‘Family From Cuba’, the final recordings of Ian Rilen, has been released on the re-activated Phantom Records.
Ian Rilen Family From Cuba
MGM Distribution founder Sebastian Chase championed the release of ‘Family From Cuba’, recorded in 2006 just months before the Rose Tattoo/X guitarist passed away from cancer.
Cathy Green, Rilen’s long-time musical partner said that Ian found the album difficult to record due to his ailing health. “Although he was in a lot of pain you wouldn’t have known that,” she said in a statement. “I think we all had an understanding of what was going on, so you know, we just got in there and did it.”
Had Ian not passed away and this was just another new album this week then ‘Family From Cuba’ would still be an amazing record. It is all the more amazing as a final document from one of Australia’s greatest musicians. His biggest song was as composer of Rose Tattoo ‘Bad Boy For Love’.
The ‘Family From Cuba’ album is released as Ian Rilen and The Love Addicts. The Love Addicts are Ian on guitar and vocals, Cathy Green on bass and vocals, Kim Volkman on guitar and vocals and Dave Nicholls on drums.
James Cruikshank from The Cruel Sea plays piano on ‘Song For Romeo’, a song about Ian’s son.
The album comes in a 74-page hardcover book.
