.png){kind=small}
The Australian Road Crew Association (ARCA) has released Renée Geyer LIVE at the Eureka Hotel 1979 and the Tivoli Sydney 1982, a stunning addition to their celebrated Desk Tape Series, which features live recordings that showcase the unfiltered brilliance of legendary artists.
This release, available as of November 8th on Black Box Records via MGM Distribution, is ARCA’s 45th offering in the series and one of its most significant, capturing the raw energy and unique magic of Geyer’s live performances across two defining moments in her career.
These recordings not only celebrate Geyer’s unparalleled vocal talent but also contribute to a vital cause.
ARCA’s Desk Tape Series was created to aid Support Act’s Roadies Fund, providing essential financial, health, counselling, and well-being services to roadies and crew members facing hardships. With contributions from nearly 50 artists, the series stands as both a historical archive and a lifeline for the industry’s behind-the-scenes heroes.
The Renée Geyer LIVE album spans two iconic gigs—first, her 1979 performance at the Eureka Hotel in Geelong, captured by sound engineer Gerry Georgettis, and then her 1982 show at Sydney’s Tivoli, recorded by Geoff Wheadon. With two different band lineups, these tapes showcase Geyer’s adaptability, as she seamlessly moves from blues to soul to jazz, thrilling audiences with her powerhouse voice and visceral stage presence. Songs like "The Thrill Is Gone" and “Look What You Done” channel Nina Simone’s elegance, while her rendition of Eddy Grant’s “Say I Love You” brings a joyous energy, illustrating her versatility.
Geyer’s band members, including Australian music icons like guitarist Stuart Fraser and bassist Barry Sullivan, are in peak form, delivering tight rhythms and compelling riffs that heighten the thrill of each track. Together, they provide the perfect canvas for Geyer’s fierce vocal delivery and emotive storytelling.
Renée Geyer was as famous for her indomitable personality as she was for her music. Known as “Australia’s soul diva,” Geyer’s journey—from performing jazz in Sydney’s wine bars to collaborating with international stars like Sting and Joe Cocker—has cemented her legacy in Australian music. This release pays tribute to her remarkable life and career, offering listeners a chance to experience the magnetic intensity of her live shows.
Beyond celebrating an artist, Renée Geyer LIVE honours the contributions of road crew members who helped shape these iconic performances. With gratitude to the photographers, engineers, and sponsors who made this release possible, ARCA presents another chapter in Australian music history that will resonate with fans for generations.
For those looking to experience the gritty power of Renée Geyer at her finest, Renée Geyer LIVE at the Eureka Hotel 1979 and the Tivoli Sydney 1982 is now available on all major streaming platforms and through ARCA’s Black Box Records. Discover the voice that Bonnie Raitt hailed as “one of the greatest in the world” and let it transport you back to the sweaty, raucous pubs of 1970s and 1980s Australia.
BUY THE DIGITAL ALBUM NOW: https://www.thegroovemerchants.com/Product/156608