ALBUM REVIEWS
Beautifully Mad 2003
Particularly loved the songwriting! -Graeme Regan -Didgeridoo records (Eva Cassidy's Label)
The music! The music is beyond wonderful. There are no words. I sat down immediately and listened from start to finish....the fact that there is an album that can allow one to do this without distraction is in and of itself, miraculous. You both have such a special gift that inspires me more than I think you could ever know. You say such profound things intelligently without preaching and with a humility that is so touching. I am such a big fan of your songs.The arrangements are superb, and flawless. Nothing gets in the way of the song....not one time! That is so hard to do. The mixes are really good...the vocal recordings are intimate and warm.My God...it's just so beautiful. You should be so proud I shall play this incessantly.Libby Lavella- Worked on the albums of Seal and was named one of LA's Hotest 100 Unsigned artists for the year 2003.
Beautifully Mad 2003
Tony King and
Kris Ralph's new CD“Beautifully Mad” continues their tradition of
well crafted songs, both in musical and lyrical content, and on this cd they
have surrounded themselves with some of the finest backing musicians in this
country.
From the plaintive chorus of the title track “Beautifully Mad”-“…..'cause
the world is no place for the sane……..it takes away the worst of your
pain, when you're beautifully mad”, this duo moves through 10 tracks that
take the listener on a journey from the craziness of contemporary living, to
the optimism of “Reason to Shine”.
Kris's vocals have a warm and mellow feel on “Kings and Queens” and
“Rubber Bones” and the reggae flavoured “To do Nothing”,
but she shifts up on “Hurricane Louise” and the tango inspired “Just
for Two”, the mood again ably supported by the backing muso's and Kris
and Tony;s sensitive production.
Once again they have come up with a superlative musical experience. Makin Whoopee
(Tony and Kris) should be well pleased with this cd, it is a pleasure to hear
it - again and again.
Sharon Thompson
Radio Fm 99.3 Chatswood.
FULL OF THE MOON - 1997
Beautiful work indeed- Lior
Making Waves on the Barrier Reef-- Reviewed by John Blay for the New Republican
Waves lap on some tropical beach.
They are followed by guitar so luxuriant it might be a rain forest liana.
It's all as warm as a daintree evening, as lush and romantic as the Whitsundays.From the very beginning we know we're in trustworthy hands.In fact the Moonlight Cactus crew of Kris Ralph and Tony King are an act so renowned in the Sydney region,the only wonder is that they haven't yet found huge commercial success.The jazz tinged delights of their musical odyssey through such relaxed climes come from a strong production matched with performance.The songs look at love and life's ups and downs from under the Poinciana trees, with the team joined from time to time by such luminaries as Kerrie Biddell (on "Mandarin Sky") Jiri Kripac (on "Papa Mau Mau") and Craig Walters (on "Is that Jazz "and "Money in your Pocket")
Under the Surface of these songs is a strong architecture.And they're all the stronger when they bear that unique stamp of King's infectiously weird humour:"everyone's a devil,though the good book may scoff/but a devil is an angel on a rostered day off"("My kind of Angel") and, on "Is that Jazz?" alongside some gorgeous sax from Craig Walters,"he smokes four packs a day but his saxophone smokes five.."
There are times when we could be in New Orleans, with the Neville Brothers playing just around the corner.And yet the mellifluous voice of Kris Ralph brings us back home, her tone as special as the full moon rising over the ocean between coconut palms.
Independent Magazine
Independent band Moonlight Cactus comprises of two people, Kris Ralph and Tony King, who play every instrument on their debut album Full Of the Moon minus one or two tracks. Although this is their debut Kris and Tony are not newcomers. On the contrary, for the past ten years Tony King has been producing other people's work or composing scores for film and T.V. Together they have combined their talents to produce a stunning array of diverse songs.
Song writing is no alien to Tony as he wrote Is That Jazz for Kerrie Biddell's latest album The Singer, as well as many others throughout his career. The first track off the album, Your Lips Tasted Of The Sea, is a hauntingly beautiful love song displaying King's skills as a songwriter arranger and musician. Mandarin Sky introduces Kris Ralph the female counterpart to this duo who shows us her vocals range on this melodic number. King's acoustic guitar work is excellent on this track.
My Kind Of Angel is another beautiful song. This Album seems to be littered with beautiful songs. Elegant guitar work and musical arrangements plus the lyrical content supported by the dulcet tones of Kris makes this song even more interesting. Simply lovely.
Full Of The Moon is indeed full of very interesting tracks that travel a lot of ground. The moodiness of the title track depicts the sadness of lost love, while Papa Mau Mau is an upbeat, groovy number that gets you bopping. Moonlight Cactus are not about Rock On Roll, although I've seen them do it and they're good.
This album smiles with an infectious and eclectic energy.It's fun ,it's catchy, and it has a confident mix of elements taking in melodic pop tunes, folk-funk and jazz grooves. Richly textured lyrics, coupled with balanced arrangements make Full Of The Moon an album well worth a listen. Available through Moonlight Cactus Music (02) 9482 8070.
Alison O'Donoghue -DRUM MEDIA
"This is one of my favourite albums"- Judy Small
"this album has finally persuaded me to get a CD player"- Lex Marinos
"Until I've Shown You Paris" is one of my favourite tracks of all time- Peter Jansson (Neil Diamonds publisher)
AFTER THE TONE- Tony King solo album 1989
The diversity of his musical interests and the scope of his talent are revealed in this solo work.The songs range from pleasant and sensitive ballads like " There's No Time" and "Watsons bay" through to a cool jazz feel in "Black Box Heart".It's obvious that some of the tracks are based directly on real events and experiences,"Blubell's Takeaway" for example.This is a cool and mellow number with a melodic sax line and particularly inventive bass part.Tony himself plays all guitars as well as bass guitar.The music of these songs captures the emotion of the lyrics in a way that gives the work great artistic integrity.The aching solo in "I'll Be There" is perfect."Black Box Heart " with its walking bass line and saxophone is a great song.This is a sophisticated collection of songs that gives Tony the scope he requires to demonstrate his considerable musical ability.It is Tony's belief that music must be melodic,it must paint pictures that people can relate to about the way we live and it must come from the heart.
All these qualities can be found on this wonderful new album.
Tony Haid-MAGPIE MUSIC
Makin Whoopee
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The Muse- Portrait of Tom Waits in pastel © Kris Ralph 2002