Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Adam Harvey, Sony Music 2021.
A new year, a new beginning (hopefully not a false one) after the horrors of the fires and virus of 2019-2020, and a new album from Adam Harvey.
The title track, Highway Number One, opens the album with a song encouraging us to hit the road and explore our own country and, despite the beginning of COVID inoculations, holidaying in our own backyard is likely to be the norm for some time to come.
As we settle into the new COVID norm we can always rely on Adam Harvey to provide a solid point of reference for us.
Songs From Highway Number One is an album of good solid country songs, just like all of his releases.
Adam is a consummate performer and he can always be relied upon to turn out a quality product and this new album is no exception.
The album takes us on a trip around Australia on Highway Number One, with some off-road excursions along the way.
From Lindeman, to Red Dirt Towns, and on to Darwin Nights Adam basically produces a travelogue in songs.
He’s assisted in the process by some of the county’s best performers.
Lee Kernaghan joins him on Ramblin’ Fever, and Adam joins the late great Slim Dusty on The Angel Of Goulburn Hill.
Better With Time features Beccy Cole, Darren Coggan & felicity Urquhart and the harmonies are delightful.
Adam’s consistency is a great strength but it could also be seen as a drawback because each of his albums is like his last one; they’re all good but predictable.
So, if you’re looking for wonderful storytelling and that good old country feel then this is the album for you.
However, if you crave something new, then look somewhere else.
