In 1992 Colin Buchanan was described (somewhat prophetically) by the Sydney Morning Herald as "...simply the best singer songwriter to emerge in the Australian Country Music scene in the last decade..." With the release of his new album Calvary Road nearly twenty five years on, Buchanan has clearly more than lived...
In 1992 Colin Buchanan was described (somewhat prophetically) by the Sydney Morning Herald as "...simply the best singer songwriter to emerge in the Australian Country Music scene in the last decade..."
With the release of his new album Calvary Road nearly twenty five years on, Buchanan has clearly more than lived up to the early acclaim.
Critical praise was matched by award success, with 9 Golden Guitars, an ARIA and, in 2016, his second APRA Country Song of The Year for "The Spirit Of The Anzacs", written by Buchanan with long-time collaborators Lee Kernaghan and Garth Porter. Kernaghan's platinum-selling album - Australia's most successful locally-produced record of the year - in any genre - contained 13 Buchanan co-writes.
Dublin-born Buchanan's intriguing career has shown the rare combination of height and breadth, successful as well as diverse. He spent over a decade as a beloved presenter on ABC TV's Play School, he's one of Australia's most successful children's picture book authors and is Australia's #1 kid's Christian artist. His songwriting threads its way through the careers of Australian Country Music's finest - Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, Slim Dusty, Adam Brand, Amber Lawrence, Beccy Cole, Tamara Stewart and The Bushwackers.
But with Calvary Road, Buchanan's rustic sensibility collides with his faith as never before in a way that's fresh and arresting. For the first time, acclaimed producer Matt Fell applies his rich and rhythmic talents to Buchanan's songs, crafting a sound that, although unmistakably connected to what's gone before, represents an exciting new creative season.
Buchanan explains: "My faith not only pre-dates my music career, it's at the core of everything I've done over the last two and a half decades. Clearly my kids Christian music and previous adult Christian albums reveal a lot about what I believe. But Calvary Road is different. I wanted to showcase songs that weren't "in house" Christian, songs that hold something for anyone, regardless of their religious convictions - or lack of them.
"There are songwriters who I love and whose songs may state beliefs and ideologies that I just don't share. But I love their work, I celebrate their craft, I get to better understand the way they see the world. Songs are more than what's said, they're how it's said, how they make a connection to the spirit that willed the music into life. That's what I wanted for Calvary Road. It feels like it's the most complete creative collision of my career."
The talents that make Buchanan one of Australia's most successful songwriters - vivid portraits, a winsome lyric, his honest, resonant tone - combine on Calvary Road to deliver satisfying songs that celebrate and confront, tender in lament yet warmly affirming, songs that reflect on the substance of our lives and the lives of the ones we love, on God, faith and family, hope and mortality.
"These songs paint portraits of a faith that isn't domesticated, safe or predictable. It's no dusty stuffed cat on display in a glass cabinet, some sort of lifeless tribute. It's got a heartbeat, keen senses, fresh scars. It's life-and-death real. Calvary Road is faith on the wild frontier."
In 1992 Colin Buchanan was described (somewhat prophetically) by the Sydney Morning Herald as "...simply the best singer songwriter to emerge in the Australian Country Music scene in the last decade..." With the release of his new album Calvary Road nearly twenty five years on, Buchanan has clearly more than lived...
In 1992 Colin Buchanan was described (somewhat prophetically) by the Sydney Morning Herald as "...simply the best singer songwriter to emerge in the Australian Country Music scene in the last decade..."
With the release of his new album Calvary Road nearly twenty five years on, Buchanan has clearly more than lived up to the early acclaim.
Critical praise was matched by award success, with 9 Golden Guitars, an ARIA and, in 2016, his second APRA Country Song of The Year for "The Spirit Of The Anzacs", written by Buchanan with long-time collaborators Lee Kernaghan and Garth Porter. Kernaghan's platinum-selling album - Australia's most successful locally-produced record of the year - in any genre - contained 13 Buchanan co-writes.
Dublin-born Buchanan's intriguing career has shown the rare combination of height and breadth, successful as well as diverse. He spent over a decade as a beloved presenter on ABC TV's Play School, he's one of Australia's most successful children's picture book authors and is Australia's #1 kid's Christian artist. His songwriting threads its way through the careers of Australian Country Music's finest - Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, Slim Dusty, Adam Brand, Amber Lawrence, Beccy Cole, Tamara Stewart and The Bushwackers.
But with Calvary Road, Buchanan's rustic sensibility collides with his faith as never before in a way that's fresh and arresting. For the first time, acclaimed producer Matt Fell applies his rich and rhythmic talents to Buchanan's songs, crafting a sound that, although unmistakably connected to what's gone before, represents an exciting new creative season.
Buchanan explains: "My faith not only pre-dates my music career, it's at the core of everything I've done over the last two and a half decades. Clearly my kids Christian music and previous adult Christian albums reveal a lot about what I believe. But Calvary Road is different. I wanted to showcase songs that weren't "in house" Christian, songs that hold something for anyone, regardless of their religious convictions - or lack of them.
"There are songwriters who I love and whose songs may state beliefs and ideologies that I just don't share. But I love their work, I celebrate their craft, I get to better understand the way they see the world. Songs are more than what's said, they're how it's said, how they make a connection to the spirit that willed the music into life. That's what I wanted for Calvary Road. It feels like it's the most complete creative collision of my career."
The talents that make Buchanan one of Australia's most successful songwriters - vivid portraits, a winsome lyric, his honest, resonant tone - combine on Calvary Road to deliver satisfying songs that celebrate and confront, tender in lament yet warmly affirming, songs that reflect on the substance of our lives and the lives of the ones we love, on God, faith and family, hope and mortality.
"These songs paint portraits of a faith that isn't domesticated, safe or predictable. It's no dusty stuffed cat on display in a glass cabinet, some sort of lifeless tribute. It's got a heartbeat, keen senses, fresh scars. It's life-and-death real. Calvary Road is faith on the wild frontier."
My husband and I have both enjoyed this album immensely. A more serious album, Colin sings about themes that span the breadth of life and death. We particularly love Colin's tribute to his Dad in the song,""""The Hardest Thing"""". """"Jesus was Converted"""" is another favourite, and I used it in an Easter church service for a unique perspective on this event. I would love to know all the life stories of the many different people and characters Colin refers to in this album. Many singable and enjoyable songs to reflect upon and listen to often.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
9 years ago
A moving tribute to Colin's heroes
Calvary Road is quite different from Colin Buchanan's other recent albums - it is intensely personal, and more likely to make you shed a tear than laugh out loud. \\r\\n\\r\\nListening to this album is like sitting in Colin's living room, as he shares the stories of the people who have shaped him most. Confronted by the impermanence of life, Colin sometimes sings with a tear in his eye, asking questions like """"Will I be missed?"""". \\r\\n\\r\\nIn the midst of this soul-searching, Colin introduces us to his best mate - Jesus. With sincerity and sensitivity, Colin asks us to take a fresh look at the man who was """"as real as dusty feet and working hands"""". He points us to the cross, where Jesus was """"taking and breaking this curse of the dying"""". \\r\\n\\r\\nThis moving album gives us a glimpse into the heart and mind of the """"grown up"""" Colin who stands behind the age-defying larrikin we've come to know.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
9 years ago
Reflective
This is a a more serious cd from Colin for the adults. I expected it to be about Easter with the title but it has more reflective songs along the theme of the journey of life. There are songs that sound like they would be sung to celebrate a person's life well lived. Beautiful country style music.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
9 years ago
Classic Colin!
ATTENTION ALL COLIN FANS!\\r\\nCan't get enough of Colin - this is your album!\\r\\nIt is a Colin classic that the whole family will enjoy!
