Black & White is a studio album by Australian recording artist, Colleen Hewett. The album was released in The album is Hewett's first album in 14 years and sees Colleen singing genres ranging from emotional ballads, country and soulful blues tracks. Lyrically, the album features tracks dealing with family history, her ancestry and experience with domestic violence.[1]
| Black & White | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 22 May 2015 | |||
| Label | Bilarm Music Pty Ltd | |||
| Colleen Hewett chronology | ||||
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Hewett said; "This album is my best. I know it is because I selected every single song. There are a lot of original songs on it and a lot of storytelling to do with my grandmother and my past. It's very much a blues album."[2]
In 2015, Colleen was proud to be announced Ambassador for the Rotary initiative Violence Free Families and $5 from every sale went towards the foundation.[3]
Reception edit
Molly Meldrum said; "This is Colleen's best album ever. She is fantastic and I love her…". Jeff Jenkins said; "Her vocal – both nuanced and powerful – is stunning. Put simply, Black & White is a classic". John Laws said "Colleen Hewett is brilliant.. her singing almost rips your heart out".[4]
Singles edit
The lead single "Shut Up and Let Me Breathe" is a potent song about domestic violence and was written for the Violence Free Families initiative. In an interview with her FanClub, she said "It's saying, just come on, shut up, let me breathe… it's not about the strangulation, it's about wanting personal space. If you’ve had anything emotional: bullying or intimidation, you question yourself, anyone who's had that understands it's not about you it's about me. So the song is not so much about the person who is doing the damage, it's about doubting yourself."[5]
The video for "Shut Up and Let Me Breathe" features cameo appearances from John Farnham, Archie Roach, Rosie Batty, Eddie McGuire, Neil Mitchell, Molly Meldrum and Derryn Hinch.[6]
Track listing edit
- "Blues Is My Business"
- "Rockin' Chair"
- "Daddy Said"
- "I Sing the Blues"
- "Shut Up and Let Me Breathe"
- "I'm Walkin'"
- "Starlight"
- "Shut Your Mouth"
- "Takin' the Good With the Bad"
- "The Key"
- "Headin' Down the Highway"
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
| Chart (2015) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Jazz and Blues Chart[7] | 1 |
Year-end charts edit
| Chart (2015) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Jazz and Blues Chart[8] | 36 |
References edit
- ^ " Black And White by Colleen Hewett". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Former Queen of Pop Colleen Hewett is about to release her new blues album and says there's more to come". Review Property. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "COLLEEN HEWETT'S NEW CD – BLACK & WHITE". Violence Free Families. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Colleen Hewett - 'Black & White' Tour". Caravan Music. 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Interview with Colleen Hewett". Colleen Hewett. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "'Shut up and let us breathe': Singer reveals dark past". The Morning Bulletin. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Colleen Hewett Black & White Debuts At No 1 On Australian Jazz Chart". Noise11. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year 2015 Jazz and Blues album Charts". ARIA Charts. January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2017.