Post 301 - Shirley - Song For A Friend

Another B side by request. This time it's the B side to post #55 "Mr Summer" by Skyhooks front man Shirley. "Song For A Friend" (K7285) was produced by Rick Formosa who co wrote the song with Shirl. It was released on Mushroom Records in 1978.

Post 300 - The Amazing Woolloomooloosers - Someday

Way back on post #2 for you to download was The Amazing Woolloomooloosers with their version of Every Mother's Son "Come On Down To My Boat." Looking back we've realised we've missed a few B sides. We were new to this blogging thing back then. This was one of those missing B sides, but better late then never. Here to download is "Someday", penned by Aztec Tony Barber and produced by Roy Fisher.

Post 299 - Jeff Phillips - The Wonderful World Of Jeff Phillips EP

Jeff Phillips is an Australian TV show host and pop singer. Originally from Perth, Western Australia, he first came to public attention when he took over as compeer of Perth TV show, Club 17 in 1966. Moving to Melbourne, he put out a number of single records, but the only one which charted was his cover version of The Shirelles, "Baby It's You" in 1968. He then became host of his own ABC-TV pop show, Sounds Like Us in 1970. That year saw him win the 1970 TV Week Awards - George Wallace Memorial Logie For Best New Talent. In 1971 he became host of the popular Saturday morning pop music show Happening '71. He continued on that show until 1973. After Happening's demise he went to the UK, where he was based for several years and released a number of singles including a version of John Paul Young's, "Yesterday's Hero". In the late '70s he re-located to Los Angeles for a time. He returned to Australia in 1985 to appear in the Australian production of Cats with Debra Byrne. Here to download is Jeff's only EP recorded on Festival Records in 1968 " The Wonderful World Of Jeff Phillips" (FX-11,585). He made a comeback in 1991, hosting the Ten Network TV talent show, Star Search. He had a long recording career, putting out nineteen singles from 1968 to 1981 on such labels as Festival, RCA, Generation, Havoc, U.A and Astor to name a few. There has never been an album release by Jeff which is a pity and I don't think there ever will be a best of sadly either because of too many record companies involvement.

Post 298 - William Shakespeare - Can't Stop Myself From Loving You LP

In November 1974, Shakespeare released his debut album, "Can't Stop Myself from Loving You" (475608 2) here for you to download, produced by Vanda & Young for Albert Productions. His second single, "My Little Angel" followed in December and peaked at #1 for three weeks in February 1975. Shakespeare appeared on teen orientated Countdown in his glam rock costume numerous times. The two singles and album were followed by two more singles, "Just the Way You Are" in April and "Last Night" in May 1976, but he had no further Top 50 charting successes. In 1975 Cave was convicted of carnal knowledge with a fifteen-year-old girl from his Melbourne fan club, he received two years probation. He left Albert Productions in 1977 and had no further recordings and his pop music career was over due to his conviction and changes in music styles. In 1978, Shakespeare, who had an alcohol addiction and clinical depression, was treated with Deep Sleep Therapy by Dr Harry Bailey at the Chelmsford Private Hospital for three weeks. From 1979 he performed as Billy Shake in Sydney clubs but generated little income. His alcoholism and mental health issues resulted in living on the street for several years until he was rescued by former Go-Betweens drummer Lindy Morrison who arranged accommodation and financial assistance for him. Today we say goodbye to William Shakespeare, may he finally find peace. RIP John Cave.

Update: William Shakespeare died from a heart attack. His funeral will be held in Sydney on Friday October 15, 2010.

Post 297 - Christie Allen - Under Lock And Key

Christie Allen was born, June Allen, on the 12th of September, 1954, in the United Kingdom, before moving with her family to Perth, Western Australia. Whilst performing in a band, Pendulum, with her brothers in Perth she came to the attention of songwriter and record producer Terry Britten after virtually knocking on his door, according to an interview she gave on Sounds. Britten, a former member of The Twilights, had previously worked with Cliff Richard with whom he co-wrote "Devil Woman". Impressed by Allen's vocal ability, he began working with her and a recording contract with Mushroom Records. She released her first single "You Know That I Love You", which although it wasn’t a major hit, did attract enough airplay and positive reviews to indicate bigger things to come. Her next three singles from her debut album "Magic Rhythm" were substantial hits. The first single was a ballad "Falling In Love With Only You", which reached #20 in April, 1979. Her next two singles were strongly influenced by the disco style - "Goosebumps" reached #3 in September, 1979, and "He's My Number One" reached #4 in 1980. With sales of 60,000,"Goosebumps" would be Allen's greatest success and was one of Mushroom Record's highest selling singles at that time. In 1980 & 1981 Christie released a three more singles - "Baby Get Away", "Switchboard" and "Don't Put Out The Flame" from her second and final album Detour, produced by John Hudson. Here to download is the B side of "Falling In Love With Only You" "Under Lock And Key" (K7400) which was a non album track. A long illness prevented her from adequately promoting her career and she subsequently retired. After starting a family, the 1990s saw Christie return to music, in a low profile performing as a vocalist with country music bands. In 1998 Michael Gudinski sought her out via an appeal on national radio to perform at a televised tribute concert for the 25th anniversary of Mushroom Records, and she retired following that performance on the 14th November, 1998. In 2006, Gudinski asked Christie to participate in the Countdown Spectacular tour, however due to her ill health, she had to decline. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2008 and died at her home in country Western Australia on Tuesday 12 August 2008, aged 53.

Post 296 - Ray Burgess - The Golden City / Rachel's Song

Australian musician and television presenter, Ray Burgess, shot to the top of Australia’s pop rock scene following a successful appearance on television’s talent show New Faces. In 1970 Ray soon became a founding member of Red Time, touring Australia for several years before the band was signed up as backing band to then King of Pop, Johnny Farnham. An accomplished singer in his own right, Ray undertook a solo career in 1974 and his first recording, "Touch Me", became a huge Australian hit. This success was confirmed by more hits, "Love Fever", "Sad Rock & Roll", "Rock & Roll Lightning" and, the one he will be most remembered for, "Gloria". Ray also recorded three albums. He was host of Rock & Roll Circus and then popular youth culture program, Flashez on ABC. Here to download is a single written & produced by Axiom's Don Mudie about Bendigo in Victoria, "The Golden City" b/w "Rachel's Song". Can't find out much more about this single as its only mentioned in one of my books as a release in 1981? as you will see in the scans there is no record label or cat. #. I'm starting to think maybe it was recorded for some celebration for Bendigo. Maybe someone out there will enlighten us. Ray penned the B side. Singer, musician, television presenter, host, MC and compére, after 40 years in Australia’s entertainment industry, Ray has a lot to offer. In 2008 Ray’s daughter, singer Casey Burgess, was hand picked from thousands of hopefuls to replace Charli Delaney in the hugely popular kid’s group, Hi-5.

Post 295 - Private - Like Her Daddy / In Our lives

Private once know as Private Lives were a Sydney band formed in 1985. As Private Lives the band issued 3 singles and a EP between 1983/84. As Private the band released 2 singles and a LP all in 1985. Here to download is their 2nd single "Like Her Daddy" b/w "In Our Lives" (104433) on RCA Records. Produced by guitarist Eddie Hansen & Private, both tracks were written by guitarist John Needham. Other members included were Phil Munro - bass, Alan Murphy - drums, Francisco Cordoza - percussion, Annatasia - vocals and Trudi Aspeling - vocals.

Post 294 - Cassi James - Which Way You Goin' Billy / Heaven Help The Girl

Carol Richards was a copy writer for radio 3UZ, as a freelancer and in advertising, copy and jingle writing. She worked as a professional solo singer all over the place and got her break when she joined Johnny Chester and Jigsaw under the name of Cassi James. She released a record here for you to download in 1971 "Which Way You Goin' Billy" b/w "Heaven Help The Girl" (FB-041). The A side was written by Terry Jacks who had a hit with this with his band The Poppy Family. The B side was penned and produced by Johnny Chester. I emailed Johnny to see if he could give me any info on Cassi this is the reply we got :-

G'day Garry,

Good to hear from you,

Cassi James was a stage name selected for Carol Perlman who sang with my show for a year or so in the early '70's. As far as I know they were the only two songs she ever recorded. I did try to get her to take a similar path musically to Linda Ronstadt and embrace country music as well as rock'n'roll and big ballads as she had a mighty voice but it wasn't to be. Carol married and I've only ever seen her once since those days and that was in the early '90's. The last I heard she was still living in Melbourne but I don't know her married name or even if she is still married. I don't think she is still singing.

Sorry I can't be of more help

Thanks for your interest

All the best

Chess

We emailed him back with what info we had on Cassi and he was grateful. and he also told us that the B side was recorded at the same session that he and Jigsaw did "Billy's Comin' Home For Christmas" (post # 196) at Armstrong’s demo studio. She re-married at 61 and has written three books. She once said that her most joyful achievement, satisfying beyond words, is and will always be, bringing my precious daughter into this world.

Post 293 - Captain Rock - I Do Love A Saturday Arvo / Can We Do It Again

Captain Rock recorded the original "Give Me A Home Among The Gumtrees", as well as "Steamed Vegetables" from the album "Buried Treasure" in 1975. Captain Rock wasn’t a band but the dressed up name given to novelty songwriter Bob Brown. Another one of those artists that there is not a lot of info on. This single here for you to download "I Do Love A Saturday Arvo" b/w "Can We Do It Again" (FB 341) produced by David Williams & Greg Macainsh and the B side produced by David Fleet. The record was released on Fable but has no date but going by the cat # it would have to been around 1980/81.

Post 292 - Andy Upton - Stop In The Name Of Love / Born In A Taxi

Andy gained national recognition in the seventies through radio and TV appearances and enjoyed chart successes including a number one hit in Adelaide with his recording of "Stop In The Name of Love". The 5AD top 40 music chart certainly had some big artists competing for that No. 1 spot. In the early 60's, Andy's musical tastes were first influenced by "The Beatles" melodies and harmonies, and later by the "The Rolling Stones". Singing along to those early tracks it was evident that singing was what he wanted to do. In the mid 70's the ABC's Countdown, gave exposure to one of Andy's songs "Rainbow World" and achieved limited success. The ABC and Molly Meldrum were very supportive of Australian talent. Here to download is that #1 single "Stop In The Name Of Love" b/w "Born In A Taxi" (ZS 175) produced by Robie Porter in 1977 on Wizard Records. Andy penned the B side. These days Andy is even more passionate about recording and releasing his own songs. The new age of digital has made it possible to record and release Andy's songs over the internet at the following site: http://www.andyupton.com.au/