Still rocking and reeling in a living
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Singer James Reyne
Source: Supplied
THEdecision to release a new Australian Crawl greatest hits and their catalogue online doesn’t appear so reckless after the band landed straight at No. 1 on iTunes this week.
A raft of Australia’s best loved rockers are enjoying a significant boost to their superannuation thanks to a buoyant touring circuit, greater exploitation of their hits on television and a staunchly loyal fanbase.
Frontman James Reyne said the decision to release The Greatest Hits was made by their new record company Universal which acquired the Australian Crawl catalogue when they bought the band’s old label EMI.
“It’s not even an anniversary thing. I don’t really have an opinion about it,” Reyne said about the reissue campaign for the band’s records.
“I don’t really remember much about that time. It was like my apprenticeship.
“I know I was there but I have moved on; it was a very long time ago.”
The last time they hit No. 1 was on August 30 in 1982 with the Sons Of Beaches studio record.
But the band have been front and centre in people’s minds over the Australian summer with Reckless soundtracking the promos for the second series of Puberty Blues.
In this 1997 file photo, members of the Australian rock band INXS pose for a group portrait at the Ritz Carleton Hotel in Aspen. Colorado. They are, from left, Tim Farriss, Kirk Pengilly, Michael Hutchence, foreground, Jon Farriss, Garry Gary Beers and Andrew Farriss. Picture: AP/James Minchin
Source: AP
All of their back catalogue records which had been remastered for digital release featured in the iTunes top 100 and The Greatest Hits is likely to debut in the top of the ARIA charts next week when CD sales are counted.
Reyne, who has released more than a dozen solo records since Oz Crawl disbanded in 1986, said he played live constantly regardless of the chart success of his albums.
The Max TV host agreed the Day On The Green winery concert circuit and boutique blues and roots festivals had also proved happy fan hunting grounds for our older musicians including Jimmy Barnes, Daryl Braithwaite, Ross Wilson and Richard Clapton.
“You just have to keep busy; every weekend, I am playing somewhere,” he said.
“The winery circuit appeals to the audience who have grown up with our stuff and want to be entertained, want to hear a back catalogue of songs they know.”
Hunters and Collectors kicked off their comeback tour at a Day On The Green concert in Geelong yesterday and have concerts booked until April.
Another heritage artist success story in the past 12 months is Russell “The Real Thing” Morris, whose Sharkmouth record is still in the top 50 after more than 30 weeks.
The Saints Chris Bailey performs at Pig City, Queensland University.
Source: News Limited
It was the record every major label in Australia rejected but fan-led demand and media supporters started a chain reaction which catapulted Morris into the top 10 with gold sales and won him the ARIA award for Best Blues and Roots Album.
INXS are also reaping the rewards of their impressive catalogue of hits in the lead-up to the screening of the Never Tear Us Apart miniseries in February.
They have hit the ARIA top 10 with The Very Best hits compilation this week, their first time in the upper reaches of the charts since 2002.
The Saints frontman Chris Bailey will be enjoying a significant boost to his bank account this year thanks to Bruce Springsteen covering Just Like Fire Would on the new album High Hopes.
Industry experts have predicted he could make up to $ 500,000 in publishing royalties from The Boss cover.
Marcia Hines is also expected to make her presence known back on the Australian pop charts this year after returning to television as the face of Foxtel’s Smooth music channel.
She will release her new record Amazing in March.
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