Rick Price & Jack Jones Announce “California Dreaming” Tour

California Dreaming is one of my favourite albums of the year. Bringing together two of the country’s most superb voices, Rick Price and Jack Jones, for some of the best songs ever written was pure genius. So I was thrilled to hear they’ll bring the album to venues around the country next year. Sure I’ve already bought tickets to eight 2018 gigs already, but why not?

“We have been blown away by the reaction to the album and how these songs and our take on them, have resonated with the public,” Rick said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase them on a big stage, with a phenomenal band, in such a vast spread of locations.”

“Rick and I have been talking about doing something for close to two decades,” Jack added. “It was a great opportunity to work together and celebrate great artists, some great songs and a certain time and genre. That period in music will never be repeated again. And now we get to play them live!”

Tickets go on sale at midday on Friday, November 10.

3 May 2018 – The Concert Hall, Brisbane
10 May 2018 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
11 May 2018 – Tamworth Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
12 May 2018 – Narrabri Crossing Theatre, Narrabri
17 May 2018 – AEC Theatre, Adelaide
18 May 2018 – Geelong Arena, Geelong
19 May 2018 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
24 May 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
25 May 2018 – Star Theatre, Gold Coast
26 May 2018 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
27 May 2018 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute PR

“California Dreaming” – Rick Price & Jack Jones

California Dreaming has been one of my most anticipated albums of the year. The idea of two of Australia’s best voices – Rick Price and Jack Jones – coming together really excited me. The track listing was superb, featuring songs I’ve known and loved all my life. But could it possibly match my expectations? It’s a big yes from me.

This album sounds just like it should, with Rick and Jack’s beautiful voices front and centre, but ably supported by a tight band and superb backing vocals. The covers are delivered with such heart and reverence. They’re not cookie cutters of the originals, which I appreciate, but they don’t veer too far away from the source material. I haven’t felt a cover of “Light My Fire” did justice to The Doors classic until now. Their take on “Both Sides Now,” by Joni Mitchell, is so moving. I didn’t quite expect the emotional punch “Desperado” delivered either. Then there are the tracks that are just good fun, like “Take It Easy” and “Running on Empty.” These guys might not have written the songs, but goodness they tell the stories convincingly. They also get the balance right; there are some heartbreakers here but also those songs that are just so much fun to sing along with.

This is the kind of album that the grandparents of Australia are going to dig. It’s the music they grew up with executed perfectly. I just hope more young people take a listen to it over family BBQs, because it really deserves to be heard. I’ve listened to a lot of albums of covers recently, and California Dreaming is one of the best.

Rick Price and Jack Jones Team Up For “California Dreaming”

My inner teen can’t wait to hear California Dreaming, an album featuring two of my first musical crushes, Rick Price and Jack Jones, covering the classic North American music I grew up with. I’m so excited to hear these two fantastic voices take on some of my favourite artists including The Eagles, Jackson Browne, and Joni Mitchell.

“I felt we needed to pay homage to these songs and be respectful to the melodies and arrangements and not drift too far off the reservation. But, at the same time we wanted to add some things here and there that made a difference,” Rick said in a statement.

“Rick and I have been talking about doing something for close to two decades,” Jack added. “It was a great opportunity to work together and celebrate great artists, some great songs and a certain time and genre. That period in music will never be repeated again.”

We get a little taste of what’s in store with the release of the title track, the Mamas and the Papas classic “California Dreamin’.” It does not disappoint.

The California Dreaming album is released on September 29.