ROSA DUET - Barb Waters (Laughing Outlaw)
Melbourne singer-songwriter Barb Waters (ex-Crown of Thorns, The Rough Diamonds, Bad Audrey) has attempted and succeeded in reviving a seemingly dying art form in contemporary music Ôthe duetÕ with "Rosa Duet".

This is her second LP for Laughing Outlaw ("Til the Morning Comes" was her first) and features a wide array of guests resulting on a diverse and impressive 10-track album. It opens with the easygoing country tune "Thinking a Lot About You" with guest singer-songwriter Cyndi Boste. This track has some fine vocal work and faultless lead guitar work from arguably MelbourneÕs most in-demand country guitar player, Sam Lemann, (who appears throughout "Rosa Duet"). "Vacancy Signs" is another easygoing country tune with Dan Warner (from Melbourne duo Dan and Al) blending smoothly with a heartfelt vocal, and Mia Dyson contributing lap steel guitar.

"Make it Count" brings in ex-Scientist/Beasts of Bourbon/Surrealists guitarist Kim Salmon. Here is where Barb Waters realy shows the confidence to tackle a range of music styles. Further highlights include "Wipe Away My Tears", featuring Lisa Miller and Rebecca Barnard (ex-RebeccaÕs Empire), "When Will You Come My Way" (with ex-Triffids/Black-Eyed Susans vocalist Rob Snarski), "Jessie (Me and You)" with ex-Killjoys vocalist Anna Burley, "Split You Open", featuring ex-Reptile Nick Barker, and the country-bluegrass gem "Further Down the Line", with Melbourne quartet GIT and Rusty Rich from comedy duo Scared Weird Little Guys on banjo.

Those aware of dueta past will recall pairings like as Sonny and Cher, Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris and George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Yet as far as Australia goes, memorable parings seem to have been few and far between of these in recent times. The depth of talent and musicianship adds to these songs and performances, which are consistently impressive. Although "Rosa Duet" is not for all I-94 Bar patrons, it's a consistently unique and rewarding LP and a definite contender for one of the best Australian roots music releases of the year. - Simon Li

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