Holly Golightly
Laugh It Up!
Damaged Goods/Shock

The fantastic folks at Damaged Goods Records have seen fit to release Holly Golightly's second album 'Laugh It Up!', originally released in 1996 on the now extinct Vinyl Japan label. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Golightly re-arranges blues standards by the likes of Willie Dixon (the knee slapping Mellow Down Easy, and closer Hold Me Baby), B & S Womack's classic It's All Over Now and Ike Turner's Troubles On My Mind. 'Laugh It Up!' is a brilliant album, and Golightly brings her distinctive style to the songs, channelling girl groups and Nancy Sinatra, ancient blues players and Lee Hazlewood - the Sinatra/Hazlewood duet Sand is the most obvious tribute and the weakest track on the album. The male vocal is even more rough and ready than Lee!

The opener Sally Go Round The Roses is gorgeous, all echo and hum, an early '60s pop inspired gem, and as sweet as that is, Don't Lie To Me is a growling warning, with squalling, scraping guitars over a simple progression. All the glory of Motown is harnessed in the triumphant leaving song Getting Mighty Crowded, followed by the brazen You Ain't No Big Thing Baby. One just can't help but sing along with Golightly, her love of songs is contagious and there is every reason to succumb. This group of early popular songs reveals a delightful and solid love of music realised with an authentic sound. Crisp and bouncy, brushed snare, treble rich lead guitars and raw double bass are maintained through the renowned talents of East London's Toe Rag Studios and Baine Watson. Golightly is a timeless, prolific talent, a rememberer and writer of great songs. Hopefully now with steady distribution through Shock we will see many more of her older albums made available in this country.

Narelle Walker