The highly anticipated followup album to Everyday People had the Soul Boys team up with Murray "MuZZ" Graham at the legendry Scratch and Bite Studios (Coffs Harbour) to record the Blue Ideal. This album showcases the direction the trio are heading across the wave of musical enjoyment and creativity. Building a solid fan base and continuing their busy schedule are priorities for the band as a whole whilst all the time enjoying their families; their lives; and their homes in the surfing villiage of Sawtell.
Coastal Soul are... Jamie Martin, Phil Klaus and Chris Barrow.
THE SONGS
Glasshouses
A solid starting track written originally by Chris about "comments and opinions of people that probably shouldn't comment... or have opinions. Ha-ha. He who lives in a glass house shouldn't throw stones... I love bringing songs to the Soul table, and watching them morph into our style of music. Just like our stage shows, we all have an input!" - Chris
Join Me
A track that highlights Jamie’s incredible ability to improvise an entire song. With a lazy hour of studio time Jamie walks into the sound room armed with only a chord progression… walks out after one take… writes some lyrics (whilst Chris quickly learns some backing rhythms and a lead break or two)… walks back in and records vocals. Only thing left to do was PK’s percussion! Job done! A song that came in little over an hour is now a standard in our set list. – Chris
Waves In The Outback
A beautifully written piece by Phil. If it wasn’t for his waves, life on the land would be very appealing. Jamie takes lead vocals, whilst the song writer and percussionist plays guitar. The versatility of the band is displayed in this harmonising surf ballad.
Blue Ideal
The title track is an all familiar riff brought to the throng of Coastal Soul by Phil. “I can’t understand why they call it the blues, when some of my favourite things are blue… the ocean the waves and a blue sky any day.” – Phil
Whole Lotta Livin’
Another example of an idea morphing into a song. Chris had some chords and a bass note run after a road trip to Byron Bay, the chorus fitted naturally. Phil and Jamie write the lyrics and voila. “A song about how easy it is to get trapped in the work cycle and forget about the good things in life.” – Jamie
Sail Away
I love JFK’s quote! - Chris
“All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came.” - John F. Kennedy
Chilli Girl
“When Phil first played this song to Chris and I, we thought it was written about a Chilean girl. However Phil’s only love affair was with a packet of kettle chips. A weekly routine of chilli kettle chips on a Monday night was ended when kettle took the chilli flavour off the market. One of Phil’s happiest days was when they returned to the shelves.” – Jamie
Mindscape
A touching ode to the young, and the lives they have ahead of them. The boys of Coastal Soul are all parents, and their children are an endless supply of inspiration. This song was recorded in Soul Studios in Sawtell by Jamie… a solo project that was too good to leave off the album.
The Cooley Project
A lot of Chriso’s songs come whilst he is travelling. Whilst on a work trip to the Gold Coast, he emailed this idea to the Soul Boys in Sawtell. A week later they tried it out at a gig, a week after that they were recording it with MuZZ.
Place In Her Sky
“A beautiful rendition of a Coastal Soul classic. A tribute to all the beautiful weddings we have had the privilege to play. Another Soul Studios recording.” – Phil
Mooloolaba
“A lot of towns up and down the east coast of New South Wales and Queensland run the risk of becoming another Gold Coast! I hope Mooloolaba keeps it’s beautiful little vibe!” – Chris
Set Me Free
Almost a bush ballad from Chris! “Written after family holiday driving through the back roads of Grafton past the Gaol, realising how much I value freedom and the time spent with my family.” – Chris
No Vacancy
Psychedelic Martin, slide Klaus and gritty wah wah Barrow. Our trippy little sojourn back to the 70’s!
Only A Surfer Knows
Closing the album is another Klaus classic. This song captures the love of the lifestyle we live. – Coastal Soul
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