ALBUM REVIEW:

Troy Cassar-Daley – Things I Carry Around

Available: 26th of August, 2016

Earlier this year, I was at the launch of the Urban Country Music Festival when I heard Troy Cassar-Daley drop the news that he was writing a book. I was genuinely excited to hear this news and began the count down to hear “official” dates. I later received an email which said an album of the same name “Things I Carry Around” was going to be released too. This week, I was asked to review the album!

Initial Thoughts:

Listening to the entire album on the first round, I gave it the thumbs up. 4 Bulls out of 5!

It is very much a Troy Cassar-Daley sounding album, staying true to his sounds and his style of music we have all come to love. This album is composed of songs about reflection; some are deep and meaningful (bought tears to my eyes) there are also songs that are great easy listening around a fire but they all seem honest and are strong story telling in nature. This album paints a picture of Troy’s life from childhood to young adult.

If you love Troy, you will love this album. I did also get some old school Slim Dusty vibes, a little John Williamson, Gospel and twang country throughout this album.

Troy’s current single; “Things I Carry Around” is a perfect sum up of the album; Sentimental! It outlines what has made Troy the person he is today with a true Australian Country sound.

Track By Track:

To give you an understanding of where I am coming from with this review, for me, country music a lot about the lyrics and the story, to the point where I turn a lot of pop music off because I don’t want my young children singing those lyrics or accepting those messages. So in saying that let’s get started…

1. Funny How Things Change:

This song was written by Troy, Don Walker and Colin Buchanan. It’s a story about moving from his home at Halfway Creek to Tamworth then onto Maryborough which were huge changes, Troy enjoying the feeling of a fresh start. While he still does not like change he always looks back and appreciates it.

Mindy: I enjoyed the harmonica opening. For me, this song was finding home in Troy’s style of music and a great easy listening song.

“Digital choice won’t connect me to your lovely voice. Ain’t it funny, Ain’t it funny how things change”

2. Halfway Creek Timber Cutting Man:

Written by Troy. This one is about his time cutting fence posts with Tony Wall. A guy he could talk about anything with and often did. Halfway Creek is a very special place for Troy and a lot of people, a place that will always be apart of him.

Mindy: This song took me a little by surprise, a much deeper voice from Troy, a boys song with a Johnny Cash feel. For me, this is a great song when sitting around the fire nursing a bourbon!

“Won’t stop till the quoters done. No Time for smoko today, gotta get these posts away. Just dreaming of Friday’s pay”

3. Things I Carry Around:

Written by Troy, Don Sampson and Winn Varble. This is about Troy describing himself as a memory hoarder and acknowledging that it is these memories that have shaped the person he is today. From carrying a coin his Uncle Buddy gave him, pictures of Laurel, this kids and family members, always holding touching sentiments close.

Mindy: Very sentimental, love the guitars in this song. It really gives a bit of an insight into Troy and I guess the upcoming book.

“Momma cried and Dad said son, you let me down. Just some of the things I carry around.”

4. A Cold Walk Home (prelude)

This one is just a little 41 second musical moment, there are a couple throughout the album and I quite like them.

5. Brighter Day

Written by Troy and Paul Kelly. This single is about Troy’s Uncle Hoppy, who passed away when Troy was young. Uncle Hoppy had a sad story and this song is to pay homage to his memory.

Mindy: Sings this one with wife Laurel, a really sad song. RIP Uncle Hoppy.

“More than one mistake I’ve made and the price I have fully paid If I had wings so I could fly, I’ swallow all my foolish pride.”

6. When My Daddy Played:

Written by Troy. Tony Cassar; an amazing dad and grandad. Growing up in a split household Troy would visit his Dad in Sydney. When he first arrived Troy, would be sad missing his Grafton mob. Tony wouldn’t make a fuss, just take out the guitar and harmonica and play until Troy fell asleep.

Mindy: WOW, this one bought me to tears. For me, I could relate to a few elements in this song – but it fully captures the father and son bond which is an amazing love. Favourite song!

“First night there, I would cry for home. And he’d get out his guitar and every fear I had was gone”.

7. Country Music’s Coming to Town:

Written by Troy. Troy’s first country music show was with Rick and They Carey at the school of arts hall in South Grafton with his Mum, Nan and lots of cousins. Never forgetting the feeling of the little town’s excitement of having country entertainment. Years later feeling that excitement as an artist.

Mindy: I can hear Slim Dusty sounds in this single with a Troy Cassar-Daley twist. I like it!

“Youngy and Slim use to come through here, playing the picking strummin’ sound”.

8. On My Way Back Around

Written by Troy and Don Walker. This one is about the early days of touring with Little Eagle and the Blue Heeler band which got Troy addicted to the road. While back then, home was a motel room or a girl’s house. Troy is now glad to have a family to come home to, making the journey worth every mile.

Mindy: Easy listening song and sounds pretty honest!

“I’ve got friends in places high and low and people who know me well. They come and hear my songs because they know, I live the tales that I tell”.

9. This River is My Soul (Prelude)

Another little musical piece. Really like them =)

10. My Gumbayanggirr Skies:

Written by Troy. All about childhood memories at a place called Cangai in NSW. Camping, fishing, laughing, making spears and hearing stories around the campfire. This song sends love to all Troy’s Gumbaynggirr people South of the Clarence River.

Mindy: This song for me I could hear was spiritual for Troy, it has a true Australian sound and I think there is a John Williamson story telling quality in this one.

“10 years with my nanny was all that I had, she told me to laugh even when I was sad. And not be scared when we turned out the light And she still comes and sees me in my dreams at night”.

11. Smoked with Willie and Merle:

Written by Troy: Writing the book, Troy realised there have been some unique experiences, such as touring with the Highwaymen and Merle Haggard. They were everything you would expect or dream your hero to be.

Mindy: Upbeat, fun, with an old school country sound. Felt like Troy had kicked some goals with these experiences.

“My life is complete should I leave this world Because I have smoked with WIllie and Merle”

12. Salvation (Prelude)

13. Down The Road:

Written by Troy and Don Walker. Heading to a Christian Rally where Pastor Frank Roberts would speak and amazing music would play. Mesmerised by the songs and the people and always came away happy.

Mindy: Gospel feeling to this one but a great song about all being on an individual path.

“When I think I got troubles, how bad can my troubles be? I am walking down the road he made for me”

14. If My Heart Was a Town:

Written by Troy and Don Walker. This one takes Troy back to 17 when his heart was broken and him thinking his world was going to end and that he was the only person to ever have felt that way.

Mindy: First heartbreak always a hard one! But a great insight to a sensitive loving guy! Glad you bounced back Troy!

“There is one lonely river, on its way to the sea A little town square, where you use to be If ever you wondered, where I could be found That’s where I would be waiting, if my heart was a town”.

15. Running:

Written by Troy. Deep in Troy’s teenage years, this one his about cars! Wanting big wheels, big engines and shiny paint.

Mindy: This song reminds me being at a country music festival, getting that buzz which is probably my equivalent of Troy and his cars – me to my country music! Got my buzzing this song =)

“We were cutting across back roads windows down We were running, up and running from our small town life, and our small town strife We were running as fast as we could and the freedom tasted so good.”.

16. First Night Alone:

Written by Troy and Angela Kaset. Talking with his dad about his first night alone, just having separating from his wife who took their baby son to Grafton. Tony Cassar felt devastation. Talking now man to man with his Dad, Troy has learnt much about life and thankful for the opportunity to have been able to do that.

Mindy: Every time I listened to a song about Troy and his Dad I teared up! This one is a slow but beautiful melody!

“My first night with no fights and no one to blame Leaving behind all that misery. that pain But nothing prepared me for how lonesome and cold I would be on my first night alone”.

17. Certified Railway Man:

Written by Troy and Colin Buchanan. Growing up in South Grafton, Troy and his family were railway people part of the big blue collar family that stuck with each other and helped out where ever they could!

Mindy: This one is a classic Troy Cassar-Daley song! Got a good beat and a great story!

“When the last bell rang, I only had one plan to be a certified railway man”

18. Blue Lights:

Written by Troy and Don Walker. A song written for Uncle Hoppy (Ronald Daley) whose story was one of tragedy and sadness. After trying to sing it a few times, Troy decided it had more meaning simple spoken in word.

Mindy: Yes, it has a heap more meaning spoken in word! Very touching tribute to Uncle Hoppy!