James Reyne is the debut studio album by Australian singer-songwriter James Reyne, released in September 1987. It was the singer's first solo venture since the break-up of the band Australian Crawl in 1986.
Six singles were released from the album: "Fall of Rome", "Hammerhead", "Rip it Up", "Heaven on a Stick", "Motor's Too Fast" and "Always The Way".
The album was re-released on vinyl in January 2017 to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
The Chantoozies, of which Reyne's brother David was a member, covered "Motor's Too Fast" under the title "Slightest Notion" for their 1988 self-titled debut.
Review Tomas Mureika of AllMusic said, "Reyne uses his voice as an instrument, leaping wildly across complex melody lines littered with hooks" adding the album is "one of the most striking albums of the late-eighties".
In a Cash Box review, they said "Australian musician's American debut showcasing accessible and intelligent pop/rock and should garner healthy AOR attention immediately."
Track listing "Fall of Rome" (Reyne) – 4:57 "Hammerhead" (Reyne / Hussey) – 4:46 "Mr. Sandman" (Reyne / Hussey) – 4:25 "Counting on Me" (Reyne / Sigerson) – 4:29 "Always the Way" (Reyne / Hussey) – 7:23 "Land of Hope and Glory" (Reyne) – 4:18 "Heaven on a Stick" (Reyne / Hussey) – 3:24 "Motor's Too Fast" (Reyne / Hussey) – 4:13 (US & European release and 1988 Australian re-release) "Rip it Up" (Reyne / Scott / Sigerson) – 5:42 "Burning Wood" (Reyne) – 2:43 "The Traveller" (Reyne / Scott / Sigerson) – 4:18 "Coin in a Plate" (Reyne / Hussey) (1987 Australian release only) – 4:14
Personnel James Reyne – vocals, guitar Jef Scott – guitars, bass, vocals Davey Faragher – bass John Watson – drums and percussion
Guests Phil Shenale – keyboards David Baerwald – guitar David Lindley – lap steel and Hawaiian guitars Paulinho Da Costa – percussion Olivia Newton-John – backing vocals on "Hammerhead" Bill Payne – piano David Ricketts – guitar, keyboards Peter Snell – guitar Lee Curreri – keyboards Bob Thiele – keyboards
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1987)PeakpositionAustralian Albums (Australian Music Report)4
Year-end charts Chart (1987)PositionAustralian Albums (Kent Music Report)25
Certification
See also List of Top 25 albums for 1987 in Australia
References