Leo Sayer's show must go on
InReview
At age 66, Grammy Award-winning superstar Leo Sayer is as full of beans as ever, returning to South Australia in 2015 with his greatest hits and a new album as part of a solo national tour.
The Restless Years Tour kicks off in Port Lincoln on February 4 and will take in 30 venues over four weeks, with Leo delivering a hit-packed live show as well as launching his latest album, ‘Restless Years’.
“In South Australia, I’m doing all the ‘ports’ (Port Lincoln, Port Pirie), as well as Adelaide, Whyalla and Mt Gambier,” said Sayer who seems every bit as energetic as he was in 1973 when he released his first big single, ‘The Show Must Go On’.
“I’m like that even when I’m not on stage – it’s just normal service.”
With over 80 million albums sold worldwide, 25 Top 10 international hits, 5 Top 10 albums and writing credits for the likes of Roger Daltrey, Cliff Richard, Dolly Parton and Tina Turner, Sayer’s career has been one of stellar proportions.
“At the end of the day I don’t look to figures that much, I look at whether my music hits people emotively,” he said.
Sayer’s stream of hits – ‘One Man Band’, ‘Long Tall Glasses’, ‘Moonlighting’, ‘You Make Me Feel Like Dancing’, ‘When I Need You’, ‘Thunder in My Heart’ and ‘More Than I Can Say’ all topped the charts in the ’70s and ’80s.
Those born after that time may only be familiar with Sayer’s passionate pleas featuring in UK DJ Meck’s 2006 remix of ‘Thunder in My Heart’.
“Meck turned ‘Thunder in My Heart’ into a groovy song featuring my original vocal and track,” said Sayer. “Good music can always be reassessed and reinvented – Meck brought it to a new market.”
Sayer’s original version will definitely be on the playlist, as will all the old favourites, he said. “I can’t leave stuff out.
‘Thunder in My Heart’ always comes in with a huge blast on tour; it’s got fantastic energy.
“I’m also playing a lot more harmonica these days.”
With over 40 years of recording and touring the globe behind him, Leo Sayer is a musician and performer by nature and shows no signs of slowing down.
Sayer’s new album Restless Years, scheduled for release on January 23, was recorded in ARIA Award winner, Mitch Cairns’ Little Red Jet Studio and was mixed by the legendary John Hudson of London’s Mayfair Studios.
“Restless Years is not so much about how I’m feeling now,” he said. “It’s about how I was feeling at the beginning of my career, before success came along.
“I was an anxious kid and really wanted to prove something. It’s about looking for opportunities and that restlessness of spirit.
“The style of ‘Restless Years’ will be recognisable, but elements of it are more serious and jazzy, but it won’t be uncomfortable for people who know my work.
“This album defines me because I’m one of those guys who is always thinking of what’s next, that one day I’m going to make a really good record.
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“At 66, I wish it would leave me alone, but I can’t help it, I never stop hunting for things.”
Tickets for the Restless Years Tour are on sale now.
Leo Sayer Restless Years Tour 2015
Wednesday, February 4 – Nautilus Arts Centre, Port Lincoln. Tickets available from the venue.
Thursday, February 5 – Middleback Theatre, Whyalla. Tickets available from the venue.
Friday, February 6 – Northern Festival Centre, Port Pirie. Tickets available from the venue.
Saturday, February 7 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide. Tickets available from BASS.
Sunday, February 8 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier. Tickets available from the venue.
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