“BELIEVE” Release date – Friday August 1
Single, SHOULD’VE NEVER LET YOU GO – Release Friday July 18
Legendary Australian rocker John ‘Swanee’ Swan is back with a brand-new studio album-his first in a decade and two years in the making, titled “Believe,” a soul, rock, and rhythm & blues collection of 16 tracks that include 15 duets with some of the greatest singers and musicians in the country.
“Believe” features: JIMMY, ALAN AND MAHALIA BARNES, KEVIN BORICH, JOE CAMILLERI, DIESEL, DAVE GLEESON, COLIN HAY, JACK JONES, WENDY MATTHEWS, RUSSELL MORRIS, IAN MOSS, MELINDA SCHNEIDER AND RICK SPRINGFIELD.
Following decades at the forefront of Aussie rock — from his early days with Fraternity and Feather, to a successful solo career with hits “If I Were a Carpenter” “Temporary Heartache” and “Lady What’s Your Name” to the Number 1 hit “He’s Gonna Step On You Again” fronting The Party Boys — Swanee’s latest offering reaffirms why he remains one of the country’s most revered vocalists and performers.
‘Believe’, released on Friday August 1, has already sold out of its first pressing run caused by pre-order excitement with fans who have heard the album. A second manufacturing run is already being organized. As Swanee has been explaining in media interviews; “Believe” is the supreme pizza of Australian rock and soul as it features my friends and family from my 50-year working career.
‘Believe’ showcases Swanee’s unmistakable voice, raw honesty, and unwavering spirit.
“This album is about resilience, redemption, and refusing to give up — in music, and in life,” says Swanee. “I called it ‘Believe’ because that’s what it takes. Belief in yourself, in second chances, and in the power of a great song.”
And talking about the songs: ‘Believe’ contains 16 tracks, 15 duets and 14 covers. From Ian Moss duetting on the Stevie Wonder classic ‘Lately’, to Joe Camilleri on the soul classic ‘Cry To Me’, to the power vocals of Dave Gleeson and crackling guitar flamboyance of Rick Springfield on the Santana rocker ‘All I Ever Wanted’, to the first ever recorded harmony of the 3 brothers, Jimmy and Alan Barnes together with their eldest sibling, John ‘Swanee’ Swan on the Steve Kipner/Tommy Emmanuel gem ‘Brother Of Mine’
The ‘Believe’ first single is an exquisite ballad originally released by Neil and Dara Sedaka called “Should’ve Never Let You Go”. Swanee’s duet partner on this first single is one of Australia’s greatest singers, Melinda Schneider.
‘Believe’ will be available on a 16 track CD and 16 track gatefold double album and, bypassing the usual record company route is being powered by an independent retail record store, Songland Records in Canberra owned and run by music industry veteran Brian ‘Frog’ Harris.
Harris said, “When Swanee and I started working on this project, I knew I had found the perfect album to put my 45 years of industry experience into maximizing. I know great music, I know the marketplace, and I know Australians love to re-embrace with an icon who has presented them with the record of his career. We’ve already sold out its first run, and at the time of writing it’s still 5 weeks until it’s released.”
Anyone that listens to ‘Believe’ has acknowledged that this IS the best album of Swanee’s career. The Australian music industry is shaping up behind it, the Australian music loving public is embracing it, and this skyrocket of an album is getting ready to be lit….” ‘Believe’.
