The Mcnamarr Project Holla And Moan CD

‘‘Holla & Moan’’ is an album inspired by and baptised in the unmistakably lush sounds of Stax and Motown.  Radiating a tangible and infectious sense of inspiration and artistic freedom; you can hear and almost feel the joy, love and musicality emanating from all 10 songs.  

From the opening title track with its Ike & Tina vibe and Memphis Horns throwing some serious sass, the old school smooth R&B of Missing You to the soul ballad History reminiscent of Otis Redding, and the attitude driven Can You Take The Heat - the broad church of Stax and Motown sounds is beautifully showcased throughout. 
 
The debut release from Australia’s The McNaMarr Project, ‘‘Holla & Moan’’ features the legendary Lester Snell from Stax Records as arranger and on Keys throughout, accompanied by an incredible hand-picked band; Bobby Manuel on Guitar, Ray Griffin on Bass, Willie Hall on Drums, Scott Thompson on Trumpet, Lannie McMillan on Tenor Sax, Jim Spake on Baritone Sax, engineered by Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell at Royal Studios in Memphis, while the vocals were recorded at the bucolic Bald Hill Studios in Carisbrook in regional Victoria by Mark Woods.
 
So, who, or what, is The McNaMarr Project?  Conceived by respected US publicist Frank Roszak, The McNaMarr Project is the combination of two of Australia’s finest soul and blues singers - Andrea Marr and John McNamara, who at Roszak’s suggestion have joined their considerable forces as a new creative outlet for them both.
 
It was an inspired idea, the duo are a match made in heaven.  Since The McNaMarr Project began in May of 2018, the duo have been invited to perform at numerous festivals around Australia, took out the 2018 Blues Performer of the Year (solo/duo) in the MBAS Awards, before going on to represent Australia in the US where they reached the semi-finals of The International Blues Challenge.  While in the US, the pair found themselves signing an international distribution deal with legendary Memphis label Select-O-Hits, founded by Tom and Sam Phillips, the latter being the founder of Sun Records.  Select-O-Hits remains in the Phillips family to this day.
 
The plans for their debut LP as The McNaMarr Project were in full swing not long after their signing, and the past few months has been spent in a furious preparation for the wonderful opportunity to both record and release ‘Holla & Moan’.  Talking with both Andrea and John, it’s easy to hear and see the enthusiasm and excitement they both have for this project.  They finish each other’s sentences, beaming and nodding in furious agreement, like they’ve been performing together for ever instead of just over 12 months.
 
Marr explains “John and I had been friends for a few years and I absolutely loved his voice and his fantastic music. It took our US publicist Frank Roszak to suggest we join forces after both of our albums hit #1 spots on the US Roots Music Charts on the Blues, Soul and R&B charts.”
 
Asked about what it was like to experience collaborating with a new musical partner, McNamara chimes in, “Working with Andrea is such a joy. The intensity level when we are performing is through the roof, we work off each other, we compete and we complement each other as vocalists to create some magic. It just works!  I have found so much inspiration in writing for a duo format. Things you would never think of, or things that weren't possible as a solo act now become starting points for new material.”
 
Andrea continues “It’s been a rocket ride of great music and experiences since we started The McNaMarr Project. John and I sing in the same vocal register, we love the same grooves, we phrase almost exactly the same way, so writing for the duo has given us both a renewed excitement and has lifted and stretched both of us rather than restricting us in any way. It’s a joy to work with someone who is passionate, talented and positive. We laugh a lot!”
 
John laughing, and nodding his agreement goes on to say “It's an exciting time, because there is no other act doing this kind of thing at the moment. I feel we are breathing new life into a particular vibe or style that has been absent for far too long."