THE SPORTS (Courier Mail) Reckless (Warner) ****1/2 THE Sports’ 1978 debut album captures the original band’s spicy mix of R & B, rockabilly and bluesy rock ’n’ roll, with the old-timey rock ’n’ roll spirit of piano player Jim Niven, the nimble guitars of Andrew Pendlebury and Ed Bates and the distinctive vocals of Stephen Cummings. With their influences and musicianship, they were like an Australian version of Graham Parker and the Rumour (with whom they would tour in 1979), a great pub rock band pitched to a new wave audience. The album, produced by Joe Camilleri, still sparkles with humour, hooks and the songwriting partnership of Cummings and Bates, soon brought to a rude conclusion when he was ousted from the band. Highlights on the album include the title tune and the Melbourne tale of Boys! (What Did the Detective Say), but it’s all gold. The clincher here is the vast selection of bonus material including the band’s 1977 EP and rare tracks recorded for TV and radio including versions of The Easybeats’ Wedding Ring and Parker’s White Honey.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 23:33:46 +0000
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