Waifs [Import]

Track Listings

1. Take It In

2. Gillian

3. Circles

4. Sunflower Man

5. Intimate

6. Jealousy

7. Crazy Train

8. Billy Jones

9. Brain Damage

10. I Believe

11. Company

12. Waif Song

13. Shiny Apple

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
The 1996 debut album from Australia's the Waifs is a more than adequate stab at troubadour folk and acoustic pop. 'Gillian,' with a similar structure and tone to Texas legend Townes Van Zandt, exemplifies how basic harmonies and deft lyrics can put a smile on many faces. 13 tracks. Jarrrah.

Tracks:

Lighthouse
London Still
Take It In
Love Serenade
The Waitress
Fisherman's Daughter
Papa
Crazy Train
Brain Damage
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
Lies
Haircut
The River
Gillian
A Brief History...
Bridal Train (Studio Version)

Tracks:

Willow Tree
When I Die (Introduction)
Whne I Die
Sunflower Man
Flesh And Blood
Highway One
Bridal Train (Introduction)
Bridal Train
Since I've Been Around
Here If You Want
Billy Jones
Company
Spotlight
Shelter Me
Shiny Apple
Crazy/Circles

Album Description

While each album they record--from 1996's self-titled debut to 2003's acclaimed Up All Night--has found the Waifs maturing as writers and performers, it is on the concert stage that they truly connect with their audience. At last, this connection is documented on the 2-CD set A Brief History.... Consisting of 31 live songs recorded over the past four years and a bonus studio version of the concert favorite "Bridal Train," A Brief History... is imbued with all the energy, charisma, and earthy soul that have won the Waifs new fans from their native Australia to America, and beyond. Along with their sly, poignant original tunes, A Brief History... boasts covers of Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, who hand-picked the band to open for him on his 2003 North American tour. In addition to "Bridal Train" and the above covers, A Brief History... includes stunning versions of Up All Night's two singles "London Still" and "Lighthouse," and favorites from throughout their career. Essential for both longtime fans and newcomers, A Brief History... perfectly captures the offhand charm and bluesy soul of Australia's most successful independent band.

Customer Reviews:

fantastic, .......2007-07-13

i love the waifs, first heard them while travelling in oz, it didnt leave my camper van ever since, their music really gives you insight to what its like travelling and its great to listen to, brings back loads of memories from an amazing country. best of all this is a live album, ive seen them live at byron bay, theyre fantastic!! buy it you'll love it

New favorite.......2007-03-09

I can't remember now how I was introduced to The Waifs in the last few years, but I think I heard one of their songs on a local public radio station. I tried hard to find any Waifs albums, and finally found this one on Amazon. I LOVE it, and I am now a huge Waifs fan. I hope they come back to the US on tour soon.

Best of the best........2006-09-03

The best from one of the best rock/folk independents in the business. Great album.

Best new discovery yet.......2006-08-01

I was introduced to the Waifs through my Pandora account. I feel instantly in love with the music and bought all of their CDs now. If you like modern folk, acoustic music, and catchy tunes, this group is for you.

Lots of dusty folk songs about a hard life they love--Live.......2006-03-23

Disc 1. Buskers who have been together long enough to tighten up, play inside each others' moves, and develop a distinctive style all their own-dusty folk songs about a hard life they love. Subdudes come to mind. They document life on the road, in a beloved Australia, and their personal lives in up-close personal terms. Striking phrases of lyrics repeatedly grab my attention. They fans love them and they love entertaining them. Disc 1 is a revelation. [72:04]

Disc 2 offers more of the same. Maybe too much of a good thing all at once-the distinctive style gets a little claustrophobic. And yet, I want to hear more. Watch for last track. [68:15]

Average customer rating:

John Dee Holeman & the Waifs Band
John Dee Holeman & The Waifs Band
Manufacturer: Music Maker
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Delta Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Texas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Way It Feels
Standard Songs for Average People
A New Point of View
Breakin' It Up & Breakin' It Down
Emotionalism

ASIN: B000PRJ7Z2
Release Date: 2007-05-24

Tracks:

John Henry
Country Gal
Mojo Hand
Give Me Back My Wig
I'm a Pilgrim
Comin' Home To You
Dust My Broom
Little Queenie
I Miss Huggin'
Looking Yonder Comin'
Baby Please Don't Go

Product Description

11-track CD on Music Maker.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Album
My favorite Waifs CD
Rooted Wanderers
An Aussie Triumph
Shades of Paul Kelly, Jewel, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell....

Up All Night
The Waifs
Manufacturer: Compass Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sink Or Swim
Shelter Me
A Brief History...
The Waifs
Po' Girl

ASIN: B00008XEQQ
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

Fisherman's Daughter
Nothing New
London Still
Lighthouse
Flesh And Blood
Highway One
Since I've Been Around
Fourth Floor
Rescue
Three Down
Sweetness
Up All Night

Amazon.com

The Waifs may hail from Australia, but their canny blend of acoustic blues, country, and folk wouldn't sound out of place in the sort of hip Texas roadhouse that has Townes Van Zandt and Bob Dylan on the jukebox. The trio consists of sisters Vicki and Donna Simpson, who both play guitar and harmonize beautifully, and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Cunningham. All three are fine songwriters, and although they each have distinctly different styles, their compositions fit together like a musical mosaic. Cunningham's moving, hopeful "Lighthouse" can be heard as a response to Donna's bittersweet song of homesickness, "London Still," which in turn echoes in Vicki's road ballad, "Three Down." The Waifs may play the same Dobros, mandolins, and guitars that any American folk or alt-country band play, but their Australian accents and outlook give them a refreshing take on the style. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Album.......2007-01-09

This is one of the best albums I have ever bought (I own about 200). I saw the Waifs play at the Newport Folk Fest a few years ago, and fell in love with them, not just because of the two beautiful lead woman, with irresistible Aussie accents, but their fun, well written music. I highly recommend it.

My favorite Waifs CD.......2007-01-04

I have trouble not giving everything from the Waifs at least a 5. But if it was possible I would give this one a 6.

Rooted Wanderers.......2005-07-05

The Waifs are from Australia and they never forget it, even as all three write and sing of distance and rootlessness. The sound features wonderful harmonies between the two Simpson sisters, excellent harmonica on almost every song, and can be country-bluesy (Flesh and Blood), 60's-like (London Still), or recall some Lucinda Williams Louisiana-style yearning (Highway One). Every five cuts or so up pops a song from Joshua Cunningham who speaks (a smoother Tom Waits and very like his countryman Paul Kelly) more than sings his lyrics and looks back to things gone, either by twenty years (Since I've Been Around) or one night (Up All Night). Three Down is standard "oh-how-hard-it-is-to-be-on-the-road" stuff, but all the other eleven songs are fresh takes on the performers's universal themes -- love, loss, home and the road. Aside from the ones I've mentioned already, I especially liked Fourth Floor and Lighthouse.

An Aussie Triumph.......2004-01-20

'Up All Night' is, to put it simply, one of the best albums you could ever hope to hear. With vocals that go from soulful to searing, guitar that does the same, and songwriting that puts the Fred Dursts of the world to shame, The Waifs have put together something remarkable. It's not often you hear an independent release that sounds this good, and it is to the bands credit that they are achieving more exposure than ever. Donna (will you marry me?), Vikki and Josh combine brilliantly on every song. It is just so refreshing to hear music that shows clearly how much the artists enjoy making it. The standout tracks are London Still (an anthem for all Aussie expats), Fisherman's Daughter, and Fourth Floor, each different, but each brilliant in its own right. The Waifs style is hard to classify, but this pop/folk/country trio quite obviously have the magic touch, and it is a shame more people aren't aware of them. If you have a brain you will buy this album, and support independent music. Also, if you ever get a chance to see them live, do whatever it takes to get to the show.They are always amazing. This is music to put a smile on your face.

Shades of Paul Kelly, Jewel, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell...........2003-12-14

If you are into any of these artists, you will love "Up all Night". There are echoes of all these musical styles in this album. This covers them all.

Joshua Cunningham's vocals on 'Since I've Been Around' are reminiscent of Paul Kelly (another great Australian folk/blues singer), as are the catchy instumentals on 'Lighthouse'.

The songs on this album are composed of deceptively simple poetry, which reminded me of Jewel's songwriting. There is often a deeper meaning, as in 'Fourth Floor'. I even felt shades of Joni Mitchell in this one. And 'Three Down' is a country-bluesy song in the same vein as many Bonnie Raitt songs.

Tracks:

Heart Lies
People Who Think They Can
Shelter Me
Lest We Forget
Smith St
Time To Part
Sound The Alarm
Stuck
The River
Spotlight
Attention
Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

'Shelter Me'; a little slower, but still The Waifs. .......2004-10-22

For any seasoned fans of The Waifs (or anyone out there with a predilection for folksy girl duets sporting brilliant guitar skills and voices to boot), 'Shelter Me' will be no departure --and no disapointment -- from what you've heard before. The album weighs heavily on The Waifs accoustical appeal. The majority of the songs carry themselves without backbeat or excessive instrumentation -- mostly it's just the girls, their guitars, and the usual, typically wonderful songwriting that comes from Josh Cunningham, the third member of this stellar folk ensemble. The title track 'Shelter Me' is a gorgeous, magnificently charged piece that will leave you reeling, "Take me now where shelter be/ before there's nothing left of me." Vikki's final track 'Spotlight' is a pure gem, emotional and raw but utterly beautiful. 'Attention' finishes the album well with that familliar Waify energy and pulse, almost blue grass, almost country, but totally wonderful.

Average customer rating:

Great folk/alt/pop from down under!
The Waifs
Thanks MTV
great cd
A hidden treasure

Sink Or Swim
Waifs
Manufacturer: Ato Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Up All Night
Shelter Me
The Waifs
A Brief History...
Po' Girl

ASIN: B00006AFKY
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

The Waitress
Lies
Danger
Without You
The Haircut
Love Serenade
Taken
Service Fee
A Brief History...
When I Die
Sink Or Swim

Amazon.com

The Waifs--sisters Donna and Vikki Simpson and Josh Cunningham--honed their craft playing countless gigs throughout the 1990s in their native Australia. Sink or Swim is their third album, and it features 11 selections of acoustic, and occasionally electric-guitar-driven, pop-folk. The songs include Cunningham's "Brief History," a song that's half Woody Guthrie-style talking blues and half rap, which tells the story of the band; Donna's "Haircut," a song about a breakup that blends anger and fierce joy in equal measure; and Vikki's "Danger," an enigmatic song of loss. The band's vocal harmonies are tight, and the arrangements feature plenty of strummed and finger-picked guitars, with a bit of banjo here and dab of cello there to fill out the sound. The three members of the Waifs know how to compose a catchy hook and write a lyric that touches both heart and mind, and have enough instrumental chops to deliver the goods. And really, what more do need from a band? --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Great folk/alt/pop from down under!.......2007-01-12

The Waifs' latest offering "Sink or Swim" an extremely well written, diverse collection of acoustic-based songs from a great Australian band. Both the vocal and instrumental arrangement are tight and tasteful, resulting in a very listenable CD. Starting out with "The Waitress", a catchy little ditty that can't help but make you smile, followed by the cynical "Lies" that has definite celtic influences, nearly the entire CD is simply a joy to listen to. "Danger" has an early Indigo Girls feel without all the social scolding crap that they devolved into. "Without You" is a nice piece of pop craft that aims towards a top 40 audience. "The Haircut" is an introspective song with some hilarious lyrics (the masturbation references would normally be out of place, but these are actually cute without being vulgar). "Love Serenade" is a happy love song reminiscent of Nora Jones' "Little Willies" style. You can almost hear them smile while their singing it. "Taken" is a little uneven, but the instrumental hook during the verses is very infectious. "Service Fee" is a melancholy ballad about a lost love that is both pretty and poignant. "A Brief History", a spoken track, is probably the low point of the CD. Although the backing instrumental track is adequate, the song just seems out of place on an otherwise wonderful CD. "When I Die" is a sweet country ballad about the pull we all feel to return to our roots, like salmon, as our ends approach. This song should be covered by every Americana group out there. Finally, the CD's title track is a delightful gospel-tinged piece of coutry blues that would have been at home on Jorma Kaukonen's Blue Country Heart CD. This CD is my first exposure to the Waifs, and I plan to get my hands on some more. Simply a great pop-folk album with a lot of diversity and great musicianship. Buy it NOW!

The Waifs.......2006-08-27

I got into this band through Xavier Rudd's Triple J radio block hour mixed tape gig show thing. Anyway...they've been out for quite a while so Im definetly not laying any sort of ground work for them. Point is their good, really good. Their fame down under is pretty large but I think their pretty unknown here in the states. Which is too bad, because they definetly have talent. Not just talent but some serouisly skill.

Thanks MTV.......2005-12-05

the only good thing MTV has done in the last fifteen years was play a slice of London Still on some douchey show of theirs. I got to hear this band and have been with em ever since. Great album and a good follow up to up all night.

great cd.......2005-10-25

first heard this cd driving down the west coast of oz, its great to drive to and and i think goes great with any ozz road trip!

A hidden treasure.......2004-02-27

This is a brilliant recording through and through. For their youth, these three write remarkably mature lyrics, and the music is consistently excellent. Someone wrote below that the CD is front-loaded, and I couldn't disagree more. Musically, nearly every song is just perfect, though "Danger" is perhaps a little bland, and lyrically there are deeply moving high points from that front end (Haircut) well into the second half (e.g. the gut-wrenching "Service Fee"). There are elements of folk, rock, jazz, country and more here. I'm not sure it fits a genre, but this is very real, fresh music. Someone below criticized the songwriting by Josh Cunningham, and I think that was a bit off-base. He can get right to the heart of the matter about feelings about home (When I Die), and can write great music even when his lyrics are a bit pedantic (Lies) or sentimental (Brief History, on which he and the band sound like a reincarnated acoustic Velvet Underground). This is just a great listen. I may not have a lot to add to what's below, but this is one of the best CD's I've heard in the last year, and wanted to chime in with another good review. It's a great listen; you won't be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Very good folksy, blue grassy album

The Waifs
The Waifs
Manufacturer: Compass Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Shelter Me
Sink Or Swim
Up All Night
A Brief History...
Lighthouse

ASIN: B0001MZ7IW
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Tracks:

Take It In
Gillian
Circles
Sunflower Man
Intimate
Jealousy
Crazy Train
Billy Jones
Brain Damage
I Believe
Company
Waif Song
Shiny Apple

Album Description

The Waifs' self-titled 1996 debut is marked by all the qualities that have made them a hit with AAA, folk, and roots audiences: honest songwriting, rollicking bluesiness, and the soaring vocals of sisters Donna and Vikki Simpson and guitarist Josh Cunningham. The Waifs is the start of their journey from Australian grass-roots road warriors to international festival favorites.

Customer Reviews:

Very good folksy, blue grassy album.......2006-08-12

Just missed 5 stars, for me, due to one ragged track . . .

Elements of the Indigo Girls, lyical fun like Arlo Guthrie. Plus, there's banjo music, and nothing says fun like a banjo!

Average customer rating:

TRACKS ARE...

Runaway Favorite
Professor and Maryann
Manufacturer: Happy Thighs
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002MM5F4
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

Bible and a Gun
Whisper to Me
Thick as Thieves
Electric Metropolis
Roof of the World
Chariot
Wish Symphony
World of Clowns
Every Other Minute
Ordinary Girl
Ten Tubas

Product Description

Full-length 11 track album.

Customer Reviews:

TRACKS ARE..........2006-07-29

1. Bible And A Gun
2. Whisper To Me
3. Thick As Thieves
4. Electric Metropolis
5. Roof Of The World
6. Chariot
7. Wish Symphony
8. World Of Clowns
9. Every Other Minute
10. Ordinary Girl
11. Ten Tubas

Average customer rating:

Lighthouse
The Waifs
Manufacturer: Jarrah
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Sink Or Swim
Up All Night
Bridal Train
London Still
The Waifs

ASIN: B000093W3I
Release Date: 2003-05-05

Tracks:

Lighthouse
Heartbreakin'
Gillian
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Album Description

Taken from their platinum 2002 album Up All Night, the title tracks is backed with three non-album tracks 'Heartbreakin', 'Gillian' (live), 'Don't Think Twice, It's Alright' (live) plus 2 video clips for 'Lighthouse' & 'London Still'. Jarrah Records. 2003.

Album Details

Taken from their Platinum Debut Album "up all Night". "Lighthouse" features the Title Track as Well as Two Bonus Songs and Two Video Clips.

Average customer rating:

Bridal Train
Waifs
Manufacturer: Jarrah
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

London Still
A Brief History...
Up All Night
Lighthouse
Sink Or Swim

ASIN: B0001PJDZC
Release Date: 2004-03-29

Tracks:

Bridal Train
Strings Of Steel
Sweetness (Live)

Album Description

2004 EP from the critically acclaimed Aussie folk-rock act. The title track is b/w 'Strings Of Steel' & 'Sweetness' (Live). Jarrah.

Album Details

A Beautiful Song that Tells the Story of Vikki and Donna's Grandmother who Married a "Yankee Sailor" and at the Us Navy's Expense Boarded the Bridal Train to Sydney and Then by Ship to San Francisco to Be Re-united with her Husband. The Single also Includes "Strings of Steel" and a Live Recording of "Sweetness".

Average customer rating:

Sink or Swim
The Waifs
Manufacturer: Ato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000062X80
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

Waitress
Lies
Danger
Without You
Haircut
Love Serenade
Taken
Service Fee
Brief History
When I Die
Sink or Swim

Music Album:

Music Album

1. Take It In
2. Gillian
3. Circles
4. Sunflower Man
5. Intimate
6. Jealousy
7. Crazy Train
8. Billy Jones
9. Brain Damage
10. I Believe
11. Company
12. Waif Song
13. Shiny Apple