“Let’s Go” – David Campbell

I expected the kind of merry Christmas and happy New Year that all the greeting cards tell us everyone receives, but I didn’t get it this festive season. On December 25 my Grandma had a bad fall, which led to her admission to hospital the day later. Also on Boxing Day my Mam, my mum’s stepmother, found herself in hospital too. While Grandma’s still resting up, Mam passed away. We had her funeral yesterday. Consequently the season which is ordinarily so festive was stressful and sad.

Of course I turned to music, this time the 80s pop showcased on David Campbell’s latest covers album Let’s Go. We have a rule in my family never to buy ourselves anything in the lead up to Christmas, so I was a bit late getting my hands on it. But goodness it was worth the wait.

This is the David Campbell album I’ve been waiting for. Anyone who knows me knows the 80s is my decade, and David’s done it justice. Some clever arrangements see the tunes feeling fresh, although they’re not so different as to alienate the diehard fans.

Funnily enough the album features many of the 80s tracks my husband and I had discussed prior to its release. David equals Tony Hadley’s silky smooth vocals on “True.” Adam Ant’s “Goody Two Shoes” has just the right amount of pep, while “You Make My Dreams Come True” should put a smile on anyone’s face. I’ll say this; David Campbell has impeccable taste.

In some cases he’s even done the unthinkable and bettered the originals. The arrangement of “Missing You” brings out the gutwrenching heart of the lyrics like John Waite’s version never did. I must have heard “Come On Eileen” a million times on radio, yet David’s version has so much energy that I find myself hitting repeat.

This is one of those albums that begs for a sequel, just as we saw with his Swing Sessions. I’m not sure whether I’ll get my wish, but I’m certainly in for an amazing show when David Campbell hits town later this year!

Image source: David Campbell Facebook page

David Campbell Goes Retro

I’m pretty excited at the coming together of one of my favourite Australian singers and my favourite musical decade. After tackling the standards more than once, show tunes, and the sounds of the swinging sixties, David Campbell is setting his sights on the 80s.

Next week David will release Let’s Go, an album featuring covers of tunes by Wham, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, and The Style Council. Oh and there’s this version of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” Not to mention a version of my favourite song ever, “True.” Needless to say, I’m beyond excited.

Let’s Go hits stores on November 18, which is not so coincidentally the day that tickets go on sale for his next Aussie tour. David never does these things by halves; I’m sure you’ll be able to catch him busting out the retro numbers somewhere near you!

16 February 2012 – Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, Belmont
17 February 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
25 February 2012 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
10 March 2012 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
16 & 17 March 2012 – Palms @ Crown, Melbourne
12 & 13 April 2012 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
14 April 2012 – Civic Theatre, Orange
19 April 2012 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
20 April 2012 – Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie
21 April 2012 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
27 April 2012 – Llewellyn Theatre, Canberra
28 April 2012 – Regional Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
3 & 4 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Wangarratta
5 May 2012 – Entertainment Centre, Albury
10 & 11 May 2012 – Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, Dubbo
12 May 2012 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
16 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
17 May 2012 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
18 May 2012 – Perth Concert Hall
19 May 2012 – Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
31 May 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Colac
1 June 2012 – Warnambook Entertainment Centre, Warnambook
2 June 2012 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier
7 & 8 June 2012 – Capital Theatre, Bendigo
9 June 2012 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton
14 June 2012 – Performing Arts Centre, Frankston
15 June 2012 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
16 June 2012 – GPAC Playhouse Theatre, Geelong

David Campbell @ Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi – 7 October 2010

Longtime readers of my blog will have heard me wax lyrical about David Campbell before. He’s one of those rare artists that encourages me to get out and see him each and every time he tours. Even rarer, he does so because he always delivers an amazing performance. And it was no different when last night I caught his On Broadway show at Mingara Recreation Club.

After several very successful albums, David has an extensive and eclectic back catalogue to play with. There’s the music from Shout, the swing songs, old 60s rock and roll, and now showtunes in his repertoire. It takes a skillful performer to deliver such variety without alienating his audience, but David had us there with him through it all.

The first portion of the show concentrated on those Broadway numbers, which really came to life on stage. David’s always been such a theatrical performer, who no doubt learned a thing or two during his time in New York, so tunes from Chicago and Boy from Oz were an easy fit. I enjoy the On Broadway album, but was surprised by some of the disc’s more obscure song selections. Given that, I was thrilled that in the live arena he focused on those tunes we all know, encouraging us to sing along and ensuring we all had a fabulous time. “Bring Him Home,” the showstopper from Les Miserables was incredible, and we all had fun when he played with those high-tech recording pedals in Guys and Dolls’ “Horse Right Here.”

He kicked things up a notch in the second half, and it didn’t take long before I joined the women enthusiastically dancing on the sides of the auditorium. Songs like “Yeah Yeah,” “She’s My Baby” and “Suspicious Minds” are just so much fun, and we lapped them up. Not that it was all light-hearted. David brought tears to a few eyes with his incredible renditions of “Mr. Bojangles” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

It takes a truly special performer to breathe new life into songs we’ve all heard many times before. David Campbell is definitely that, a genuine showman who can move his audience to tears and have them in fits of laughter on a whim. Rest assured, I’ll front up for tickets when the next tour rolls around.

Image source: own photo

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – David Campbell

I’m heading home today, so I figured it was only fitting to end this little snapshot of Adelaide music on the artist I’m seeing live on Thursday night: David Campbell. Anyone who’s been reading this blog for a while knows how much I adore David, and I’m definitely looking forward to hearing him playing the tunes from the new Broadway album including “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Thanks for your patience while I’ve been away. Regular blogging resumes tomorrow!

David Campbell @ 16 Footers, Belmont – 28 November 2009

I love Australian music, but it takes a very special performer to compel me to buy tickets for each and every tour. David Campbell is one such talent. I caught the Good Lovin’ tour when it rolled around the first time in March, but was keen to go back for a second serve on Saturday night.

davidcampbell16s

While it was still called the Good Lovin’ show, I definitely wasn’t seeing the same concert. While many performers recycle their set lists and even their jokes as they tour about the country, David Campbell always appears fresh. He may have played gigs every day for months, but he didn’t show any signs of fatigue.

The set list was really different from the one I enjoyed in March, but with such an extensive back catalogue to draw from that’s never a bad thing. The sixties album Good Lovin’ was featured of course, with both album tracks and a few more inspired choices from the era. Chicago’s “Saturday In the Park” was lots of fun, and you could have heard a pin drop in the romantic ballad “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Then there were the standards drawing from both Swing Sessions CDs. Cole Porter’s “Begin the Beguin” was another showstopper, while “Just a Gigolo” and “That’s Life” saw everyone singing along. A Louis Prima medley featuring The Jungle Book’s “I Wanna Be Like You” and “Pennies from Heaven” was another great surprise. David went back even further with tracks from Shout, his first big break in this country. We were treated to a taste of David’s forthcoming Broadway album with “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, a profoundly moving performance that leaves me desperate to hear the new disc. His version of his father’s classic Cold Chisel number “Flame Trees” was also incredible.

The songs may have been markedly different, but their familiarity and David’s charisma helps make the eclectic mix work. I don’t think there’s a better showman in this country. He jokes easily with the audience, sharing anecdotes and delivering witty one-liners. He gyrates his hips like a modern day Elvis, making his female fans squeal with delight. But just as easily as he can make the room move, he can make it stop. He delivers a ballad like no one I’ve ever seen, with such a compelling stillness and conviction. With equal measures of heart and humour, David Campbell delivers one of the best shows I have ever seen in this country. I already can’t wait for the next tour.

Image source: own photo

David Campbell @ Mingara Recreation Club, 11 March 2009

As I get older, it takes a little bit more to entice me to a midweek gig. It takes a performer who doesn’t just sing but entertains, one who leaves a part of themselves on the stage, and one who is a whole lot of fun. It takes a performer like David Campbell.

I raved about David when I caught his Swing Sessions tour, but I knew this show would be a little different. His latest album explores another time, swapping classic crooning for the swinging tunes of the sixties. But the philosophy remains the same. David continues to deliver songs that stand the test of time because they’re just that good.

The songs give David a solid foundation, but it’s what he brings that makes them exceptional. He’s a rare performer, one that does all he can to truly entertain. He swivels his hips to make the girls scream, easily tells amusing anecdotes between songs, wears some of the most outrageous outfits I’ve ever seen on a straight man, and sings like a dream.

He was here to promote his new album Good Lovin’, but that doesn’t mean his other songs were forgotten. He loves to swing, and he delivered highlights of his Swing Sessions albums with gusto. And then he went further back to deliver some Johnny O’Keefe classics from the musical “Shout.” It didn’t matter which decade the songs came from; we knew them all and enthusiastically sang and clapped along.

Songs like “Just a Gigolo” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” were irreverent, while tender moments like “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and the breathtaking “Mr Bojangles” nearly reduced me to tears.

I cannot say enough good things about David Campbell. Seeing him live is a special experience indeed. His Good Lovin’ tour is travelling all around the country at the moment. See it. You will not be disappointed.

Image source: own photo

Jessica Mauboy Burns Up the Charts

Jessica Mauboy’s second solo single “Burn” has proven its slow burn appeal, landing at the top spot on the ARIA singles charts this week. With the single debuting eight weeks ago, I’ll bet Jess wondered if she’d ever score that number one!

It’s been a much more meteoric rise for Natalie Bassingthwaighte, who’s rocketed into ninth position with “Someday Soon.” What an awesome effort for its first week in the charts!

AC/DC continue their dominance, outperforming all other Aussie albums with the five-times platinum Black Ice. It’s sitting at number four after thirteen weeks in the charts.

The massive Aussie soundtrack from the even bigger series Packed to the Rafters sits at number eight. Featuring acts like Ben Lee, Josh Pyke, and Gabriella Cilmi it’s little wonder people are buying this one in droves. It sounds like ideal Australia Day barbie music to me!

David Campbell rounds out the top 10 with one of my favourite albums at the moment, Good Lovin’. This is the sixties soul cover album’s highest chart position to date!

Here’s this week’s complete top ten!

Australian Top 10 Singles

  1. “Burn” – Jessica Mauboy
  2. “Poker Face” – Lady GaGa
  3. “Let It Rock” – Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil Wayne
  4. “Get Shaky” – The Ian Carey Project
  5. “Use Somebody” – Kings of Leon
  6. “You Found Me” – The Fray
  7. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” – Beyonce
  8. “Circus” – Britney Spears
  9. “Someday Soon” – Natalie Bassingthwaighte
  10. “Live Your Life” – T.I. feat. Rihanna

Australian Top 10 Albums

  1. Only by the Night – Kings of Leon
  2. Funhouse – P!nk
  3. Twilight – Soundtrack
  4. Black Ice – AC/DC
  5. The Fame – Lady GaGa
  6. Circus – Britney Spears
  7. Dark Horse – Nickelback
  8. Packed to the Rafters – Soundtrack
  9. I Am … Sasha Fierce – Beyonce
  10. Good Lovin’ – David Campbell

"Good Lovin’" – David Campbell

I received David Campbell’s Good Lovin’ as a Christmas present and I haven’t been able to prise it from my stereo since. I was a big fan of David’s “Swing Sessions” albums, and wondered where he’d take us next. This nostalgic journey to the 1960s was a little unexpected, but it all makes sense.

It’s a real departure from the standards he tackled in the past, but it’s not so far removed that he risks alienating his ever faithful audience. These songs will resonate with the mums and dads who remember the first time they heard them, while David’s younger fans might learn a thing or two about musical history. David’s obviously a fan of the songs he covers and he stays true to the originals, yet the warmth of David’s voice ensures no song ever feels like a carbon copy.

A duet with his own dad, the living legend Jimmy Barnes, on “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” is an obvious standout. But I can’t resist dancing around my loungeroom to “Now That I’ve Found You” and “Jackie Wilson Said.”

Good Lovin’ is fun, pure and simple. Every song is delivered with conviction and a healthy dose of charisma. Receiving it in my stocking has only made me hungrier for that tour in March!

Image source: David Campbell website

David Campbell Gets Festive

Christmas is just 19 sleeps away! But before the fat man comes down your chimney, some of Australia’s biggest names will perform at Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight!

David Campbell, the event’s ambassador for the second year, will head this year’s lineup.

“Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight is the perfect way to round off the year and enjoy the celebrations and performances by some of the best talent we have in the country,” he said. “I am humbled to work alongside of these performers and it is inspiring to see all of the volunteers, performers and the Nine Network pull together and raise money for children who are blind or have low vision.”

David will perform alongside Marina Prior, Anthony Callea, Hi-5, The McClymonts, Tim Campbell, and many more stellar acts.

Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight will be held at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve. If you can’t get there, you can watch it on the Nine Network around Australia.

Image source: Newscom

David Campbell Gets Hitched

David Campbell is a swinging bachelor no more. The spunky singer married producer and actor Lisa Hewitt at Sydney’s St Phillips Anglican Church yesterday.

David’s dad and living legend Jimmy Barnes wore a kilt and accompanied wife Jane and kids Elly-May, Mahalia, Jackie, and Eliza-Jane. Toni Pearen, David Hobson, Dawn Fraser, and bridesmaid Magda Szubanski were some of the other famous faces.

The new Mrs Campbell, a massive Neighbours fan, managed to rope in Angry Anderson to sing “Suddenly” at the ceremony. I think that’s just so cheesy that it’s cool!

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Image source: Newscom