Joe Camilleri prepares to bare his heart and soul at The Black Sorrow’s two Tasmania shows

Fame, accolades and more than 50 years in the business haven’t quenched Joe Camilleri’s thirst for life and music as he perpares to perform in Tasmania as part of The Black Sorrow’s Lover I Surrender Tour.

Joe Camilleri is performing in Hobart with The Black Sorrows. Photo: TANIA JOVANOVIC.

JOE Camilleri doesn’t miss a beat. His joyous, life-affirming voice is like a bolt of fresh air direct from his home in country Victoria when we speak over the phone.

“Rubbish — that’s all people should expect from my Hobart show,” he quips. “I’m into my 49th album and I’ve got plenty of material, so if I can’t please an audience then it’s definitely my fault.

“I’ve got all the hits and memories and new material and you see an older version [of me] — a more enthusiastic version than, let’s say, even last year, and I was pretty enthusiastic then. I love my job and it means a lot to me to not only write good songs, but to play them in front of people and see their reactions.”

The Australian singer, songwriter and saxophonist, who will play in Launceston and at Longley south of Hobart next month, has had an epic, 50-plus year career as leader of two of Australia’s most successful bands, Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons and The Black Sorrows.

In 2007 Camilleri was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, and he was recently awarded “living legend” status by Rolling Stone Magazine.

But fame and accolades haven’t quenched his thirst for life or his love of work. This year Camilleri released his 49th album, The Black Sorrows’ Citizen John, which debuted at No.2 on the AIR Albums chart and No.11 on the ARIA Albums chart in April. He will soon record his 50th album.

Camilleri recently bought a farm at Kyneton on a whim and commutes to Melbourne to see the youngest of his five children (aged eight to 41).

“I’ve only just moved in,’’ he says. “It’s a change for me. I was living in the heart of Melbourne and I came up here for a coffee just for fun one day, and bought a house and farm accidentally.

“I thought maybe this is what I need. [But] I’ve never felt so cold in my life.

“I’m not trying to slow down — I’d had enough of the city, but now I’m craving the city again. I still don’t like wildlife, so there’s a challenge right there. If I see a snake I’ll pack it. I plant plants for Jack Frost to kill.”

Camilleri travels to Melbourne most days to see his eight-year-old and 14-year-old daughters, who live with their mother. He says he likes to torment his 14-year-old by turning up at school in his ’64 Thunderbird, which “runs like a boat on the freeway”.

Camilleri is busy doing things he’s always done and long wanted to do — collecting “beautiful” things, including guitars and music, and taking saxophone lessons.

“I’ve taken up the saxophone as a hobby, which is weird because I play the saxophone, but I didn’t know how to read music before and I knew nothing about theory,’’ he says.

“Now I’m just enjoying the process of learning why things work even though it mightn’t suit what I personally do.

“I’m finding that really joyous — just like finding the wrong plants to plant in winter so they can all die.

“I’m interested in the ’50s [period] and all the things that go with it. I love the music and I still collect records. I’m still buying, playing and listening to music — not necessarily the music young people listen to, but there’s a wealth of music that’s never been heard that’s really fabulous. It’s your poison — whatever your poison is really at the time.”

Camilleri still loves performing and entertaining, too.

“I’m willing to have a go,’’ he says.

“I’m willing to bare as much of me as I can and not just through the songs, but by standing up there. I’d rather die on my sword while having a go than just clock in.”

Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows will play at the Country Club in Launceston on Saturday, November 2, and at the Longley International Hotel at Longley on Sunday, November 3, as part of the band’s national Lover I Surrender tour. Tickets are available at www.theblacksorrows.com.au