I'm Talking

I'm Talking was a 1980s Australian funk-pop rock band, noted for launching vocalist Kate Ceberano. After the break-up of experimental funk band Essendon Airport in 1983, members Robert Goodge (guitar), Ian Cox (saxophone) and Barbara Hogarth (bass) set about forming a band to create intelligent, commercial, funk-pop music.

Although their songs were credited to the band as a whole (i.e. I'm Talking), in fact Goodge and Cox wrote virtually all the music and lyrics. They recruited 17 year old Kate Ceberano (vocals), along with Zan Abeyratne (vocals), Stephen Charlesworth (keyboards) and Cameron Newman (drums), and attracted the attention of fledgling manager Ken West.

The group won Best New Talent (1984) at the Countdown Awards. Ceberano won Best Female Vocalist (1985) at the Countdown Awards as well as Best Female Singer (1985) at ARIA Awards. After three charting singles in 1985, I’m Talking recorded their only album Bear Witness in Melbourne in March 1986. Produced by Fred Maher and Martyn Webster it spawned three more hits for their Australian label Regular Records. They signed to London Records in the U.K. but disagreements between the band and that label lead to only one single ("Do You Wanna Be") being released outside of Australia.

After returning from a 1986 U.K. tour supporting Five Star, there was a line-up change, which saw the exit of Abeyratne, Charlesworth and new drummer Warren McClean, and the arrival of John McCall (keys), Philip Jackson (drum machine, electronics) and rapper Tricky J. New material was performed live in 1987, but Ceberano soon split to pursue her long solo career.

After the break-up of I'm Talking, Abeyratne released three solo singles. Goodge went into partnership with Gavin Campbell 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.

Members

• Kate Ceberano – vocals (1983-1987)
• Zan Abeyratne – vocals (1983-1987)
• Robert Goodge – guitar (1983-1987)
• Ian Cox – saxophone (1983-1987)
• Barbara Hogarth – bass (1983-1987)
• Stephen Charlesworth – keyboards (1983-1987)
• Cameron Newman – drums (1983-1986)
• Warren McClean – drums (1986-1987)
• Kevin Wiltshire – keyboards (1986-1987)
• John McCall – keyboards (1987)
• Philip Jackson – drum machine, electronics (1987)
• Tricky J – rapping (1987)

Discography

Albums

• Bear Witness (1986)
• Dance (1989) – compilation album

EPs and singles

• "Someday" (1984)
• "Trust Me" (1985)
• "Lead The Way" (1985)
• "Love Don’t Live Here Anymore" (1985)
• "Do You Wanna Be?" (1986)
• "Holy Word" (1986)
• "How Can It Be?" (1986)

External links

• Kate Ceberano Official site
• I'm Talking entry in Australian Rock Database