Livia
02-11-2006, 04:55 PM
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,18103427,00.html
Sadie meets Stevie
Ritchie Yorke
12feb06
DIDN'T John Farnham (pictured) retire? Well, yes and no. The upcoming Brisbane show is not the first of a bunch of Farnham concerts in 2006, it's part of a very limited program.
The looming events with Stevie Nicks (in Brisbane on Monday week) and with the symphony orchestras of Sydney and Melbourne are the exception this year.
Farnham's wife Jill has insisted he break with tradition this year and get his backside off the concert trail and back on to one of his quarter horses.
"This is going to be a very laidback year," he's quick to assert from his car mobile, as he tools into Melbourne from the farm to attend rehearsals.
"In past years, I've done a significant amount of work. But this year I've promised Jill that after these shows, we'll be able to get out there and spend some time working with our horses and stuff.
"As you know, I have a string of very, very talented horses. I love to ride and I'm going to be doing more competition riding this year."
Just the thought of the upcoming performances with Stevie Nicks brings a broad smile to Farnham's voice.
Here's a man who likes to get up there and share vocal delicacies, as he's shown in previous encounters with Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and, recently, Tom Jones. But at time of writing, there were no plans to duet with Stevie.
Asked to name which Fleetwood Mac song meant the most in his life, John's a tad sheepish. "Aw, geez . . . the Fleetwood Mac thing is the background to all of our lives.
"I guess that Tusk was the album that really got me into them. That was the first album of theirs that really got me."
He pauses for a moment's reflection.
"I found out a lot about Fleetwood Mac when I finally joined the Little River Band. The boys had toured fairly extensively with Fleetwood Mac.
"I heard some fantastic stories about them, a few of which I'd like to substantiate with Ms Nicks. I think it will be really interesting," he says with a hint of menace.
But at the time we spoke, Australia's leading entertainer had yet to set eyes on Ms Nicks.
"I've yet to eyeball Ms Nicks. We've never met but I'm looking forward to it, because I'm a bit of a fan," he doesn't mind admitting.
Farnham is also fairly fired up at the challenging prospect of performing in front of a 100-piece orchestra (in this case the Sydney and Melbourne symphonies).
The repertoire will include selections from his latest album I Remember When I Was Young in which he reprises Australian golden oldies.
There'll also be the usual complement of Farnham signature tunes, and he promises that Burn For You and probably A Touch of Paradise will be in the mix.
The strings take proceedings to another place for John Farnham.
"Man, I guarantee you there is nothing that I can explain that is like having 80 violins, cellos and the like just arcing up behind you.
"I mean, the air actually moves. It physically fizzes. It's just the most amazing thing.
"It's an emotional thing, too, and it just takes me away. I just love that."
John Farnham and Stevie Nicks will perform at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on February 20. Tickets through Ticketek.
Sadie meets Stevie
Ritchie Yorke
12feb06
DIDN'T John Farnham (pictured) retire? Well, yes and no. The upcoming Brisbane show is not the first of a bunch of Farnham concerts in 2006, it's part of a very limited program.
The looming events with Stevie Nicks (in Brisbane on Monday week) and with the symphony orchestras of Sydney and Melbourne are the exception this year.
Farnham's wife Jill has insisted he break with tradition this year and get his backside off the concert trail and back on to one of his quarter horses.
"This is going to be a very laidback year," he's quick to assert from his car mobile, as he tools into Melbourne from the farm to attend rehearsals.
"In past years, I've done a significant amount of work. But this year I've promised Jill that after these shows, we'll be able to get out there and spend some time working with our horses and stuff.
"As you know, I have a string of very, very talented horses. I love to ride and I'm going to be doing more competition riding this year."
Just the thought of the upcoming performances with Stevie Nicks brings a broad smile to Farnham's voice.
Here's a man who likes to get up there and share vocal delicacies, as he's shown in previous encounters with Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and, recently, Tom Jones. But at time of writing, there were no plans to duet with Stevie.
Asked to name which Fleetwood Mac song meant the most in his life, John's a tad sheepish. "Aw, geez . . . the Fleetwood Mac thing is the background to all of our lives.
"I guess that Tusk was the album that really got me into them. That was the first album of theirs that really got me."
He pauses for a moment's reflection.
"I found out a lot about Fleetwood Mac when I finally joined the Little River Band. The boys had toured fairly extensively with Fleetwood Mac.
"I heard some fantastic stories about them, a few of which I'd like to substantiate with Ms Nicks. I think it will be really interesting," he says with a hint of menace.
But at the time we spoke, Australia's leading entertainer had yet to set eyes on Ms Nicks.
"I've yet to eyeball Ms Nicks. We've never met but I'm looking forward to it, because I'm a bit of a fan," he doesn't mind admitting.
Farnham is also fairly fired up at the challenging prospect of performing in front of a 100-piece orchestra (in this case the Sydney and Melbourne symphonies).
The repertoire will include selections from his latest album I Remember When I Was Young in which he reprises Australian golden oldies.
There'll also be the usual complement of Farnham signature tunes, and he promises that Burn For You and probably A Touch of Paradise will be in the mix.
The strings take proceedings to another place for John Farnham.
"Man, I guarantee you there is nothing that I can explain that is like having 80 violins, cellos and the like just arcing up behind you.
"I mean, the air actually moves. It physically fizzes. It's just the most amazing thing.
"It's an emotional thing, too, and it just takes me away. I just love that."
John Farnham and Stevie Nicks will perform at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on February 20. Tickets through Ticketek.