Steve. Long time fan. May 2002.

In the late 90's the last three Stylus albums, were digitally re-recorded and released in Japan. These became available on the net, and helped fill the void of recorded material, commercially available. I had the good fortune of returning to Melbourne in late 2000. It gave me a great opportunity to revisit the things I missed about Melbourne most. Amongst other things, the music and the football. Pete released "Home Grown"in 2001. It was another example of his talent and versatility. He made the whole recording himself, played all the instruments, produced it, and put together a great stage show to promote the recording. When I first saw the show, at Capers, it struck me that the audience had the same reaction to "The Voice" that I had witnessed nearly 20 years earlier. We were all just a bit older now. The first song was "The Road To Gundagai". Yet again there were five words sung, "Theres a track winding back"... You could hear a hush go around the audience, as everyone collectively revisited previous Cupples experiences. You just forget how good that voice is. You hear it again live, and it all comes flooding back. The Home Grown show, takes you on a magical timeline through Peters life, and through Australian music, from the 60,s to the present day. Each song presented with Peters own unique adaptation and perspective. The next treat was something that I never thought I would see, having only been at school when Stylus was at its peak. It was announced that Stylus were getting together again for a reunion, in an accoustic type environment, with the legendary David Jones on drums.

I was lucky enough to see the two final nights of the show, which were taped for a future release. It was an amazing show. Twenty three years after breaking up, the old magic was still there. The band was as slick and smooth as the recordings had promised. Peter and Ashleys vocals as crisp and clear as ever, Rons guitar work and Sams keyboards filled the room with memories. David Jones must have wondered why he hadnt been a part of it all from the start...He just slotted straight in, like one of the originals. David had of course played with all of the band before, but never together with all of them in Stylus. It was a great reward for the loyal fans, who had been given a unique opportunity for a trip down memory lane. Like all good things, it had to end. The recording, when its released, will give us a permanent momento from the show.

I am lucky enough to have heard the future recording "Living History"...It is the best work of a distinguished career. It has all of the trademarks of Peters previous recordings..Slick production, world class musicianship, stunning vocals and moving lyrics. It also shows a new direction, with a touch of country soul music. There are three absolute standout gems in my mind. "Buying Time" is a little tune about growing up. It conjurs up pictures of growing up in the bush, moving on in life...The mystical tune "Take Me Home" is an unforgetable lyric, about a travelling minstral, who has been on the road all his life, and finally decides, its time to head home. This is possibly the best storyteller tune on the album. Listen closely to the words, marvel at the wordsmith at his best... If you have been on the journey since "World of Make Believe" and "I Remember"... this is the song you will relate to.

The ballad "Leave Me The Rain" is an absolute classic. It has the stirring lyrics, and the crystal clear vocals. It should be listened to over and over again. It sounds better everytime you hear it. If there is still a market for singles, and I am not sure that there is, this one could really strike a chord with a wide range of demographics. A good old fashioned ballad never seems to go out of date. The new audience that "Living History" will open up for Peter's work, will undoubtedly be the new style country music fans. They will enjoy "Pioneers", and "I Surrender" ... There is also a beautiful version of the Mondo Rock Pop classic ballad "State Of The Heart"... "Living History" will probably define the next stage in Peter Cupples wonderful musical journey. A journey that started on that little stage in Yarram, when he slid out on his knees, that took him through Top 10 hits with Stylus, the screaming Countdown years, the prestigious Motown signing, the musically gratifying era of the Peter Cupples Band, the era as a respected TV and stage performer, the wonderful period of Changes, and more recently Home Grown. A journey that we as fans have been able to travel with him, a journey that is still in motion. This minstral is, thankfully still on the road.
Pete, thanks for the music...