Linda Bull, one half of the luminous Bull Sisters, has today announced a new, collaborative show featuring the songs of the Red Headed Stranger – Stardust: The Songs of Willie Nelson – set to play at Arts Centre Melbourne from 30 August to 1 September 2018.
Willie Nelson’s classic 1978 album, Stardust, is an unforgettable collection of pop standards reworked in Willie’s inimitable way and produced by Memphis legend, Booker T Jones. The album charted for ten years, achieved quadruple platinum certification, and won Willie a Grammy Award for his soul filled rendition of Georgia on my Mind.
Linda Bull is one of Australia’s most soulful vocalists and interpreter of songs in her own right as well as being a big Willie Nelson fan. Her special guest vocalist, Sime Nugent, has toured nationally and internationally throughout Australia, Europe and America and released more than a dozen albums with a range of bands in his 20 year career including indie folk duo Sweet Jean and three time ARIA nominated band, The Wilson Pickers.
Channelling Willie and capturing the essence of the songs from Stardust, Linda and Sime will take audiences on a journey through this timeless album including Georgia On My Mind, All Of Me and Unchained Melody, together with a selection of hand-picked Shotgun Willie signature songs including Always On My Mind, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Crazy, On the Road Again, Help Me Make It Through the Night and many more.
Backed by The Red Headed Strangers – a superb band lead by Cameron Bruce (MD/keys) and featuring some of Australia’s most in demand musicians including Shane Reilly (guitar/pedal steel), Bill McDonald (bass) and Pete Luscombe (drums), as well as special guest Sime Nugent (guitar) who’ll share vocal duties on the night, this will be a must-see show for every music fan.
For 30 years, the glorious voice of Linda Bull has comprised one of the most distinctive, versatile and emotionally charged sounds on the Australian music landscape. Since a multi- platinum conquest of pop radio with The Black Sorrows in the late 1980s, Linda has forged a diverse pathway into soul, gospel, blues, country and the island music of her Tongan ancestry.
Her rich solo vocals and instinctive harmonies have spawned eight albums with her sister Vika, as well as studio and concert performances with Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, RocKwiz and C.W. Stoneking. Linda is currently working with Vika on their first album of original material in 18 years.
“The reason I love Willie Nelson is simple: when he sings, I believe him,” says Linda Bull.I share his love of a good melody and relate to his tales of loneliness and heartbreak but also to his optimism, longevity and no nonsense approach. I’m really looking forward to singing the songs I’ve always loved with Sime Nugent and a band who have been a part of my musical family for so long.”
Stardust: The Songs of Willie Nelson
Playhouse – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Performances: 30 August – 1 September 2018
Information and Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Image: Sime Nugent and Linda Bull (supplied)