I'm Talking

After the break-up of Melbourne-based experimental funk band Essendon Airport in 1983, members Robert Goodge on guitar, Ian Cox on saxophone and Barbara Hogarth on bass guitar set about forming a band to create inventive, commercial, funk-pop music. I'm Talking's original line-up was Kate Ceberano on vocals (ex-Expozay, Hoagy Cats), Stephen Charlesworth on keyboards, Cox, Goodge, Hogarth and Cameron Newman on drums. They introduced sophisticated dance beat music to the pub rock scene, performing for a year before recording their debut release. The EP Someday was released in May 1984 on the independent Randelli label. They also contributed to the soundtrack of the short film More Love Stories and songs "Here, There and Everywhere" and "Scratching" on the ABC compilation EP Cooking with George. They attracted the attention of manager Ken West and then signed to Regular Records. Zan Abeyratne (ex-Grand Wazoo, Bang) joined as a second lead vocalist.

I'm Talking released "Trust Me" in November 1984,{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/2MOPuOw.png|title=Kent Music Report No 543 – 26 November 1984 > Singles: New Releases|publisher=Imgur.com (original document published by Kent Music Report)|access-date=28 November 2017}} which peaked at #10 on the Kent Music Report for the Australian singles charts. This was followed by "Lead the Way" in June 1985,{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/CDtb14e.png|title=Kent Music Report No 572 – 24 June 1985 > Singles: New Releases|publisher=Imgur.com (original document published by Kent Music Report)|access-date=28 November 2017}} then a cover of the Rose Royce song "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" in August,{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/qJxQq1f.png|title=Kent Music Report No 581 – 26 August 1985 > Singles: New Releases|publisher=Imgur.com (original document published by Kent Music Report)|access-date=30 November 2017}} which both peaked into the top thirty. Although their songs were initially credited to the band as a whole (i.e. I'm Talking), in fact Goodge and Cox wrote virtually all the music and lyrics. The group won 'Best New Talent' and 'Best Debut Single' for "Trust Me" for 1984 at the Countdown Awards ceremony broadcast in 1985.{{cite web |url=http://baseportal.com/cgi-bin/baseportal.pl?htx=/webgirl/main&cmd=list&range=40,8&Year~=1985&cmd=all&Id=407 |title=Countdown Date: 19/5/1985 |publisher= Countdown Archives |access-date=4 December 2008 }} On 13 July, I'm Talking performed "Lead the Way" in the 1985 Oz for Africa concert (part of the global Live Aid program). It was broadcast in Australia (on both the Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US.{{cite web |url=http://liveaid.free.fr/pages/ozforafrika-uk.html |title=Oz for Africa |publisher=liveaid.free.fr |access-date=12 March 2008 }}

I'm Talking recorded their debut album Bear Witness in Melbourne, it was released in August 1986. Produced by Fred Maher (drummer for Scritti Politti) and Martyn Webster, it peaked at #14 in the albums charts, and spawned three more singles for their Australian label Regular Records. "Do You Wanna Be?", entered the charts in May and peaked at #8, becoming their highest charting single. "Holy Word", released in July 1986,{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/OpDbte3.png|title=Kent Music Report No 628 – 28 July 1986 > Singles: New Releases|publisher=Imgur.com (original document published by Kent Music Report)|access-date=30 November 2017}} featured solo vocals by Abeyratne and peaked at #9. "How Can It Be?" was released in October 1986,{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/7NWUyZk.png|title=Kent Music Report No 640 – 20 October 1986 > Singles: New Releases|publisher=Imgur.com (original document published by Kent Music Report)|access-date=30 November 2017}} and although it failed to enter the top 100, it was listed among a list of singles receiving significant sales reports beyond the top 100 in November 1986.{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/Ech3DEO.png|title=Kent Music Report No 643 – 10 November 1986 > National Top 100 Singles (66–100) > Singles receiving significant sales reports beyond the top 100|publisher=Imgur.com (original document published by Kent Music Report)|access-date=17 September 2016}} They signed to London Records in the UK but disagreements between the band and that label led to "Do You Wanna Be?" being the only single released outside of Oceania. "Holy Word" appeared on the soundtrack to the 1987 horror film Howling III.{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093227/soundtrack|title=Howling III (1987) – IMDb|access-date=4 January 2021|website=IMDb.com}} At least three of their songs later appeared in the 1988 film For Queen & Country.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097373/soundtrack |title=For Queen & Country (1988) – Soundtracks |publisher=Internet Movie Database (IMDb) |access-date=24 January 2009 }}

After returning from their 1986 UK tour supporting Five Star, there were line-up changes, Warren McLean (ex-Machinations) replaced Newman on drums and Kevin Wiltshire was 'imported' from the UK tour as a second keyboardist. That line-up appeared on the national Australian Made tour of January 1987. By March, Abeyratne, Charlesworth and McLean had left. New members were John McAll on keyboards, Philip Jackson on drum machine and electronics, Susie Ahern on backing vocals, and rapper Tricky J (Julien Lodge). New material was performed live by this line-up, but none was recorded. Ceberano won 'Most Popular Female Performer' for 1986 at the final Countdown Awards held in 1987.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ELACebeQEgcC |title=The dictionary of performing arts in Australia |last=Atkinson |first=Ann |author2=Linsay Knight |author3=Margaret McPhee |publisher=Allen & Unwin |year=1996 |isbn=978-1-86373-898-9 |access-date=5 December 2008 }} New material was performed live in 1987, but Ceberano departed to pursue her solo career and I'm Talking disbanded in July 1987. In 1988, a compilation, Dancing was released by Regular Records.

After the break-up of I'm Talking, Ceberano launched her solo career; Abeyratne released three solo singles. Goodge, Cox and David Chesworth collaborated again in 1990 in the group "Power Trip featuring Mr Larry Weems".{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Razor-Cuts-Vol-1/release/1498945|title=Various – Razor Cuts Vol. 1|website=Discogs.com|access-date=4 January 2021}} Goodge also went into partnership with Gavin Campbell and Paul Main in the '90s to form Filthy Lucre, specialising in remixes. They were responsible for transforming Yothu Yindi's folk-rock song "Treaty" into a dance-groove hit single. Goodge has also written and performed with Stephen Cummings since the 1990s. I'm Talking's manager, West, handled Ceberano for a brief time before going into partnership with Vivian Lees and launching their national rock festival The Big Day Out. John McAll went on to play and record with Goodge's former collaborator David Chesworth, and other jazz and rock acts.

In 2003 Goodge revived a trio of Essendon Airport with David Chesworth and Graham Lee. In 2007 Kate Ceberano appeared in the Countdown Spectacular 2 performing versions of I'm Talking's "Trust Me" and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore". As of 2008 Cox is a conservator at the State Library of Victoria.{{Cite web|url=http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/exhibitions/kmg/2008/medieval_imagination/online/exhibition_promo/exhibition_promo_video.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080812022719/http://slv.vic.gov.au/programs/exhibitions/kmg/2008/medieval_imagination/online/exhibition_promo/exhibition_promo_video.html|url-status=dead|title=Video: Documentary Trailer – The Medieval Imagination, State Library of Victoria|archive-date=12 August 2008|access-date=4 January 2021}} In October 2010, Bear Witness (1986) was listed in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums.{{Cite book | title = 100 Best Australian Albums | last1 = O'Donnell | first1 = John | author-link1 = John O'Donnell (music journalist) | last2 = Creswell | first2=Toby | author-link2 = Toby Creswell | last3 = Mathieson | first3 = Craig | author-link3 = Craig Mathieson | publisher = Hardie Grant Books | date = October 2010 | location = Prahran, Vic | isbn = 978-1-74066-955-9 }}

In 2014, Ceberano released her memoir, I'm Talking: My life, my words, my music, published by Hachette Australia. Ceberano co-wrote the book with Tom Gilling.{{cite web|title=I'm Talking My life, my words, my music|url=http://www.hachette.com.au/books/9780733630231/|work=Hachette Australia|access-date=4 January 2014|year=2014}}

In March 2018 Bear Witness was re-released with additional tracks, and the band started an official YouTube channel. The album was re-mastered for vinyl, cd, and digital download.{{Cite web|url=https://bloodlinesmusic.com.au/im-talking-announce-long-awaited-re-release-bear-witness/|title=I'M TALKING announce long awaited re-release of 'Bear Witness' | Bloodlines Music|website=Bloodlinesmusic.com.au|access-date=4 January 2021}}

On 16 October 2018, the members of I'm Talking announced their return to the stage in 2019 as the supporting act for Bryan Ferry's Australian tour, between February and April. The reformed lineup consists of five of the seven original members: Goodge, Hogarth, Charlesworth, Ceberano, and Abeyratne. Ian Cox and Cameron Newman did not return due to personal commitments. The group also have not ruled out about whether they'll record or perform any new material beyond that. About the reunited group, Ceberano stated that she was "very excited about performing with I'm Talking again after so many years," adding that "[t]he music still sounds so great – fans are gonna love it!"{{cite news | url = http://www.noise11.com/news/im-talking-reform-for-2019-bryan-ferry-tour-20181017 | title = I'm Talking Reform For 2019 Bryan Ferry Tour | last = Cashmere | first = Paul | author-link = Paul Cashmere | work = Noise11 | date = 17 October 2018 | access-date = 13 September 2019 }}[https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/kate-ceberano-i-never-thought-this-would-happen/news-story/a7d470cc8b6c9878d9c38ec109117b9d Kate Ceberano: "I never thought this would happen."] from News.com (18 October 2018)[https://www.adayonthegreen.com.au/news/bryan-ferry "Bryan Ferry Returns to Australia February / March 2019 with Very Special Guests I'm Talking, Died Pretty, and Models"] from A Day on the Green (16 October 2018) On 9 November 2018, the group performed an acoustic set of cover songs during a segment on Myf Warhurst's ABC Radio program.[https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/myf-warhurst/myf-warhurst/10462362 Myf Warhurst's broadcast 9 November 2018] from ABC Radio Australia (9 November 2018) The group later performed a special concert for their fans in Melbourne on 11 February 2019, which received great reviews.{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/reformed-im-talking-play-their-first-show-in-30-years-at-memo-music-hall-20190212 |title=Reformed I'm Talking play their first show in 30 years at Memo Music Hall|publisher=Noise11|date=12 February 2019|access-date=14 February 2019}} On 15 February 2019, the group released a live album titled Dyin' to Be Dancin, which was recorded between 1984–1986. With the success of the reunion and renewed interest from its fan base, the members have already signaled intentions to do more shows and possibly work on new music in the future. In July 2019, the group released new remixes for the songs "It's Over" (an album track on Bear Witness) and "Cry Me a River" (originally a b-side on the single "Love Don't Live Here Anymore").{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/im-talking-release-two-brand-new-remixes-20190715|title=I'm Talking Release Two Brand New Remixes|website=noise11|date=15 July 2019|access-date=1 March 2020}}

In February 2020, the group released a 6-track remix single of "Holy Word".{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/brand-new-im-talking-holy-word-remixes-released-20200229|title= Brand New I'm Talking "Holy Word" Remixes Released|website=Noise11.com|date=29 February 2020|access-date=1 March 2020}} They appear to have been inactive since then, and the band's Instagram account was deleted at an unspecified point in time during the early 2020s.

Summarised from sources:

• Kate Ceberano – vocals (1983–1987, 2019)
• Stephen Charlesworth – keyboards (1983–1987, 2019)
• Ian Cox – saxophone (1983–1987)
• Robert Goodge – guitar (1983–1987, 2019)
• Barbara Hogarth – bass guitar (1983–1987, 2019)
• Cameron Newman – drums (1983–1986)
• Zan Abeyratne – vocals (1984–1987, 2019)
• Warren McLean – drums (1986–1987)
• Kevin Wiltshire – keyboards (1986–1987 session musician)
• John McAll – keyboards (1986-1987)
• Philip Jackson – drum machine, electronics (1987)
• Tricky J (Julien Lodge) – rapping (1987)
• Susie Ahern – backing vocals (1987)
• Miles Henry – drums (2019)
• Brodie Everist – saxophone (2019)

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony held by the Australian Recording Industry Association. They commenced in 1987.

{{awards table}}

|-

| 1987

| Richard Alan for Bear Witness by I'm Talking

| Best Cover Art

| {{nom}}

{{end}}

Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974–1987, it presented music awards from 1979–1987, initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.{{Cite web | url = http://www.countdownmemories.com/magazines/pdfs/1987_03.pdf | title = Countdown to the Awards | work = Countdown Magazine |date=March 1987 | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) | format = Portable document format (PDF) | access-date = 16 December 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://1970scountdown.atspace.com/1987.html|title=Final episode of Countdown|website=1970scountdown|access-date=23 October 2020}}

{{awards table}}

|-

| rowspan="3" |1984

| "Trust Me"

| Best Debut Single

| {{won}}

|-

| Kate Ceberarno in "Trust Me" (I'm Talking)

| Best Female Performance in a Video

| {{nom}}

|-

| I'm Talking

| Most Promising Talent

| {{won}}

|-

|1986

| Bear Witness

| Best Debut Album

| {{nom}}

|-

{{end}}

• Pay to Play by Wendy Milson, Helen Thomas and Ponch Hawkes, Penguin 1986 (Includes interview with Cox and Goodge)
• Baker, Glenn A.; Bob King (1987). Glenn A. Baker, ed. Australian made, gonna have a good time tonight : the authorised documentary of the event. Sydney, N.S.W.: Fontana Collins. {{ISBN|0-00-636921-9}}. (book of the January 1987 live tour)
• {{cite book |title=100 Best Australian Albums |last2=Creswell |first2=Toby |author-link2=Toby Creswell |last3=Mathieson |first3=Craig |author-link3= Craig Mathieson |last1=O'Donnell |first1=John |author-link1=John O'Donnell (music journalist)|publisher=Hardie Grant Books |year=2010|location=Prahran, Vic|isbn=978-1-74066-955-9 }}{{cite web |url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/4904197|title=100 Best Australian Albums |publisher=National Library of Australia|access-date=2 November 2010}}
• Dig: Australian Rock and Pop Music 1960-1985 by David Nichols, 2016

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.kateceberano.com Kate Ceberano official site]
• [https://www.facebook.com/Im-Talking-1847043532205939/?hc_ref=ARRnT-i_1a1Cy17j8U4bBJxJAge-m4yXyPxmbpZE7dDIl3nEalp39xTzM6AywP6GRjs I'm Talking facebook page]
• [https://www.facebook.com/zanabeyratnemusic/?hc_ref=ARQMUL7Vfiv9AeKEsXC7eJ0XuRsgrLL9aV6gKG5EeULf12SSmmTX9E40qIj5AsmV6kc Zan Abeyratne Music]

{{Kate Ceberano}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1983 establishments in Australia

Category:2020 disestablishments in Australia

Category:Australian electronic dance music groups

Category:Musical groups from Melbourne

Category:Musical groups established in 1983

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2020

Category:Kate Ceberano