CHARLIE POWLING
HUSH HUSH BIZ SINGLE REVIEW
Fifteen Of Fame
In today’s vast musical expanse, Charlie Powling shines brilliantly with a resonant beacon: Fifteen of Fame. This song isn’t merely a sonic experience; it’s a poignant narrative encapsulating Powling’s relentless fight against Hepatitis C. Infusing the track with both spirit and shadow, James (Gravy) Brown’s guitar work introduces a fresh, visceral dimension. Gravy, the prodigious comet of the Black Pepper Band, evolved with grace from the group’s key guitarist to their rhythmic backbone on drums, filling the void left by the departure of Danny Thomas. There’s an intangible allure to Gravy’s bond with Fifteen of Fame. Immersed in a mysterious minor key, the song seems to mirror the very essence of his being. Melanie’s vivid recount of a legendary night at Dolly’s Bar encapsulates the sensation perfectly: the charged atmosphere, shared chills, and a riveted audience, all recognizing a transformative musical moment unfolding before them. In the studio’s sacred space, the magic was equally palpable. Under the sagacious helm of virtuoso producer Lindsay Masters, Charlie and team sculpted a canvas bursting with pulsating drumbeats, sonorous basslines, and evocative vocals.
When Gravy stepped up to leave his indelible mark, the fervour and nuance of his first attempt rendered subsequent takes moot; it was, undeniably, the chosen one. While early blueprints hinted at adding vocal harmonies and an expansive instrumental palette, the sheer dynamism of the track’s primal essence prompted Charlie to embrace its undiluted state. One of the most enticing aspects of the track is, of course, the lyric, which adopts vivid imagery to tell its tale, such is contained in the lines: ‘I sit all alone, watch the setting sun / Regret and memory, they merge as one / Angels of the past, spread their wings / They fly so fast, whispering my sins.’ With accolades from esteemed networks such as ABC LOCAL and endorsements across the NT and QLD Super Radio Network, Fifteen of Fame stands on the precipice of becoming Charlie Powling’s most significant work.
