Barry Saunders

Waikato Times "Zodiac" Review

Tue, 26 May 2009 12:55:28 +1200

There is always the essence of the spirit of the New Zealander in the reflective songs of Barry Saunders. Whether via his ever popular domestic country band The Warratahs or on his solo albums including Weatherman, Magnetic South and particularly Red Morning, Saunders’ best tales are borne of New Zealand. And combined with encompassing the landscape of the country in his troubadour-inspired lyrical structures, the focus is on deliveries from the heart. And what sets the songs alive is Saunders’ unique rhythmic swagger…. For full review check out Reviews section.

This is my Uncle George’s band at the Oamaru Station in...

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:34:19 +1300

This is my Uncle George’s band at the Oamaru Station in 1922. (Uncle George holding the bagpipes). Since they all went to the first World War when they were 17 or 18 I should imagine they are 21 or 22 in this photo.

THE DOMINION POST - 12th December

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:51:00 +1300

4 stars

“….. In and around the sterling original creations that make up Zodiac is a version of The Phoenix Foundation’s Going Fishing; it just might be the best cover of 2008 and, in keeping with the honesty that has allowed Saunders to craft his look, sound and feel, this is no tongue-in-cheek bid to be cool, it is simply a great interpretation of a fine song.”

(For full review check out Reviews section)

Otago Daily Times Review

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:56:15 +1300

Four stars (out of 5)

When Warratahs frontman Barry Saunders takes The Phoenix Foundation’s Going Fishing and reshapes it as a country ballad, he does so with the quiet confidence of a man who can trust his instincts.

And despite the ever-present lyrical pointers to a fragile ego and a questioning mind, his place as an artist of substance is only enhanced by Zodiac - yet another strong solo album….

For full review check out Reviews section

Do You Believe? (Dark Horizons), Track 9 on Zodiac.

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:33:37 +1300

Do You Believe? (Dark Horizons), Track 9 on Zodiac.

NZ Herald 29 Nov 2008

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:47:08 +1300

Rating: * * * *

Saunders’ previous solo albums outside the Warratahs have always seemed to promise more than they deliver, but on this album of broad emotional reach and highly focused writing he delivers his best yet.

In a couple of places he invites favourable songwriting comparisons with Paul Kelly (the standout is the taut and bitter To Roberta) but he also brings a grounded country flavour (Still No Word From You)….

(check out the full review in the Reviews section)

Review by Graham Reid www.elsewhere.co.nz

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:12:00 +1300

“By my count this is Saunders’ fifth solo album, and is by far the strongest from the Warratah frontman…

…Saunders is also a poet of the road like Joe Ely (Fade, Start Up Again) but this album is very much born of this country, no more so than the final song Walking New Year where he conjures up the dawn of another year against the backdrop of the old, and perhaps the promise of the Treaty to heal this land…. Terrific album.”

For full review please visit http://www.elsewhere.co.nz/music/2031/barry-saunders-zodiac-ode/

All Day Bay, track 8 on Zodiac.

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:27:06 +1300

All Day Bay, track 8 on Zodiac.

Start Up Again, track 7 on Zodiac.

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:06:24 +1300

Start Up Again, track 7 on Zodiac.

"One of New Zealand's few, true troubadours" says Nick Bollinger on Radio New Zealand National

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:16:49 +1300

"One of New Zealand's few, true troubadours" says Nick Bollinger on Radio New Zealand National

Fade, Track 6 on Zodiac

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:30:18 +1300

Fade, Track 6 on Zodiac

To Roberta, Track 4 on Zodiac.

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:28:07 +1300

To Roberta, Track 4 on Zodiac.

Interview with Barry on Spareroom

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:44:39 +1300

Interview with Barry on Spareroom

Here Comes Tomorrow, track one on Zodiac. There are two versions...

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:08:00 +1300

Here Comes Tomorrow, track one on Zodiac. There are two versions of the song on Zodiac, the ‘single’/video version closes proceedings.

North & South review

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:42:58 +1300

“This is at least the fifth solo album from The Warratahs’ main man and as usual Saunders’ keen eye for the sharp details of low-key New Zealand is part of his lyrical focus – singing about the land and the people as he always has. There’s that Don Gibson sound of real, pure country in his voice and the laconic acoustic guitar strum. But it’s not all dreary and lonesome; Saunders finds musical company with the Phoenix Foundation, even covering their song “Going Fishing”. It transcends any idea of being a novelty cover. And, as always, the original material stands up as among our finest.”

NORTH & SOUTH / December 2008

Zodiac now available on iTunes, amplifier and digirama

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:43:00 +1300

amplifier

digirama

“Still No Word From You”, Track 2 on Zodiac.

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:04:55 +1300

“Still No Word From You”, Track 2 on Zodiac.

Photo

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:55:24 +1300

Barry’s take on The Phoenix Foundation’s...

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:48:47 +1300

Barry’s take on The Phoenix Foundation’s “Going Fishing”, track 3 on Zodiac.

New album "Zodiac" is released November 17, 2008

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:43:21 +1300

As with his previous acclaimed “Red Morning” album, “Zodiac” has again been produced by David Long, with musicians including Long, Craig Terris on drums, Jules Desmond on bass, fellow Warratah Nik Brown on violin and backing vocals from Samuel Flynn Scott and Caroline Easther. The album was recorded at Trident Studios in Wellington.

“Originally it was to be four songs toward a ‘best of’ album, but the baby started to grow and we ended up with a new album.” says Barry. ”I loved the raw feel of the band and once again felt like the songs were moving somewhere. I have a version of The Phoenix Foundation’s Going Fishing. I love the lyrics and have turned it into pretty much a country ballad. I played piano for the first time on this album, also played quite a lot of electric guitar. The album has a good played feel to it and I’m looking forward to taking these songs out for a ride.”

“Zodiac” tracklisting is:

Here Comes Tomorrow

Still No Word From You

Going Fishing

To Roberta

Dark Star

Fade

Start Up Again

All Day Bay

Do You Believe? (Dark Horizons)

Walking New Year