Tag: Jimmy Barnes

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Have the ARIA Awards Sold Out? You Bet Barnesy

Jimmy Barnes made some telling comments in the media today, slamming the ARIAs and the way they’ve become more about television ratings than the music. I’ve got to admit, I tend to agree.

Years ago I remember attending several ARIA Awards. I cheered on the world music artists I’d chatted to earlier in the night as well as bands who were already my favourites, and celebrated the beautiful landscape of Australian music.

But that sense of community seems to have been taken away this year as awards were presented at ARIA Genre Awards concerts rather than the main event. These genre awards saw gongs go to some big names: jazz man James Morrison, children’s entertainers The Wiggles, country sister act The McClymonts, and the soulful Dan Sultan amongst them.

These artists might not be flogged to death on commercial radio as the acts that will take home Sunday night’s awards are, but isn’t that kind of the point? Why do international guests with no connection to music like Carmen Electra and Eric Stonestreet find a place at Sunday’s awards when the performers that make the Australian music landscape so rich don’t? I love Modern Family as much as the next person, but it makes no sense to me. I’d much rather celebrate the melting pot that is the Aussie music industry than only the performers that already bask in the limelight.

I was happy to see the ARIAs move back to Ten after the awkwardness of last year’s ceremony, but now I’m just not sure.

Image used with permission from Javelin Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Headlines A Day On the Green Birthday Shows

A Day on the Green will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an Aussie music spectacular. Jimmy Barnes will headline the string of winery concerts this November, and he’ll take some very special friends along for the ride.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel performs during a Cold Chisel concert at ANZ Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


“I think that a day on the green has been like a breath of fresh air to the Australian music industry,” Jimmy said in a statement. “No longer do people have to settle for being crushed up the front of a suburban pub to be able to get a drink and see their favourite bands at the same time. They can now do it in style and sit back in some of the best locations. Eat, drink and listen to the best music in the world. What more could you want?”

Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins and The Dark Horses, and Dan Sultan will play at all shows, along with a rotating list of the very best local acts. If you love Aussie music, you’ll want to be at these shows. Tickets go on sale on Monday August 23.

7 November 2010 – Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Mark Seymour, Ian Moss, Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks, Richard Clapton, Dan Sultan, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
13 November 2010 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Mark Seymour, Richard Clapton, Diesel, Dan Sultan, Mahalia Barnes, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
14 November 2010 – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Diesel, Mark Seymour, Richard Clapton, Dan Sultan, Mahalia Barnes, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
21 November 2010 – Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Diesel, Dan Sultan, Vika & Linda)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Raging New Release

Jimmy Barnes is following up his massive 2009 album The Rhythm and the Blues with an album of originals entitled Rage and Ruin.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel performs during a Cold Chisel concert at ANZ Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


Barnesy recorded the disc in Los Angeles earlier this year with producer Don Gehman. Jimmy tragics will note that this is the same producer who worked on Two Fires, Heat, Soul Deep, and Flesh and Wood. These are amongst my favourite Barnesy CDs, so I’m hopeful that the newie will be just as exciting.

Jimmy will give us a taste of what’s to come when he performs the first single “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” at Wednesdauy night’s State of Origin game. This is Jimmy’s kind of crowd, so he’s sure to go down a treat.

Rage and Ruin will hit stores on August 13.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes and Guy Sebastian Hold Steady on Aussie Charts

It’s another week on top of the charts for locals Jimmy Barnes and Guy Sebastian. Jimmy held steady at the top of the albums charts with The Rhythm and The Blues, despite strong competition from fellow Aussie Kate Miller-Heidke. Her album Curiouser is up three positions this week, and breathing down Jimmy’s neck at number two.

Also making his presence felt is John Farnham at number six. His national tour no doubt has something to do with his greatest hits compilation The Essential 3.0 climbing five spots.

Not a lot has changed in the singles charts. Guy Sebastian’s still at number one with “Like It Like That.” Kate’s still at number three with “The Last Day on Earth.”

If only we had a few more Aussies to keep them company! Jess Mauboy did jump a whopping 11 spots to land at number 11 this week, so I’m predicting her newie “Up/Down” will crack the top 10 next time around.

Click below to see the complete top 10!

Continue reading “Jimmy Barnes and Guy Sebastian Hold Steady on Aussie Charts” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes and Guy Sebastian on Top of ARIA Charts

It’s a rare week in Australia, with Aussies taking the top spots on both the albums and singles ARIA charts.

Rock veteran Jimmy Barnes earned his ninth solo number one album this week with The Rhythm and the Blues. That surpasses John Farnham’s eight solo number ones, making Barnesy our most successful solo male artist. But was there ever any doubt this album would be a hit? It doesn’t take a genius to work out that an album of old school rock and roll covers released just before Father’s Day is going to sell by the truckload. The real test for this CD will be how it does next week, and the week after.

Keeping Jimmy company on the albums charts we’ve got Kate Miller-Heidke’s Curiouser sitting at number five, up one possie from the week before. They’ve slipped three places, but Jet are still hanging in there with Shaka Rock. Their third album sits at number eight.

Meanwhile Guy Sebastian is sitting at the top of the singles charts with his infectious single “Like It Like That.” It’s taken Guy four weeks to achieve the position. It’s somewhat of a return to form for Guy, who hasn’t released a number one single since 2004’s “Out With My Baby.”

Kate Miller-Heidke’s making her presence felt on the singles charts too with “The last Day on Earth” inching ever closer to the top spot. It’s sitting at number three this week, one better than the week before.

Click below to see the complete top 10.

Continue reading “Jimmy Barnes and Guy Sebastian on Top of ARIA Charts” →
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Goes Back to the Blues

He might be 53 years old, but Jimmy Barnes shows no signs of slowing down. The Aussie music veteran recorded not one, but two new albums in a recent trip to the United States.

The first is a prequel to his famous Soul Deep album, titled The Rhythm & the Blues. As the name suggests, the covers disc will feature bluesy numbers from the 50s and 60s.

Jimmy assembled an all-star band for the disc, including guitarist Johnny Lee Schell (Lucinda Williams, BB King), pianist Mike Thompson (Eagles), bassist Reggie McBride (Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Stevie Wonder) and drummer James Gadson (Quincy Jones, Bill Withers). Being the consummate professionals that they are, the album was recorded in just three days. We’ll hear a taste of it next month when the first single is released.

While stateside Jimmy also teamed up with Jonathan Cain, the co-writer of “Working Class Man” for another original rock album. Who knows whether another single so strong will grace this disc, but I can’t help crossing my fingers.

We can expect both albums to hit record stores soon.

Image source: DianeSunshineCoast @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barnesy’s Live Bushfire Fundraiser Tops iTunes Charts

After its launch last week, Jimmy Barnes’ Live at the Enmore album has claimed the number one spot on the iTunes chart.

The iTunes exclusive release will benefit the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.

“The people who buy this album can rest assured that every single cent from the purchase of it will go to the bushfire appeal,” Barnesy said.

The album is an absolute steal at $3.39, and is available around the world through iTunes.

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’" by David Campbell and Jimmy Barnes

I’ve been a longtime David Campbell fan but his latest album Good Lovin’ had a special appeal to me. I was dying to hear him jamming with his old man, music legend Jimmy Barnes, on the soul classic “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” I caught them performing it on Sunrise this morning and it didn’t disappoint. Unfortunately Sunrise don’t have embeddable videos but after a little digging I’ve found the next best thing to share with you: the music video. I only hope this isn’t the last time we hear this formidable father-son team collaborating!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Goes High Tech

Who says you can’t teach an old rocker new tricks? Jimmy Barnes will be the first Aussie act to use new Alive Drive technology.

When you see Barnesy on his Out of the Blue tour you can pick up an Alive Drive USB wristband featuring exclusive audio, video, and image content, plus live updates via the web.

This is the same sort of flexible USB wristband Matchbox Twenty fans saw when the lads toured here recently.

Jimmy Barnes plays Canberra Theatre tonight.