Michelle Chandler

Coming to the Ironworks in Oswestry next Thursday is award winning Australian songwriter and performer Michelle Chandler with her new six track EP available.

Michelle has released five CDs and played live around the world billed with artists from Steeleye Span to Janis Ian as well as Wales own Julie Mathews and Chris While.

Michelle latest release tackles the subject of lust with the CD title Mohana being the Sanskrit word for infatuation.

The aptly titled Pretty Words opens the set and Sigi Gabrie's harmonica weaves through the reggae flavoured If You Ever Had A Heart. Trouble is a bluesy song with some stylish guitar while Brand New Day sweetly pictures a relationship on the rocks.

Things get gently steamy with Let's Just Kiss before Infatuation provides a spicy finish to complete a neat set of accomplished songs that should put a spring in your step. Be sure to get yourself a copy when you catch Michelle playing live next Thursday. - Barry Jones - Powys Country Times & Express (UK)

Michelle Chandler's voice is a friendly accessible thing that lifts innocence and unpretentiousness to a level we've heard only from Lisa Loeb and Suzanne Vega - that timbre that is wise and strong, but still willing to let go of all inhibitions without regret. Her CD, "Here and Now", begins with the title track and we immediately get the strong sense of love and dedication she offers with lyric, 'i am here and now and I'll do anything you want me to, anything at all, i am here and now, and I'll do everything that i can do to turn your head around. The easy pop chorused acoustic beauty is soothing and optimistic, while vulnerable. Track 2, "Visions", begins with beautiful guitarist sitarist musings with percussive native beats and xylophone flavors. Chandler's vocals enter as a mystery and we get the feeling the tune is an epilogue to 'little wing'. Track 5, "Before and After You", is a Travis-picking dream that is accentuated by gorgeous sax lines and piano nuances. Chandler sings, 'what am i supposed to do now when the darkness reappears, i must be getting stronger, but i just wish that you were here'. Track 9, "Simple Then", is a tribute to the past and produced with a drum-beat that completely represents the train of life that keeps moving. The final track is an R&B blues departure that includes some compelling chord movements that approach the jazz flavors of a Basia. Well done.

Don Kimenker
earBuzz
- earBuzz

Michelle Chandler's voice is a friendly accessible thing that lifts innocence and unpretentiousness to a level we've heard only from Lisa Loeb and Suzanne Vega - that timbre that is wise and strong, but still willing to let go of all inhibitions without regret. Her CD, "Here and Now", begins with the title track and we immediately get the strong sense of love and dedication she offers with lyric, 'i am here and now and I'll do anything you want me to, anything at all, i am here and now, and I'll do everything that i can do to turn your head around. The easy pop chorused acoustic beauty is soothing and optimistic, while vulnerable. Track 2, "Visions", begins with beautiful guitarist sitarist musings with percussive native beats and xylophone flavors. Chandler's vocals enter as a mystery and we get the feeling the tune is an epilogue to 'little wing'. Track 5, "Before and After You", is a Travis-picking dream that is accentuated by gorgeous sax lines and piano nuances. Chandler sings, 'what am i supposed to do now when the darkness reappears, i must be getting stronger, but i just wish that you were here'. Track 9, "Simple Then", is a tribute to the past and produced with a drum-beat that completely represents the train of life that keeps moving. The final track is an R&B blues departure that includes some compelling chord movements that approach the jazz flavors of a Basia. Well done.

Don Kimenker
earBuzz
- earBuzz

“Michelle Chandler has been honing her craft as a musician for many years. Influenced by songwriters like Van Morrison, Janis Ian, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, she began playing professionally at fifteen in small cafés and restaurants and attended many of the folk and music festivals around Australia. She was recognised very quickly as a talented artist performing in a variety of line-ups and delighting audiences everywhere with her original music.
An accomplished singer/songwriter, Michelle can lift an audience to new heights with her heartfelt music. The lyrics and melodies have often been described as healing, taking listeners inside themselves where they can share their feelings and experiences, wrapped in the safety and warmth of such beautiful music.
She has worked with a number of established performers including Janis Ian and Kristina Olsen, receiving high praise from both.
Michelle’s songs are renowned for getting to the heart of the matter, not being afraid to explore the human psyche for inspiration. She enjoys performing her music for a live audience whether in an intimate setting sharing in the responses of those listening or large auditoriums such as those found on the Festival circuit.
Her new CD, ‘Here and Now’ is yet another example of her extraordinary talent. The album features her band ‘the handful’, superb musicians whose skill and expertise add subtle layers to an already enlightening musical experience. Now you can hold the music in your hand while you feel it in your heart.”
- A n R Magazine - Issue #22

“Michelle Chandler has been honing her craft as a musician for many years. Influenced by songwriters like Van Morrison, Janis Ian, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, she began playing professionally at fifteen in small cafés and restaurants and attended many of the folk and music festivals around Australia. She was recognised very quickly as a talented artist performing in a variety of line-ups and delighting audiences everywhere with her original music.
An accomplished singer/songwriter, Michelle can lift an audience to new heights with her heartfelt music. The lyrics and melodies have often been described as healing, taking listeners inside themselves where they can share their feelings and experiences, wrapped in the safety and warmth of such beautiful music.
She has worked with a number of established performers including Janis Ian and Kristina Olsen, receiving high praise from both.
Michelle’s songs are renowned for getting to the heart of the matter, not being afraid to explore the human psyche for inspiration. She enjoys performing her music for a live audience whether in an intimate setting sharing in the responses of those listening or large auditoriums such as those found on the Festival circuit.
Her new CD, ‘Here and Now’ is yet another example of her extraordinary talent. The album features her band ‘the handful’, superb musicians whose skill and expertise add subtle layers to an already enlightening musical experience. Now you can hold the music in your hand while you feel it in your heart.”
- A n R Magazine - Issue #22

I receive many CDs to review as part of my job for the web site, although many of these CDs are good, especially for young talented musicians, every once in a while a disc comes along that blows me away. 'Inside Out' is one of those discs. The first time I heard it, I immediately played it a second time to catch the nuances I missed on first listen.

Michelle is not only a gifted guitar player; she is a talented songwriter and accomplished vocalist. Michelle has released two more CDs since 'Inside Out' and I unfortunately have not had the pleasure of hearing them yet, but if 'Inside Out' is any indication of the growth we can expect we are in for a real treat.

The opening track, 'If We Try' is a slow number that says that if everyone tried hard enough we could change the world. She has a wonderful outlook and a keen insight. 'Faith' features lovely mellow guitar work and another chance for Michelle's voice and vision to shine. 'Slipped Away' is my favourite track on the album and brings about memories of such immortals as Patty Larkin. A must hear. The guitar part is catchy and refreshing. Michelle also includes story songs such as 'Running Out', the story of a junkie from her past. 'Blue' invokes jazzy and sultry undertones showing Michelle has quite some range. It is a sad love song. "You told me that you loved me/then you changed your mind/what am I to do/when will you be true/to me." The song reminds me of a smoke filled nightclub where the patrons are all getting drunk to forget their problems.

While the disc is fantastic when played as a whole some other bright spots include 'Middle of the Night' a song about being alone at night, while the words are sad the music is somehow uplifting. 'Only Time Will Tell' breaks from the tone of the rest of the CD and features a very upbeat feel. Michelle has a strong sense of rhythm on the guitar. 'Down The Road' is a beautiful instrumental that for some reason reminds me of Jimmy Page when he played acoustic guitar. Michelle slows things down on 'Doesn't Anybody Know', a deeply intelligent love song. "You tell me that you're so confused/well it's your heart I am trying to steal/you say that only time will tell/but I can't help how I feel/and as I sit and think of you/I watch the night subside/and try to picture you're pretty face/smiling down at mine."

I once read an article that said writing the music review is the most difficult writing job there is because you have to convey sounds through only the use of words. All I can say is give this CD a listen and I am sure you will not be disappointed.
- Dennis Halsey - The Best Female Musicians (US)

Girls 2 'Waking' is a collaboration between Michelle Chandler (see review of 'Inside Out') and Denise Smith. It was released a year prior to 'Inside Out'. I can not say enough good things about this disc also.

These two artists joined by a complimentary full band release some music that should be much more popular than it is. This is not to say that it is pop music, quite the contrary is true. The music is Acoustic Adult Alternative at its finest. Denise Smith's voice is as beautiful as Michelle’s is and these two artists compliment each other perfectly.

There is a certain upbeat and funky feel to this disc. I am reminded of artists like Rickie Lee Jones. When one hears music like this it causes them to wonder why these people are not stars in a world where culture is controlled by big business. If Michelle and Denise were making music when Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez were at their height I would see no problem mentioning their names in the same sentence. They even poke a bit of fun at the idea in the song 'Go Your Own Way'. "She'll lie/She'll tell you things/She'll tell you things/But she won't give herself away/Says she's gonna be a star/Be a star. Be a star/But she won't live to tell the tale."

The use of rhythm on this album is extraordinary. 'Eastern Shores' is an upbeat number with nice guitar work by four separate guitarists as well as a cornet part by Russell Smith. This tune has a bit of a jazzy feel to it. 'You', written by Michelle Chandler comes as close to a rock and roll number as exists on the disc. The electric guitar is intelligent but does not try to steal the show. 'Just A Fool' was co-written by Chandler and Smith. It is a great song reminiscent of that feeling of the early part of a love relationship. "I wait around for you to show/With just a glimpse of you/I know/I'm gonna go crazy/I just wanna talk to you/I wanna get close to you."

The least accolade I can give the CD is that it shines. It is nice to hear these artists complimented by a full band. They obviously have a unique understanding of how instrumentation works together and knowing when it is time for one to take the lead while the others lay back. This is perfect music for Sunday mornings or late night conversations in bed. I highly recommend this disc.

Dennis Halsey - The Best Female Musicians.
- Dennis Halsey - The Best Female Musicians (US)

I receive many CDs to review as part of my job for the web site, although many of these CDs are good, especially for young talented musicians, every once in a while a disc comes along that blows me away. 'Inside Out' is one of those discs. The first time I heard it, I immediately played it a second time to catch the nuances I missed on first listen.

Michelle is not only a gifted guitar player; she is a talented songwriter and accomplished vocalist. Michelle has released two more CDs since 'Inside Out' and I unfortunately have not had the pleasure of hearing them yet, but if 'Inside Out' is any indication of the growth we can expect we are in for a real treat.

The opening track, 'If We Try' is a slow number that says that if everyone tried hard enough we could change the world. She has a wonderful outlook and a keen insight. 'Faith' features lovely mellow guitar work and another chance for Michelle's voice and vision to shine. 'Slipped Away' is my favourite track on the album and brings about memories of such immortals as Patty Larkin. A must hear. The guitar part is catchy and refreshing. Michelle also includes story songs such as 'Running Out', the story of a junkie from her past. 'Blue' invokes jazzy and sultry undertones showing Michelle has quite some range. It is a sad love song. "You told me that you loved me/then you changed your mind/what am I to do/when will you be true/to me." The song reminds me of a smoke filled nightclub where the patrons are all getting drunk to forget their problems.

While the disc is fantastic when played as a whole some other bright spots include 'Middle of the Night' a song about being alone at night, while the words are sad the music is somehow uplifting. 'Only Time Will Tell' breaks from the tone of the rest of the CD and features a very upbeat feel. Michelle has a strong sense of rhythm on the guitar. 'Down The Road' is a beautiful instrumental that for some reason reminds me of Jimmy Page when he played acoustic guitar. Michelle slows things down on 'Doesn't Anybody Know', a deeply intelligent love song. "You tell me that you're so confused/well it's your heart I am trying to steal/you say that only time will tell/but I can't help how I feel/and as I sit and think of you/I watch the night subside/and try to picture you're pretty face/smiling down at mine."

I once read an article that said writing the music review is the most difficult writing job there is because you have to convey sounds through only the use of words. All I can say is give this CD a listen and I am sure you will not be disappointed.
- Dennis Halsey - The Best Female Musicians (US)