Post 317 - Riff Raff - Reindeers On The Rooftop

Our final Christmas post for 2010 is from Glenn Cardier who recorded this Christmas tune in 1985 under the name of Riff Raff. The song features his daughter Beth on vocals. Glenn has penned songs for such fellow Aussie's such as Ol' 55, Olivia Newton-John and appeared on the B side of the Mojo Singers "C'mon Aussie C'mon" as Sydney Hill. He played the first two Sunbury festivals and worked with the likes of Frank Zappa, Spike Milligan, and Fairport Convention. Here to download is "Reindeers On The Rooftop" (K- 7340). Glenn writes, performs and produces his music from his home studio on the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney. Cardier usually plays all the instruments on his albums.

Post 316 - Billy Field - Santa Claus Is Headin' South

Billy Field is an Australian singer and songwriter, best known for his hit singles "True Love" '82, "Bad Habits" '81 and "You Weren’t in Love with Me" '81. More than a decade earlier he was a member of Sydney band King Fox. King Fox was formed whilst Field and the rest of the group’s members were still in high school. King Fox released their debut single on the Du Monde label. "Unforgotten Dreams" was released in late 1969. "Bad Habits" showed Field’s passion for jazz and pop. His husky vocals proved the perfect foil for the horn sections and crisp production. Here to download is a Christmas song by Billy in 2003 "Santa Claus Is Headin' South." Helping Billy on this track are Don Burrows, Bob Barnard, Ed Wilson, Randy Waldman, Dave Pudney and Len Barnard. It was produced by Lorenzo Toppano.

Post 315 - The Fable Singers - When I Boiled The Billy For Santa Claus

This song is a prime example of a Christmas mystery. The Fable Singers were known for their recordings of the VFL/Later AFL Club Footy Songs on Fable Records, which I am reasonably sure is where the band name came from. This track came from a various artist LP of "True Blue Songs Of Australia" but there is no mention of this ever being a single for Fable. It is also not listed in the Fable discography. So who are The Fable Singers and where did this song come from? Maybe someone out there knows a little more than us and wouldn’t mind sharing the info. Here for you to download is “When I Boiled The Billy For Santa Claus.”

Post 314 - Tony Barber - White Christmas

On post #200 was Tony Barber's Christmas single "Sarah Jane". This year we have for you to download his version of "White Christmas" from his 1981 LP for Telmak Records "Songs Of The Century". Produced by Ernie Rose and engineered and arranged by Scott Hemming and Graham Lyall.

Post 313 - Kamahl - Warm Christmas

Here to download is "Warm Christmas" which was lifted from Kamahl's 1978 Philips LP "Around The World". The song was penned by Clyde Collins and produced by Dermot Hoy and arranged by Allan Tew. You will find some other Christmas Tunes by Kamahl on post #209 and post #199 on our Blog. In 2010, Kamahl made a cameo appearance on Yes We Canberra! as well had a small role in one sketch which was unused but later an extra on the DVD release. Kamahl appeared on an episode of Australian TV quiz show Spicks and Specks which first went to air on 8th of September 2010.

Post 312 - Dame Edna Everage - Spooky Christmas

This Christmas track for you to download came from Dame Edna's 3 track single "Theme From Neighbours". It was produced by David MacKay and Don Reedman and was released in 1988 on Epic Records. Dame Edna Everage is a character played by Australian comedian Barry Humphries. As Dame Edna, Humphries has written several books including an autobiography, My Gorgeous Life. She has also made several recordings, with a hit in 1978 with "Every Mother Wants a Boy like Elton".

Post 311 - Mark Williams - Christmas Is A Lucky Time EP

Williams was born in 1954 in the Northland region of New Zealand and at 16 started up a band called "The Face" with fellow classmates. The band went on to win the National Battle of the Bands competition in September 1970, and finished third overall in the grand final held in Auckland. One of the judges at the final was Lew Pryme, and he recognised the potential of the group and became their manager. When the T.V. show "Happen Inn" finished in '73, a new show emerged. It was called "Free Ride" and was hosted by Ray Columbus. Lew convinced Williams to leave the Face and pursue a solo career. Whilst becoming a featured artist on the show, "Free Ride" will always be remembered for launching the career of Williams. In 1974 Williams was signed to EMI by Alan Galbraith. A single was released at the end of 1974, "Celebration", but it was another song from the recording sessions that really stood out. Galbraith had taken a "Vanda and Young" song, originally destined for Craig Scott, and given it a new arrangement. The song "Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life" was released in May '75 and within 6 weeks was number one on the National Charts, staying there for 3 weeks and eventually falling out of the charts 6 months later. Williams' debut self-titled album came out in June and peaked at number 2. With his EMI contract about to expire, Williams decided leave the shores of New Zealand in pursuit of an international standing in Australia. With him came Alan Galbraith, his new manager and producer of his three albums. Alan had recently taken up a new position with CBS Australia. Here to download is a Christmas EP Mark did in 1985 for Lucky Records, "Christmas Is A Lucky Time" (AS 1266). Other tracks included are "Jingle Bells" & "Schnitzle,Schnotzle & Schnootzie" the last track was narrated by Dee Dorgan. Backing muso's were Dean Kerr (guitars), Phil Scorgie (bass) and Dave Fennel (drums) & The Lucky Sing-A-Long Chorus from Gosford. It was produced in Sydney by Brian Mackness & Dean Kerr. In 2005, Todd Hunter of Dragon asked Williams to join the newly reformed band and in 2006 the new line up released "Sunshine to Rain" on Liberation. Even today, his most popular hit "Show No Mercy" continues to be recognised as an inspirational song and is still used by many as a motivational anthem.

Post 310 - Noeleen Batley - A Merry Christmas EP

Noeleen was born in Sydney on Christmas Day 1944. Encouraged by her mother, she began singing when she was just five and she performed wherever she could. In 1960 aged 15, she entered a talent contest at Ling Nam's Chinese Restaurant in Sydney, which Festival's A & R manager Ken Taylor had helped to establish. Noeleen won first prize, a contract with Festival. Her debut "Starry Eyes" b/w "Soldier Soldier Won't You Marry Me" was released in February 1960 on Festival's label Rex, but it was not a success. The breakthrough came with her version of "Barefoot Boy" which established Noeleen's popularity and she soon became a regular on TV shows including Six O'Clock Rock and Bandstand. Here to download is her Christmas EP released in 1961 on Festival "A Merry Christmas" (FX-10,340). Noeleen enjoyed a very prolific recording career, with around 20 singles, at least eight EPs and three LPs to her credit, most of them recorded during the peak period of her career between 1960 and 1965. In 1975, she married Stephen Stewart-Topper and settled in Essex. The couple had their first child in 1976 and although noeleen continued to work in entertainment for some time she eventually gave up performing. At last report she had moved to the USA and was living in Miami, Florida.

Post 309 - Phil Golotta - Please Daddy / Back Out On The Road Again

Phil Golotta was with one of the longest surviving Australian groups The Blue Echoes, having stayed together in various line-ups for twenty years spanning early 1964 to late 1983. Golotto who was the lead vocalist was also a successful songwriter; he wrote Jamie Redfern’s 1973 hit "Hitch A Ride On A Smile". Here to download is a Christmas single out of 1973 on Image Records "Please Daddy" b/w "Back Out On The Road Again" (IS 142). The B side is credited to The Blue Echoes and the single was produced by Douggie Reece. In 1977 Phil Golotta and Chris Studdard left the remaining members then recruiting ex-soloists Rod Kirkham (Young Talent Time fame) and Robin Jolley into the line up. A New Group was formed calling themselves "The Echoes".

Post 308 - Peter Ciani & Melinda-Jane Bean - Mrs Santa Claus / Santa Call On Me

Peter Ciani's first major break into the Australian entertainment industry arrived with his spectacular success on the Australian talent/Variety television programme "Show Case". Peter made history in the Australian Music industry in 1963 when EMI released his first Australian disc with two of his own compositions in Italian for world release. Here to download is a Christmas single he released in 1980 " Mrs Santa Claus" b/w "Santa Call On Me" (SS 1001) on Soundmaster Records. The A side was penned more then 20 years earlier by Jack Milledge in a response to his daughter's question about Santa's wife. The B side Peter is joined by 8 year old Sydney girl Melinda-Jane Bean who made her recording debut on this single. The single was produced by Peter & George Picker.

Post 307 - Santa Claus is Back in Town - Australian Crawl

"Sons of Beaches" was Australian Crawl's 4th LP in 1982, it was recorded in Hawaii with expatriate Australian Mike Chapman producing. The album had a rougher, rock 'n' roll edge than its glossy pop rock predecessors and featured the #17 hit "Shut Down". It also included a re-recorded version of "Downhearted" and became their second album to reach No. 1 on the Australian albums chart and remained there for five weeks. EMI issued the album in the USA. Two further singles, "Daughters of the Northern Coast" and "Runaway Girls” both these failed to reach the Australian Top 40. Seeing its that time of year we have flipped the "Runaway Girls" single over and giving you the B side to download. "Santa Claus is Back in Town" (EMI-869).

Post 306 - John Vincent - Owyagowin Santa Claus

Our second download for the season was recorded for RCA Records by popular Adelaide D.J. John Vincent. This Christmas ockerish ditty came from John's 1973 "Owyagoin" LP. Sadly John passed away on 27th March 2009. Here for you to download is the single "Ow ya goin' Santa Claus" (101885).

Post 305 - Johnny Farnham - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus / The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot

Hello Followers,

It's that time of year again. We hope that everyone, whether they be followers or casual visitors, enjoy the Christmas tunes we put up this year. Last year's response for our Christmas music was fantastic, so we bring more to you this year. First off the K-Tel record selector is Johnny Farnham's first Christmas song here for you to download was a non-album single, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" b/w "The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot" (DO-8604) on Columbia in November 1968. It was produced by Howard Gable. On post #207 you will find Johnny's 1970 Christmas LP "Christmas is... Johnny Farnham".