TONY FAEHSE

DANCE WITH A FLOWER IN YOUR HAIR Cat# SV0563

"DANCE WlTH A FLOWER IN YOUR HAIR", Tony Faehse's third all original genre blending and bending album, mixes vocal and instrumental tracks with a spectrum of styles ranging from the sultry tango "Sensual", sophisticated samba "Wine of Tuscany" and flamenco funk "Come with me, down to the sea", to poignant celtic melodies... as well as sensitive contemporary songs! Unifying this bewildering melange of worldness is the sound of Tony's classical guitar and his particular writing style, the result of a long musical journey, and giving it form are some particularly fine Melbourne musicians, many of whom having previously featured on his earlier work. These include remarkable vocal performances by Brazilian specialist Diana Clark, including a duet on the title track "Dance with a flower in your hair" with actor / session singer Rob Price, (Tony features on vocals too, most notably the retro / indie / pop sounding "Little boxes" and the ensemble "Comes the morning"). Virtuosic George Butrumlis (Zydeco Jump) adds the passion of his accordion, ubiquitous Jen Anderson the haunting emotion of her violin and viola. Adam Simmons features not only on layered woodwinds ("Gossamer wings") but also Shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) on the mystic-east epic "Sands of time", a track which takes the novel step of combining violin with slide guitar. With Bruce Hayme's keyboards, Steve Hadley's double bass, Bruce Sandell and Craig Pilkington's flute and trumpet and Tony Floyd and Peter Jones's drums are added Tony's multiple guitars, the ensembles ranging from epic to intimate.

Tony Faehse is best known for his guitar-playing and song-writing with Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons ("Shape I'm In", "Hit & Run" etc) but his career started in Adelaide. Early tuition on the classical guitar led to an interest in samba (Tom Jobin) and Spanish music before being seduced by rock and blues and the electric guitar. After some chart success with pop group Music Express a move to London for four years included a year touring Europe with glam-rocker Alvin Stardust. Returning to join the Falcons for five years he then worked as freelance guitarist and song writer. As well as producing his own music he and his wife Wendy have the 20th century design shop Retro Active.

FASH - ST TROPEZ Cat# SV0432

Fash is the brainchild of guitarist/writer Tony Faehse, a vehicle for a unique blend of instrumental and vocal music. Hard to categorise but easy to get into, Fash's roots are in soul, r&b, pop and reggae, but with an overlay of so called world music and cafe/lounge grooves. The title track of their new album "St Tropez", (out on SoundVault July 2004) features the sensual Brazilian style vocals of Diana Clark on a sunny summer groove made lush with horns and guitars. Diana also features on the message song "Dream" and the anthemic "If Not For Freedom". Virtuosic piano accordion by Melbourne legend George Butrumlis features on the Gotan Project tribute "Go-tan-ia", "Cashmere Sweetheart"etc. Sensitive but strong tenor sax solo's by guest Wilbur Wilde, powerful drums by John ("Waddo") Watson, (with young percussion sensation Neda Rahmani), the musicality of keyboardist Bruce Haymes and the horn arrangements of Bruce Sandell, all blend to make an intriguing inter-continental soundscape for Tony Faehse's resonate guitar voice. Using mostly the sibulent sound of the nylon string classical guitar, but also the slide and wailing electric Gibson SG that made his reputation with Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons, Faehse is given full rein. Sometimes cool, sometimes cooking, sometimes even moving, but always dynamic and interesting, Fash is here!

LEARN TO FLY Cat# SV0301

Guitarist, composer, Tony Faehse has recorded a CD that Rhythms magazine recently described as, 'exquisite.' Australian born, Tony has had an amazing musical journey over the past thirty years. Trained initially as a classic/spanish guitarist, by the age of 15 Tony was playing electric guitar in various Adelaide bands, moving to Melbourne with MUSIC EXPRESS in 1969 and having a top ten hit with "Jacky's Thing" before heading for the UK in 1973.

Following a stint as guitarist with Alvin Stardust (touring throughout the U.K. and Europe, appearing on Top of the Pops etc) Tony returned to Australia to join Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons in 1977 where he toured extensively and co-wrote such classic hits as "Shape I'm In", "Hit and Run" and "So Young". 'Following the Falcons I was a guitarist for hire and toured with such seminal Australian acts as the Saints and Daryl Braithwaite. ‘I also wrote with Scott Carne (from "Kids in the Kitchen"), achieving releases through Mushroom Records and the White label including "All I Wanna Do" (1990) and "She Ain't no Woman" ("Pricilla's Nightmare"),’Tony said.

In 1996 Tony opened "Retro-Active" with his wife Wendy, retailing 20th century design and at the same time returned to his first love; the spanish guitar. 'I continued to write and perform instrumental music throughout this period, mostly with my Jo Jo Zep mate Jeff Burstin,' he said 'Last year I wrote and produced my first solo C.D."LEARN TO FLY", featuring the spanish guitar. In producing the CD I had the help of some of Melbourne's finest musicians, including Vika and Linda Bull, Jen Anderson (violin), Jeff Burstin (guitar) and Bruce Haymes (keyboards).'

Coinciding with a renewed interest in world music and the luscious sound of the spanish guitar, Tony Faehse's background in a wide range of popular music ...r&b, reggae & blues... brings a fresh filmic sound to "Learn to Fly"

The following is a review from Rhythms Magazine by Billy Pinnell

An amazing musical journey of more than thirty years has come full circle for guitarist composer Tony Faehse who recently released his debut album Learn to Fly, a collection of original compositions played on classical, acoustic and electric guitars with dollops of, aural delights courtesy of Jen Anderson (violin, and viola), Bruce Haymes (keyboards), Jeff Burstin (acoustic guitar and bass) and singers Vika and Linda Bull.

Faehse’s long and winding road began in Adelaide in 1969 with a local band, Musik Express (three years and one single). Next stop was London for an audition as lead guitar player with Atomic Rooster (missed out), then Alvin Stardust (got that one). Not surprisingly, fatigue began to set in after twelve months on the road playing ’My Coo Ca Choo’ so Faehse packed his bags once again, relocating to Melbourne just in time to fill the lead guitar spot in the fledgling Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, replacing the recently departed Wayne Burt.

It was during his five years with Joe Camilleri’s first successful band that Faehse’s abilities in the studio and on stage became apparent. By the end of his stint with the Falcons, Faehse’s reputation as a hot lead guitar player was well established, leading to a variety of offers from other bands, including The Saints who took him on the road for a 1991 tour. Eager to explore his song writing, Faehse collaborated with Scott Carne, co-writing material for the former Kids in the Kitchen front man’s mid-’80s band Priscilla’s Nightmare. Now a twenty-year veteran, Faehse lowered his profile, taking on students and opening an antique shop in the Melbourne suburb of Westgarth.

In 2001, he’s back with a self-financed self produced album of acoustic music, highlighting a fingerstyle technique not previously revealed. Learn to Fly was originally conceived as a duo project with former Falcons band mate Burstin, whose heavy schedule delayed proceedings enough for Faehse to take on the responsibilities of finishing the album himself. The results are truly magnificent. Faehse’s exquisite musicianship allows him to conjure up various images while exploring a wide range of influences he first began to absorb as a thirteen-year-old when his mum took him to a Segovia concert. Faehse’s mother was the inspiration for the album’s opening piece, ’Shorebreak’, a solo classical guitar performance reprised on the last track with Burstin and drummer Michael Barker. While the melody owes a debt to Van Morrison’s ’Have I Told You Lately That I Love You’, the mood conjures up mental picture of mother and son strolling on Glenelg Beach, soaking up the serenity of waves breaking gently on the shore.

A long-time fan of Latin music, Faehse refers to Antonio Carlos Jobim for the bossa nova feel of ‘Havana Nirvana’ (with seamless violin accompaniment from Anderson) and the bouncy ‘Forever Samba’ featuring wordless vocal colourings courtesy of the Bull Sisters.

For ’Isabella’, Faehse reintroduces a subtle electric slide guitar in sync with his delightful acoustic and Anderson’s viola, suggesting ancient courts of kings, queens, squires and knights, while ’Gospel Truth’ with its slight hint of reggae, provides a showcase for Bruce Haymes’ swirling Hammond organ.

The flamenco feel of ‘Pasha’, the gentle ‘Learn to Fly’, another vehicle for Vika and Linda Bull to contribute majestic vocal additions and the beautiful ‘The Princess and the Moon’ provide varied examples of the virtuosity and artistry of Tony Faehse.

Billy Pinnell