The Buzz About … JIMMY BARNES
THE MUSIC LEGEND IS PREPARING TO RELEASE A VERY PERSONAL NEW ALBUM
For more than four decades, Jimmy Barnes has rocked Australia and the world with his raw and heartfelt music – both as the frontman of Cold Chisel and as a solo artist. Not that Barnes, 65, is showing any signs of slowing down.
He’s releasing his 20th studio album Flesh and Blood this week and he tells WHO the project was a family affair, with daughters Mahalia, Eliza-Jane and Elly-May on vocals. “I first played the title track live at my mate [late promoter] Michael Gudinski’s memorial,” says Barnes, who’ll head across the country on tour this month. “He was all about family and he was like family to me, and he loved that song. If there’s one thing we’ve all learned during the past year, it’s that family and those that we love are the most important things in life.”
Barnes’ wife Jane, 63, is never far from his side. The couple’s daily live-streamed performances on social media during lockdown last year racked up more than 100 million views. “She’s the girl of my dreams and my favourite person to spend time with,” he says. Jane duets with Barnes on a cover of Gram Parsons’‘Love Hurts’, too. But the track (with songwriter Don Walker) ‘The Truth’ is his special gift to Jane on his new album. “My truth is all I’ve got,” he says. “If you can give your partner your truth, you’re on to a good thing.”
Barnes is a prolific artist and says he’s already working on his 21st album. “I’m not stopping,” he tells. “I’m still learning every day. I’m proud of this album, but I actually feel that my best work is still to come.”
(Flesh and Blood is out Jul. 2. The deluxe version contains a bonus DVD featuring 10 of The Jane Barnes Band’s at-home video performances. For tour information, visit jimmybarnes.com)