Music review: Colin Hay – 鈥業 Just Don鈥檛 Know What to Do With Myself’
After the passing of Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers in 2021, Colin Hay was moved to revisit some of the songs that influenced him early in his career. The result is 10 engaging covers that receive Hay鈥檚 straight-from-the-heart interpretation with a simplistic acoustic tone.
As lead singer and guitarist of the Australian band Men at Work, Hay first introduced me to the Vegemite sandwich on the band鈥檚 successful 1982 debut, highlighted by 鈥淲ho Can It Be Now?鈥� and 鈥淒own Under.鈥�
The title track opens the emotionally charged set with a male perspective of dealing with separation on the Dusty Springfield classic.
The Kinks鈥� 鈥淲aterloo Sunset,鈥� one of my personal favorite tracks from the celebrated British band, receives a sentimental makeover by Hay as he expresses his love of the familiar surroundings.
The Beatles are represented twice on the album with Hay performing the charming 鈥淣orwegian Wood (This Bird has Flown)鈥� and the spacious 鈥淎cross the Universe.鈥�
In tribute to Marsden, Hay offers up a stirring cover of 鈥淒on鈥檛 Let the Sun Catch You Crying.鈥� It鈥檚 truly an emotional moment when Hay declares, 鈥淲e know that crying is not a bad thing /But stop your crying when the birds sing.鈥�
Hay masterfully handles Blind Faith鈥檚 鈥淐an鈥檛 Find My Way Home鈥� as he matches Steve Winwood鈥檚 alluring vocals on this classic that was first featured on the supergroup鈥檚 1969 self-titled debut release.
Hay perfectly captures the carefree tone of the Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood penned 鈥淥oh La La鈥� from the Faces鈥� fourth studio album released in 1973 with Wood, not Rod Stewart, delivering the lead vocals.
The set closes with a gorgeous version of Jimmy Cliff鈥檚 鈥淢any Rivers to Cross.鈥�
At 68 years of age, it鈥檚 abundantly clear that Hay is still on top of his musical game and has plenty more to offer. I think Hay definitely knows what to do with himself at this stage in his career.