You Have to Dig Deep to Bury Daddy

You Have To Dig Deep To Bury Daddy:
It seems no time since I reviewed Jeff’s previous recording, Whatever Makes You Happy, and now we have another work of art – “You Have To Dig Deep To Bury Daddy”. Unusual title, until you learn that it is an old Gypsy saying. Bit worried there for a moment Jeff!
I don’t use the term “work of art” loosely – Jeff’s songwriting and playing are the work of a true craftsman, from the lyrics to the many, and sometimes unusual, instruments he employs to produce another first class CD. “Dig Deep” sees the collaboration this time with Tim Hall as producers, as well as backing vocalist/percussionist. Bass duties go to one of Australia’s top players – Grant Cummerford on upright and electric bass. Other musicians lending a hand are Ian Collard on harmonica, Anthony Shorte and Angus Diggs, drums, Chris Finnen, percussion, as well as Alison Ferrier on fiddle and percussion.
Jeff’s choice of instruments this time around are none other than; lap steel, (acoustic, electric and bass), guitars (acoustic, national, supro resophonic, bottleneck), drums, percussion, chumbush, ukulele, weissenborn, harmonium, tenor banjo, wind samples, percussion. Phew! And you thought Jeff just grabs a guitar and belts out a few tunes hey?!
Now the lyrics – have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall while Bob Dylan is writing, trying to understand where those amazing lines come from, or what they mean for that matter?! Well here we have our own “Bob”, with lyrics from the opening track “Till They Cut Me Down” – down below buildings are turning from factories to magic lights that glow and I am taking on a darkness of my own windshield of dead flies, no longer free to roam. Don’t you love them! And you get the bonus of some very ethereal music weaving in and out. How can anyone take Australian Idol seriously after listening to this!
There are 14 tracks to immerse yourselves in – some ballads, some highly charged , quiet instrumentals, but all of the highest musical quality – no CD fillers here. Standout tracks would have to be “Here She Comes Again”, the beautiful instrumental, “And All The Snow Melted”, or the heartfelt ballad, “Molasses and Stone”. Actually, there are no standout tracks – I love them all! Jeff should be very proud of his latest creation.
Grab yourself a copy and try to see Jeff play live at a venue near you – both amazing experiences. Just ask the lighting guy at the Heritage Hotel, Bulli, who asked Jeff to finish his act halfway through a song – I promise you he won’t be doing that again!