Australian rock star Doc Neeson, the former lead singer of The Angels and Red Phoenix, has released his first new song in seven years.
Neeson has recorded a cover of Walking In The Rain.
The track was written by Harry Vanda and George Young and originally recorded by the Easybeats under the moniker Flash and the Pan in 1979. Grace Jones also recorded the song for her 1981 album Nightclubbing.
For Neeson, the recording via the Alberts label is a return to where he started. The Angels recorded their first three albums with Alberts. Vanda and Young produced the debut Angels album in 1977.
"The strength of the song written by George & Harry is dreamlike or trancelike in mood. The lyrics are a stream of consciousness which so masterfully creates a subconscious state of mind. One of the biggest challenges was to get in that state of mind to sing the song," said Neeson.
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The song was produced by Brendan Gallagher of Karma County. Gallagher also produced Jimmy Little's classic Messenger.
"The song is so elegantly, deceptively simple. The motif moves through three chromatically rising and falling notes underpinned by three book-ended chords, then a classic 7, 5 chord turnaround for the chorus. The bass holds the song together. From there it's all about the vocal. That's where Doc comes in. Doc has gravitas the equal of the song's majesty," said Gallagher.
Neeson's performance on RockWiz Salutes Vanda and Young will be broadcast on the SBS on Monday, March 24 at 9.30pm (AEDT).
