“A Little Too Much” Press release- July 2024
Ever been told you’re “a little too much”? Singer-songwriter Sally-Anne Whitten declares it’s a term that’s been implied, thrown around and directed at her, her whole life. She’s heard it all before, too loud, too shy, too mouthy, too opinionated, too hard, too soft, too young, too old… it always made her feel like she was never “just right”. Of course, as life went on, she came to realise there’s no such thing, and actually a little too much of anything is just perfect.
The tracks on this new album are all about what made the country-blues vocalist who she is today. Songs about her incredible group of friends and family, childhood icons, loves and losses, lessons learned from relationships, digging deep to find strength to deal with all the hard things that life throws at you.
The life-long Tamworth local reflects on her latest creation, “This album was hard to write, difficult but cathartic, and even joyful at times. Some of these songs were born from little scraps of lines and ideas that I’d had lying around for a while which then came together, almost by magic. It was both painful and healing to dig through old memories, childhood experiences, examine past mistakes and relationships. Knowing who you are is knowing where you come from, and that’s what this album is all about”.
Produced by Sally-Anne and Alwyn Aurisch (who also played all the guitar parts on the album) she laughingly shares that “there were surprisingly very few arguments or disagreements during the making of this album. We were on the same page with the style and sounds we wanted to produce, it was really a fun process of throwing ideas around and seeing what would happen”.
“A Little Too Much” is Sally-Anne’s first full-length album since 2018’s “Burgundy Street” and for the first time in her 21 years of recording she’s written every track (with some help from her friends). The album will released on Friday July 19th & launched that evening during the Hats Off To Country festival at The Press Basement Bar in her hometown.
Album Credits - A LITTLE TOO MUCH - Sally-Anne Whitten
- Not Afraid Of The Dark * (S.Whitten/J.Craswell)
- Blue Steel Ride (S. Whitten)
- Carry Me (S. Whitten)
- How Deep You Gotta Dig (S. Whitten)
- Saving Grace (S.Whitten)
- Daughter Of A Queen ** (S. Whitten)
- Restless Soul (S. Whitten)
- Good Girl (S. Whitten) ***
Guitars, Dobro - Alwyn Aurisch
Bass - Alwyn Aurisch, *Trevor Stacey
Drums/Percussion - Scott Hills, *Dave Adams
Keys - Phil Weaver, **Vaughan Jones, ***Garry Steel
Backing Vocals - Matt O’Leary, *James Craswell
Produced by Sally-Anne Whitten & Alwyn Aurisch
Engineered and mixed by Alwyn Aurisch.
Mastered by Michael Macken at Positive Spiral
Photography - Di Stacey Photography
Artwork/Design - Michael Bryers @ Imaged
For more information/interviews/bookings please contact
Ms Kris Katsanis
KrisKat Publicity
Publicity: Talitha Jae, Katelann Maree, Jacynta’lee + more
Publicity & Booking Enquiries: Sally-Anne Whitten (AUS)
Mobile: 0414 334 348
https://linktr.ee/KrisKat_Publicity
BURGUNDY STREET REVIEWS
REVIEWS ARE IN:
"If you’re a fan of modern Australian Country Music, with a touch of Jazz and Blues thrown in for flavor, I highly recommend checking out "Burgundy Street"",
John Turnbull - Independent Australia
"Burgundy Street initially sounds like a great rockin’ album; on repeated listening it’s clear that it’s soaked in some heavy experiences and a tinge of heartache, if not heartbreak. That’s due to the complexity of Whitten’s voice and her ability to bring a lot to a song. So take your time with this one – perhaps even sit back, imagine yourself on Burgundy Street in New Orleans and let the world pass by as you listen",
Jolene: The Country Music Blog
"Sally-Anne's winsome vocals are the thread that binds all of the different elements and styles of this album together, whether interpreting the songs of Glenn Fry & Don Henley, Little Willie John or Alan Toussaint or singing her own wonderful originals, it's her voice that pulls the listener into every nuanced corner of Burgundy Street. I am enamoured with this album, and you will be too",
Pete Williams - 'Made In The Shade', 99.3FM
PRESS RELEASE-SALLY-ANNE WHITTEN'S "BURGUNDY STREET"
‘Burgundy Street’ was inspired by a life-long dream visit to New Orleans that Sally-Anne undertook in 2015. The album cover depicts her holiday digs - where the singer-songwriter wrote some tracks and the place where she was inspired to cover the Jon Cleary and Alan Toussaint songs – ‘Take My Love’ and ‘Southern Nights’.
If history is anything to go by, it’s no surprise that this latest album offers a variety of musical genres. Sally-Anne has yet again embraced her unique blend of swampy blues, R&B, southern rock and West Coast country, delivered with an assured and accomplished touch.
‘Burgundy Street’ boasts collaborations with some of Sally-Anne’s favourite Australian singers, songwriters and musicians including James Craswell aka Jimmy Craz, Rae Moody, Allison Forbes and Mick Pealing of country-rock band Stars. The album’s creator muses, ‘I wanted an album full of songs that meant something to me, that were groovy, and that we wanted to play live’.
FOCUS TRACKS
‘Watch It Burn’ – This lead single, is about doing life your way, staying true to yourself, and not being afraid to say good bye to people or things that are no good for you. A blues rock number, it’s no surprise that Sally-Anne was listening to a lot of Robben Ford and John Hiatt just before this track was born.
‘Tennessee Lullaby’ - written after chatting with fellow Tamworth singer-songwriters Rae Moody and Allison Forbes about families, kids and life. The title was inspired by Rae’s top pick for baby names. This track is almost a wistful kind of love and longing song. Love and longing for a place we miss and a simple life.
‘Misfit’ - Sally-Anne and co get down and a little dirty here. Lyrically, Sally-Anne pulls no punches and mate Matt O'Leary has the starring role on harmonica. We all know those air-kissing, fake members of society depicted in the song.
‘You Can't Hide From A Broken Heart’ – This was co-written by Allison Forbes and explores grief and loss. Having already booked a trip to the USA, when a list of death and disasters occurred for Sally-Anne’s family, she was in two minds about going. With no refunds available, the trip went ahead and Sally-Anne thought it would do her good to get away. The singer soon realised you can't escape grief and sadness, it will follow you everywhere.
‘Take My Love’ – Loving a good blues shuffle, this track is a staple in Sally-Anne’s set list. Written by Little Willie John, a great blues singer from the south, the Tamworth singer discovered it on a Jon Cleary album years ago. Honourable mention to Alwyn Aurisch's very tasty guitar playing here aka Stevie Ray Vaughan re-incarnate.
‘Split Decision’ - Mick Pealing of Australian country-rock band Stars lends his vocals talents for this track made famous by Bonnie Raitt. Originally written by Gary Nicholson and Al Anderson, who are no strangers to country and blues fans, it’s long been a favourite of Sally-Anne’s.
To request a download of the album, or for any more information, please get in touch.
General Music Media enquiries: Annie Johnsson Publicity annie@ajpublicity.com 0403 831 809
Country Music Media enquiries: KrisKat Publicity kris@kriskatpublicity.com.au 0414 334 348