James Reyne @ The NorwoodHotel, Adelaide (14/08/10)

Mon 16th Aug, 2010 in Gig Reviews

James Reyne is looking fit tonight. Dressed rather relaxed in a plain t-shirt and denim jeans – just slightly tight…presumably for the ladies, of which there were plenty here in the audience. Reyne is back in Adelaide at his second home – The Norwood Hotel – of which he tours every three months. But why wouldn’t you when the place is packed full of half to full drunk 30 year old plus salivating for that Australian Crawl hit – Reckless. Or should I say hits? As you wouldn’t realise how many hits he’s actually had over the last 30 years…yes Reyne has been around for 30 years!

Unfortunately his solo career of the last 10 years has not garnered many hits, but radio is to blame. Radio, for some reason, refuse to play his solo albums, choosing only to play, nah murder the same old Australian Crawl songs over and over again. Oz Crawl and a deserved staple in any radio diet, but there are other songs out there from Reyne. So much so and out of spite (just a little) he released an Elvis Presley covers album just this year.

The hits were a plenty tonight and it was great to hear them, especially from the famous voice you just cannot pick up all the lyrics due to his singing style. But who cares? In amongst the well known hits like Hammerhead, One More River and Downhearted there was the downbeat country twanged track from 2008 called Little Man, You’ve Had a Busy Day. An unexpected Johnny and June Carter Cash cover Jackson which even if you don’t like Johnny Cash* you know this song. Two other covers were played. An unexpected cover hit half way through the set – a very short and country(!) version of *Guns n Roses*’ Sweet Child Of Mine entertained the crowd. Also *Paul Kelly*’s How To Make Gravy got a spin and did it fine justice.

Reyne was definitely enjoying himself, but he wasn’t alone. He brought a stripped down band that featured one time The Superjesus and dare I say it The Androids Tim Henwood. Basically he joined when The Superjesus went shit! No offence.

The night rolled on with more hits for another hour or so with the crowd joined in at every given moment. Fall Of Rome, Errol (complete with crowd sing-a-long), Oh No Not You Again, and the biggie Boys Light Up – even though Reyne told the crowd half jokingly to “fuck ya’s”. Reyne is an Aussie icon, see you in three months.