a competent and interesting album.
Her vocals on “Ice” are inspired by Marianne Faithfull.
In this song Moore contrasts the environment of Iceland with that of Central Australia.
The bass gets funky about half way through to add tension to the song.
“Factory” is next with its piano led instrumentation, leading into “Tasmania” a song that is upbeat, driven by congas.
“Factory” also contrasts the sterile setting with an environmental one, but it also could be about the disappointment of the reality of life and responsibilities of life.
This theme of disillusionment is continued on “Father” perhaps linking parental authority with religious disenchantment.
Aside the track, “Uluru”, Moore also deals with the mistreatment of Australia’s indigenous peoples in “Abortion” – it features changes in rhythm patterns, but I liked the use of violin.
There’s a hidden track at the end, which is a bit out there, a bit more challenging, almost experimental that has Moore skatting over the top.
The upbeat, almost ska-ish “I.C.B.M.” tackles the Cold War between the major powers.
One of the stronger tracks, “Desert” has a pounding, strong beat but it’s theme is obscure to me.
There’s a lot I like about this cd, but it’s not folk.
I am looking forward to any new recordings for who knows what Rebecca Moore could sound like these days.