Reyne of the king

When James Reyne sat down yesterday to talk about TCB, his new album of Elvis Presley covers, we had one question. Why? 'I love the songs', he says. 'I was never an obsessive Elvis fan, but always fascinated by him. He represented a myth he helped create. And honestly, today, in the Australian music industry, the majority of methods to get your stuff out there are closed. This was a commercial decision. But I wanted to make something I'd enjoy doing'. The album, as it goes, is a terrific lark. Reyne's oft-maligned voice is routinely excellent. While he tackles a ballad, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, it's far from earnest.

Yes, he takes the music seriously, but his tongue is planted firmly in cheek through TCB.

'I chose songs from the bad movies, like Girls Girls Girls, Bossa Nova Baby and Viva Las Vegas', he says. 'I don't want to impersonate him. You're painting a target on your back, sure, but it's still true to the songs'.

The 52-year-old says 30 years into his career, he takes himself seriously as a singer.

'I know what my strengths and weaknesses are now', he says. 'I knew nothing doing the first Australian Crawl album. My first solo record, I wasn't singing. It was this weird, clipped, yelling thing. I don't know how anyone can listen to it'. A bit harsh for what was a big run of No. 1 albums and top 10 singles. Although he does regularly receive back-handed compliments such as 'I understand everything you sing now'.

'It's a blessing and a curse', he says. 'I don't mind doing certain songs for the 450 billionth time. It took me a while to find the happy medium. But the downside is you're constantly defined by your past'.

As for Australian Crawl, the band he led from 1976 to 1986, it seems a lifetime ago.

'It's like this other guy I don't even recognise', he says. 'I was a kid. Australian Crawl has been appropriated and misinterpreted as a bogan thing. A lot of people relate to me on that level. It irritates me sometimes, but it's also kind of amusing. The band name was the swimming stroke. Nothing about being Australian.'

Reyne admits he has been threatened post-show in car parks for not playing the single The Boys Light Up during solo shows. 'I toyed with not doing that song for a while. I do it now; it's not worth the aggravation'.

Now based on several hectares on the Mornington Peninsula with partner Tina 'and some horses and cows', Reyne is also working on a new set of songs with producer Scott Kingman in St Kilda.

He will launch TCB, released April 9, with a show on May 21 at the Palais. 'Musically, they're great songs. I'm straightforward about it. I hope some Elvis fans enjoy it. It's done with respect for the songs'.

Track 01: Viva Las Vegas
Track 02: Such A Night
Track 03: Kentucky Rain
Track 04: Burning Love
Track 05: (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame
Track 06: Good Luck Charm
Track 07: All Shook Up
Track 08: Bossa Nova Baby
Track 09: Devil In Disguise
Track 10: She's Not You
Track 11: Girls, Girls, Girls
Track 12: Little Egypt
Track 13: Return To Sender
Track 14: Are You Lonesome Tonight?

 James Reyne sings The King

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