Album Notes

CRAIG & SIMONE

Simone and Craig perform a blend of original songs and instrumentals which cover a range of Folk music styles including Delta Blues, Ki Hoalu (Hawaiian slack key) with occasional Celtic and Country Music influences. Their original songs are often poignant and hard hitting ballads which explore a variety of political and social topics. Craig and Simone are also known for their ability to get audiences laughing and singing along. Together they are regulars on the festival circuit and have performed at many venues including the Woodford Folk Festival, the National Folk Festival and the Sydney Acoustic Guitar Festival.

Simone and Craig have completed a live EP, "Jenny's Flowers" and in 2001 were involved in composing, recording and producing a soundtrack for a play performed in Brisbane called "The Pitchfork Disney." They are also included on the compilation CD "Green Songs", the 2001 Sydney Folk Gala compilation CD and the Folk Alliance Australia 2000 compilation CD. Their 2003 recording "So Near Yet So Far" was produced with assistance from artsACT and Angel Train Pty Ltd. Thier most recent effort is the innovative double album "Let Isabelle Out."

"So Near Yet So Far with Simone Olding is an absolutely fabulous blend of superb instrumentals, fine storytelling and Craig's trademark emotive vocals. Highly Recommended." - Pat Drummond

"..but the (live) performance is just as good as the CD as you get the visual appreciation of Craig and Simone's musical talents and just how together their music really is." - Cornstalk Gazette

SIMONE

Simone has had a history of experience in many different bush music and celtic bands. She has a great deal of experience as a session musician and has appeared on a number of different CDs as a flute player or vocalist. Simone has performed in many different folk festivals and venues since the early 1980's.
She is an experienced vocalist and plays a variety of instruments including mandolin, bouzouki, flute, recorder, clarinet and bodhran. Simone has played a lead role in several musicals, performed in her former local community band and is currently writing two children's books. She was involved in the production of three commercially available recordings with Serendipity.

Simone has surely found her blues voice: check out her sensitive renditions of "Nobody Sees a Fish Cry" and the amazing "There May Be Times", both written by her. - Peter West 2XX

Craig Dawson and Simone Olding are popular performers around the festival scene and their latest album, "So Near yet So Far," is sure to enhance a reputation built on thought provoking and well crafted songs. - Bruce Cameron

CRAIG

Craig is a songwriter, music teacher and musician who has performed in bands and as a soloist since 1984. He has written several children's musicals, performed as a studio musician and released two CD's and one EP. At the year 2000 Tamworth Country Music Independent Artist's Recognition Awards (TIARA) Craig won the "best instrumental" section for his solo acoustic guitar tune Pickin' on The Captain. He has since gained favourable recognition for his songwriting and fingerstyle guitar work in reviews in overseas music magazines and Internet sites in Italy, the United Kingdom and California. Craig has also appeared on a number of community radio programs and the ABC.

"Moody folk musings from a musician who understands the less-is-more aesthetic to songwriting. Craig Dawson is a proficient guitar player and Singer-Songwriter. He seems to have grown up with a plethora of good folk music that naturally seeped into his own songs. Dawson's music is as good as anything that has influenced him." - Eric S. "www.listen.com"

"... this is probably the only real style of country/folk music that has been perfected in Australia and it is certainly achieved here. With the great debate going on about what is "The Australian Sound" I wish more people would listen to these type of songs." - Les Speerin. Editor of "Total Country."