Vince Leigh’s Single Review: When My Ship Comes In by Charlie Powling
By Vince Leigh (Ex drummer of Pseudo Echo, Tina Arena and John Farnham) of Australian Radio Promotion for Sheldon Ang Media
You know, in the ever-spinning gyre of musical fluff and flash-in-the-pan stardom, every now and then you stumble upon a welcome anomaly. Enter Charlie Powling. In an age where most musicians play it safe, wrapped in bubble-gum beats and saccharine melodies, Powling might just be the antidote to the malaise.
Sure, Fifteen Of Fame had its moments, but When My Ship Comes In? Now, that’s Powling wading deeper into the muddy waters of raw emotion and stark realism. It’s not just another track on the radio—it’s a ticket to a dimly lit bar, where stories are shared over stale beer and cigarette smoke. And boy, does it tell a tale, especially with its unflinching nod to the women fighting against the looming dark of violence.
Now, before you think I’m diving headlong into fanboy territory, I’m saying Powling’s the next Dylan or anything. But the skills he does possess are the kind that makes you feel as though he’s lived every word. He admits, ‘I’ve been in that situation a few times in my life… move on to new horizons despite how daunting that may seem…’ The track also features Garry Jackson on guitar, whose style sits perfectly alongside the bands’ energy and the narrative.
A decade in Darwin’s music scene, and what’s Powling got to show? A sound that might remind you of a Saturday night jukebox—part rock, part folk, a dash of country. Think Mahalia Jackson meets The Beatles, but in a dimly lit alley, not a sunlit Abbey Road. Meanwhile, Charlie & The Black Pepper Band? With tracks like Drive the Highway, they’re like the rowdy pals you bring to a dive bar—they’ve got tales to tell, tinged with shades of John Schumann and maybe a hint of Springsteen.
To sum it up, When My Ship Comes In is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. But for those tired of the same old song and dance, it’s a gritty reprieve. It’s a musical brew—bitter at times, smooth at others. Just like life, really. If you’re looking for something real in a world of make-believe, give Powling a spin. You might just find what you’ve been missing.
Listen on Spotify
