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alex watt – window down – debut cd
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To come up with the inspiration for his first recorded album, Window Down, Kootingal’s Alex Watt didn’t have to look very far. His family – wife Sheree, and children Jessica, 10, Andrew, 9, and Brianna, 6 – and his childhood, growing up on wheat farm in Koorda, WA, and his passion for cars, form the basis for his career as a professional singer and songwriter. When Alex was 21 the family farm was reclaimed by the bank, forcing the young man who’d only ever known life on the land to find another career – so he went to Perth and a few years later, began a mechanic’s apprenticeship at age 25. Of an evening, he’d play his guitar in local hotels, as he was blessed with a clear, natural voice and a keen sense of rhythm. Often at these gigs, Alex was encouraged by his audience to take his “part-time” hobby to the next level. As always, Sheree, his rock, was the one who was behind their ultimate decision to leave the west and head to the eastern states in search of a new life for the family – and a new career in music. It was during a long trip across the Nullarbor on a muggy day, with thunderstorms in the distance, that inspiration struck. Loving the unique atmosphere in the desert created by the summer storm, Alex wound down the car window and began singing to the kids – “I love driving with my window down” and before long, more words followed. Excited at the prospect of creating something special, Alex asked Sheree to take out a pen and write the words that were literally falling out of his mouth. “It’s all the little things, the experiences, what you’re passionate about that can lead to the creation of a new song,” Alex said. “And Sheree is the driving force behind my career. She’s an intricate part of the whole thing. She’s more behind me now than when I was farming because she can see a future for us in the music business.” Window Down is a 12-track album, with seven excellent originals – all of them penned by Alex, and some classy covers, including an old favourite – Me and You and A Dog Named Boo – complete the mix. The musicianship is first class with players Mitch Farmer, Duncan Toombs, Roger Corbett, Michel Rose, Tim Wedde and Bob Howe sharing their expertise and Shayne Parle contributing backing vocals on the Roger Corbett-produced CD. For a debut album, it’s certainly a fine effort. Close your eyes while you’re listening and you might even think you’re hearing another great singer-songwriter – Graeme Connors. Created in
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