By TANIA PHILLIPS
HE’S back and ready to rock and roll again.
We were all saying “Who?” when British nostalgia rocker Si Cranstoun was named as a headliner for last year’s Cooly Rocks but it’s amazing what a difference a festival and a year makes.
Si, will be one of the hottest tickets in town this week, and it’s not just Cooly that has taken him to heart. His profile is on the rise in the US and his native Britain and he’s got a new album and a new album deal to prove it.
The talented performer said he jumped at the chance to come back and is looking forward to hitting the Cooly Rocks stage again – because for Si it is all about the music and the song. And while he didn’t start out that way – he is well-known for bringing the past into the future. So who are his influences?
“Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Nat King Cole, but I don’t want to be colour specific, so let’s throw in Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley,” he said.
“I love retro stuff but at the same time I’m very aware that there is an ‘energy’ or a dynamic that exists in modern music today.
“Anyone could be singing because there is no vocal identity any more. I try to incorporate very energetic stuff that makes you want to get up and dance.”
He said in fact one of his memories from last year is seeing the couples dancing on the floor – according to Si if we all got out and danced like we did way back then, there wouldn’t be any need for on-line dating sites.
Cooly Rocks CEO Bob Newman believes Si will once again be one of the hottest tickets in town.
“He’s young, he’s fresh, he does rockabilly/swing in the same vein as legends like Jackie Wilson, and he is quickly building a reputation throughout Europe and the US as one of the most exciting finds on the rockabilly/swing circuit in decades,” Bob Newman also noted.
“His age and energy will again bring a whole new dimension to rock ’n’ roll and to COOLY ROCKS ON … we are so proud to host his performances.”
Formerly half of the dynamic duo The Dualers with his brother Tyber, whose British Top 30 hits included “Kiss On The Lips”, “Don’t Go” and the infectious, reggae-inspired “Truly Madly Deeply” (which featured in the soundtrack of the Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson starring film “Fools Gold”); Si Cranstoun trained in the art of songwriting by Grammy Award-winning Graham Lyle (who penned hits for the late Michael Jackson and Tina Turner). As with so many acts songwriting talents is the key and there’s no better showcase of his talents than the collection found on his highly anticipated latest album “Dancehalls and Supper Clubs” – an upfront upbeat up-for-it!
Who: Si Cranstoun
Where: Cooly Rocks On, Tweed Heads –
Interested?: Times and bookings: www.coolyrockson.com.au
