Music
Press
"....His dynamic vocal range captivated listeners, while his gentle banter between songs revealed a quick wit and easy humour.
Switching between various guitars, the award-winning singer proved his mettle as he performed songs from his independent debut album Autumn Flow.
But it was when Lior turned to the works of others that he really shone. His soulful rendition of Nick Drake's Day is Done was simply stunning. As was his encore, a cappella performance of a traditional Hebrew prayer.
Paired with the enchanting warmth of the Spiegeltent, Lior provided one of AK07's most intimate performances, and a much needed respite from the festival's chaotic line up.
The night marked Lior's final live performance before he returns to the studio to record his sophomore album. For those who missed out, watch this space. You will definitely be hearing from him again...."
Joanna Hunkin, The Highlights of AK 07'. March 20th, 2007
- The New Zealand Herald
"I heard Lior's album Autumn Flow, without any hype or spin, and thought i t was absolutely amazing. As a result, we invited him in for a session on the show, which received an incredibile response. As well as the gorgeous This Old Love, he played Bedouin Song, which perfectly illustrates how his Israeli background and history manifest themselves in his music. It's so soulful and moving." Janice Long, Feb 10th, 2007. - MUSIC WEEK UK
"Lior's laid back songs could make him Australia's answer to Hawaii's surfer dude Jack Johnson. Already making big waves back home, the Sydney based singer is easy on the ear and it comes as no surprise that Ministry of Sound included a couple of his songs in their Chillout Sessions.
What makes Lior a bit different is his Middle Eastern origin. Hints of that region's rhythms and tunes inform his sound, even his own intonation on the haunting Bedouin Song. Obvious standouts include the title track Autumn Flow, the perfect soundtrack to the season of mists and mellow fruit fruitfulness, and Daniel, more a summer breeze of a song. Pleasant, undemanding but with just enough soul, Lior has every chance to succees on the world stage." - The SUN Album Review, London
"Lior aptly demonstrated why his debut album Autumn Flow secured him three nominations at the 2005 ARIA awards for Best Male Artist, Best Independent Release and Best Breakthrough Artist. His vocals literally soared over the heads of the concert audience. Lior has a mellow, yet smooth and powerful voice which sounds as if he could easily sing some of the world's most heart-wrenching jazz songs. His music, inspired greatly by his childhood growing up in Israel, has a world music flavour with hints of Eastern sounds and instruments combined with an Australian contemporary base. His live versions of Bedouin Song, Sitting with a Stranger and This Old Love demonstrated the diversity of Lior's talent, as did his rendition of the current Triple J favourite Diego and the Village Girl. His parting gift to an already impressed audience was an a cappella version of a Hebrew prayer for compassion. The song was chilling - Lior put so much passion and feeling into it that the audience sat in awed silence until its completion..." - Cairns Post
DOORWAYS OF MY MIND
Lior
Independent
IN a word - beautiful. This is the live version of Lior's stunning debut Autumn Flow and I would have to say it is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. Recorded at the Northcote Social Club, it features all of his best work and at times, it feels like you are singing along in the audience. The album closes with a beautiful version of This Old Love, which was a huge bonus for me as it is one of my most favourite songs, full of pure romance. This album showcases the brilliant .... talent that is Lior.
INDIA LLOYD
Frances Rand
Entertainment Editor
- South Coast Registar
Discography
Debut Album 'Autumn Flow' released 2005. Sold over 65,000 copies in Australia with no label. Nominated for 3 ARIA Awards. Nominated for Triple J's 'Australian Album Of The Year'.
'This Old Love'
Breakthrough single. Played across all formats of Radio in Australia Pop, AC, Triple J, 'etc. B-List Rotation on UK's largest radio network, BBC Radio 2.
'Daniel'
Played across all formats of Radio in Australia Pop, AC, Triple J, etc. Rotation on UK's largest radio network, BBC Radio 2.
'Bedouin Song'
Played across all formats of Radio in Australia Pop, AC, Triple J, also played on World Music and Classical radio stations in Australia. Song featured on 'Idol' aired nationally.
[From forthcoming album 'Corner Of an Endless Road' due 9th feb 2008]'Heal Me' due for release in Australia on the 17th of NOV. Most played track on triple J last week. Releasing to commercial radio on the 19th of NOV.
'Doorways Of My Mind' LIVE ALBUM. Released Feb 2006. Nominated for 2 ARIA Awards.
Photos
Bio
To the casual observer Sydney singer-songwriter Lior emerged from nowhere back in 2005 with his stunning debut album Autumn Flow, but as is often the case with these matters this couldn’t be further from the truth. It was in fact the culmination of years of hard work by Lior, time spent honing both his songwriting and delivery down to the record that eventually captured hearts and minds all over the country.
The self-financed Autumn Flow – which perfectly showcased Lior’s rich voice and enchanting musical arrangements, as well as subtly reflecting his Middle Eastern heritage – in time became one of the most successful independent debuts in Australian history, garnering Lior three ARIA nominations and a swag of other awards, including a prestigious Triple J ‘J Award’ nomination for Album Of The Year.
But such accolades are merely diversions for Lior. Throughout of his career he has revealed a genuine love of the musical form that few can match, displaying an honesty and integrity in his music that unfailingly touches the souls of all who hear it. Not one to compromise his art for commercial considerations, Lior is genuinely all about the music, a sentiment reflected in the way that his following has blossomed organically, without the need for hype or propaganda.
Further adding to Lior’s overall appeal is his acclaimed live show, his laid-back charm and charisma (coupled with his furious touring ethic) causing demand to flourish to the extent that a live album Doorways Of My Mind was released in 2006, an unprecedented step for an artist with only one studio album on the shelves.
And it’s not only Australia who’s fallen head over heels for Lior’s distinctive allure. He has travelled internationally with the WOMAD festival – an incredibly inspiring experience as he recounts it – and Autumn Flow has been released (with accompanying bouts of touring) in Japan, Europe, the UK and America.
When time came to build on this solid foundation Lior spent the bulk of 2007 working on his follow-up album Corner Of An Endless Road, a move that has reaped handsome dividends. Lior’s affirming music may be hard to accurately portray with mere words, but who better to have a shot than the man himself;
“Corner Of An Endless Road is a true representation of my musical landscape; think Led Zeppelin jamming with Nick Drake at a teahouse somewhere in the Middle East.”
Lior, 2007
So there you have it: humble, hard-working yet precociously talented, Lior is a musician whose music gives more than it takes, offering a spiritually enriching experience for all involved and a reminder of a time when the music came first, and everything else was secondary.….
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