Old Rusty Ute, John O'Dea

JOHN O'Dea is a bloke from a South Australian town called Orroroo, and Old Rusty Ute is the title of John's second album. His first, If Stones Could Talk, was featured in this column after its release, and John has not disappointed with album #2. He's a storyteller, with a voice that's travelled many miles, and he's about as Australian as a dirty blue singlet soaked in truck driver sweat. There's something about John's writing style that appeals to me, and has obviously appealed to lots of others, as the title track and first single from the new album is gaining airplay all around Australia.

If you happen to see John's name on the program for the 2007 Tamworth Country Music Festival, get along and have a listen. He's a ripper. The fact that he recorded As If He Knows, one of my favourite Eric Bogle songs, makes this album that much more special. If you'd like to know some more about this bloke who I'm quite convinced will be a name people remember for years to come

From Anna Rose's Column 15 Dec 2006 (15-Dec-06)