Pic by Ian Ritter
Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows are thrilled and proud to announce the world-wide release of Saint Georges Road on 10th September through Ambition Records. It also happens to be Joe’s 50th album release. To celebrate this milestone – and to make this record truly special – Joe Camilleri reunited with Grammy nominated Peter Solley – producer of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons’ breakthrough album Screaming Targets (‘79) that featured Joe’s first Top 40 hits, Hit and Run and Shape I’m In – and together they’ve created something very special. Saint Georges Road showcases 11 original tracks written by Joe Camilleri and his long-time writing partner Nick Smith.
As I mention in our zoom video interview with Joe Camilleri, there’s always an element of soul in his music. However, Saint George’s Road is possibly Joe’s most soulful album ever and I don’t mean that in relation to the amount of Sam and Dave style tracks on the disc, cos there’s only really one which falls anywhere near that radar. I mean it’s got so much beating heart and passion that it’s bursting out of this band’s chest. Whether it’s master guitarist Shannon Bourne’s sublime licks on My Heart Don’t Feel A Thing or the vibrant brass parts on the album opener What Stephanie Knows or Joe’s pure vocal sentiment on the title track and it’s nod to friends who have passed, the album possesses a spirit that reaches deep down into your inner feels. Even the fabulous rockers such as Livin’ Like Kings, Chiquita and Revolutionary Blues touch your heart as much as they move your feet. The album sees a return to production duties for internationally acclaimed Peter Solley and it’s obvious that the Solley/Camilleri chemistry was alive and well and living in Woodstock Studios during the recording of this album. Saint Georges Road might be Joe Camilleri’s 50th album release but it may also be his best yet.
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips chats with Joe about the creation of the Saint Georges Road album.