Suzannah Espie & The Last Word - First and Last Hotel (2009)

Australia's queen of country soul, Susannah Espie and her band the last word release their second critically acclaimed CD. Produced by Charles Jenkins (ice-cream hands) and featuring an impressive line up of guests including Jeff Lang, Chris Altman (The Vandas) and Ian collard (collards greens and gravy) to name a few. Susannah's original songs brim with soul and country attitude; her voice is so rich and satisfying. Melbourne based Suzannah sang for many years with female trio git and with her pianist, Andrew 'Big Boy Lemonade' Ogburn, won the 2007 MBAS Blues performer of the year and flew to Memphis to represent Australia in the Blues awards there. Now, she has emerged as an astounding singer and songwriter in her own right. Her performances are mesmerizing: you are lulled by softness in her voice and then punched in the nose with it's sassy strength. And the songs themselves are also strong. Alongside her band the last word, Suzannah's songs have acquired both the grittiness of the inner city and the openness of country Australia.