Penny FlanaganCountry of origin:Australia Type of music generally:Contemporary folk, folk/rock, folk/pop, mainstream pop Status:Most recent release, "Lap It Up" (single, as Penny Flanagan and the New Moon, 2013) See also:Penny Flanagan's Facebook page Comparisons:Tania Bowra, Jonatha Brooke Covers/own material:Mostly own material with some covers General comments:Penny Flanagan has been part of the Australian music scene for a long time. She started out in the late '80s as half of the folk/pop duo Club Hoy, then after Club Hoy disbanded, struck out on her own. Penny doesn't have a very high public profile (she doesn't tour that much) but has worked with some of the best, including members of The Church and Crowded House. She's a gifted songwriter with a knack for taking melodies in unexpected directions, and a talent for writing about flawed relationships and the flawed people in them. Musically, Flanagan writes the kinds of songs that can shine in different settings—stripped back to their acoustic bones, or in more complex arrangements. A very talented artist who is one of my favourites. (Sherlyn.Koo) Comments about live performance:Penny's an excellent live performer. Over the past few years I've seen her play solo, with her acoustic band (percussionist and piano), and with a full backing band. Of those, I'm probably more of a fan of the acoustic setting (either solo or with minimal backing), but that's due more to me and my folk leanings than an indication that anything is lacking with the full band. In any event, every time I've seen Penny in concert it has been a fine gig. If you get the chance to see her, go! (Sherlyn.Koo) Recommended first album:Seven Flights Up Recordings:
Bravado(as Penny Flanagan and the New Moon)Release info:1994—Regular Records—D31207 Availability:Available in Australia Ecto priority:Recommended Group members:Penny Flanagan—acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals Guest artists:Martin Armiger—percussion, piano, electric guitar, keyboards Produced by:Martin Armiger Comments:Many of the songs on Bravado remain in Penny Flanagan's live repertoire today. I do prefer the later two albums but this is still a very good album in the contemporary folk singer-songwriter vein. Some of the best songs here include "Lap It Up" (which received some airplay on Australia's youth/alternative radio network JJJ), "Piece of You" and "Dig". (Sherlyn.Koo) Seven Flights UpRelease info:1996—Stunt/Penny Dreadful Records—Stunt 023 Availability:Available in Australia Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Penny Flanagan—guitars, vocals Produced by:Martin Armiger Comments:An EP which "happened by accident" and which was recorded "for posterity", Seven Flights Up also happens to be an acoustic masterpiece. Flanagan explains in the liner notes that, after hastily throwing together an acoustic trio for a gig as a replacement for her regular band, none of whom were available, "it became clear...that it wasn't the 'next best thing to a pop band' but something entirely different altogether. Maybe something even better". Light SleeperRelease info:1998—Penny Dreadful Records—PD002 Availability:Available in Australia Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Penny Flanagan—acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals Guest artists:Chris Campbell—acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano Produced by:Tim (Spaceman) Powles Comments:A marked departure from the previous acoustic EP, Light Sleeper is another excellent album, but in a very different style. The songs here are far darker in tone (both sonically and lyrically), and most also (as the title would indicate) take place at night—sleeplessness is a theme woven through many of the songs in this album. Another recurring theme is attraction to dark and mysterious (and possibly destructive) relationships, a topic addressed in several songs on the album. The smooth pop production (Flanagan's first real foray into the world of non-acoustic-driven sound) also fits right in. There are many excellent songs on this album, including the opening track "Picasso With the Girl", "Kite", "The Calling" and a very different version of "Inseparable", a song recorded very effectively on the acoustic EP. A fine album which should appeal to many ectophiles. (Sherlyn.Koo) Further info:Email penflan @ virginbroadband . com.au Thanks to Sherlyn Koo for work on this entry.
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