Hirst and Greene @ Feelgood Festival
Sunday 1st January 2006
Hirst and Greene 'Live @ the Basement'
ABC will be showing Hirst and Greene's latest performance at the Basement, Sydney on Tuesday September 13 2005, at 11pm. More details here. The show will be released as a DVD following its airing on Tuesday. Purchase from the ABC Shop, Sanity or HMV.
In The Stealth of Summer' - Track Listing
1. Comfort In Her Own Skin
2. Still
3. Boomtown
4. Secret World
5. Best Impression
6. Great World
7. The Past Is Another Country
8. When God's Not Busy
9. River Runs Both Ways
10. Who Is Playing God Today
11. World Is Almost At Peace
COMFORT IN HER OWN SKIN - Rob Hirst & Paul Greene let loose with some psychedelic rock!
When you've already enjoyed a career as a member of one of the country's most successful rock and roll bands ever, expectations are high for any future activity. Rob Hirst, and singer songwriter troubadour, Paul Greene, do not disappoint with the release of 'Comfort in Her Own Skin' – the first single from the boys' new album, 'In The Stealth of Summer'.
A high energy, powerful celebration of womanhood, 'Comfort in her own skin' carries the distinctive and powerful style of Hirst overlaid with psychedelic influences and an irresistible 'danceability'.
With 'Comfort in her own skin' Hirst and Greene have let loose in the studio where one of the world's most respected songwriters is obviously having fun experimenting with sounds, instruments and their his voices.
Hirst's driving rhythms and earthy vocals mix with Greene's soaring ('golden' as Hirst describes it) voice and guitar work to produce a song that is modern, innovative and energising.
'It's a tantalising hybrid,' says Clive Hodson, Head of ABC Music. 'In 'Comfort in her own skin' we have a great pop song enveloped inside psychedelic and Indian influences. It reminds me of listening to The Beatles' 'Tomorrow never knows',' he says.
The stream-of-consciousness lyrics and chorus - She hammers out a bed of nails; She skips across a lake of sails/ She was born to win; She's comfort in her own skin - combined with the sounds of the sitar and a droning base presence signifies a distinctive and original sound from the Hirst & Greene duo.
'As a musician Rob Hirst is like a Formula 1 driver,' says Hodson. 'He is in control and able to take the music wherever he wants to go. However, from the power and energy of this track, and of the rest of the album, you can see why he was often seen as the heart of Midnight Oil. You can really hear him having fun with this.'
In The Stealth of Summer Released March 7 2005
Rob Hirst and Paul Greene have each already represented Australia at the highest level - Rob as a founding member of internationally respected Midnight Oil, and Paul Greene as an athlete in Australia's team for the 1996 0lympics and 1998 Commonwealth Games. In fact, Rob and Paul met in 1999 when Rob was co producing an "Olympic Record" - a CD of original compositions that united athletes and musicians, and was released to coincide with the Sydney Games the following year.
Rob and Paul's similarly positive personalities and musical
chemistry drew them into a longer relationship that is now bearing fruit. Throughout his
sporting career, Paul's first love was always music- he's an instinctive guitarist and
effortless singer. Rob Hirst is also a strong vocalist - his voice is at the heart of
most of Midnight Oil's best-known choruses. Rob's mid-range, slightly weathered tones
complement Paul's soaring, crystal-clear delivery, and it is the blending of these two
distinctive voices - along with their emotive song writing - that is at the heart of
their debut recording ('In the Stealth of Summer' - to be released on ABC's 'Roots
Music Label', March, 2005). 
On stage it's sparkling musicianship and relaxed banter - personal/universal themes delivered with humor. Rob's voice, 6-string acoustic and stomp box join forces with Paul's voice, 12-string acoustic and harmonica to stimulate any audience and fill any room. The album is similar, but with some sonic reinforcement by way of Rob's and Lee Moloney's drums, D.C. and Jim Moginie's guitars, Rob Woolf's keys, Rick Grossman's bass and Pete West's cello.
The result sits alongside the best of contemporary song writing, with strong emphasis on melody and with considerable variety. The album's arresting opener, 'Comfort In Her Own Skin', charges along on a raga-like drone, only to be followed by the dreamy/angelic 'Still' - which, in turn, is followed by the blunt, gruff 'Boomtown' - Rob's 'sailor's lament' for a Sydney once loved and now gone. Later comes 'When God's not Busy', as much a prayer for peace as a song of hope, and the desert roots of 'River Runs Both Ways'. All in all, a collection of diverse, life-affirming songs, delivered with maximum spirit and skill.
In Paul Greene, Rob Hirst has stumbled across a most worthy collaborator - a troubadour
with a sense of adventure, an accomplished guitarist, an independent soul, a rare voice.
Together they have mined a rich vein in the singer/songwriter genre, and with this new CD
Hirst and Greene launch a sublime new project from two of Australia's most talented musicians.
Hirst and Greene sign to ABC Roots
When the percussive song writing soul of Midnight Oils, Rob Hirst meets ex
Olympian singer/songwriter troubadour Paul Greene the vocal chemistry is electric.
Hirst & Greene perform beautifully crafted songs that invoke thoughts of surf,
sun, politics and passion.
Fresh from a national tour with Ani Difranco, Hirst &anp Green have now signed
a deal with the ABC'S new label Roots Music, to release their new single "Best
Impressions". The Head of ABC Music, Clive Hodson is delighted to welcome
them aboard;
"Rob Hirst's contribution to the Australian music heritage is unchallenged.
Rob continues to re-invent this time with Paul Greene, producing a perfect compliment
to each other through composition and voice"
Hirst and Green have also just announced another upcoming tour to promote
their new single. With dates in Brisbane, Byron Bay, Currumbin, Cronulla, Ettalong,
Sydney, Wollongong and Belconnen.
With Hirst & Greene, Rob and Paul have cemented their relationship using
a classy collection of classic pop songs largely written by Rob Hirst brought
to life using Paul's outstanding harmonies and co-writes.
Listen out for their new single "Best Impressions" out August
9
Mark Dodshon
Last Updated: 18 January, 2006
