Jimmy Barnes
Out In The Blue
Liberation


By my reckoning, 'Out In The Blue' is Barnes' 11th solo studio release, and his first release since his heart surgery in early 2007. And an interesting beastie it is. You (sadly) won't find the rough as guts rock from his 'Bodyswerve' or 'Freight Train Heart' days, nor (thankfully) will you find the abysmal Euro rock of 'Psyclone'. What you will find though is a roots/soul sound that befits a voice and a body that has seen it all and then some.

Featuring Jim Moginie, Mark Punch, Kasey Chambers and a fair smattering of the Barnes clan on vocals and percussion, the tone is indeed somewhat reflective, especially when he sings in the title track, "I changed the habits of a lifetime girl." In fact James is possibly at his strongest ever lyrically here, having penned seven of the 12 on offer, with able writing assistance provided by Tex Perkins on the excellent slide guitar laden I'm Surprised, which threatens to cut loose, but doesn't. However, the Nick Barker collaboration Red Light does let loose, keeping fans of music that rawks happy.

And for those who enjoyed his 'Double Happiness' album from 2005, Kasey Chambers steps up to the plate on When Two Hearts Collide, a near country track where due deference is given to each singers vocal skills, neither trying nor wanting to outdo the other. Indeed, the vocal restraint shown by Barnes is evident across the whole album, his voice not trying to outsing every instrument but allowing the nuances of the music to work with his voice. Very clever and pleasing to hear, and nowhere is this more evident than on the Neil Finn written Blue Hotel.

The second disc sees eight live tracks from the Max Session at the Opera House, and features a couple of Chisel classics, Flame Trees and Four Walls, plus a couple off this release and one or three other bits and pieces, a nice bonus.

'Out In The Blue' is perhaps a natural progression given Barnes' previous dalliances with soul and acoustic material and whilst not being a startling diversion from his previous work, it does paint a picture as to what station Barnes is currently at.

Mark Liebelt