"a soulful voice and great songs"

"The trend recently has seen performers taking themselves way too seriously or attempting to look cool and virtually aloof on stage. It seems a rarity to find an artist who is willing to engross themselves in the music and expose a little of their personality. Ms Cardwell is definitely of the latter. Abbie returned with a swag of inspired songs and experiences. These fine songs, with a slight country/bluegrass lilt, were delivered with a delightful voice and genuine charisma."

"Abbie Cardwell's voice is clear, controlled and engaging and it is easy to see why there are big things ahead for Cardwell. The relaxed rootsy tunes have got me hooked ."

"South Australian singer-songwriter Abbie Cardwell displays vivid emotion, in both voice and lyrics.
Her new CD offers a wide-ranging synthesis of soul, blues and new country and showcases Cardwell's dexterity on acoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica and tambourine.

The album opens with 3am, a languid tale about a sleepless night.

The laid-back vocals continue, combining Cardwell's banjo and lovely lyrics in Goodnight, followed by the banjo-infused title track with its mention of Cardwell's "brother on steel string", Jeb Cardwell, whose evocative Dobro introduction on the Devil and Me" is an album highlight. By Hook Or By Crook is by any measure a gorgeous manifestation of a remarkable talent."

"Abbie Cardwell shows that she's the real deal on her new record. Think Lucinda williams, Rickie Lee Jones, Sheryl Crow and Ryan Adams.

The album opens with a song called 3AM, and this is the perfect late-night track - simple and direct, but with a voice that aches. There's a rootsy cover of the Stones' Can't You Hear Me Knocking, but Abbie's sweet songwriting dominates proceedings, conveying both pain and pleasure.

Mixed by Nick Didia (Powderfinger, Bruce Springsteen), this is a world-class record.

2008 should be Cardwell's year."

"Former Adelaide lass Abbie Cardwell definitely has talent and wisdom beyond her years. Her songs ignite with deep emotion and are performed with a raw passion.

This songbird is a folk-loving, jill of all trades. She writes, sings, plays banjo, guitar and harmonica – and don’t forget her acting ability.

Her third album takes a while to warm up but when it does, the offerings are sublime. Poverty is a touching and harrowing look at insufficiency, while Atlanta is fun and nostalgic.

The album has an organic quality, comforting like a country home.

"If you’re up for a country mile’s travel down the brother sister folk/roots freeway, hang a left at Angus & Julia to arrive somewhere near Abbie and Jeb. Cardwell, that is. From Adelaide via America, Abbie is the vocalist as she joins older brother Jeb in Melbourne for this her fifth release. The duo employs an organic range of instruments, vocal overdubs and proven players including the established rhythm of drummer / artiste / suit tester Ashley Davies (Matt Walker / Might Servant), a consistent associate to quality such as this.

But the spotlight is on Abbie and the results are impressive.

Within seconds this long player solidifies as suitable full player by setting your world to that of hers, a reservedly ebullient cool, countrified calm. With some effortless plucking, strumming and sweetly sung vocals on tracks like ‘3am’, ‘Goodnight’ and ‘Poverty’, it’s an ideal accompaniment in that golden hour of Sunday solitude, a long drive or freshly broken heart.

The album peaks with alt. country slacker ‘Chip Chip’ [“Chip chip, bit by bit, I’m gonna take my time”] followed by the catchy chorus of ‘Atlanta’. Earlier during ‘I Miss the Friend’ Cardwell exhibits a robust, lived-in voice somewhere between Mia Dyson and Joan Wasser (Joan As Policewoman) for another highlight. ‘Broken’ appears in band and solo versions with equal success, the latter accentuating the effect the F-word (not quite “folk”) can offer a slow song. Vibrant times with the rockier ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’, the grassy coastal jaunt of ‘Johanna’ and title track ‘By Hook or By Crook’ where Abbie sings “I got a banjo and songs to sing, I got a band and a brother on steel string”. Meanwhile ‘Fool’s Paradise’ [“I have no home, I have no home”] meanders from dusty trails to not quite middle of the road, remaining above the line of all things good and wholesome.

From her Triple J Unearthed win in 2002 to multiple other songwriting awards, strength gained from international tours with international artists (Mark Knopfler) and the grand prize of renowned engineer Nick DiDia (whose credits includes Springsteen, Aimee Mann, Neil Young, Train and Pearl Jam amongst others) working on this album, the result is that 'By Hook or By Crook' is a definite creeper and impossible not to like. A quick skim through does it no justice with the opening bars of many songs sounding equally hokey before Cardwell’s voice brings the stories, and as a whole it takes a few spins to fully absorb. Nonetheless it’s an assured effort from another quality local artist with further potential and perhaps, hopefully some slightly more lush arrangements down the road. Someone really should lock The Sleepy Jackson’s Luke Steele and Abbie Cardwell in a studio together to create what could be Album of the Year. This however is still one of 2007’s better releases.

The artwork on By Hook or by Crook is a detailed, gatefold textured brown paper layout and with its overall design, musicianship and production; it’s the type of album you’d take home to your Mum. Or buy as a Christmas present... but play it a few times and you’ll end up keeping it."

"Abbie Cardwell's newest CD "By Hook Or By Crook" is a masterpiece. Easily one of the year's ten best. It's a beautiful blend of folk, blues and country influenced songs that have been painstakingly crafted by a songwriter that is at the top of her game.

This album is a definite 'Must Have'."

"Abbie Cardwell is superb! More presence than Santa Claus!"

"Abbie Cardwell is one of my favourite singers. I was in awe when I first saw her perform 10 years ago and have sought out every recording she has made since. From Op-pop to jazz blues diva and now with this, her latest release she has really found her thang. Laid back, soulful and breathtaking - like the lady herself.".

"CHECK IN TO THE LOVE MOTEL

It was late on a Thursday night when Howzat! "discovered" Abbie Cardwell. I was doing some reviews and I was short a CD or two. Abbie's EP, Love Motel, was staring at me. If truth be told, it had been there for a couple of weeks, and for some reason, I'm not sure why, I hadn't given it a spin. But the minute I put it in my CD player, I was transfixed. And entranced. "Anchored, anchored down," Abbie sings at the start of the first song, "Livin' in the past, nowhere bound." She might be living in the past - the Love Motel is a rootsy affair - but, let me tell you, Abbie Cardwell is going places. In fact, she flies out of Australia today. But it won't be the last we hear of her. She's relocating to America.

"It's like a fairytale," Abbie says, "I'm very excited. I hope it's not all a dream." Howzat! caught Abbie's live show at Manchester Lane last Monday. The Adelaide singer-songwriter is a captivating performer - cheeky, funny, cute, poignant, with a fine voice. It's an exciting time for her and you can feel it. Of course, even though Howzat! has been oblivious to Abbie's talents until now, she has been busy over the past few years. She was Unearthed by JJJ and Adelaide's Rip It Up magazine dubbed her "the first lady of Adelaide soul". She started out in a punk band called Puck and later fronted an acoustic trio called Blue Jay. Love Motel is a one-off deal with ABC Music/Universal, so who knows where she'll turn up next. She's going to America indefinitely, but hopes to be back in Australia for summer's festival season. Abbie might be gone, but look out for her guitarist brother Jeb, who has just moved to Melbourne."

"LOVE MOTEL E.P. REVIEW

Country music, I have a sneaking suspicion, is well on its way into the hearts of today's youth. If you don't believe me, check out The White Stripes… or more to the point check out Abbie Cardwell, the twenty something singer/songwriter from Melbourne.

Okay, so she's no Loretta Lynn, she's no Dolly Parton, she's more a hybrid of country mixed with a touch of blues and soul music. Track one on this EP 'Anchored' is a chilled out tune perfect for those do-nothing-all-day-days but the title track, 'Love Motel' is even lyrically country. "Check me out of the love motel!" Cardwell croons.

'Simplify Me' is a showcase for her diva-ability. Her voice stands up among the great jazz singers. Ella Fitzgerald would be proud. Abbie is certainly a talent to watch out for in the near future. So rarely can such a simple acoustic band be so emotional."