Joe Camilleri formed The Black Sorrows in 1983 after dissolving Aussie New Wave/R&B band, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons.
Taking a year off to clear his head, Camilleri formed the new group (with Falcons’ guitarists Jeff Burstin and Wayne Burt) to play a mix of Zydeco, Cajun and soul gumbo which proved unexpectedly popular with his Australian audience.
The group built a dedicated Melbourne audience and released three albums – Sonola, Rocking Zydeco and A Place In The World.
For the 1987 album, Dear Children, Joe and the band took a different direction, leaving behind the Zydeco and Cajun-style material in favour of more straight-ahead rock.
Gone was the violin of Steve McTaggart and the accordion of George Butrumlis, and in their place was Mick O’Connors Hammond organ and the unique combination of two tubas, contributed by two young Melbourne musicians, Karl Fritzlaff and Tim Jones.
Joe Camilleri Vocals, saxophone
Jeff Burstin Guitars, mandolin
Wayne Burt
Guitars
Wayne Duncan
Bass
Mick Girasole
Bass
Paul Williamson
Saxophone, clarinet
George Butrumlis
Accordion, piano
Gary Young
Drums
Peter Luscombe
Drums
Steve McTaggart
Violin Michael ‘The Reverend’ O’Connor Hammond organ Karl Fritzlaff Tuba
Tim Jones Tuba Johnny Charles Bass
Venetta Fields
Backing vocals
Shirlee Matthews
Backing vocals Nick Smith Backing vocals Linda Bull
Backing vocals
Vika Bull
Backing vocals
Video
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