Modern Australian music has lost one of its greatest voices with the passing of Renee Geyer this week after complications following surgery. She was 69.
A range of commentary suggests that she was a bold, direct, no-nonsense person who battled addiction at times in her life. Paul Kelly wrote a song about and for her which he titled ‘Difficult Woman’. It as a singer of rare quality that she will be remembered. To read a formal obituary from The Guardian click here.
Her Ready to Deal album from 1975 was among her best. It showcased her ability to interpret music across soul, funk, jazz and rock. Her voice had both power and subtlety, depth and frivolity, a guttural intensity and yet also sensitivity. It oozed sensuality and a brash feminism at the same time. Ballsy, you might say.
‘Stares and Whispers’ – watch from about the 2.00 minute mark.
You can always buy an argument about the best of this and the best of that regardless of the commodity in question. But when it comes to the best voices in modern Australian music, Renee Geyer was, in the opinion of this scribe, the very best female singer we’ve ever had.
RIP Renee Geyer.
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.
Great summary and hard to argue with your final point. Renee had a staggeringly good voice equally at home with blues, soul and rock. I read the tribute Bonnie Raitt posted on FB, which was very moving. The comments that followed deeply impressed me about how well regarded RG is, well beyond our shores. This is merely one comment as an example:
“Renee had a weekly residency at my old club in Los Angeles, The Mint. That was where she did one of the most beautiful renditions of “To sir with love” that I ever heard. I’m wiping the tears from my eyes as I’m writing this. I love you Renee.” That was from a Jed Ojeda and to understand the relevance of his comment, here is a link to a page that discusses The Mint (http://www.lamusicawards.com/act/jed-ojeda/). This is what renee Geyer was part of, so far beyond the Oz music scene.
I learned a few things just reading the comments in the Bonnie Raitt post. Renee recorded and performed with the likes of Jackson Browne and Pure Prairie League. You may not know PPL but Vince Gill was a member and stellar musicians like Emmylou Harris and Nicky Hopkins have also recorded with them.
Cheers