The Barnestormers is the debut studio album by international supergroup[3][4] of the same name. The album was released on 26 May 2023.[1]
| The Barnestormers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by the Barnestormers | |
| Released | 26 May 2023 |
| Label | Bloodlines |
| Singles from The Barnestormers | |
Background
editIn January 2021, Jimmy Barnes announced he had formed a rockabilly outfit with Chris Cheney of The Living End and Slim Jim Phantom of Stray Cats. Barnes said "Slim Jim and I have been talking about doing this for 20 years. We've got three quarters of a rockabilly album finished, half originals, half old covers."[5] The musicians laid down their parts separately in isolation, across three continents, before Shirley put it together.[6]
In February 2023, Barnes revealed more of the outfit's existence on the first episode of the new season of RocKwiz .The group, called The Barnestormers, features Jimmy Barnes on vocals, Chris Cheney on guitar, Slim Jim Phantom on drums, Thomas Lorioux (Frantic Flintstones/Guitar Slingers) on Upright Bass, Kevin Shirley on bass, and Jools Holland on piano.[7][4]
The group's first single, a cover of Don Walker's "Johnny's Gone" was released 10 March 2023, alongside the album pre-order.[1] The song's video clip features the comic book artwork of Vince Ray brought to cartoon life by Marco Pavone.[8]
A cover of Johnny O'Keefe "Real Wild Child" was released on 21 April 2023 as the album's second single. Mary Varvaris from The Music said "The joyful, rock 'n' roll cover is perfect for The Barnestormers - every band member has a bit of rockabilly in them, and their take on 'Real Wild Child' solidifies the passion behind this project."[2]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Newcastle Herald |   [6] |
Josh Leeson from Newcastle Herald said "Holland's boogie woogie piano-playing on 'Lonesome Train' is a scintillating highlight and Barnes sounds inspired throughout by his accomplished bandmates. The Barnestormers are having a blast and if they can ever get the band together for a tour, it'll be one hell of a party-starter."[6]
Ellie Robinson from NME said "While its the Cold Chisel frontman's soulful tenor that piques curiosity at first, that's just one piece of a much more complex and dynamic puzzle: Cheney's rollicking riffs gel wonderfully with Shirley's groovy low-end, while Holland adds some brightness and flare on the piano. This is '50s jukebox jamming at it's [sic] rockin' and rollin' best."[9]
Jeff Jenkins from Stack Magazine said "The Barnestormers' self-titled debut is a success from start to finish because the aim is simple: having fun. They've delivered a riotous rockabilly rave-up, with songs celebrating the origins of rock 'n' roll." Jenkins concluded the review saying "The Barnestormers is one of 2023's great party records."[3]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sweet Love On My Mind" | 3:00 | |
| 2. | "Working for the Man" | Roy Orbison | 3:07 |
| 3. | "Johnny's Gone" | Don Walker | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Lonesome Train" |
| 2:35 |
| 5. | "Thirteen Women (And Only One Man)" | Dickie Thompson | 3:10 |
| 6. | "Dear Dad" | 2:14 | |
| 7. | "Crazy Crazy Lovin'" | Johnny Carroll | 2:57 |
| 8. | "Sweet Nothin's" | Ronnie Self | 2:27 |
| 9. | "Land of Hope and Glory" |
| 3:54 |
| 10. | "Real Wild Child" |
| 2:38 |
| 11. | "25 to Life" | Cheney | 3:30 |
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[10] | 3 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[11] | 57 |
References
edit- ^ a b c Surej Singh (10 March 2023). "Jimmy Barnes Supergroup". NME. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ a b Mary Varvaris (21 April 2023). "The Barnestormers Cover Rock and Roll Classic". The Music. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ a b "'The Barnestormers' is one of 2023's great party records". Stack Magazine. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ a b Paul Cashmere (28 February 2023). "Jimmy Barnes Reveals More Details Of His Supergroup Barnestormers". noise11. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes has formed a new band". Perth Now. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "REVIEW: Rockabilly supergroup The Barnestormers get the party started". Newcastle Herald. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ Mary Varvaris (10 March 2023). "Jimmy Barnes & Chris Cheney-Led Supergroup The Barnestormers Announce Debut Album". The Music. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ Andrew Fuller (19 March 2023). "News International Rockabilly Supergroup, The Barnestormers release First Single". Backseat Mafia. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "What's new this month? Here are 10 Australian release picks for May 2023". NME. May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Barnestormers – The Barnestormers". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 June 2023.