Dear Children

Released in 1987, Dear Children marks the definitive turning point for The Black Sorrows, transitioning them from a cult roots collective into a major force in Australian rock. After releasing three albums independently, Joe Camilleri famously mortgaged his house to fund these sessions, a gamble that paid off when CBS Records signed the band upon hearing the material. The album represents a significant sonic slimming; the band moved from an eleven-piece ensemble to a core five-piece, resulting in what Camilleri described as a 'rockier' sound. This shift sacrificed the gentle accordion textures of their previous work for a tighter focus on Jeff Burstin's guitar work and the soulful vocal interplay that would become the band's hallmark. The lead single 'Mystified' became their highest-charting hit to date, while 'Daughters of Glory' solidified their reputation for blending gospel-tinged harmonies with pub-rock grit. Critically, it is regarded as the bridge between their experimental early years and the massive commercial success of subsequent albums like Hold On To Me.