“There have been more than 40 albums in the Liberation Blue acoustic series, but this is the best to date.” Mag Magazine April 2008

From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock, as a solo artist or songwriter, Ross Wilson is one of Australia’s most respected and well known artists. Throughout the last three decades Ross’s career has never stopped evolving with his latest incarnation as Channel Sevens popular judge on “It Takes Two”. Now he releases his first acoustic CD with Liberation Blue, Australia’s premier legacy label , “Tributary” , in which Ross’s best known songs are reworked along with some more obscure ones. The album includes a ragtime reinvention of Eagle Rock, a doo-wop version of State of the Heart, and a bluegrass Bed of Nails and is already being hailed by music critics as a major triumph.

“The first thing I had to work out was how to make it interesting to me,” says the voice of Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock and a maze of other musical adventures. “I didn’t wanna pick up a guitar and play the songs the same but softer. Like, you cant beat the original Eagle Rock. You’ve got to take it somewhere completely different.” Somewhere like a ragtime gin joint circa 1908, in the case of that unassailable Oz radio classic, Eagle Rock while another early 70’s gem, Bom Bom, wakes up in a French Carribean dancehall in an Afro Cuban sea breeze. Mondo Rocks State Of The Heart is playfully recast as Daddy Cool doo-wop, and Bed Of Nails is stunningly reborn as a mournful bluegrass hayride. “A lot of it is about choosing the right players,” says Ross, a connoisseur of muso’s and styles after 40 years at the frontier of popular music. Jazz pianist John McCall, bluegrass maestro Gerry Hale, master percussionist Nicky Bomba and multi-instrumentalist Dorian West are vital cogs in bringing together the four different studio ensembles for this collection.

Ross’s legendary band Daddy Cool’s number one anthem Eagle Rock smashed all previous sales records in Australia and remains one of this countries most recognised songs. His next musical incarnation, Mondo Rock, delivered hits such as Cool World, State of the Heart, Chemistry and Come Said The Boy. Mixing his rock career with producing, Ross has shaped many of Australia’s biggest stars, including Skyhooks, Jo Jo Zep, The Johnny’s and The Screaming Jets. As a solo performer and major songwriter Ross continued to achieve success and make his mark during the 90’s and beyond with his songs being recorded by artists as diverse as Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, Def FX, Custard, Jennifer Rush, Troy Cassar-Daley, You Am I, Renee Geyer, Christine Anu, The Wiggles and, of course, John Farnham, his brilliant song writing delivering Johns unforgettable hit “A Touch Of Paradise”.

Always the same guy, always completely different, and maybe a little crazy after all these years. That’s Ross Wilson for you! Don’t miss Ross and his band The Urban Legends - John Mc All ( Keyboard) , Eric McCusker (Guitar), Davey Porter (drums) and Chris Paraha (bass) performing live.