Camilleri witnesses addition of new dimension to Black Sorrows

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 27

Camilleri witnesses addition of new dimension to Black Sorrows

By

NEVIN TOPP

Joe Camilleri, lead singer and saxophone player for the Black Sorrows, sounds remarkably chipper for a breakfast time interview from Melbourne. Camilleri is also surprised by his own cheerfulness, having been out till late to maintain the momentum of the “Black Sorrows’s” latest double album, “Hold On To Me.” However,' he explains that it is difficult to ignore a four-year-old son bouncing up and down on one’s chest while one is lying in bed. Harlan can recognise Camilleri’s music, and Camilleri has made his son a drumkit. However,

this did not mean that there was going to be any pressure put on Harlan to be a musician, like his dad. Camelleri first came to prominence with the band Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, a band he led for more than a decade before deciding he had had enough. In 1983, he formed the Black Sorrows, who were initially a rhythm and blues band, releasing “Sonola” in 1984 and a second album, “Rockin’ Zydeco,” later in the same year. Two other albums were made before “Hold On To Me,” which is a far cry from the days of “Sonola,” both the band and sound having developed.

Although. Camilleri has maintained a nucleus of Jo Jo Zep players around him, notably Jeff Burstin, a co-founder of The Falcons, and another guitarist, Wayne Burt who also played in Daddy Cool, the Sorrows are now on a growth curve. Two sisters, Linda and Vika Bull, were initially added to the line-up for a six-week tour, but ended up on the album and have now been members for 18 months. Since “Hold On To Me” was made, Jenn Anderson, a violinist, has been added, and Camilleri says he would like to include a string quartet, but he is worried about the reaction of the rest of the band to such an idea.

It is the addition of the Bull sisters that has lifted the Black Sorrows’ recordings, and live performances as well. The two women were born in Australia and their mother is Tongan. Linda and Vika have brought a new dimension to the band, with strong vocals on songs such as the title track, "Hold On To Me,” and "Chained to The Wheel.” Since being released in Australia in January, the single, “Chained To The Wheel” has given the band its biggest hit there. Interest has also be shown in the song in Norway and Sweden, where it was in the top 10, and in West Germany and the Netherlands.