Hirst & Greene

Rob Hirst and Paul Greene have each already represented Australia at the highest level - Rob as a founding member of internationally respected Midnight Oil, and Paul Greene as an athlete in Australia's team for the 1996 0lympics and 1998 Commonwealth Games. In fact, Rob and Paul met in 1999 when Rob was co producing an "Olympic Record" - a CD of original compositions that united athletes and musicians, and was released to coincide with the Sydney Games the following year.

Rob and Paul's similarly positive personalities and musical chemistry drew them into a longer relationship that is now bearing fruit. Throughout his sporting career, Paul's first love was always music- he's an instinctive guitarist and effortless singer. Rob Hirst is also a strong vocalist - his voice is at the heart of most of Midnight Oil's best-known choruses. Rob's mid-range, slightly weathered tones complement Paul's soaring, crystal-clear delivery, and it is the blending of these two distinctive voices - along with their emotive song writing - that is at the heart of their debut recording ('In the Stealth of Summer' - to be released on ABC's 'Roots Music Label', March, 2005).

On stage it's sparkling musicianship and relaxed banter - personal/universal themes delivered with humor. Rob's voice, 6-string acoustic and stomp box join forces with Paul's voice, 12-string acoustic and harmonica to stimulate any audience and fill any room. The album is similar, but with some sonic reinforcement by way of Rob's and Lee Moloney's drums, D.C. and Jim Moginie's guitars, Rob Woolf's keys, Rick Grossman’s bass and Pete West's cello.

The result sits alongside the best of contemporary song writing, with strong emphasis on melody and with considerable variety. The album's arresting opener, 'Comfort In Her Own Skin', charges along on a raga-like drone, only to be followed by the dreamy/angelic 'Still' - which, in turn, is followed by the blunt, gruff 'Boomtown' - Rob's 'sailor's lament' for a Sydney once loved and now gone. Later comes 'When God's not Busy', as much a prayer for peace as a song of hope, and the desert roots of 'River Runs Both Ways'. All in all, a collection of diverse, life-affirming songs, delivered with maximum spirit and skill.

In Paul Greene, Rob Hirst has stumbled across a most worthy collaborator - a troubadour with a sense of adventure, an accomplished guitarist, an independent soul, a rare voice. Together they have mined a rich vein in the singer/songwriter genre, and with this new CD Hirst and Greene launch a sublime new project from two of Australia's most talented musicians.
This Hirst & Greene album is a true delight... a collection of songs which reach back into the special Lennon and McCartney skills of tight harmonies and great, sharp songs. I am hugely impressed. Bruce Elder – Sydney Morning Herald