Here's a great photo by Ray Cook's mate Hillary from a Gospel gig we did at the Brisbane Jazz Club in 2013

Two remarkably different gigs - beautiful in their own way...

So Thursday night at the Brisbane Jazz Club we have the multitudes on stage, with George Jackson and Luke Moller duplicating every lick Jamie played on the album (on his banjo, mandolin and lap steel) while he lays out his dainty and dirty guitar figures. There will also be a whole lot of violins. Two tracks feature the guest player Jo Lack, so her parts will be covered by Luke but also by a terrible trio of old mates, John Rodgers, Eugenie Costello and all the way from sunny Melbourne, Marjorie Michael. And there's more!!! Cause Pearly Black's understudy will be the phenomenal Megan Sarmardin and helping out on bass and harmony singing we have Helen Russell as well as the glorious warm voices of Barbara Fordham and Anje West. Nothing on the album will be missing!

While on Friday night at Finbar's Maleny, its the pure and simple duo, casual, free entry, early start - very relaxed. And though we have the Maleny Street Party going on outside - chances are the rain gods will drive a few good people in to sit and enjoy...

And I get to rehearse every day this week! And after a year of production and administration I feel like a singer again - beauty!

Thanks Martin Pearson for your kind words

I asked Martin Pearson to write about our live performances of the new songs. Oddly he's seen us more than anyone in Brisbane, since we had the pleasure of playing at Andrew Pattison's Winery weekend this year and the wonderful Neurum Creek Festival and he very kindly replied:

I remember Leah and Jamie from the early “Women in Voice” shows. She has a riveting stage presence (even in pyjamas) and he was an inspired musical director and formidable guitarist. So when I saw them again many years later I was expecting great things. I wasn’t disappointed.

The combination of finely modulated voice and tasty guitar is now being applied to songs about the histories of their own West End of the Brisbane River. It doesn’t get more real than writing about things at the end of your own street. The songs are masterfully crafted with moments of exquisite beauty.

I recommend them to your listening ear.

Thanks James Miller and friends

James Miller, our long term supporter, shot the clips below in three hours at the old Botanic Gardens. He had his film students work on it as an editing assignment and then finished the clips himself. Look on his youtube channel avonsfive and see his clips for Megan Sarmardin's show 'Blackbird' and Barbara Fordham's show 'Whoa Tilly'. He's a dead-set artist with colour! I love the look of the clips and setting aside the momentary 'Yes, I am that old...' chill of recognition, James has done us such a kindness adding vision to the sound. I reckon it's a bloody good sound but now we get to be the stars in our own home-grown movie.

Don't forget the launch coming up - information posted below...

Bottom of the River

Red Rose

Two confirmed album launches for 'Bottom of the River!

BRISBANE: Thursday December 9th 2010

The Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point

$25 and $20 with complimentary CD

Doors open 6.30, music 7.30 - 10.00

Leah and Jamie with a flock of guest musicians and singers. Bookings from mid-November at www.brisbanejazzclub.com.au

MALENY: Friday Dec 10th at Finbar's

music from 6.30 - 9.00

Free Entry

The pure duo sound