Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Xavier Rudd, Virgin Music Label 2021.
Stoney Creek is the first track that Xavier has lifted from his tenth album which is due for release in March 2022.
It was released to a world-wide audience on 17 June, accompanied by an impressive aerial video shot of the breath-taking coastline of Portugal.
The song opens with the sharp bark of a dog and develops around a beguiling acoustic guitar riff which is further infused at points by bird song which ties the song to its location.
Stoney Creek is a song about harmonising with the natural environment, a place where we can find rest, peace, companionship and belonging.
A refuge in a world that often seems to have gone crazy.
This is a recurring theme in Xavier’s music and the video, shot by long-time friend Axel Massin, is perfectly in sync with these emotions.
Xavier comments: “We were on a trip to the Cape and the wind was blowing too hard to take the tinnie out to the island.
“As I contemplated everything in my life and what was happening in the world there was literally a strong southeaster blowing all of the time.
“It felt like the wind of change, literally, in so many ways.”
Stoney Creek is the first new song that Xavier has released in more than three years and probably the pandemic enforced hiatus in touring has greatly assisted in its development.
Xavier has slowly developed a strong fan base that is not limited to Australia.
For the official release of the track fans logged on from around the world.
They tuned in from all parts of Australia to Canada, South America, Europe and Japan, giving some indication of his immense popularity.
Xavier is truly a modern-day troubadour.
