John Farnham - 33 1/3

Long awaited new album from Australia's most successful solo recording artist. 13 tracks including the first single, 'Trying To Live My Life Without You'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case. Album Description

3.5 is my actual rating for this album

In 331/3, John Farnham decided to let loose and experiment with the songs on this album release. While it's not a band CD and is definitely listenable, John Farnham has deviated from his tried and true folk rock setting to dwelve into a more jazzy and club feel. 11 of the 13 tracks on this CD are new previously unreleased works from this gifted musician and its a CD depicting his changes in music concept and design. The early tracks are danceable and the best songs of the album are 'Man Of The Hour', 'You're The Only One' and 'I Can't Get Enough Of You'.
Not a bad edition for any Johnny Farnham collector. But it isn't one of his best. August 1, 2005

Gimmee a break!

This is a fantastic cd, one which Farnham can let loose with a little more power than previous efforts. It's a collection that grows on you - for the full effect go and pick up the 'making of' dvd, you'll love it. Beyond the groove and danceability of the first half, later tracks like 'The Way' show true passion. The man's voice gets better and better every year, and this is no disappointment. Any negative comments on this album are purely from those reluctant to accept change. Just as his solo work is different to LRB, this is different once again. What makes this cd a standout is the fact it was recorded as a live/studio format, allowing more of a true performance from both John and his brilliant band. March 3, 2001

SADY THE CLEANING LADY

Sady was a cleaning lady, and found an old cd in 2013, a CD with John Farnham who despite his great voice fails on content. BUMMER CD....get Farnham a decent songwriter??? February 25, 2001

Yet another mediocre release from this talented Aussie

Oh, how I miss the John Farnham we had when he was with Little River Band.

John is an amazingly talented singer, but I am consistently disappointed with his selections of recording material. LRB's Graham Goble was a master at writing guitar-laden harmony rock that suited John's expressive voice so perfectly. If you've heard the LRB tracks "We Two", "When the War is Over", "Please Don't Ask Me", and especially, their astonishing cover of "Love Letters" from the "Too Late Too Load" rarities CD, you know what I mean.

This quality of material has been sadly lacking since John has left to pursue his solo career. Sure, he's had a good song now and then... "You're the Voice" and "Age of Reason" come to mind... but overall, most of the music on his CDs is no more distinctive than that found on a Michael Bolton record.

33 1/3 isn't a bad collection by any means, but overall, it's BORING! I agree with the below reviewer that most of the songs sound the same. I enjoyed "Walk Away" the most--this is the most enthusiastic vocal track on the CD. "That Driving Beat" isn't bad, and "I've Been Lonely for so Long" is interesting in that John sings in falsetto, which I've never heard him do before.

"Trying to Live My Life Without You?" Please, Bob Seger recorded that song. That should speak for itself. John doesn't even sing on the beat... he should leave that trick to Willie Nelson.

I don't know what Graham Goble is doing nowadays, but I'd pay real money to have John drag him out of whatever rock he's hiding under, have Goble write a few decent songs, and then hire a set of backup harmony vocalists that blend nicely with John's incredible singing. October 17, 2000

Johnny Gets Soul

The illustrious career of Australia's most beloved singer takes a backward spin with this collection of rhythm and blues/soul songs that harken back to the Philly sound, Stax Records, and other echoes of the late sixties and early seventies.

The arrangements are tight and refreshingly synthesizer-free, but you don't need synths on this kind of music. John sings with his usual spirit and gusto. Although the feel of these songs is pretty repetitive, John and his musicians do enough to make each song worth listening to. I wish that John hadn't been mixed so far back, though. That voice is the reason Farnham has had such a long and popular career.

The most outstanding cuts on this CD: "I Thank You," an old Isaac Hayes mover; "Soul Reason," a bluesy slow-tempo entry that showcases the fabulous Farnham pipes; "Trying to Live My Life Without You," a mid-tempo rocker that is one of those "feel good" tunes; and "That's What Love Will Make You Do."

Farnham recently celebrated his 50th birthday, and he shows that you can keep the voice even when most people want to put you into Depends! Keep it up, John. You're doing great! October 5, 2000

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