Post 106 - Blackfeather - Slippin' & Slidin' / Fly On My Nose

Blackfeather were one of the most popular and successful groups of the early 1970's, Over 50 musicians have passed through the Blackfeather ranks. Blackfeather formed in April 1970 with the original line-up being John Robinson (guitar), Neale Johns (vocals), Leith Corbett (bass) and Mike McCormack (drums). All but Johns had come straight from the split of the Dave Miller Set, The band released two classic singles "Seasons Of Change" and "Boppin' The Blues", since they were between drummers at the time, the single  "Boppin' The Blues" was actually cut with Aztecs drummer Gil Matthews. Their album At The Mountains Of Madness 1971 is still one of the most regarded progressive rock LP's.  The second LP, the Howard Gable produced live album Boppin' The Blues, recorded at gigs at Melbourne Town Hall and the Q Club in September, and released in December 1972. Their third and last single, a version of Little Richard's "Slippin & Slidin'" was released in February 1973, They performed at Sunbury '73 in January and their set was recorded and released the following year as a live LP which has a live version of "Slippin' & Slidin'” here for you to download is the studio version of  "Slippin' & Slidin'” b/w “Fly On My Nose” (INK-4988). 

Post 105 - Thomas & Bailey - Missing Persons LP

G.Wayne Thomas came to Australia from New Zealand in 1966.  In 1967 he went to the Australian Theatre Trust Opera Company and in 1968 he moved from Opera Australia and spent a short time at Channel 7 in Sydney. He worked at J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency. While working there he wrote produced and performed a number of commercial jingles, in association with the then Musical Director of Hair and later Jesus Christ Superstar, Patrick Flynn. Patrick also worked for a number of other advertising agencies, which attracted interest from record companies; in 1970 he joined Warner Bros as Managing Director of their existing 14 publishing companies. In 1971, he produced the soundtrack of Morning of the Earth. In 1972, although at first he was reluctant when approached by Albe Falzon & David Elfick to write and produce the soundtrack for their new movie Crystal Voyager. He eventually agreed, the whole soundtrack was written, performed and produced in 10 days. During the period with Warner he produced a number of No1 and top 10 records for various artists such as Allison McCallum, Rumor, Jon English, Shona Lang, Autumn, and Himself. In 1979 he teamed up with Peter Bailey, they signed to Polydor and released 4 singles plus the L.P. "Missing Persons" (2907 054) here for you to download. Tommy Emanuel played guitar on "I Don't Want To Spoil Your Party" & "The Last Laugh" other musicians were Jimmy Kelly, Paul Baker, Terry Fogg, Lindsay Hammond and Mike McLellan. The album was produced by Thomas & Bailey. And a big thank you once again to Peter McCray for another classic from his vault.

Post 104 - Sinclair Brothers. - Two Moons LP

Wayne and John Sinclair gave us the "Two Moons" LP in 1979 and were on countdown and sounds unlimited. They toured as support for Don McClean, Janis Ian and Rita Coolidge. The album cover was shot with Cardinia reservoir in the background on a hill top in Emerald, Victoria where John had a Farm. They went on to tour Australia and since John settled in SA and Wayne in Victoria. They recorded the singles "Yesterfool" in 1978 and "Love Me Like I Love You" in 1979 which were both included on the LP. Two more singles followed in 1980 "It Must Be Autumn" and "City Boy." "Two Moons" was recorded at Festival Studios, in Sydney on the Infinty label and was produced & engineered by Martin Erdman. Other personnel on the album are Alan Fischer drums, Stefan Lapan guitar, Marcus Green bass and Wayne piano/vocals, John guitar/vocals. A big thank you to Peter McCray for sending me this album to clean up and to post on my blog,  Peter talked to producer Martin Erdman and I quote "Martin said that one of them was working on some unreleased recordings and there might be the possibility of a re-issue with these tracks as bonuses in the works.  But sadly, he subsequently advised that the brother had died unexpectedly - last year I think - so that was that. Very sad." It’s very sad indeed. Here for you to download is that album "Two Moons" (L 36845).

Post 103 - Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under - Waltzing Matilda / Nice Guys (Finish Last)

Dave Evans was born in Carmarthen Wales. The family immigrated to Australia when Dave was five years old settling in North Queensland. After a fight with his father, at the age of sixteen, Dave headed for Sydney, Living in Kings Cross, until returning to Queensland a year later.  He is best known for being the first lead singer of AC/DC from 1973-1974. Evans is one of the five founding members of AC/DC along with Angus and Malcolm Young, Colin Burgess and Larry Van Kriedt. His involvement with the band was for a year before being replaced by Bon Scott around October 1974. During his time with AC/DC, Evans recorded one single "Can I Sit Next To You, Girl"/ "Rocking In The Parlour" which was released in Australia and New Zealand. The Young brothers felt that Evans was not a suitable front man for the group even though the band was riding high at the time with "Can I Sit Next To You, Girl?" in the  charts. According to them, he was more of a "glam rocker", like Gary Glitter. After AC/DC, Evans joined Newcastle band Rabbit, replacing original singer Greg Douglas. Rabbit released 6 singles and two albums between 1975 and 1977. Dave Evans finally formed his own band Dave Evans and Thunder Down Under and recorded the self titled album in 1986 which had a limited release with independent record label Reaction Records. Here for you to download is the first of 3 singles to come from that album “Waltzing Matilda” b/w “Nice Guys (Finish Last)” (Reaction 104622) Thanks to Micko for this single.

Post 102 - Gary Young And The Rocking Emus LP

Gary Young and Wayne Duncan were the rhythm section of many bands particularly instrumentals since the early 1960s. One of these was The Rondells which were also the backing band for Bobby & Laurie. Young joined the Rondells in 1964, at the age of 17, whilst still at School. Young also played in The Changing Times and Ram Jam Big Band. Following the split of Bobby & Laurie, Laurie Allen put together a soul revue, called Dice, and later renamed The Laurie Allen Revue. The line-up included Gary Young, Barry Rogers and Wayne Duncan, Phil Manning and as backing singers, sisters Glenys and Colleen Hewett. Young and Ross Wilson met in 1969 whilst both were working in a book warehouse; each had previous band mates who were interested in forming a new group. Wilson, Ross Hannaford, Young and Duncan formed Sons of the Vegetal Mother later that year. As a side project from Sons of the Vegetal Mother, four of its members Duncan, Hannaford, Wilson and Young formed Daddy Cool in 1970. Other bands that Gary played with were Gary Young's Hot Dog, Jo Jo Zep, Rock Doctors, Cold Chisel, Black Sorrows, Little Red Rooster, Relax With Max, The Prestones, Crackajacks, Cool Healers, Southern Lightning, Andy Baylor's Cajun Combo and The Hornets and forgive me if I've forgotten anyone. In 1981 the Daddy Cool line up was back together again only this time as Gary Young & The Rockin Emus. Gary wrote & sang all the rockabilly tracks, played drums & the rest of the Emu's were Ross Hannaford & Jeff Burstin (Jo Jo Zep/Black Sorrows) on guitar, & Gary's long time partner Wayne Duncan. Ross "the boss" Wilson didn't play in this line up but he did produce the album. Here for you to download is one of many forgotten LPs, this time out of 1982 on Mushroom "Gary Young And The Rocking Emus" (L 37815) Enjoy this classic and. Yes I am a die-hard Daddy Cool fan! I had the pleasure of seeing them back together when they supported the Beach Boys in 2007 and of course after their set I got the chance to meet the guys and get stuff signed as you do, and no offence to the Beach Boys but anyone that was there will tell you D.C. stole the show.