JAMES REYNE ALL THE HITS LIVE “Everybody said, ‘What’s that sound?’” For more than three decades, James Reyne’s songs have been the sound of the Australian summer. His unforgettable hits conjure images of sun, surf, sand and sex. And James has now delivered the album that will be the soundtrack to this summer: All The Hits - Live. For James Reyne fans, this is the ultimate gig. His entire career is encapsulated in two discs, from Australian Crawl’s debut single, “Beautiful People”, to his first solo single, “Fall of Rome”, and songs that are part of our culture, such as “The Boys Light Up”, “Reckless”, “Downhearted”, “Errol” and “Hammerhead”. After Australian Crawl called it quits in the mid-’80s, James rarely played many Crawl songs live, preferring to focus on his solo material. Fun fact: Just one Australian Crawl single reached the Top 10 (1983’s chart-topping “Reckless” from the Semantics EP), whereas this album features five Top 10 solo hits: “Fall of Rome”, “Hammerhead”, “Motor’s Too Fast”, “Slave” and James’s cover of The Dingoes’ “Way Out West” (which he originally did as a duet with James Blundell in 1992). Thirty years after Aussie Crawl announced their split, James has embraced his old band’s remarkable catalogue. Every Crawl album is represented here, with songs from The Boys Light Up, Sirocco, Sons of Beaches and Between A Rock And A Hard Place. And there’s even a nod to the band’s much-loved first live album, 1983’s Phalanx, with a new version of live favourite “La Califusa”.
James also revisits “Sweet Love” – a forgotten gem from Company of Strangers’ self-titled set, a Top 10 album in 1992 – and dusts off long-time fan favourite “Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama”. Fittingly, All The Hits - Live was recorded in Perth, where Australian Crawl said farewell to the world in February 1986. This album was recorded at Perth’s Astor Theatre on Saturday, September 5, 2015. “Such a time was had by all, we figured we’d be foolish not to commit it to tape,” James says. “So herewith the results, recorded one hot September night way out west.” This is James Reyne playing the songs the way he always wanted to play them, backed by a killer band: Brett Kingman and Phil Ceberano on guitar, Andy McIvor on bass, and former Aussie Crawl member John Watson on drums. James says the tour not only invoked “great memories but also the spirit of dear Brad [Robinson, who died in 1996] and Guy [McDonough, who died in 1984], and the rest of Crawl, of course, as we revisited some of their fabulous and, dare I say it, timeless tunes”. As James remarks when introducing “Indisposed”, “If you want to sing along or join in, feel free.” Of course, you’ll know the words. These are songs that provide the soundtrack to the endless Australian summer. James Reyne – A Day In The Sun National Tour with Moving Pictures will be hitting Chelsea Heights Hotel on 4 December. Tickets at www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 762 545 or at the venue.
TIDBITS & TALES With the warmer weather upon us, there is a lot of good music to check out at many interesting venues. With the success of Andy Phillips and the Cadillac Walk VIP Merchandise launch party still echoing in my ears from the night before, I opted for a relaxing Sunday arvo coffee and catch up with swing, jazz and blues husband and wife duo Jon and Wendy Wade who were performing their monthly ‘Jazz and Shiraz’ at the Leaf and Bean in Mornington. I’ve been a fan of Wendy’s charming vocals and Jon’s versatile keyboard playing since music arts events entertainment
By Terri Lee Fatouros
first reviewing them last year. Their sound is extremely professional and polished. However, I’m complaining out loud because as a music journalist, I’ve discovered there is so much great talent out there that’s simply not recognised, and it’s frustrating to say the least.
I’ve seen people instantly get caught up in their sound and easy appeal and then rave about them.
In the past, the Wades have had a rich history gigging with international greats like Cleo Lane, our very own Johnny Young and numerous other giants within the swing jazz world, and yes they do have a reasonable fanbase and are known within the corporate world, yet it makes me wonder why they are little known amongst the general populous.
For now we’ve got the Wades doing their beautiful ‘thing’ regularly at The Leaf and Bean in Mornington and numerous other venues around the ‘burbs.
Personally I think the Wades talent is wasted in the café scene and should be entertaining in upmarket venues.
Oh incidentally, Manningham City Council heard about Wendy’s prodigious voice so invited her to sing at their Carols by Candle Light in Doncaster East on Friday 11 December. I guess word is getting out after all. If you want to share goss, info or anything else music wise then send me an email to: terri@mintmagazine.com.au
But if I get my way I’ll be making damn sure the Wades start gigging in first class venues where they belong.
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