abbie cardwell

In the ever-popular country music scene, it is becoming more apparent that strong female singer/songwriters are taking over the industry and deservedly so. But the next contender in female country music is Abbie Cardwell, who is most definitely a talented musician, playing the vast majority of instruments on her latest release The Bare Bones Session. Cardwell provides us with a stereotypical country record that maintains a very upbeat, fast-paced tempo, which perfectly suits her enthusiastic vocal ability.

The Bare Bones Session was recorded entirely without editing, dubbing or over-recording, just simply recording what is being played in the studio, which is fairly unheard of in this day and age, but very admirable as no one would be able to tell otherwise. Of the 11 tracks on this record, eight of them are original tracks written by Cardwell, and the remaining three are covers of some of her influences including Ryan Adams, Bobby Gentry and Timbuk 3.

From the first introduction, audiences are instantly drawn into their inner country spirit with a quite uplifting banjo riff in the opening track 52 Pick Up. Cardwell’s lyrics are filled with cliché’s from “my glass is half full, yours is half empty” and “cry me a river boy,” although we may have heard these lines time and time again, they are made quite original by the tone and attitude that Cardwell provides with her vocals.

Candystore, the following track on the album, sees a ukulele act as a very sweet element to the already sugar-filled lyrics. Cardwell mixes her soft, innocent vocals with her tough, grungy style within each line and she adds as much flair and personality as a woman could possibly contain.

Her beautiful rendition of Come Pick Me Up by Ryan Adams is one of the greatest moments on the album. Cardwell adds a very dominant harmonica to one of the softest acoustic tracks ever made as well as providing a female perspective to a traditionally male heartbreak song.

Abbie Cardwell proves why she is truly one of Australia’s greatest female country talents on this 45-minute spectacle. Her range of musical talents are truly on show, from deep, unique songwriter to multi-instrumentalist, she has every stone turned and will surely blossom further as a musician with her growing experience. - THE DWARF

"This brazen and beautifully honest album shuns technology for the magic that exists in the musical moment, to capture a perfectly measured dose of straight up superbly written country blues and two truly tasty covers, using the perfect combination of spice and sultriness, with precious space and a ton of soul to create a true timeless gem. Velvet & vine intertwined. 9/10."

Ken Eavel, "Go For Broke", 106.7 PBS FM

Chris Neave aka KEN EAVEL - PBS RADIO

"A sweet banjo lick leads into even sweeter vocals that will hook you
in to the rootsy rockabilly world of Abbie Cardwell, her brother Jeb
and phenomenal drummer... Recorded live with no editing or
overdubbing, this solid release showcases what music should be –
addictive genius you can have on repeat for weeks."

Jenny O'Keefe - Cherrie Magazine - CHERRIE MAGAZINE

"Abbie Cardwell shows that she's the real deal on her new record. Think Lucinda williams, Rickie Lee Jones, Sheryl Crow and Ryan Adams.

The album opens with a song called 3AM, and this is the perfect late-night track - simple and direct, but with a voice that aches. There's a rootsy cover of the Stones' Can't You Hear Me Knocking, but Abbie's sweet songwriting dominates proceedings, conveying both pain and pleasure.

Mixed by Nick Didia (Powderfinger, Bruce Springsteen), this is a world-class record.

2008 should be Cardwell's year."


Jeff Jenkins - Music Australia Guide/JB Hi-Fi Mag - JB Hi-Fi Magazine

South Australian singer-songwriter Abbie Cardwell displays vivid emotion, in both voice and lyrics.
Her new CD offers a wide-ranging synthesis of soul, blues and new country and showcases Cardwell's dexterity on acoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica and tambourine.
The album opens with 3am, a languid tale about a sleepless night.
The laid-back vocals continue, combining Cardwell's banjo and lovely lyrics in Goodnight, followed by the banjo-infused title track with its mention of Cardwell's "brother on steel string", Jeb Cardwell, whose evocative Dobro introduction on the Devil and Me" is an album highlight. By Hook Or By Crook is by any measure a gorgeous manifestation of a remarkable talent.

pb - The Border Mail

Former Adelaide lass Abbie Cardwell definitely has talent and
wisdom beyond her years. Her songs ignite with deep emotion and are performed with a raw passion
This songbird is a folk-loving, jill of all trades. She writes, sings, plays banjo, guitar and harmonica – and don’t forget her acting ability.
Her third album takes a while to warm up but when it does, the offerings are sublime.
Poverty is a touching and harrowing look at insufficiency, while Atlanta is
fun and nostalgic.
The album has an organic quality, comforting like a country home.


Candice Keller - The Advertiser Newspaper

If you’re up for a country mile’s travel down the brother sister folk/roots freeway, hang a left at Angus & Julia to arrive somewhere near Abbie and Jeb. Cardwell, that is. From Adelaide via America, Abbie is the vocalist as she joins older brother Jeb in Melbourne for this her fifth release. The duo employs an organic range of instruments, vocal overdubs and proven players including the established rhythm of drummer / artiste / suit tester Ashley Davies (Matt Walker / Might Servant), a consistent associate to quality such as this.

Matt James

But the spotlight is on Abbie and the results are impressive.

Within seconds this long player solidifies as suitable full player by setting your world to that of hers, a reservedly ebullient cool, countrified calm. With some effortless plucking, strumming and sweetly sung vocals on tracks like ‘3am’, ‘Goodnight’ and ‘Poverty’, it’s an ideal accompaniment in that golden hour of Sunday solitude, a long drive or freshly broken heart.

The album peaks with alt. country slacker ‘Chip Chip’ [“Chip chip, bit by bit, I’m gonna take my time�] followed by the catchy chorus of ‘Atlanta’. Earlier during ‘I Miss the Friend’ Cardwell exhibits a robust, lived-in voice somewhere between Mia Dyson and Joan Wasser (Joan As Policewoman) for another highlight. ‘Broken’ appears in band and solo versions with equal success, the latter accentuating the effect the F-word (not quite “folk�) can offer a slow song. Vibrant times with the rockier ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’, the grassy coastal jaunt of ‘Johanna’ and title track ‘By Hook or By Crook’ where Abbie sings “I got a banjo and songs to sing, I got a band and a brother on steel string�. Meanwhile ‘Fool’s Paradise’ [“I have no home, I have no home�] meanders from dusty trails to not quite middle of the road, remaining above the line of all things good and wholesome.

From her Triple J Unearthed win in 2002 to multiple other songwriting awards, strength gained from international tours with international artists (Mark Knopfler) and the grand prize of renowned engineer Nick DiDia (whose credits includes Springsteen, Aimee Mann, Neil Young, Train and Pearl Jam amongst others) working on this album, the result is that 'By Hook or By Crook' is a definite creeper and impossible not to like. A quick skim through does it no justice with the opening bars of many songs sounding equally hokey before Cardwell’s voice brings the stories, and as a whole it takes a few spins to fully absorb. Nonetheless it’s an assured effort from another quality local artist with further potential and perhaps, hopefully some slightly more lush arrangements down the road. Someone really should lock The Sleepy Jackson’s Luke Steele and Abbie Cardwell in a studio together to create what could be Album of the Year. This however is still one of 2007’s better releases.

The artwork on By Hook or by Crook is a detailed, gatefold textured brown paper layout and with its overall design, musicianship and production; it’s the type of album you’d take home to your Mum. Or buy as a Christmas present... but play it a few times and you’ll end up keeping it.
- Online-Zine

Abbie Cardwell's newest CD "By Hook Or By Crook" is a masterpiece. Easily one of the year's ten best. It's a beautiful blend of folk, blues and country influenced songs that have been painstakingly crafted by a songwriter that is at the top of her game.

This album is a definite "Must Have".

Mark - WOT90's Radio - Canada - WOT 90's Radio-CANADA

"ABBIE CARDWELL IS SUPERB! MORE PRESENCE THAN SANTA CLAUS!"

PETER GOERS - The Sunday Mail Newspaper