STACK #241 November 2024

MUSIC FEATURE

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MOUNTAIN PEAK S arah Blasko started her singing career in a Pentecostal church that became known as Hillsong. Her Sarah Blasko revisits her religious roots on her stunning seventh solo album. and learning that sometimes, when I Just Need

CHART FACT Sarah Blasko

has had six Top 10 albums – five solo and one with Seeker Lover Keeper, her collaboration with Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby.

confronted with great struggle, all you can do is laugh.” The album features a duet, Goodbye! , with Melbourne singer Ryan Downey. “There’s a part of me that can never say goodbye, ” Blasko reveals. “But in all honesty, it’s time I must, to save my life.” This is a new peak for Sarah Blasko. We’re calling it here and now – it’s one of the albums of the year. The mountain has been conquered. Jeff Jenkins to Conquer This Mountain by Sarah Blasko is out Nov 1 via EMI

new album starts: “Met you in church when God was on my side, you said goodbye when it all went to Hell. ” The album – Blasko’s first solo release in six years – is a powerful meditation on relationships, both otherworldly and on Earth, as well as the battle between good and evil. In the biography accompanying the album, Katie Cunningham perfectly describes the record: “She is saying

Photo credit: Mclean Stephenson

goodbye to old relationships and old dreams, opening new doors,

Sarah Blasko

DREAM WEAVER

THE OVERTURE & THE ANNIVERSARY Sarah Blasko’s new album comes 20 years after her debut, The Overture & the Underscore , which peaked at number 35, went platinum, and was nominated for four ARIA Awards. Triple J’s Richard Kingsmill called it one of the ten greatest Australian albums of all time.

The album features a touching tribute to Sarah Blasko’s former tour manager Greg Weaver, who died in 2019. Weaver was also the subject of The Whitlams’ 2022 album Sancho .

THE WISDOM OF WILLIE Willie Nelson’s new album is about “facing death with grace”. It sees him covering songs by Tom Waits, Neil Young, Keith Richards, Warren Zevon, and Nina Simone.

Last Leaf on the Tree by Willie Nelson is out Nov 1 via Sony

A t a time when we’ve lost so many legends, we’re grateful that the great Willie Nelson is still going strong at the age of 91. He’s had troubles with the tax man, smoked pot at the White House, and been married four times. And he’s given the world some remarkable music. Words matter to Willie. “If you can make

someone feel better with just a few words, why wouldn’t you want to use them?” he says. But he also remarked, “Be gentle with your words – you can’t take them back.” As we celebrate the release of Willie Nelson’s 76th solo album, Last Leaf on the Tree , we remember the wise words that Willie has given the world. Jeff Jenkins

Here are our 10 favourite Willie Nelson quotes: Willie Nelson

Tour de France races while on drugs. When I was on drugs, I couldn’t even find my bike.” When it’s on us, seems like the storm will never pass. But it always does.” And finally, Willie says: Three chords and the truth – that’s what a country song is.”

world’s lovers are not with their first choice. That’s what makes the jukebox play.” Be here. Be present. Wherever you are, be there.” I think it is just terrible and disgusting how everyone has treated Lance Armstrong, especially after what he achieved, winning seven

My doctor tells me I should start slowing it down, but there are more old drunks than there are old doctors, so let’s all have another round.” You know why divorces are so expensive? They’re worth it.” It doesn’t hurt to feel sad from time to time.”

Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere.” You’ll never get ahead by blam ing your problems on other people.” If you’re not crazy there’s some thing wrong with you.” Ninety-nine per cent of the

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