Bryen Willems
Too Cold At Home
© 2007 Bryen Willems (9326806009315)
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Music redolent of humid backwoods lethargy where even the most foot stomping track is delivered with a laid back drawl; music that is rugged, unpretentious, honest, and real.
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BRYEN WILLEMS
BRYEN WILLEMS
Bryen Willems (a.k.a. “the Swamp Duck”) usually fronts five piece band Bryen and the Bayou Boogie Boys - playing a mix of originals and drawing from a virtual treasure trove of the best country, blues, swamp and southern rock from the last 50 years.
Bryen’s debut album TOO COLD AT HOME was released early 2007. Recorded at Unit 4 Studios, with producers Gary Brown and Les Scott – the album is a collection of originals and songs that have influenced Bryen over the decades.
In addition to fronting his own band, Bryen also has the privilege of playing bass or guitar and providing backing vocals for local country band Tall Timbre. You can also find him regularly playing alongside one of Australia’s top country vocalists Nicki Gillis, featuring in many duets.
Bryen has worked as an announcer in country radio on Sydney's 2RRR88.5FM and at Festival 101.5FM during many Tamworth Country Music Festivals.
His musical interest was sparked only after settling down in Australia, having moved from his Louisiana home with wife Karen. An Australian citizen for a number of years now, Bryen’s musical influences are of bayou heritage with an Australian flavour.
His debut album TOO COLD AT HOME, features self-penned tracks HONKY-TONK SONG, BEER AND LIPSTICK, co-writes DEEP DOWN I’M SHALLOW, BABY ARE YOU RUNNIN’ and the beautiful duet AS LONG AS I LIVE with songbird Nicki Gillis. With the first single HONKY-TONK SONG receiving good radio support.
Bryen’s new single DEEP DOWN I’M SHALLOW, co-written with Tim Costello, secured him a Top 20 finalist spot in the 2007 Unisong International Songwriting Competition.
Too Cold At Home – Distributed by The Planet Company
www.bryenwillems.com
www.myspace.com/bryenwillemsmusic
www.theplanetcompany.com
For interview and further details:
RUM Entertainment Ph/fax 02 4285 1461 (m) 0439 730 460
rum@rumentertainment.com www.rumentertainment.com
Bookings Phone:
(m) 0413 153 884
Updated
Reviews:
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Review In Rhythms Magazine August Issue
BRYEN WILLEMS
Too Cold At Home
Leap Records/Planet
Folks, we have our very own Tony joe White living and breathing amongst us. His name is Bryen Willems. From Louisiana, Willems brings genuine Southern swamp sounds and mixes ‘em up with some honky-tonk, a Nashville outlaw element, and adds some Australian flavour for good measure.
Too Cold At Home is Willems’ debut album and portrays him as both a gifted interpreter and an emerging songwriter. But the first thing you’ll notice about Willlems is that voice – Tony joe meets Waylon in Willems’ sonorous drawl, lending these 11 songs incontrovertible authority.
Okay, lets look at Willems’ selection of covers first. Any album that opens with a Steve Young track will inevitably get my attention and Too Cold At Home kicks off with an explosive rendition of ‘Lonesome, On’ry & Mean’ a version, Willems attests, that has been officially approved by the author himself. This is immediately followed by a cool and swaggering interpretation of Johnny Paycheck’s ’11 Months and 29 Days’ and by now you have a fair idea of where Willems’ influences lie. There’s also a sweetly swinging take on Roy Acuff’s ‘As Long As I Live’, a duet that contrasts Willems’ deep tones with the bird-like voice of Nicki Gillis.
As far as the originals go, it’s rewarded to hear Willems injecting his own personality into his compositions rather than merely aping his heroes. ‘Deep Down I’m Shallow’ demonstrates that Willems has a firm grasp of the Australian sense of humour, ‘Honky-Tonk Song’ tackles the age old generation gap issue, ‘Beer and Lipstick is classic barroom ballad, and ‘Baby Are You Runnin’’ introduces an irresistible Western Swing attitude, complete with some feisty fiddle courtesy of Mark Oats. In fact, Willems’ band is pretty much faultless throughout, suggesting Bryen and the Bayou Boogie Boys would be a live band worth chasing down.
MARTIN JONES
RHYTHMS MAGAZINE
AUG 2007
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ALTERNATE HIGHWAY
Let It Slide!
By Keith Glass
Guitars and more guitars feature on our multi-national releases this month with the accent on the raised fret-boards of Dobro’s, steels and a 12 string for good measure.
First up the debut release from Alabama native, Sydney resident BRYEN WILLEMS titled too Cold At Home finds the hobby singer/songwriter/musician getting serious with the help of GARY BROWN and the late LES SCOTT in the producing chairs (as well as various many guitar based instruments) the redoubtable ALLAN TOMKINS on bass throughout and a cast of supporters that includes NICKI GILLIS (vocs). TOMI GRASO (steel) TRAVIS COLLINS and JAKE LARDOT (guitars) loads more but I’m sorry we are out of room. Must talk about the music. Bryen’s worn-in twang is the real deal on a mix of creditable originals (Deep Down I’m Shallow, Beer And Lipstick) and outlawish to reverent covers. For example, STEVE YOUNG’s Lonesome, On’ry & Mean kicks it off and the traditional spiritual Just A Closer Walk With Me is the closer. The crew and artist all sound like they are having the time of their lives and as Bryen commented “making albums could become addictive.” It’s never too late to start cold and take it on home.
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Review by Ronnie and Rossco (R & V Photographers)
www.hotsource.com.au
One great thing about reviewing CD's is that you get the chance to listen to a wide variety of styles.
On odd occasions you discover a musician that is really passionate about his music.
Louisiana born Bryen Willems is one of those musicians.
Bryen has the Bayou country music / Honky Tonk / Cajun music styles all rolled into one tight package in his debut album Too Cold At Home.
The first track, Lonesome has the feel of travelling on a bus as the countryside passes you by, tapping fingers to the beat of the music.
The second track, 11 Months 29 Days has a similar feel-good laid back style.
Track 3, Too Cold for Home has a real country drawl to it, a pleasant relaxed feel to the whole song.
Track 4, Deep Down I'm Shallow has an early Creedance Clearwater vibe. Great structure and beat.
Track 5, As Long as I Live, a duet with Nicki Gillis is one of those country love songs with fiddle solos and a smooth guitar melody to keep the listener tuned to the last note.
Track 6, Highway Junkie. What's a country based album without a trucker's song? This is the one! Trucks, wheels,whitelines and long hauls, great song!
Track 7, Honky Tonk Song, is a tongue in cheek song that makes a mockery of the cheesy sort of country music love songs. Byren's charming grassroots American drawl really give this tune that extra 'punch'.
Track 8, Another Day, is a racy tune with backing vocals, a snappy feel to the whole track. Made us think of a farm machinery commercial.
Track 9, Beer & Lipstick is another song that has a great blend of instruments that intertwine in and out of great lyrics
Track 10, Baby are You Running. More of the fiddle playing and racy guitar .Impressive.
Track 11, Just a Close Walk With Thee is a church style hymn that embraces the appeal of country music and rolls it into one.This tune seems to reflect Bryen's earlier aspirations in America to become a minister of the church. You can feel a "preacher to congregation" performance.
In Summary
Bryen Willems has delivered the goods with this debut album. In addition the album has some superb images on the cover and booklet, and an easy to read lyrics sheet.Basically the whole package is out to impress, and yes we were more than impressed.
If you're after a country music CD that has first class music both lyrically and musically then this is an album to grab.
8 out of 10 from us.
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COUNTRY MUSIC CAPTIAL NEWS – FEBRUARY 2007
SOUND ADVICE - REVIEW by DEBORAH MINTER
TOO COLD AT HOME - BRYEN WILLEMS (Independent)
Bryen Willems is a Louisiana-born Aussie who brought a piece of the bayou with him when he settled in Australia. Affectionately known as ‘the Swamp Duck’, Bryen writes and plays laidback music with the definite aroma of the bayou; in fact you almost want to slap at the mossies. His brand new CD Too Cold At Home is a fine collection of both originals and great, if not that well known, Cajun country tracks. His duet with the sweet-voiced NICKI GILLIS. As Long As I Live was written by the legend ROY ACUFF. Of his own songs, Deep Down I’m Shallow is a song that could definitely become a cult classic. Honky-Tonk Song pokes fun at ‘bubble-gum pop’ dressed up as country music. Bryen Willems plays music that is rugged, unpretentious, honest and it’s real; to quote his bio, ‘If you want some nancy-boy, sissy, pseudo-country pop stuff, look elsewhere!’
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Profile Article In CAP NEWS:
COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL NEWS – APRIL 2007
SWAMP DUCK
BY DEBORAH MINTER
Louisiana-born BRYEN WILLEMS has imported his bayou-style of country music to his new home in Australia.
His music is redolent of humid backwoods lethargy where even the most foot-stomping track is delivered with a laid-back drawl. But it wasn’t always music that inspired him. Like any good southern boy, the driving force in Bryen’s life was the church. In fact, he was studying to be a minister when he and wife Karen moved to Australia and fell in love with the Land Down Under.
“We have made great friends here,” Bryen said. “Our kids were born here. It’s a country that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I like how you can disagree strongly with someone here and still be good mates. It’s also good that no matter how strong your opinion about something is there’s always someone near by to make fun of it!”
“After we moved to Australia I got involved in community radio at 2RRR. I finally got my chance to do my own country program, very early on Saturday mornings. My first day, I planned everything. I put the access codes to the back door and studio room into my diary so I wouldn’t forget them. I got to the station early, laid out all my CDs, my diary notes, my coffee and Snickers bar read to go. I did last minute nervous trip to the loo … and the door to the studio slammed shut behind me I locked myself out! Through the door I could hear the taped overnight program as it ran out and there was nothing but dead air! What a winner!”
Bryen also became involved in the live music scene, working with bands culminating with BRYEN & THE BAYOUR BOOGIE BOYS. Bryen also plays bass with TALL TIMBRE and performs in a duo with songstress NICKI GILLIS. “I play in as many bands as I can because I’m a gig junkie,” he admitted. I’m a sponge; I’m always learning, watching what works or what doesn’t, developing my own sound.”
Bryen combined with another self-confessed gig-junkie GARY BROWN to record his debut CD Too Cold At Home. Gary and the late LES SCOTT co-produced the album.
Bryen’s new single for the album is the cheeky Honky-Tonk Song. “I felt like hearing a good hard core country song. I turned on CMT (as it was then called) and as that time there was nothing on but sappy love song after sappy love song. All the singers looked more like what I would expect on MTV. Now I don’t mind a sappy love song every so often, but this was a constant dribble. So I got cranky, went out and wrote a song to make fun of it.”
Good friend Nicki Gillis sang with Bryen on the beautiful duet As Long As I Live. “Nicki and fiddle player JOHN LEE are responsible for the nickname ‘Swamp Duck’,” Bryen admitted. “We were driving home from a gig when I started talking about ducks. I’ve always liked ducks; how they look beautiful flying, they’re graceful swimming, look ridiculous walking, etc. According to them, I talked straight for about an hour about ducks.”
The album’s title track Too Cold At Home is one of Bryen’s favourite country songs. “The song takes you to a place and time; you can feel the stifling heart and the humidity. The reason it made the title of the CD is far less profound. We were going to name the album Too Hot To Fish, but the weather was cloudy, cool and overcast. So we did a different concept. Once we saw the photo with the chimney we knew we had the cover for the album. The name Too Cold At Home just jumped out as it fit the photo perfectly. Our intention was to do a photo that reflected the album name but we wound up with the photo naming the album!”
That’s typical of Bryen Willems; always open to change, but he knows a good thing when he finds it. Bryen didn’t join the Ministry, but he did become a proud Australian citizen several years ago.
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ALBUM SYNOPSIS
TOO COLD AT HOME
BRYEN WILLEMS
Recorded at: Unit 4 Studios, Brookvale, NSW
Produced by: Gary Brown and Les Scott
Engineered by: Gary Brown, Unit 4 Studios
Mixed and Mastered by Herm Kovac at Ramrod Studios
TRACKLISTING
1. Lonesome, On’ry & Mean (4:11) written by Steve Young
2. 11 Months And 29 Days (3:11) written by Johnny Paycheck and Billy Sherrill
3. Too Cold At Home (4:15) written by Bobby Lemoyne Harden
4. Deep Down I’m Shallow (4:17) written by Bryen Willems and Tim Costello
5. As Long As I Live – Duet featuring Nicki Gillis (3:34) written by Roy Acuff
6. Highway Junkie (3:10) written by Chris Knight
7. Honky-Tonk Song (3:28) written by Bryen Willems
8. Another Day, Another Dollar (2:00) written by Wynn Stewart
9. Beer And Lipstick (2:39) written by Bryen Willems
10. Baby Are You Runnin’ (2:31) written by Bryen Willems and Les Scott
11. Just A Closer Walk With Thee (2:57) Traditional
MUSICIANS
‘The Brookvalettes’: backing vocals Tracks 8 & 11 (Maryanne Burton, Shazza Gillies and Karen Willems)
Gary Brown: Tomkins Lap Steel Tracks 1 & 4 / Resonator Guitar Track 2 / Dobro Tracks 5, 9 & 10
Maryanne Burton: Backing Vocals Track 10
Travis Collins: Tomkins & Gibson SG Lead Guitars & Tomkins Baritone Guitar Track 1
Nicki Gillis: Backing Vocals Track 3 & Lead Vocals Track 5
Tomi Graso: Pedal Steel Tracks 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 11
Mark Kirk: Lead Guitar Track 2
Jake Lardot: Lead Guitar Tracks 3, 6, 7, 8 & 9
Greg McGrath: Drums and Percussion all tracks
Mark Oats: Fiddle Tracks 3, 5, 7, 10 and 11
Les Scott: Acoustic Guitars all tracks / Dobro Bass & Resonator Guitar Track 5 / Lead Guitar Track 4 / Backing Vocals Tracks 2, 3, 4 & 10
Glenn Skarrett: Mandolin Tracks 5 & 10
Allan Tomkins: Tomkins Bass Guitar all Tracks (except Track 5)
Bryen Willems: Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals Track 6
www.bryenwillems.com
www.myspace.com/bryenwillemsmusic
For interview and further details:
RUM Entertainment Ph/fax 02 4285 1461 (m) 0439 730 460
rum@rumentertainment.com www.rumentertainment.com
Bookings Phone:
(m) 0413 153 884
Updated March 2007
reviews
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Truly a great album, a MUST have!!!
author: Carolyn FM103.3 GoulburnBryen's unique voice with that good old country sound, is keeping it true country. Too Cold at Home has been my album of the month. Truly a great album, a MUST have.
Most original of the honky tonk genre available now!
author: john leeThis is a CD designed to keep you listening and enjoying terrific lyrics of the traditional country aestetic, with great instrumentals, yet each song offering a unique quality, feel and style. I highly endorse this rare musical treat!
Real country
author: Rudy WyattI cut my teeth on country music. I have been in the middle of country music all my life growing up in Texas and being an Okie from Oklahoma since 1967. I love Brian's album and the real country sound and get a chuckle from the words of his originals.
True Blue Country Sounds of Bryen Willems
author: Beth Brown (My Kinda Country)If you want to hear the true raw sounds of Country "To Cold at Home" is an album for you. Some great self penned songs and one I keep coming back to is"Baby Are You Runnin'. There is a touch of the Mighty Waylon,Wynn stewart,Johnny Paycheck on the album...Great Debut Album.
A must-have for any collector!
author: Suzy Stephens, Hampton Cove, AlabamaThe quintessential country album for the true collector. Within just moments of hearing the opening track, I was hooked. A nice mix of old favorites and new original music makes it perfect for traveling, perfect for a gathering. "Deep Down I'm Shallow" makes me laugh out loud and is a real toe-tapper.
Bryen's Unique sound with a slight Southern influence
author: Sam Smyth Bush Poets & Balladeers / Bush Tracks Radio Tank FM 10A great CD with Bryen's unique sound that undoubtly comes from his Louisiana back ground. So if you like good country music with a slight southern influence, I recomend you grab a copy of this CD
I love the Honky Tonk feel about Bryen's Album, it rocks xxx
author: Leonie McClureBryen, I really love the Honky Tonk feel about your album, and the fact that you shared some songs with Nicki is fantastic, you 2 go so well together, I really love the album it rocks Regards Leonie and John
Bryen Willems captures the true feeling of a Honky Tonk song
author: Merv Schapel producer/presenter "Honky Tonk Friday Night" GSFM 9His version of "Too Cold at Home" took me back to the great legends of country. Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and "Ole" Hank himself. Bryen was my guest on "Honky Tonk Friday night in April. What a great interview as we previewed his album - "Great work mate"
Bryen Willems has an instant classic with Honky-Tonk Song
author: Eddie White The Cosmic Cowboy Cafe 2RRRHonky-Tonk Song joins Nashville Rash and Murder On Music Row in exposing what is wrong with music today posturing as country. And I defy anyone to get Baby Are You Runnin' out of their heads after just one listen.
A slice of steel in a world of plastic!
author: Wayne Hockings - Cowboys & Outlaws RadioBryen's Too Cold At Home album? If you like Vern Gosdin,Ol'Waylon,Bill Chambers and integrity in music, this is for you. Like your first bourbon after a month of apple cider, pure heaven.
Best Honky Tonk Album I have heard in many years
author: Narelle Bason 89.3 2glfWow 11 great songs, Too Cold At Home has a good story to it,made me laugh, make sure you grab a copy you won't be sorry, just leaves you begging for more.
classic album 11 corker songs
author: Mary HeardBryen''s choice of songs for this album is exceptional and his original's sit right in there with those wonderfully unpredictable covers he has dug up. Sounds like they had alot of fun in the studio making this one too - lots of great instrumentation and vocal harmonies.
This album took me back to my days in Mudgee great Country Music loved As Long A
author: GloriaI loved it every song is different I loved As Long As I Live and of course Deep Down I'm Shallow is fantastic,I thought about many couples in that song. I love Bryens tone so Country. I thought Too Cold At Home was so true in many cases.
Loved DEEP DOWN I'M SHALLOW
author: GRIFF from Baton RougeDEEP DOWN I'M SHALLOW says it all. I fell out laughing the first time I heard it and I still chuckle every time I pop the CD into the player. His version of JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE reminds me of a simpler time down here on the bayou.
Could win a Golden Guitar Award with this one!
author: cheryl griswoldI must say I had a hard time taking this CD out of rotation in my car's stereo. This new work clearly demonstrates Bryen's unique songwriting talent, Southern singing style and his recognition of that traditional country instrumental style and will delight the listener. A mighty step above so much else out there....
very good, nice vibe to album
author: Kenneth IrvinAll 11 songs are great, need more like these.
Great Album. Bryen Willems #1 Swamp Duck
author: Mr BreezeBring on that Swamp (Duck). Great Grooves, great feel, great tunes. It's never Too Cold at Home when this Album is playing. Hope he has a good Accountant!?!?!
close your eyes and picture yourself in a honky tonk
author: Shepif you are into gravelly honky tonk tunes sung by a mans man... this albums for you
Top album especially tracks 1 & 7
author: Geoff Fieldus @ 91.1 2CBD Deepwater NSWG'day Bryen, great first album would have to be one of the best "country" albums released this year and if track 3 could refer to the USA, then we're glad you're here.
Certainly not "Cold at Home" when playing this Album
author: Merle at 97.1 Sweet FMPlaying the Album on Burdekin Country and good feedback from listeners.
Interesting voice and a great approach to modern country
author: Wally Sparrow - Radio AdelaideAn interesting voice - surely he is Waylons love child. Bryen has a great approach to modern country and includes some top musicians.
Great album, especially Deep Down I'm Shallow and To Cold at Home!!
author: Dave Hibb.G'day Bryen. Great album, especially Deep Down I'm Shallow and To Cold at Home!! Great vocals and guitar!! It's good to hear some old style country!!
This CD is a must have for serious ....
author: Big Al Field Triple U FM Radio Nowra AustraliaMy listeners melted my hot line after I interviewed Bryen about this CD and reviewed the album on air. It is one of the best country CD's released this year and is a must have for serious country music fans. Buy it!
loved the whole album
author: maureen palmerHas a great country feel, loved the sound of the dobro. Very professionally done for a first album.