Tag: Melinda Schneider

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Swanee and Melinda Schneider Pair Up On “Should’ve Never Let You Go”

They just don’t make music like “Should’ve Never Let You Go” anymore. This duet from John “Swanee” Swan and Melinda Schneider has all the magic of a track from Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra, but it’s actually a cover of a song Neil Sedaka released in 1980 with his daughter Dara. There’s a beautiful stillness about what they do here. The artists respect the melody and give the lyrics time to breathe. It doesn’t sound like anything people are releasing today, and that’s a big part of what makes it so special.

“Should’ve Never Let You Go” is one of the impressive collaborations featured on Swanee’s new album Believe. Fifteen of its 16 songs are collaborations with friends and family members including Jimmy Barnes, Alan and Mahalia Barnes, Diesel, Joe Camilleri, Dave Gleeson, Jack Jones, Colin Hay, Ian Moss, and so many more. Fourteen of its tracks are covers, and it’s fascinating hearing what they bring to such fantastic material.

“Believe is the supreme pizza of Australian rock and soul as it features my friends and family from my 50-year working career,” Swanee said. “This album is about resilience, redemption, and refusing to give up – in music, and in life. I called it Believe because that’s what it takes. Belief in yourself, in second chances, and in the power of a great song.”

While “Should’ve Never Let You Go” is on streaming services, you won’t find the Believe album there. Swanee’s gone old school. You can purchase your choice of CD or double vinyl directly from his website.

Image used with permission from Checked Label Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Drew McAlister and Melinda Schneider Perform For Voice Awareness Month Charity Shows

Most of us probably take our voices for granted. I’m not one of them. I tend to get badly affected by cigarette smoke and my voice suffers for a few days after concerts where people smoke. About a year ago the problem was so bad that I lost my voice for several weeks. When I say that, I don’t mean my voice was squeaky or rough. I mean that literally no sound would escape my lips. I’d rely on notes and pointing at things. I was sure the problem would improve on its own, but it took me swallowing my pride and getting to the doctors for a course of prednisone to sort things out. I know I’m lucky, because my problem was only temporary, but it gave me a unique insight into what life might be like if I had no voice. So I’m a big believer in the work the Australian Dysphonia Network does, especially during April, which is Voice Awareness Month. The Australian Dysphonia Network will stage two concerts this year during the celebrations.

First there’s Voices in the Valley at the Q Theatre in the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. Held April 7, the show will feature professional musicians, including World Voice Day ambassador Drew McAlister, and community members. Tickets cost $25 per person, or $20 for concession holders, and are available from the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.

On April 29, the celebrations head north for Hunter in Harmony at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. World Voice Day ambassador Melinda Schneider will appear at this show hosted by acclaimed performer Francine Bell. Tickets are $35 per person, or $25 for concession holders. Get yours from the Eventbrite page.

All money raised by both events will help The Australian Dysphonia Network raise awareness of voice issues and fund research into early diagnosis and management.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melinda Schneider Looks Back with “Life Begins at 40” Double CD

I’ve got to admit, I’m not a fan of getting older. I shed tears when I turned 20 as I was bidding my teenage years goodbye, and I was mortified when I hit 30. However according to Melinda Schneider I shouldn’t stress too much. She’s preparing to release a new retrospective album joyfully titled Life Begins at 40.

The two-disc set celebrates three decades of Melinda’s music captured in the studio and on the road. So many greatest hits collections are a bit of rehash, but this includes some really unique gems like the version of “Santa Call on Me” she recorded at just eight years of age, and duets with Paul Kelly, David Campbell, Olivia Newtown-John, and her mum Mary. And of course there are her biggest hits including “I Wanna Be Married,” “Be Yourself,” and “The Story of My Life.”

Life Begins at 40 hits stores on October 21. To celebrate the release Melinda is playing plenty of shows. You can catch her in her one-woman tribute to Doris Day tribute, her Heartland tour gigs with Graeme Connors, shows with philharmonic orchestras, and a big Life Begins at 40 bash in Tamworth in the coming months.

12 – 16 October 2011 – Regal Theatre, Perth (DORIS, Doris Day – So Much More than the Girl Next Door)
26 October 2011 – Bunbury Entertainment Centre, Bunbury (with Graeme Connors)
27 October 2011 – Cummins Theatre, Merredin (with Graeme Connors)
28 October 2011 – Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie (with Graeme Connors)
29 October 2011 – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance (with Graeme Connors)
30 October 2011 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany (with Graeme Connors)
3 –13 November 2011 – Lyric Theatre @ The Star, Sydney (DORIS, Doris Day – So Much More than the Girl Next Door)
15 –27 November 2011 – The Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane (DORIS, Doris Day – So Much More than the Girl Next Door)
27 & 28 December 2011 – Philharmonic Phireworks Concert, Sydney Opera House
30 & 31 December 2011 – Philharmonic Phireworks Concert, State Theatre @ The Arts Centre, Melbourne
27 January 2012 – Life Begins At 40 Concert, West Tamworth League Club, Tamworth

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melinda Schneider Duets with Paul Kelly

Melinda Schneider has a new fan in Aussie singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. Paul was so impressed with a demo version of one of Melinda’s new songs, he agreed to sing it on her latest album.

The unlikely duo met by chance in Coogee.

“I was snorkelling at Coogee Beach and got up and out of the water, and there was Paul Kelly sitting on a rock,” Melinda told The Sunday Telegraph.

The pair got to chatting, so Melinda decided to send Paul a copy of her song “Still Here.” He loved it so much, they decided to record it together at his Melbourne home.

“I love his vocals on it,” she gushed. “The intimacy of it is really beautiful on that track.”

Melinda will launch her latest album, Be Yourself, at Sydney’s City Tattersalls Club on Thursday. It will hit stores on 5 July.

Image sources: Melinda Schneider MySpace and RattyPussFACE @ Wikimedia Commons