Liner notes from Live At The Live Hawk
The Moonee Valley Drifters continue to rock the nation with their unique blend of honky tonkin' blues, country swing and Cajun.
These guys can REALLY play and they've been doing it together for over twenty years.
The longevity of the band is a credit to leader Tom Forsell who has successfully steered it through the ever changing mainstream music scene and managed to stay true to his country roots while doing it. A few line up changes over the years have been no obstacle to Tom and some mighty fine players have pass through the group.
James Black, one of my favorite musicians, played with the band and produced some of their earlier records. Gerry Hale, Ed Bates and the late Peter Linden, one of the sweetest pedal steel players I've ever heard, all spent time with the Drifters.
Paul and Quentin are the swingin'est rhythm section in town, giving Nicky, Gerard and Tom the perfect bed they need, to lay down that Drifters sound. This is the bands fifth album and was recorded at the Night Hawk in Melbourne, under the direction of Rob Grenville, himself a former guitar player and singer in the group. It's the Drifters at their best, having fun and cruising through some of their favorite songs. They do George Jones, Buck Owens and Louvin Bros tunes with ease. They knock out a great version of Rusty and Doug Kershaw's "Louisiana Man" and cover a few other country classics, making it sound like these tunes were written just for them.
I love this c.d... Play it and I'm sure you will too.
Gary Young
Musician.
3RRR Presenter