James Reyne & Ella Hooper Rework The 1992 Hit, 'Way Out West'

Two phenomenal Australian songwriters, James Reyne and Ella Hooper, have teamed up to rework Reyne’s 1992 classic take on the Dingoes’ tune, Way Out West, in preparation for the Way Out West 2023 national tour.

Reynes’ original version featured James Blundell, originally released by The Dingoes back in 1973. The new rendition with Hooper benefits from her outstanding harmonies - a slide guitar brings the pair home halfway through the song. Check it out below.

Hooper explained about the duet, “When James came to me with this idea – I was like – hell yeah! I’ve always adored that song, it’s got such a lovely, laconic feel to it, and it’s such a unique Australian song too.”

She continued, “I used to belt out this song growing up in the country; it’s a dream to be doing it for real, James! It definitely deserves another spin!”

After releasing her new solo album, Small Town Temple, earlier this year, Hooper landed at #1 on the ARIA Country Albums Chart. The album spawned the singles Words Like These, Grow Wild, Old News and more.

As an established artist who is already a familiar face (and voice) on the Australian music scene thanks to her first band Killing Heidi (formed in 1996 when she was just 13 and featuring her brother Jesse), The Verses (also with Jesse), her stint as captain on the revised version of Spicks And Specks, former radio presenting role on 2DayFM and the solo career she launched in 2012, Hooper reintroduced herself to The Music upon the BIGSOUND music conference in 2018. Read the full interview here.

In 2021, The Music went back in time and explored James Reynes’ deep cuts. Yeah, we all know Boys Light Up and Reckless, but how about Motor City? Check out our choices here.

James Reyne and Ella Hooper are going on tour throughout the year to celebrate Way Out West. Tickets are on sale now via Reynes’ website.

JAMES REYNE with special guest ELLA HOOPER

WAY OUT WEST 2023 TOUR DATES

May
May 26 – Theatre Royal Hobart TAS
May 27 – Adelaide Festival Centre Adelaide SA

June 
June 1 – The Tivoli Brisbane QLD
June 2 – The Tivoli Brisbane QLD
June 4 – Miami Marketta Gold Coast QLD
June 9 – Anita’s Theatre Thirroul NSW
June 10 – Enmore Theatre Sydney NSW
June 17 – Palais Theatre Melbourne VIC
June 23 – Empire Theatre Toowoomba QLD
June 30 – Freo Social Fremantle WA

July
July 1 – Astor Theatre Perth WA
July 15 – Ulumbarra Theatre Bendigo VIC
July 22 – Ballarat Civic Hall Ballarat VIC

August
August 4 – Darwin Entertainment Centre Darwin NT
August 11 – Townsville Regional Entertainment Centre Townsville QLD
August 12 – Tanks Arts Centre Cairns QLD
August 18 – Drifters Wharf Gosford NSW
August 19 – Toronto Hotel Toronto NSW