Topanga [Bonus Track]

Personnel: Colin Hay (vocals, acoustic, electric, slide & baritone guitars);
John Clifforth (acoustic guitar, keyboards); Phil Butson, Kim Carroll (electric guitar); Gerry Hale (mandolin, fiddle); Martin Tilmann (cello); Greg Ham (saxophone); Bruce Haymes (piano, organ); Paul Gadsby, Joe Creighton (bass); Chad Fischer (drums, tambourine); Carol Hay (background vocals).
Recorded at Lazy Eye Studios, Topanga, California and Sing, Sing, Melbourne,
Australia.
Personnel: Colin Hay (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, baritone guitar); John Clifforth (acoustic guitar, keyboards); Kim Carroll, Phil Butson (electric guitar); Gerry Hale (mandolin, fiddle); Martin Tillman (cello); Greg Ham (saxophone); Bruce Haymes (piano, organ); Chad Fischer (drums, tambourine).
Recording information: Sing Sing, Melbourne, Australia; Topanga, CA.
Photographer: Isamu Sawa.
Arranger: Colin Hay.
Colin Hay's fourth solo release finds him in top form. An infectious collection of guitar-based tracks fleshed out by a full band, in a perfect world this would have been a hit album. Highlighted by the carpe diem anthem, "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin," there's not a weak song in the batch. Hay's songwriting skills, never bad to begin with, have been more finely honed on Topanga. Similar to musician Bruce Cockburn, his lyrics present a weathered view measured with compassion and insightful observations on his world -- both external and internal. Topanga is a good choice for those seeking intelligent songwriting and timeless songs. ~ Rob Caldwell