Love That Album - Current State of Play

The early years of rock and roll are remembered (among many other artists) for the hip thrusts of Elvis, the guitar styles and lyricism of Chuck Berry, the song craft of Buddy Holly, the vocal blend of The Platters and the extroversion of Little Richard. Doo wop, rockabilly, rhythm and blues were getting kids excited (and their parents despondent) about popular music. One pair of brothers had joined the rock and roll fray, but saw themselves more as country artists....and despite their youth were already music industry veterans.

3 years ago, I was rapt to welcome one of the greatest working songwriters in Australia to the podcast, Don Walker. Mostly known for his songwriting and piano playing for Cold Chisel, he's also done two albums under the Catfish moniker, been a member of supergroup Tex, Don & Charlie, and made great albums in his own name supported by his live band The Suave Fucks. What could be better?

I try to plan my podcasts in such a way that it looks like I know what I'm doing. This is one such episode that may give you pause for thought....

LTA episodes are not usually filled with stories of soldiers suffering PTSD while on R&R, working women who have to leave their children late at night, mobsters who were guilty of violent crimes, strip clubs, police corruption or the gentrification of Kings Cross…..but here we go….

There are very few artists who can claim popularity in one decade, then claim it all over again with a new band or approach to music. In Australia in the 1970s, Joe Camilleri was a huge draw with his band Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons. They created a blend of R&B and reggae that worked well, and were a big draw in Australian pubs and concert venues. After the demise of the Falcons, Camilleri started a new band called The Black Sorrows that started life as a Zydeco outfit, then evolved into a blend of Americana, soul and a touch of Van Morrison inspired songs.