In the current landscape of cross-pollinating musical genres James Blundell no longer finds
himself bound by the artistic restrictions once imposed on country artists.
Finding common ground with noted music rebel Steve Earle, who found initial success in the
country genre before branching out with his own brand of country-rock, Blundell’s
music in the
year 2005 is as much rock and pop as it is country and roots.
The release of ‘Deluge’, his first album in four years, finds the platinum-selling performer widening
his repertoire with a sound guaranteed to appeal to both country and rock audiences (think Tom
Petty, John Mellencamp). From the good-time country rock of ‘Lunatic For Love’ and the simplistic ‘Greylands’ through to the infectious pop of ‘Fight Naked’ and the powerful ‘Postcards From
Saigon’, ‘Deluge’ is the most complete album of his illustrious career.
Over the past 15 years James Blundell has earnt a reputation as a master storyteller with his
ability to weaves tales of contemporary Australian life and traditional values into a commercially
appealing musical style. On ‘Deluge’ these writing skills are complimented by the talents of Phil
Rigger and Terry McArthur from Sydney spoken word outfit the cube (who have also penned
songs for Tina Arena and John Farnham). Phil Rigger was also responsible for the production and
mixing of ‘Deluge’. “We had one objective, and that was to come up with an album’s worth of tunes that sounded
good and made sense,” reveals James. “We live in pretty mixed up times, and there are a lot of
statements in the songs, some subtle, some not so but throughout, there is a sense of humour
- as a mate of mine says, ‘If you don’t laugh, you don’t make it’. If ‘Deluge’ takes you away for a
while, and helps you think of things a little differently, then the album has done its job.”
‘Deluge’ features an all-star list of guest musicians and collaborators including INXS’ Kirk Pengilly,
Cold Chisel’s Ian Moss, Dave Leslie (Baby Animals), Chris Bailey (The Angels), Eddie Clarke
(Motorhead), Toni Mott (d.i.g) and Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osborne).
One of Australian country music’s true success stories James Blundell has been the recipient
of nine Golden Guitar Awards and is a four-time ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association)
Award nominee. He was the first local country artist to create an impact on the mainstream pop
charts (‘Way Out West’ his duet with James Reyne was one of the biggest selling singles of 1992)
and the first Australian country act to sign to a major label recording deal via Nashville in the
USA.
‘Deluge’ is James Blundell’s eighth album and will be released on Revenge Records via MGM
Distribution on January 24, 2005. Revenge Records is a new independent label headed by
Blundell and ‘Deluge’ is the first of four releases scheduled by the company in 2005.
CONTACTS
Management: Square One Entertainment
Neil Richards
management@jamesblundell.com.au
web site: jamesblundell.com.au
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