Pete Murray is back with The Byron Sessions, a reimagining of his last album Blue Sky Blue.
It might seem a bit superfluous to rerecord the album that only hit stores in 2011, but I think there’s method in the madness. While the album got to number six on the Aussie charts, it certainly didn’t make the impact of Feeler or even See the Sun. Whatever he did the first time didn’t resonate, but this new recording might thanks to some well selected special guests.
The lead single “Blue Sky Blue” features a great rap bridge from up and coming urban act Fantine. I love the edge it brings to Pete Murray’s gentle song. Other tracks on the album feature Ash Grunwald, Busby Marou, Bernard Fanning, and Katie Noonan. Rather than feeling like he’s relying on big names to sell the songs, the rerecordings feel like spontaneous jam sessions, so much richer than the originals.
“The Byron Sessions is about community, from the original idea jamming at home with mates, right through to its realization as an album, so it makes sense to get out there and see the people that have really supported me over the years, no matter what corner of Australia they’re from,” Pete explained. “It’s about celebrating the last decade coming full circle and sharing it with a community of people around the country who have all had their own journeys and life experiences at the same time.”
He’s clearly proud of The Byron Sessions, which hits stores on February 1, because he’s taking it just about everywhere starting with a show in Byron tonight. Seriously, can you believe how many gigs he’s doing? Here are all the places you can see Pete Murray play over the coming months.
24 January 2013 – The Brewery, Byron Bay
14 February 2013 – The Spirit Bar & Lounge, Traralgon
15 February 2013 – The Forge Theatre, Bairnsdale
16 February 2013 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
17 February 2013 – Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca
20 February 2013 – Yamba Bowls Club, Yamba
21 February 2013 – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore
22 February 2013 – Armidale Ex Services Club, Armidale
23 February 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
27 February 2013 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
28 February 2013 – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance
1 March 2013 – Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie
2 March 2013 – Capitol, Perth
3 & 4 March 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
7 March 2013 – Commercial Hotel, South Morang
8 March 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 March 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
10 March 2013 – Pier Hotel, Frankston
14 March 2013 – Regent Multiplex, Ballarat
15 March 2013 – Corner Hotel, Richmond
16 March 2013 – The Depot, Adelaide
17 March 2013 – Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln
21 March 2013 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie
22 March 2013 – Club Forster, Forster
23 March 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
24 March 2013 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
4 April 2013 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange
5 April 2013 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
6 April 2013 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
7 April 2013 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby
9 & 10 April 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
11 April 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
12 April 2013 – The York Theatre, Sydney
13 April 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
14 April 2013 – Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, Batemans Bay
18 April 2013 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
19 April 2013 – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach
20 April 2013 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
21 April 2013 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
23 April 2013 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
24 April 2013 – Hi-Fi, Brisbane
26 April 2013 – Villa Noosa, Noosaville
27 April 2013 – The Northern, Byron Bay
28 April 2013 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads