Jiiimmmmmaaayyyy!
I love listening to music…
We travel long distances out here – everything is at least a half hour drive away, and while I do listen to ABC radio to occasionally catch up on what is going on in the outside world, my chief choice of audio entertainment is my i-pod. I plug it into the Prado’s stereo and my kids brace themselves for Mum’s terrible singing, as I belt along with whatever comes up on ‘shuffle’ setting. I feel quite sorry for them, but have noticed they are taking the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” approach and are singing mightily along too. Regardless of whether they know the words or not
(Chips off the old block! Ah’m so proud!).
Among the many and varied artists on my little piece of newfangled electronic equipment are some numbers belted out by one of my very favourite old style rock-n-rollers.
His name is Jimmy Barnes.
Or as fans call out when he’s on stage:
‘JIIIIMMMMAAAAYYYYY!’
(Not that I have ever done that… well, not lately!)
Jimmy led an awesome Aussie pub band called Cold Chisel through the 70s & early 80s.
I have sung (badly) along to almost everything he has ever put out – in discos, pubs and at B&S’s. I have swayed and rocked to his gravelly-voiced lyrics at his concerts. He was a wild man, with a reputation for hard drinking and hard partying.
I also had the amazing opportunity to interview and photographing him a couple of times, back when he toured through my old stomping ground of Griffith (NSW). Sadly, those hand-processed black-and-white images belong to my old employer… how I wish I still had them now.
Among the images I took was of the wild rocker with a girl called Alice. Jimmy had met this special little girl during one visit to the town. Alice was just six and fighting leukaemia – Jimmy had a daughter the same age and Alice’s story touched him deeply. So deeply, that he dedicated a song to her on an album (when she passed away). I cannot help but think of him in this way (when I hear his music) … a tough, gruff rock’n’roller with a purpling broken foot (from some over-enthusiastic partying after the previous night’s concert) gazing quietly at two little girls playing in a motel room.
I would love to share the song he dedicated to Alice (I think it was “Tears We Cry“) but cannot find it on YouTube, and also love “(Your Love) Keeps Lifiting Me Higher” (which he does an awesome version of) … but instead have found this ballad (from album Soul Deep) to share: When a Man Loves A Woman
Do you like a little gravel in your ballads?
10 Comments
Frances
Love the man, great stage presence.
I’m a city girl born/bred but since having Foxtel connected I have become a fan of the country music channel.
We have some great Aussie country singers.
Kate
Love him! Now. I didn’t know about him before… But thanks! I do love a little gravel, he sounds awesome. Isn’t it funny that you can’t hear accents when people sing? I’ve always wondered about that. Great post! Great Singer! And such a good guy for helping Alice.
Woman in a Window
Yes, gravel goes a long way. What a cool man.
Bush Babe
Frances – yeah, we have awesome bands here in Oz. Not sure if Jimmy would totally approve of being labelled ‘country’. In the old days, he may have smashed a scotch bottle to defend his good rockin’ name. Just sayin’. 🙂
Kate – Cold Chisel WERE Aussie rock’n’roll through the 70s and 80s. In concert, they ruled. Did you notice the cute base player in the clip?? His name is Diesel and he actually married Jimmy’s sister (I think). Quite a hottie!
WIAW – thought you might like this clip. Might post up Khe San – one of the best rock songs ever. (No nightclub ever finished a set in the 90s without finishing on this song!!!!).
Mom L
Loved it! This was my introduction to Jimmy – now I’ll look for more on YouTube by him. Until now, my fave renditions of this song were by Percy Sledge and Michael Bolton. Yes – I love some gravel! I adore Kris Kristofferson’s gentle gravelly voice…
Nancy in Atlanta
Kate
I found him on iTunes!!! Definitely going to buy a few songs 🙂
Kate
Forgot to mention how awesome the band looks, quintessential 70/80’s rockers. Skin tight black pants, the hair, the cut-off shirts. I love it. And Diesel is hot, that’s too cute that he married Jimmy’s sister, you think 😉
Dina
I think he’s probably the most sexy Australian.
I love his voice!!!
My favorite video is this one for some reason.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcjZrf_g-lQ
Jayne
Oh, yeah, a proper night of music isn’t complete without the Chisels and Barnsey!
Love all their stuff, their music is infectious and everyone starts singing along even in the middle of a supermarket lol.
~*Autumn*~
I am the newest fan of Jimmy Barnes!<3
How did he ever exist without me knowing before now! *head.to.desk*