Album Download: AUD $16.50

Laura Nobel is one of the finest voices in the North Coast of Australia. Since the Blues Caught My Eye, released in 2011, is her second album. Laura sings with an authentic, soul-stirring freshness that reveals her jazz, soul and blues influences.

Since the Blues Caught My Eye was recorded at Nashua Road Recording Studio, Byron Bay and features: Jim Kelly (guitar), Greg Lyon (bass), Scott Hills (drums), Steve Russell (piano), Kim Kelaart (Hammond organ), Les Dorahy (button accordion), Shannon Marshall (trumpet), Sarah Grant, Vanessa Baker & Greg Lyon (backing vocals).

"Local singer songwriter Laura Nobel's second album release features covers of classic jazz and blues standards with a couple of Cold Chisel classics and an original thrown in. Nobel's elegant and seasoned vocals are set to some polished arrangements courtesy of local guitar wizard Jim Kelly, who also mixed and produced the album. The band features regular Kelly collaborators Scott Hills (drums) and Greg Lyon (bass) with occasional keyboard help from Steve Russell (piano) and Kim Kelaart (organ). Kelly takes care of most of the chord work with at least two or three interlocking guitar parts on many of the tunes. The album opens with Lover Man, the song made famous by Billie Holiday in the 1940s. Nobel's stately delivery of the melody is surrounded with some swirling guitar orchestrations and Shannon Marshall's muted trumpet giving an 80s Miles Davis flavour to the mix. Kelly's immaculate blues chops are on display throughout with standout solos on Doc Pomus' Lonely Avenue and BB King's Woke Up This Morning. Nobel's own Let Me In takes on a country/gospel feel with it's big backing vocal finale. The standout track for me is the exquisite and understated version of Don Walker's Janelle that features just guitars and mandocello with some subtle button accordion. The stripped back sound really lets Nobel's sumptuous reading of the song shine."
Matt Hill, The Northern Rivers Echo, 5 January 2012

LAURA NOBEL MYSPACE

LAURA NOBEL YOUTUBE