Jimmy Barnes - The Rhythm And The Blues (2009)
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Jimmy Barnes
The Rhythm And The Blues
Tracks
Disk 1
1. Red Hot
2. That's Right
3. Hallalujah I Love Her So
4. That's How It Is
5. Keep A Knocking
6. Reconsider Me
7. Shake Rattle And Roll
8. Rockin' Pnemonia
9. A Fool In Love
10. You Can't Judge A Book
11. I Was Made To Love Her
12. Young Blood
13. My Baby Just Cares For Me
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It is no news that
Jimmy Barnes is getting on in years, but even though his heyday as the
King of 1980s Pub Rock has passed, his new musical direction may come
as a shock to many.
But the rumours are true – his impending grandfather hood has grabbed him by the trachea and dragged him into aging rock star hell.
Jimmy
Barnes latest album "The Rhythm And The Blues" makes no attempt to
disguise what it is – an LP of (gasp!) big-band fuelled rhythm and
blues cover tunes.
It is pretty easy to see the attraction too
– the pick ‘em-and-redo ‘em format has become a successful formula on
the home front, with Human Nature, Guy Sebastian and even his own son,
David Campbell, each nabbing Top 10 hits with similar offerings.
Despite
the fact this album will probably sell like wildfire (already it's
topped the Aussie charts), "The Rhythm And The Blues" quality
leaves a lot to be desired.
Jimmy Barnes sure sounds like he had a great time recording "The Rhythm And The Blues", but it's an uncomfortable fit.
In
fact, the final product borders on just plain dull, no thanks to the
paint-by-numbers instrumentals and lack of any real exploration.
If
anything redeems the set from becoming a mere lullaby, it is Jimmy
Barnes' iconic gravelly shriek that springs a little life into an
otherwise limp misadventure.
To add to its woes, the songs selected for the album are quite the mismatched variety, from the classic Shake, Rattle ‘n Roll and an inexplicably selected Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu, to a borderline offensive retake of Ray Charles’ seminal Hallelujah, I Love Her So.
At
the end of the day, no matter how hard the band played, nor how
heartily Poppa Barnes crooned (rest assured, he has still got it), the
album lacks two essential factors – originality and soul.
"The
Rhythm And The Blues" is no mean feat for a rocker as revered as Jimmy
Barnes to step out of his comfort zone, but this one just wasn’t meant
to be.
No matter – if it’s any consolation, it won’t be long
before shimmy-jiving swing rock dancers will be toe tapping to this one
in a Bowling Clubs near you.
RATING: 2.5 out of 5
Brought To You By The Dwarf
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