Jimmy Barnes’ signature scream will echo across the Highlands this weekend.
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The man with blue denim in his veins is set to play an intimate show in Berrima.
Jimmy’s played music for a majority of his life, he’s honed his craft so well that adapting his show to a larger stadium or a smaller venue doesn’t affect his performance.
“Every venue is totally different,” Jimmy said.
“You play at different speeds with each venue. It can become a big garble mess if you play too quickly at outdoor events but you can give the songs a bit of air and room to maximize their full potential.
“In the smaller clubs you can play a bit more intense and faster, I really enjoy playing both.”
Whether he’s singing classic Cold Chisel songs, his solo hits or new music, the passionate flame of music is still burning within Barnsey.
“The chemistry Cold Chisel have and the catalog of songs we have there’s no need to drum up the passion, it’s there instantly,” Jimmy said.
“It helps when you’re playing great songs but it’s something that’s instilled in all of us, especially when we get into a room together.”
And the the audiences still get Jimmy’s adrenaline pumping.
“The audience will guide you,” he said.
“They guide you to play harder and bring the best out of yourself.
“It’s not something you need to bring out of yourself, you share it with the audience.
From the days of playing eight shows a week with a bad PA system and no fold backs, nothing has affected Jimmy’s voice. Even through sickness he can power out the notes.
“I’ve got a tough throat,” Jimmy said.
“Somehow over the years I’ve developed a unique singing technique.
“Many years ago I went and saw a very serious throat specialist who had done many vocal operations on great singers from all around the world. He had a look down my throat and told me that somehow I had taught myself to sing using my secondary vocal chords instead of my main vocal chords.
“It’s sheer luck and I don’t know how I taught myself how to do it.”
The chemistry Cold Chisel have and the catalog of songs we have there’s no need to drum up the passion, it’s there instantly.
- Jimmy Barnes
The show coming up on Saturday, December 1 is quite the family affair.
“I’ve got my son on drums, son-in-law on bass and guitar, my two daughters and my wife on backing vocals,” Jimmy said.
“Clayton Doley who’s been playing in my band for years, he’s incredible, he will also be a part of the band.
“This is a much more intimate show, the crowd is going to be up close and personal. If they were any closer, they’d be in the band.
“It’s sort of an acoustic show but my acoustic performances aren’t as laid back and quiet as a lot of other peoples.
Jimmy said he would play songs off his acoustic record, Flesh and Wood.
There will also be songs played off the Working Class Boy soundtrack and from the Working Class Boy, Working Class Man shows.
“I also want to play a couple of fresh songs off my new album, The Criminal Record to show people what I’ve been doing.
“It’s going to be a real mixed bag of stuff, it’ll be really interesting, I’m looking forward to it.”
The Jimmy Barnes Up Close and Personal show will be held, December 1 at The Loch Farm in Berrima.
Tickets are $340 per person. Twilight cocktails, along with dinner and drinks included.
Doors are at 3.30 pm and tickets can be purchased from ticketmaster.com
Jimmy Barnes new record, The Criminal Record will be out early next year.
