Legends: Joe Camilleri, second from left, with The Black Sorrows.
Erin Pearson
MUSIC is a life sentence of love for legendary Australian vocalist, songwriter and saxophonist Joe Camilleri.
Camilleri said he was “tying up loose ends” on a new 30-track double album in the lead up to his show with The Black Sorrows in Geelong next month.
Camilleri described making music as a labour of love.
“I think I’ve been pretty lucky but it’s still hard work,” he told the Independent.
“My songs are all like my babies. No one knows how long they’ll be in the music industry but for me it’s a life sentence.
“If I didn’t do it then I would die on the vine.”
Camelleri said The Black Sorrows band had been through highs and lows over its 28-year history.
“The public let you know if you’re doing the wrong thing because they won’t come,” he laughed.
“They say ‘We love you but we’re not coming, you’ve gone weird’.
“Some of that exists sometimes because a hit record can work against you.”
Camelleri said fans could expect some “oldies and newbie” hits in the band’s Geelong show.
“I love playing Hold On To Me, Chained To The Wheel and even songs I’m famous for that I didn’t write, like Brown Eyed Girl.
“I want to have fun with people and make them feel like the fat lady did sing – I’m guilty of that.”
The Australian music legend also promised more albums to come.
“I’m nearly 63 but I really feel like I haven’t done the thing I’m meant to do, although I do hope it’s not gardening,” he chuckled. .
“I want to do what Elvis was doing because there’s nothing nicer for a writer than people singing your lyrics back at you. It shows you’ve hit a chord and you wish you could do that every time.”
Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows will be at Deakin Waterfront Cafe on March 6.
