Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Daryl Braithwaite, Sony Music Entertainment Australia 2020.
Here’s another single with an interesting back story.
Aussie music legend Daryl Braithwaite explains that this song was sent to him by an old friend who asked him to forward it on to Roger Davies (Sherbet’s ex-manager) to see if P!nk would be interested in recording it.
Braithwaite had a listen to it and thought that the track was right up P!nk’s alley and he sent it on.
He didn’t hear back from Davies and weeks turned to months during which time Braithwaite had started playing the song with his band.
Eventually he caught up with Davies and asked him what he thought of the song only to be told that Davies hadn’t received it.
On listening to the song Davies thought that it would suit Braithwaite better than P!nk and so Braithwaite and his band recorded it.
Love Songs was written by Australian Michael Fatkin and Los Angeles based writing duo Rozzi Crane and Charlie Synder and it’s a song that has the sort of instant appeal that makes you feel that you’ve known it all your life.
Braithwaite says that, when the audience reacts instantly it’s a sign of a good song, and one that Sherbet always used.
He comments “The audience felt like they knew it by the second chorus.”
The song was recorded in Sydney’s Sony studios over a two day period and it’s already cemented its place in the band’s play list.
Braithwaite is an amazing performer and it must be difficult to find new material that feels a natural part of an established set-list of well-known hits but this song slots in perfectly.
I’ve seen Braithwaite on many occasions, both with full band and pared back to acoustic roots, and I’m always amazed at how well his voice has survived the ravages of time.
He still seems to reach those high notes with ease.
