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06.08.2006: Add this Fruit Fly to the list
By Kristin Froneman Vernon Morning Star, BC Canada

I had to laugh when I read the press material for the trio Fruit, who played to approximately 500 adoring fans, lovingly referred to as "Fruit flies," at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Wednesday.

It was a quote from a reviewer, who in 2002 wrote in The Scotsman (U.K), that the Australian women, and again I quote, were so "scarily gifted, they should be marched out and shot."

That about sums it up, although those who were at Fruit's show in Vernon - stomping, shouting and clapping - would like to see the women stick around at least long enough to come back and perform again soon.

Mel Watson, Susie Keynes and Sam Loh’s are disgustingly talented. They put the pop purveyors of today - the Idols, the Britney’s and those hissing Pussycats - to absolute shame.

Together for 11 years, with eight CDs under their belts, the women of Fruit cannot only sing, beautifully, they write the most poignant and smart songs heard since Joni Mitchell picked up her pen. (Give a listen to the band's latest CD, Burn, for 15 superb examples.)

Oh, they can also play instruments, incredibly well.

Both Keynes and Loh’s are exceptional guitarists - trading off on rhythm and lead on their acoustics, with Keynes picking up the electric for a few numbers.

Multi-instrumentalist Watson is a genius.

She is up there with some of the jazz greats (Canada's Ingrid Jensen comes to mind), playing horns, saxe’s, flute, percussion... Watson also uses her voice as an instrument, emulating sounds in an aural scat, reaching tones that would give Mariah Carey and Celine Dion hernias.

An anomaly for playing two years in a row - in 2004 and last year - at the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, it was refreshing to catch the trio, and hear every nuance of their gorgeous harmonies and instrumentation, indoors. The stage at the Performing Arts Centre proved to be a big platform, as the women commented on how far apart they were from each other, but the sound was superior.

You could hear every intake of breath, every perfectly placed note, and every gaffe, when Keynes inadvertently tried to adjust her distortion pedal, sending the screech of feedback through the PA. (We all laughed it off with her.)

Although the women are each and together exceptionally talented, it was Watson who blew me away with her songs Jennifer Says (off Burn) and Mamma Mamma (from 2001's Here for Days).

The latter tune starts with her valved trumpet blaring as Loh’s strums the guitar Flamenco style, then Watson blows her horn into a bluesy melody. Just when you think she's out of wind, she starts singing. And what a voice. When she gets down low, and note by note rises to sing "Mamma, Mamma, Mamma, you never told me it was going to be this good," you want to throw up your arms in elation.

I loved every tune the women performed from Burn, (and that's a record for me), so I ran out during intermission to buy the CD, and have been listening to it ever since.

From the catchy chorus on Keynes' Wait on, (wait up), and the misery-loves-company lyrics of Loh's If Only for the Sun, which is totally opposite of her sunny, dance-crazy stage persona, Burn is simply a stunning listen.

The title track, penned by Watson, with the line: "We can change the face of life just by looking at another point of view," meant even more when it was performed in the show's encore.

Burn was used in the documentary film, Sveva:& #10272;Prisoner of Vernon, a film about another genius, artist Sveva Caetani, which was made by local filmmaker, Jim Elderton.

It was Elderton who brought Fruit to perform in Vernon as a fund-raiser for the People in Need Crisis Line, and he showed images from his film up on a giant screen during the encore. Seeing the paintings by the exceptionally talented late artist, and hearing the song played live by the women, was the sweet topping on what was a delicious evening.

More Fruit please.

Update: Fruit are already talking about a return visit.

"They were very pleased both with the theatre and their audience," said Elderton in an email Friday to The Morning Star.

"...a spirited musical punch...lush, tightly produced and infinitely hummable..." - Out Magazine

"...for many music lovers in North America, Fruit is growing on them." - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

'What a blast listening to their album 'Burn' - talk about hidden diamonds! Excellent!'
- DC. Program Director, WAVE-FM Wollongong AU

"Fresh and juicy: Fruit bypasses folk in favor of torchy, soulful pop...a toothsome permutation of styles." - The Advocate

"Things are always great when Australian trio Fruit are in front of a crowd." - Georgia Straight

'A band of three lead female singers, with exquisite harmonies, plenty of horn and a cult following overseas is defying music industry formula'
- Kathleen Noonan, Brisbane Courier Mail, AU

"Australian trio Fruit moves far beyond Indigo Girl comparisons on the terrific set 'Burn' A-" - Philadelphia Daily News

'..BURN contains some of the most beautiful harmonies to surface in Australian music today.' - Kathleen Noonan, Brisbane Courier Mail, AU

'BURN is quite simply the best album fruit has produced in their 9 years together..'
- Michael Smith, The Drum, Sydney AU

"If Norah Jones had us daydreaming... Fruit had an afternoon audience singing, clapping and whistling for more" - Wall Street Journal SxSw

"A cult band whose following is set to explode in this country" - Paul Black, Critic's choice, Isthmus, Madison WI

"When it comes to harmonies Fruit has few peers." -Alan Sheckter, Buzz Chico CA

"Music that fires the imagination" - XPN Philadelphia

"Fruit the Trio Album...Live at the Church...Naked Brilliance" -Blaze, Australia 2004

"Exquisite harmonies, High energy" - Sydney Morning Herald

"Sensitive songs, embracing and disarming tones" - Rip It Up, Adelaide

"Sublime pop . . . infectious melodies" - Juice, Australia

"So scarily gifted they should be marched out and shot" - The Scotsman

"You guys are better than Metallica" - 11-year-old fan at the California World Music Festival

"Don't expect an assault like AC/DC. These young women are heavy on harmonies reminiscent of Crosby Stills and Nash" - The Spectrum, Cedar City, UT

"With a penchant for crafting tell-all songs that make the listener feel intimately connected with the singer. Expertly wielded vocal harmonies give this Australian
Band an impressive full sound" Goodtimes, Santa Cruz"

"To me Fruit are one of Australia's best kept secrets... I just love them, their energy & songs never fail to capture audiences whether its playing to a 100 people or 20,000, sooner or later they are going to become one of our great acts, already they are one of our hardest working exports" - Michael Chugg , Michael Chugg Entertainment

The style is, at times reminiscent of kd lang's, with its deep moody smoothness... click here to read on
Burn review by Magdalena Ball, The compulsive Reader, Dec 2005

October 31, 2005 - Fruit Wows the Crowd at Hugh’s Room
By Arlynne Poitras
For full review, visit: http://ca.qpglobal.com/moxie/entertainment/music/fruit-wows-the-crowd-at-h.shtml

Fruit with Digging Roots at Hugh’s Room, Friday October 28th, 2005. Tickets: 22$

from 'the sounding board' - the official newsletter of the martin guitar company - vol 19 - july 2005

fruit - burn
the australian all-female trio offers this premier collection of pop hits guaranteed to convert the initiated.
vocal harmonies float sweetly over superbly written musical arrangements.
their martin dc-16rgte owned by sam (center) certainly penetrates the mix. a great deal of hard work and passion have brought this masterpiece to 'fruition' and there's much more to explore at www.fruitmusic.com.au

A Thousand Days (MGM) Impact Date: April 25, 2005

Pioneering Adelaidian folk outfit Fruit have been dong the rounds for some years now, writing, recording and touring AUstralia and the world to much acclaim. A Thousand Days is the first tste of their new album and the most decisive jump into the world of commercial radio for the band...

Click here to read full article

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March 2005: Coming to Fruition
APRA, Kirti Jacobs

Ten years ago three songwriters – Susie, Mel and Sam – met by chance at a Wednesday night SCALA original music showcase. They each belonged to a different band at the time, but something took seed and grew. Ten years later, their combined passion and commitment for music has borne Fruit – the internationally renowned alt pop band sought after by venues and festival organisers from Edinborough to the Outback.

09.25.2004: Hunkered with Tony Furtado in Tampa FL
Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, FL

Fruit 'Live at the Basement' MGM Global Distribution
SPIN Magazine

27.03.2002: At a Gloomy Music-Biz Shindig, Reasons for Hope
The Wall Street Journal On-line, Taylor Holliday, Austin, Texas

04.09.2001: Fruit Wows 'em at the Big Room
Alan Sheckter, Chico News and Review

16.08.1999: The Labour of Fruit
Vincent Lovegrove, TNT, London

Aug.1999: The bold, the bright and the beautiful
Mark Brown, The Scotsman, Edinburgh

20.03.1999: Fruit SPRINGS Forth
Sarah Thomas, The Advertiser

18.03.1999: Fruit the sweetest sound in the State
The Advertiser

Feb.1999: WOMADELAIDE 99
Sarah Thomas, The Advertiser

Aug.1998: Exporting Excellence
James Mulligan, The Advertiser UK correspondent

Live Review Excerpts

23.10.1999: Life's moving experience
Robyn Archer, Artistic Director; Adelaide Festival

"Regional Arts Conference: some great music including that gorgeous band Fruit. In fact, they're just back from a huge international tour and they sound really great, tight, effusive."

19.08.1999: Hitlist: This issue's best gigs
The List, Edinburgh

"Fruit: Massively acclaimed both in their native Australia and for their '98 Fringe debut, Fruit play passionate, funky, up-beat acoustic pop with something for everyone and a good time guaranteed."

Jul.1999: Fruit brings freshness to series
Daily News, Rochester, MN USA

"Fruit: one of the most exciting bands to come out of Australia since the Bee Gees."

Fruit is the main attraction for Down By The Riverside's first concert of the summer.

25.06.1999: Aussie Fruit has bunches of energy and talent
Rana Lehr, Daily Herald, Salt Lake City, USA

"Fruit is an explosion of jazz, a splash of funk and a spritz of grooving harmonies. They are the next big sound from the land down under."

The newest of their three recordings "Shift," seems like one big party. It's evident the band is having a blast on stage in these live recordings, and so is the audience.

Jul.1998: "Shift" live 98 - review
Robert Dunstan, Editor, Rip It Up

"Sensitive song's, embracing and disarming tones, with a straight up, no-frills approach that can't mask the musicianship of this group. And what better way to wind up than with a fiery Mel Watson horn blast. A rich and lively outing with Fruit."

Various Others

"Fruit may be described a number of ways --- infectious, soothing, powerful, delightful. One thing is for sure – They're never boring. With three songwriters/lead vocalists and the remaining two band members singing backup, this Australian group produces addictive harmonies fronting everything from jazzy Europop to avant-garde rock. _ Steve Stav Ballard News Tribune, Seattle
2002 Highlights "Concert of the year – Australian band FRUIT" – Luthers Blues, Isthmus, Madison WI

"Best Live Album in Australia"_ 2002 ‘Fruit Live at the Basement' Australian Live Music Awards

"Best Up & Coming Live Act"_ 2001 Australian Live Music Awards

‘Graceful Harmonies, vibrant energetic tunes and exquisite, imaginative musicianship' - Juice Magazine

‘Acoustic gentleness, sublime pop, rock tinged… infectious melodies" - Juice Magazine

‘Spanning the register from warm sensuality to soaring, searing passion, quick-fire rap to a belly-deep blusey growl. Irresistible all round entertainment." - The Scotsman, Edinburgh

"you all certainly pushed back the envelope of folk!!!"

"Ani DiFranco's ragged counter-rhythms; an occasional horn section the equal of Blood Sweat & Tears or Tower Power; and two & three part harmonies sounding like three K.D Langs in a row" - Anchorage Daily News

"In the 27 year history of Summerfolk, seldom have we presented an act who had such an overwhelming impact on the entire show. Fruit shattered our CD sales record and we can't wait to share them with our patrons once again this year. FRUIT is one of those live acts that just have to be SEEN!!" - Don Bird Artistic Director

"Fruit rocked" - Mary Tanner, Lancaster Theater for Performing Arts

"Windblows with it's cleansing melody, breezy groove and levitating lyric's is a concert highlight" _Geoff Gehman, Morning Call, Bethlehem PA

"I loved Fruit, one of my favorite groups that I have ever presented! "_Ronna Kalish University of New Mexico

"Morgan stage will never be the same again! Fruit is truly the most phenomenal group we have ever seen" Kasilof AK

Every year at our "small town - huge attendance" festival, our artistic director manages to bring us a group that blows us away!! This year it was FRUIT. This amalgamation of incredible talent highlighted the entire weekend! People of all ages were drawn to their stage by the amazing harmony of voices, acoustical magic and Mel's unprecedented performance on horns _ Joyce Leonard

"Major Highlight, Most Magical, Best Ever" Summerfolk moment of all times. We have been deeply touched by Fruit's musical brilliance and soul rendering performances. You are truly inspiring_ Rebecca McKenzie, General Manager Summerfolk

"I have never seen so much talent in all my life! I will defiantly be in PHL - Monica

"The best smokin', rockin', songwritin', horn blowin' sensation since the invention of the boomerang … One of our crowds most requested groups…" - Dan DeWayne – California World Fest / Chico Laxon Auditorium

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed seeing Fruit perform at the Philly Folk Festival. I have been telling everyone I know that Fruit is my favorite discovery at this year's fest. - Mark Campbell

Sue, you'll be pleased to know that two weeks out from the Laxon Auditorium show we have sold 700 tickets. Total sales 1008.

"The best smokin', rockin', songwritin', horn blowin' sensation since the invention of the boomerang.... One of our crowd's most requested groups....."
Dan DeWayne-California WorldFest / Chico Laxon Auditorium

Fruit the darlings of last years WorldFest, return again from it's home in Adelaide Australia. "Fruit has been a sensation," Artsistic Director DeWayne said. "their first U.S. festival was at California World Fest, and they've been our most requested group to return".

Fruit are often compared to many of today's dynamic contemporary performers, but give them 10 minutes on-stage and you'll quit trying to compare them to anyone. They perform songs in their bountiful, seven year catalogue with passion, mixing different degrees of blues, rock, soul and pop. Mel Watson's army of horns and Watson, Keynes and Lohs three part harmonies are gorgeous. - Alan Sheckter CN&R Chico California

Sue,
Thanks for the prompt reply - wish I could have seen them again this year, they put on one
hell of a show (best live performance I've ever been to!).
Wendy & Steve

I never seen sooooo much talent together in my life! I will definitely be in PHL!
Take care, Monica

We are getting good pre-sales on you guys, lots of people coming in from out of town on this
one. Very exciting. LinAnn Easley, Performance Theatre, San Juan College, Farmington NM

I loved Fruit, one of my favorite groups that I have ever presented!
Ronna Kalish, New Mexico Tech University, Socorro, NM

Just want to drop a quick note that Fruit was great at the Philly Folk Fest. I just got the CD that I ordered at Amazon.com.....The CD......Amazing, awesome, great are words that come to mind when I listen to the CD. Haven't stopped playing it. Try to keep Philly in mind when you set your schedule for next year. Can't wait to see you again.
Thanks for your music. Bud Corrigan

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed seeing the group perform at the Philly Folk Fest. I have been telling everyone I know that Fruit was my favorite new discovery at this year's fest. Hope to see you all in the future! - Mark Campbell, Leola, PA

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE COME BACK TO ROCK ISLAND, IL!!!!! MY GIRLFRIEND AND I LOVED YOU! WE ALSO PURCHASED ONE OF YOUR CDS HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON MAYBE NEXT WEEKEND IN CEDAR RAPIDS! A FAN.... ANA

Dear Fruit members; As a member of the board of directors for Summerfolk as well as a member of the audience I would like to thank you folks for the best performance I have witnessed in many years. I am also a musician and very much appreciate your dedication to your craft. I am the guy who picked Yanya up hitchhiking back from the golf course as well. All the best in your future endeavors.
Cheers:
Steve Dickinson

I only had a chance to briefly say "well done" to Mel backstage Sunday night. I wanted to let you know that your impact will be felt for a long time here. Many of the e-mail responses we are receiving attribute the workshop with Willie & Lobo and yourselves on Saturday afternoon, as the "Major Highlight, Most Magical, Best Ever" Summerfolk moment of all times. We have all been deeply touched by your musical brilliance and soul rendering performances. I personally hope to live long enough to give anything all I've got the way you did. THANK YOU. You are all truly inspiring.
I was one of the too-busy-to- get- to the-retail-tent casualties before you sold out, and would really like to buy your most recent live disc. Do you have a contact # for the venue you are playing in Detroit on the 14th and 15th of Sept that I could call and order a CD from?
Rebecca McKenzie, General Manager
Georgian Bay Folk Society
" Now, more than ever!"
www.summerfolk.org

Dear Sue-Every year at our "small town-huge attendance" folk festival, Don Bird our artistic director, manages to bring to us a group that blows us away!! This year it was FRUIT. This amalgamation of incredible talent highlighted the entire weekend! People of all ages were drawn to their stage by the amazing harmony of voices, acoustical magic and Mel's unprecedented performance on the horn etc.
Just letting you know I am still on a "high" from the weekend at "Summerfolk-Owen Sound", and eagerly anticipate the next performance if they are in the area.
Yours truly,
Joyce Leonard