Australian singer-songwriter Bradley McCaw's newest song, 'You Ain't Foolin' Anyone', is a sophisticated pop-rock ballad that sizzles with sensual guitar licks and Bradley's commanding vocals that'll remind you of the classic hits of the '70s and '80s.
The second single lifted from his forthcoming debut album 'Worried Minds' (due February 2022), 'You Ain't Foolin' Anyone' was produced by Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum member and guitar legend Louie Shelton.Bradley's career began singing classical music with international globetrotters The Ten Tenors; the experience led to him performing at the AFL Grand Final and his first world tour.
After a string of lead roles in musicals like 'Rent' and 'Les Miserables', Bradley met Louie (Lionel Ritchie, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand) and a collaborative relationship began.
"I remember working on 'You Ain't Foolin' Anyone' in the studio with Louie," offers Bradley. "We had recorded a good take of us playing the tune, and everyone got up to go listen back to it in the control room.
"Louie turned to me and said something like 'I'll just lay down a solo, shall I?'. Of course I agree, and we all leave Louie to do another pass on his own.
"Well, what happened next is exactly what's in the song today. Note for note. One take. I feel like you can hear that spontaneity and joy in the music. For me, it was as thrilling as making music could get."
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (15 October), scenestr is stoked to premiere the music video for 'You Ain't Foolin' Anyone' today. Enjoy.
For the video's creative, Bradley descended on the beautiful Old Museum in Brisbane working with award-winning filmmakers 13th Street Films, with the clip directed and edited by Joel Stephen Fleming.
"The mood and tone of the song has a definite atmosphere. Using projection meant we could separate the world inside the song and my performance of it, if that makes sense?" Bradley says.
"I'm sitting at the piano in a white suit looking like I just got off a yacht, playing the song as the world inside my mind is projected out in real time.
"And to film it inside such an iconic venue like The Old Museum in my home town was a real thrill."
Five years in the making, the genesis of the 'Worried Minds' record began when Bradley and Louie first collaborated together during a recording session on the Gold Coast.
That set in motion a career change for Bradley, who began focusing on creating music like his idols of the '60s and '70s.
Further collaborations occurred with producer Nick DiDia (Powderfinger, Bruce Springsteen) as well as trumpeter James Morrison and singer Paulini, with founding member of jazz legends Fourplay, Nathan East adding the bass grooves that give the songs an undeniable style.
