B SIDE MAGAZINE
going on because it’s been that way ever since.
LUCIE THORNE AND JO JO SMITH Lucie Thorne is greatly excited about bringing Jo Jo Smith (photographed together her by Damian Fitzgerald) to town and introducing the New Zealand-born singer to South Australian audiences as she reasons that those who make the effort to see her will be just as gob smacked by her talents as Lucie was when she first came across the sexagenarian pocket-rocket.
By Robert Dunstan “It was about 10 years ago at a festival I was playing and Hamish [Stuart], my drummer, had said, ‘Okay, we must make a point of going to see Jo Jo while we are here’,” Lucie recalls. “And Hamish doesn’t tell me what to do very often so, after I’d played we went off to see Jo Jo.
she was the very first female artist to be invited to play Byron Bay’s Bluesfest. “And not having heard of Jo Jo is the case for a lot of people because she’s really a bit of a cult figure,” Lucie says. “She lives up in the northern corner of New South Wales where she has a huge following as well in a few pockets in other regional places. And, y’know, I don’t know if Jo Jo has ever done one of her own shows in South Australia before now.
“And she was absolutely jawdropping,” she continues. “I had tears streaming down my face and “A lot of people goosebumps and “I don’t may have then joyous unknowingly laughter. It know anyone seen Jo Jo was the full who has seen Jo in the past gamut of because Jo for the first time emotions. a long I was who has not become an for time she instantly immediate fan, I don’t was a captured backing and know anyone who has singer remember witnessed her who has in Marcia going Hines band backstage not been totally doing and having gob smacked.” theorsame with this nervous fan Olivia Newtonthing happening. John or Jon English. She worked in that world “I was gushing about her for a long time. But, y’know, show and instantly wanted backing singers rarely get to be her friend and I a mention. It’s not an area remember shoving one of where you become well my CDs into her hand. But known. we got chatting normally and she came to see me play “It’s now such a joy to have and we’ve kind of been good concocted this ridiculously friends ever since.” large tour of some 50 dates to celebrate the fact Jo Jo has I must admit not having heard of Jo Jo before the tour been making music for the last 50 years,” she adds. “And was announced but noted it’s going to be great going
all around the country introducing her to so many new sets of ears to celebrate her remarkable life.” Hamish had wanted to introduce Lucie to Jo Jo as they had a past association. “Hamish and Jo Jo had worked together when he was drumming with Marcia Hines back in 1980 and she was a backing singer,” Lucie explains. “And their paths have crossed many times since and there is a lot of amazing history. So, get Jo Jo and Hamish talking about the old days and some of the most interesting stories come out. “I can’t wait to hear more of those as part of this tour,” she laughs. “I think there will be lots of laughs.” Lucie, who is working towards another album, has had Hamish, renowned as one of this country’s best drummers, as a touring partner for many years now. “I feel incredibly fortunate and often pinch myself about the fact he plays with me,” she responds. “It’s been something like 10 years now from what began with me just asking him to do a little tour. He must love what’s
“And when I mentioned I was organising a huge tour with Jo Jo, Hamish just said, ‘Well you can count me in on that one’,” Lucie adds. One of the three shows in Adelaide will take place at Woodlands Run, Finniss. “It’s an organic chicken and beef farm run by a couple of dear friends of mine,” Lucie says of the property. “And there’s an old woolshed that they have converted into a performance space and decked out as a party space. There’s a stage, a dance floor and a bar – people bring their own supper – and they had a small festival there last year which they are now looking at doing again.” Lucie says the shows will open with herself and Hamish presenting a set before they join Jo Jo. “We’ve now done a few show together over the years and while we are quite different, that’s what makes it work,” she reasons. “Between us we cover a lot of ground and have done some duets at times. “Jo Jo has some original songs but has a vast repertoire of some absolute classics,” Lucie says. “She’s tiny and unlikely looking but she can sure belt them out. “And I’ve said this a few times now, but I don’t know anyone who has seen Jo Jo for the first time who has not become an immediate fan,” she then enthuses. “I don’t know anyone who has witnessed her who has not been totally gob smacked. “It’s also especially powerful when it’s in an intimate setting such as that back room at the Wheatsheaf,” Lucie concludes. “And I know it’s Mother’s Day that day, so I reckon that after lunch is over, people should bring their mums down for a little whisk[e]y.” Jo Jo Smith is touring around the country with Lucie Thorne & Hamish Stewart and will be performing at Woodlands Run at Finniss on Friday 12 May, McLaren Vale’s The Singing Gallery on Saturday 13 May and from 4pm on Sunday 14 May at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton. 29