Grab a seat, sit back and enjoy the soulful tunes of Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows as they return to Bowral Bowling Club on January 24 on their Lover Surrender Tour.
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A cool 21 albums down the line, Joe Camilleri's The Black Sorrows are at the peak of their game with Citizen John, the new album with its roots in the familiar terrain of sweet, platinum radio rhythm and blues and dark reflections of modern times.
Keen to hit the music scene and add a sense of normality among the bushfire disaster, Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows are looking forward to playing at Bowral Bowling on January 24.
"I'm going to do my best to lift as many people's spirits as I can and try and raise money and awareness," he said.
"I like making music, I like new things to play, new challenges for me.
"I'm growing, I'm growing as person and as a musician.
"I'm certainly a different type of musician than what I was 40 years ago, I have different values and different reasons for doing things."
Joe credits his environment for the inspiration behind his music.
"On one level it's the things that you do and see, you pick up the guitar and say that's not a bad idea and then you start working that way and all of a sudden you have a collection of songs," he said.
"It was really nice to be back in the music charts [with the latest album Citizen John] and I've nearly finished my next album which should be coming out in middle of the year and it's my 50th album.
"The concept behind my 50th album came after I met with a friend of mine, Peter Solley, who produced my earlier albums for Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons and we reconnected.
"I said to Peter, why don't you come to Australia and have a look at some of the songs and produce the album.
"So I'm really looking forward to the album coming out. The good thing for me was that I didn't have to make all the decisions because I'm the dishwasher - the guys makes the music not the producer.
"The album is a labour of love and it gave me the opportunity of having someone else produce it.
"I was glad to hand the bat on to someone else from a produces point of view. I'm really looking forward to the end product."
As to what to expect from his current tour and album, Joe said it will be mix of old an new.
"I have new songs, old songs, in between songs, songs that I haven't recorded. It's just going on a musical journey," he said.
"People love Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons so I will play some of those songs.
"People love 'Shape I'm in' and it's always bamboozled me because it's an unfinished song from a songwriters point of view, a little avant-garde but it has struck a cord.
"But I love playing that and we've extended it.
"I play what I feel that evening requires. I don't come in with a set idea because people already know what I do and it's all about having a night out and a bit of fun.
"The audience loves 'Chained to the Wheel' but at the moment people are getting something out of 'Hold on to Me'.
"Sometimes the music reflects on the past, or working towards the future. We're all different people.
"We don't come for drinks, we come to play.
Joe has taken his tour to parts of Australia affected by the recent spate of mega bushfires and has been amazed at the resilient Australian spirit.
"Everyone is walking around with a very heavy heart and no one knows what to really do apart from wait it out," he said.
"The devastation not only for wildlife and human life and waterways and trees will scare us for many years to come.
"It's horrific and I feel that the music fraternity is rolling up its sleeves to give. It's not a political thing, it's about clean up, mop up and do the things that's necessary [to move forward].
"Once the weather breaks and things change, people get on with their lives. People want to contribute but they don't realise it's a long term thing.
"[The fundraising efforts] is incredible. I've been on this planet for 71 years and not seen anything like this before."
The latest album, 'Citizen John' is about perpetual change.
"It's all very nice to get a pat on the back and 'Hey I saw you in '78,' but I want people to judge me on this album," says the man who still plays 160 shows a year.
"It's about moving forward. To me, it's always about moving forward."
Tickets are available via Moshtix.
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
