The very fact that an artist now in his 70s can perform a show of mainly new songs and still hold an audience from start to finish is a testament to their talent. Russell Morris did just that at his show at Melbourne’s landmark venue The Espy in St Kilda this week.
Russell was performing his first Melbourne show since the release of ‘Black and Blue Heart’, his first rock album in a decade.
‘Black and Blue Heart’ is a relevant music work for 2019. Russell created his new music under the guidance of producers Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) and Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen). The result is a collection of songs that sums up Russell musically for the times and were made to be played live.
The Espy shows featured eight of the 11 songs from ‘Black and Blue Heart’ which flowed consistently with some of Russell’s classics, in one case ‘Hush’, 52 years earlier.
With a set that opened with the new ‘Ain’t No Angel’ and closed with the 1969 classic ‘The Real Thing’ fans were treated to half a decade in bookends.
It is incredible that an artist 70-years-old can play a show with a setlist of 11 out of 16 songs from 2012 onwards and eight songs from the new album and no-one walked out.
‘Black and Blue Heart’ is the work of an Australian legend still at the top of his game and showing no signs of slowing.
Russell Morris setlist, 24 April, 2019, The Espy, St Kilda
Ain’t No Angel (from Black and Blue Heart, 2019)
Asleep at the Wheel (from Black and Blue Heart, 2019)
Sitting Pretty (from Black and Blue Heart, 2019)
It’s All Over Now Baby Blue (Somebody’s Image single, 1967)
Is There Anybody Out There? (from Black and Blue Heart, 2019)
Walk My Blues (from Sharkmouth, 2012)
See You Go (from Black and Blue Heart, 2019)
Black Dog Blues (from Sharkmouth, 2012)
Full Moon (from Black and Blue Heart, 2019)
Sweet Sweet Love (from Bloodstone, 1971)
Fat Man and the Priest (from Black and Blue Heart, 2019)
Money Don’t Grow On Trees (from Sharkmouth, 2012)
Not My Lucky Day (from Black and Blue Heart, 2019)
Hush (Somebody’s Image single, 1967)
The Real Thing (single, 1969)
Wings of an Eagle (single, 1972)
In May Russell will head out as part of the Apia Good Times tour of 2019.
Ticket details
Apia Good Times tour dates
Thursday, 16 May 2019
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury WA
Tickets available from the box office 1300 661 272 and www.brec.com.au
Friday, 17 May 2019
Perth Concert Hall, Perth WA
Tickets available from Perth Concert Hall Box Office, 08 9231 9999
and www.perthconcerthall.com.au
Saturday, 18 May 2019
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
Tickets available Ticketmaster – 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Friday, 24 May 2019
Costa Hall, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong, Vic
Tickets available from GPAC – 03 5225 1200 and www.gpac.org.au
Saturday, 25 May 2019
Palais Theatre, St Kilda Vic
Tickets available from Ticketmaster – 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Sunday, 26 May 2019
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo Vic
Tickets available from the Box office, 03 5434 6100 and www.gotix.com.au
Thursday, 30 May 2019
Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Qld
Tickets available from the Box office, 1300 655 299 and www.empiretheatre.com.au
Friday, 31 May 2019
QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane Qld
Tickets available from the Box Office, 136 246 and www.qpac.com.au
Saturday, 1 June 2019
Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads NSW
Tickets available from the Box Office, 1800 014 014 and www.twintowns.com.au
Sunday, 2 June 2019
Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads NSW*
Tickets available from the Box Office, 1800 014 014 and www.twintowns.com.au
*Show commences at 7.00pm
Friday, 7 June 2019
Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart TAS
Tickets available from Ticketmaster – 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday, 8 June 2019
Princess Theatre, Launceston TAS
Tickets available from 03 6323 3666 and www.theatrenorth.com.au
Thursday, 13 June 2019
Civic Theatre, Newcastle NSW
Tickets available from Ticketek – 132 849 and www.ticketek.com.au
-and- the Box Office, 02 4929 1977 and www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
Friday, 14 June 2019
Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Tickets available from Ticketek – 132 849 and www.ticketek.com.au
Saturday, 15 June 2019
Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul NSW
Tickets available from Ticketmaster – 136 100 and www.ticketmaster.com.au
Sunday, 16 June 2019
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra ACT
Tickets available from the Box Office, 02 6275 2700 and www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
For more information or to book visit www.apiagoodtimes.com.au
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