Jimmy Barnes: Flesh and Blood - CD and DVD review

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It does not feel like that long ago that I reviewed My Criminal Record , the last Jimmy Barnes album. But here we are with the latest set from Adelaide's own Jimmy Barnes, and here I am reviewing it.

Flesh And Blood by Jimmy Barnes (2021)


Now, some astute readers might be looking at the title and wondering what is going on. Well, it's simple, really – this deluxe edition comes with a bonus DVD that is really worth getting and looking at it because it is so good.

The album is ten new songs by Jimmy Barnes. Several songs feature members of Barnes' family, and his Cold Chisel band-mate Don Walker contributed a track as well. Standard Jimmy Barnes album. And then the DVD is a further ten songs, a different ten songs, recorded during the pandemic in his home recording sessions. I have already looked at a long list of these songs and Barnes features twice in that list, so I was excited.

The DVD, interestingly, is credited to The Jane Barnes band, and is a collection of ten cover versions, most featuring members of the extended Barnes family. So, essentially, you get two albums for the price of one.

As usual, I only review things I like. And I like this – this is really good.

The CD:

'Flesh And Blood' This upbeat song is about Barnes looking at his family and hoping they don't make the same mistakes he did, but is afraid they will. What? Yep, the lyrics are really deep and this is an incredible way to open the album.

'I'm Coming Home' There's almost a country feel about this track, which I was not ready for. Even less for the bagpipes. So, what is the song about? Well, it's there in the title. Simple, really.

'Gateway To Your Heart' An upbeat love song, about getting back together with some-one through the truth. Another good track with a decent guitar solo.

'This Is The Truth' We slow down for the mandatory power ballad , with a song about love overcoming everything, the track written by Don Walker. This album is incredible.

'Around In Circles' And we speed up again into another rocking song about how sometimes relationships just seem to go around in circles. Can't get much more straightforward than that.

''Til The Next Time' The mandatory Barnesy ballad with a glorious choir behind him, about how sometimes people keep messing up, but there is always the touch of a loved one's hand.

'I Move Slow' (featuring Elly-May Barnes & Jackie Barnes) Another slower song, one that I think only works because of the beautiful guitar playing and the harmonies of Elly-May and Jackie; lyrically it's standard, but those voices lift it.

'End Of The Road' Lyrically, this is a depressing song about not knowing how far someone has to go. As a song, it does not really stand out from amongst the rest on this collection, although the guitar playing is nice.

'Love Hurts' (featuring Jane Barnes) The classic song, first recorded by The Everly Brothers, made great by Roy Orbison and made rock by Nazareth gets the Barnes make-over, a duet between Jimmy and his wife Jane, and it is so great. I like this song anyway, but this is just a superb rendering of the tune.

'Tennessee Waltz' (featuring E.J. Barnes) And we finish with another cover version , this time of the classic 1940s track. This is such an interesting track to have on the album and a cool way to close out, especially with the gender-swapping verses sung by Jimmy and his daughter EJ. And the bagpipes are back!

So, there's the CD, with an overarching theme of family and relationships, and with some absolute belters on it. Even if that was all we got, this would still be worth the money, but no! Now we have the second disc.

The DVD:
(There are no videos here as none have been officially uploaded, so you'll just have to buy it to see them!)

'Hello, Dolly!' (featuring David Campbell) Short, sharp and shiny, and showing the positive relationship between Barnes and his eldest child. And who else could do Louis Armstrong like Barnesy?

'Skye Boat Song' The traditional Scottish song… with Barnesy on bagpipes? I had to check if he played them on the CD (he didn't). How did he do? Well, better than Bon Scott but not as good as the guy on the CD (Douglas McFarland); that low end getting stuck was jarring. What an interesting track…

'Stardust' As someone also learning the guitar, I feel for Jane with this track (she is far better than me, by the way), and this song is played completely straight. Another interesting choice.

'The Rose' Barnesy does a surprisingly good go at this, and his bagpipe playing is better here than on the previous track. I would love to hear Jimmy do this track with a full band and orchestra. I think a live crowd would join in and it would be incredible.

'Dirty Old Town' (featuring Diesel) With Mark Lizotte (Diesel) on banjo and Barnesy on a form of bagpipe, this is another song you just aren't ready for. This DVD is actually proving to be a lot of fun.

'Bridge Over Troubled Water' (featuring Mahalia Barnes, David Campbell, Gary Pinto & Benjamin Rodgers) This is an incredible version. So well done with the backing singing, lots of guitars and a mix of voices. Gorgeous.

'Mull Of Kintyre' (featuring E.J. Barnes, Jimmy Metherell, Darren Percival, Mahalia Barnes & Benjamin Rodgers) Done from two locations, and another excuse for Barnsey to pull out the bagpipes… and wear the tartan. Yet another great cover.

'California Dreamin'' (featuring Jackie Barnes) Jane takes lead vocal duties; I was sort of hoping Jackie would be on bongoes or something. Okay, version.

'Take Me Home, Country Road' (featuring Elly-May Barnes, Clayton Doley & Mahalia Barnes) Side-note – that kid in the pyjamas is going to regret that decision in 15 years… So we have a John Denver classic with added bagpipes. Because of course. Fun version.

'A Pub With No Beer' And a straightforward version of the Slim Dusty classic to finish because why not? And I will say this – Jane's guitar playing got a lot more confident as the year went on.

Okay. There's very little for me to say now. As you can tell, this was such a great set of songs to go through. Jimmy Barnes is a stalwart of Australian music, and he has done it again. This is not just for fans of Barnesy – this is for fans of good rock music. I hope I get a chance to go and see him live again because if this album and My Criminal Record and the lockdown sessions he's released are anything to go by, the concert is going to be about seven hours long and amazing.

Do I need to say it? Do I? Recommended. Completely. Buy this, the deluxe version with the DVD. No, seriously – it is worth it.


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