26 Apr 2024
McBride Uncut - The Sunday Star Times Review: McBride Uncut
08 Nov 2008 // A review by Kraven
Published in The Sunday Star Times on Sunday 26th October 2008. Article written by Adrian Wright.
The huntaway dog looked comfortable in front of the log burner while the rather large cat was content sitting on his orange blanket. The fire generated an even heat boosted by a recent helping of West Coast coal and a couple of blocks of white pine.
It was still raining outside and the trip to Greymouth had been interesting, brushes of snow on the highway but the warmth from this fire felt good as I settled back to catch up with singer-song writer Paul McBride.
He has weathered time, touched pain and sorrow but the loss of his wife Jill to cancer earlier this year hangs heavy on his personal life. I watched intently as he took a drink from his coffee mug and leaned back on the couch.
"I’m addicted to this stuff, a coffee is never far away from my grasp - actually we work very well together," he smiled.
The West Coaster has just released his debut album 'mcbride uncut' and he credits Jill as the catalyst, the inspiration behind the album.
"She was a brave and courageous womanbefore she died she told me to follow my music, finish my recordings, so I basically got my arse into gear - instead of just thinking about it."
Jill’s Song and My Yesterday are two tracks dedicated to his wife and very close to his heart.
"I wrote a song called 'All my love' when her cancer was first diagnosed - Jill used to love it, it used to motivate her, I would sing it to her all the time - I renamed it 'Jill’s Song' after she died. My Yesterday was a time of reflection and direction - I basically chilled out and took time out after her funeral. Went with the dog and the guitar to a friend’s batch out the Coast road. I just wanted to get away from people for a while. Had no intention of writing a song at the time but that’s what happens."
McBride gazed into the fire and reached out and patted his dog.
"I think it was Dylan who said if you have a guitar, you have got a friend for life, how true. It helped me during Jill’s fight, our fight. I struggle though to come to terms with the charades, the bullshit and the logistics which surrounded her treatment."
He looked up at me and shook his head. "But that’s another story, we won’t go there."
What makes a rugby league commentator, a racing and sports journalist, TV News cameraman, film director and producer suddenly decide to tackle the competitive world of music.
"I’ve never been afraid of adversity - it seems to follow me around, never been afraid of change. I’ve always had a guitar close by but I had other things on the go. It’s a challenge and something I want to do-I suppose with my music I’ve got more creative with age - hopefully wine like" he mused.
Mcbride-Uncut is an album rich in flavor, not over the top and not underdone. It portrays a raw element of basics - 12 original tracks of protest, passion and people.
"My music is my music I don’t try to follow any particular style but there is an influence of Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen and of course Dylan. Not intentional but I think their music rubs off on me, I don’t mind that."
He doesn’t conform to correctness, self taught the guitar and plays with a distinctive off beat style, which he says, could be a good thing or there again may not.
"What you hear is what you get - the trouble with society today is too many people worry about what they might say - who the hell are they. Family and true friends are what’s important to me. They have too big a bearing on too many peoples’ lives. Yeah I play the guitar with half beats and cuts, I like it that way, it’s not school of music, so what. Some of my songs have four beats to the bar, some have five and a couple of half beats as well but that’s how it is - a little tough on the band at times," he grinned.
McBride says his music is about people, relationships, events in our lives and whatever strikes a chord at the time of writing.
He says 'You’re not crying' is a protest song fuelled by mankind, the world leaders and the environment.
"I’m not a tree hugger, no definitely not but I support some of the green concept. Maybe I might write a song about 1080 - that’s an issue with me at the moment. Hell - don’t get me started on 1080. 80% of 1080 produced in the world is dumped on the West Coast - why? Because TB will cripple our meat industry - then find an alternative - 1080 is crippling our environment, our bird life and our people."
His eyes were intent as he gave me that now familiar shake of his head.
"When time unfolds - will government pay the people of the West Coast compensation or say we’re sorry we got it wrong."
According to this West Coaster who wears his heart on his sleeve the ear will decide what road he walks and where he plays his music once his album is released.
"If there is the demand then we will tour but the people will dictate that. We’ll get the band together, play a few local gigs, tighten up and look at hitting the road. I’m a bit like the full moon though - I don’t come out to play every night. I was in Christchurch recently and checked out the Town Hall - what an amazing facility. I stood on stage and got a feel for the acoustics. The Town Hall is on the agenda."
Though he has his international favorites, McBride is a fan of NZ music and rates Dragon and Split Enz highly, has the utmost respect for Brooke Fraser and Opshop.
"Split Enz were years ahead of their time, great music - Tim and Neil Finn have been the 'Dorsal Finn' of NZ music for years. I enjoy Brooke’s music, like her sound, like her style."
McBride reached over to one of three guitars on stands lining the far wall.
"This is the Lance Hohaia of the team - versatile, can play anywhere."
He lightly strummed the strings then adjusted to tune. As if on cue, Max the dog got up and flopped closer. The cat wandered across the floor, sat beside the tapping foot and gazed into the burning coals.
The rain had stopped, the flue creaked as the flames danced in time to the beat of the acoustic guitar.
McBride’s voice was grabbing, emotional and came from his heart as he began to sing 'Jill’s song.'
"I want to wake up in the morning - reach for you by my side.
I want to hear rain drops falling - I want to hear you calling - Girl.........."
Mcbride UNCUT is released this week and is available at music outlets and direct on www.mcbrideuncut.com
Published in The Sunday Star Times on Sunday 26th October 2008. Article written by Adrian Wright.
The huntaway dog looked comfortable in front of the log burner while the rather large cat was content sitting on his orange blanket. The fire generated an even heat boosted by a recent helping of West Coast coal and a couple of blocks of white pine.
It was still raining outside and the trip to Greymouth had been interesting, brushes of snow on the highway but the warmth from this fire felt good as I settled back to catch up with singer-song writer Paul McBride.
He has weathered time, touched pain and sorrow but the loss of his wife Jill to cancer earlier this year hangs heavy on his personal life. I watched intently as he took a drink from his coffee mug and leaned back on the couch.
"I’m addicted to this stuff, a coffee is never far away from my grasp - actually we work very well together," he smiled.
The West Coaster has just released his debut album 'mcbride uncut' and he credits Jill as the catalyst, the inspiration behind the album.
"She was a brave and courageous womanbefore she died she told me to follow my music, finish my recordings, so I basically got my arse into gear - instead of just thinking about it."
Jill’s Song and My Yesterday are two tracks dedicated to his wife and very close to his heart.
"I wrote a song called 'All my love' when her cancer was first diagnosed - Jill used to love it, it used to motivate her, I would sing it to her all the time - I renamed it 'Jill’s Song' after she died. My Yesterday was a time of reflection and direction - I basically chilled out and took time out after her funeral. Went with the dog and the guitar to a friend’s batch out the Coast road. I just wanted to get away from people for a while. Had no intention of writing a song at the time but that’s what happens."
McBride gazed into the fire and reached out and patted his dog.
"I think it was Dylan who said if you have a guitar, you have got a friend for life, how true. It helped me during Jill’s fight, our fight. I struggle though to come to terms with the charades, the bullshit and the logistics which surrounded her treatment."
He looked up at me and shook his head. "But that’s another story, we won’t go there."
What makes a rugby league commentator, a racing and sports journalist, TV News cameraman, film director and producer suddenly decide to tackle the competitive world of music.
"I’ve never been afraid of adversity - it seems to follow me around, never been afraid of change. I’ve always had a guitar close by but I had other things on the go. It’s a challenge and something I want to do-I suppose with my music I’ve got more creative with age - hopefully wine like" he mused.
Mcbride-Uncut is an album rich in flavor, not over the top and not underdone. It portrays a raw element of basics - 12 original tracks of protest, passion and people.
"My music is my music I don’t try to follow any particular style but there is an influence of Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen and of course Dylan. Not intentional but I think their music rubs off on me, I don’t mind that."
He doesn’t conform to correctness, self taught the guitar and plays with a distinctive off beat style, which he says, could be a good thing or there again may not.
"What you hear is what you get - the trouble with society today is too many people worry about what they might say - who the hell are they. Family and true friends are what’s important to me. They have too big a bearing on too many peoples’ lives. Yeah I play the guitar with half beats and cuts, I like it that way, it’s not school of music, so what. Some of my songs have four beats to the bar, some have five and a couple of half beats as well but that’s how it is - a little tough on the band at times," he grinned.
McBride says his music is about people, relationships, events in our lives and whatever strikes a chord at the time of writing.
He says 'You’re not crying' is a protest song fuelled by mankind, the world leaders and the environment.
"I’m not a tree hugger, no definitely not but I support some of the green concept. Maybe I might write a song about 1080 - that’s an issue with me at the moment. Hell - don’t get me started on 1080. 80% of 1080 produced in the world is dumped on the West Coast - why? Because TB will cripple our meat industry - then find an alternative - 1080 is crippling our environment, our bird life and our people."
His eyes were intent as he gave me that now familiar shake of his head.
"When time unfolds - will government pay the people of the West Coast compensation or say we’re sorry we got it wrong."
According to this West Coaster who wears his heart on his sleeve the ear will decide what road he walks and where he plays his music once his album is released.
"If there is the demand then we will tour but the people will dictate that. We’ll get the band together, play a few local gigs, tighten up and look at hitting the road. I’m a bit like the full moon though - I don’t come out to play every night. I was in Christchurch recently and checked out the Town Hall - what an amazing facility. I stood on stage and got a feel for the acoustics. The Town Hall is on the agenda."
Though he has his international favorites, McBride is a fan of NZ music and rates Dragon and Split Enz highly, has the utmost respect for Brooke Fraser and Opshop.
"Split Enz were years ahead of their time, great music - Tim and Neil Finn have been the 'Dorsal Finn' of NZ music for years. I enjoy Brooke’s music, like her sound, like her style."
McBride reached over to one of three guitars on stands lining the far wall.
"This is the Lance Hohaia of the team - versatile, can play anywhere."
He lightly strummed the strings then adjusted to tune. As if on cue, Max the dog got up and flopped closer. The cat wandered across the floor, sat beside the tapping foot and gazed into the burning coals.
The rain had stopped, the flue creaked as the flames danced in time to the beat of the acoustic guitar.
McBride’s voice was grabbing, emotional and came from his heart as he began to sing 'Jill’s song.'
"I want to wake up in the morning - reach for you by my side.
I want to hear rain drops falling - I want to hear you calling - Girl.........."
Mcbride UNCUT is released this week and is available at music outlets and direct on www.mcbrideuncut.com
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