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B RILLIA NT- ON LIN E AUGUS T 2021
JAMES BENNETT – “LIFE AND LIFE ONLY” ✦ James Bennett has found his groove on his fourth album “Life and Life Only”.
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ames is an independent solo artist and talented multiinstrumentalist who grew up off the grid on an isolated farm just inland of Byron Bay. Possessing an effortless charisma and musicianship, Bennett transcends to his song writing through expansive and textural layers that makes us feel like there is a glimmer of hope in these seemingly crazy times. James is a self-taught guitarist, articulate lyricist with a voice of rough velvet and it’s no surprise or coincidence that this boy grew up listening to the uninterrupted dreamy folk magic of Bob Dylan. As a child, James would sneak his Dad’s guitar from the cupboard and imitate Dylan, singing along to every song. He made a harmonica brace out of an old wire coat hanger, so he could play the harmonica at the same time as the guitar. Fast forward a few years and he was writing songs with purpose and playing all over Australia, with three albums under his belt.
❋ “I had Saxon play on the tracks, break them apart and alter the arrangements,” said James. “As this is my fourth album, I was keen to try a few different methods. The results have been really promising.” - James Bennett
The first two singles “Beg Lie Steal Borrow” and “Broken Wicker Chair” were both synonymous with Bennett’s classic folk-Americana sound, awash with fresh melodic textures. His vision for his music is strikingly assured. “I feel like I’ve arrived at the sound I wanted all this time.” “Broken Wicker Chair” was inspired by Bennett’s frequent trips to country towns where he’d often see rundown farmhouses and wonder about the history. “The imagery was in my head, thinking about what it might have been like to live there, or have been around when it was thriving,” said James. The third single “So Have My Smiles” came out at the same time as “Life and Life Only.
The Newcastle folk singer-songwriter commands an eager, inviting spirit on his fourth “Life and Life Only” with the title taken from Bob Dylan’s song “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) off 1965’s “Bringing It All Back Home”. The new album was recorded at Gareth Hudson’s Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio in Adamstown Heights with a little help from friend and fellow musician Nick Saxon.
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James Bennett - Photo Credit: Brett Rutkowski
➹ Beg Lie Steal Borrow by James Bennett. New single from soon to be released album ‘Life & Life Only’
