Post 351 - Jigsaw - Light Up The World / Take Me Daddy

Another one from the Jigsaw stables, this time their 11th single release for Fable Records in1974. This single was produced by Johnny Chester & Jigsaw at Bill Armstrong Studios Melbourne. Here to download is that single "Light Up The World" b/w "Take Me Daddy" (FB 232). The A side was penned by Ben Findon and Geoff Wilkins and the B side written by Jon Calderwood.

Post 350 - The Ferrets - Robin Hood / The Lemming Song

After favourable reactions from audiences in Melbourne and Sydney, The Ferrets produced a demo tape that caught the attention of Ian "Molly" Meldrum talent coordinator for the TV series Countdown. Meldrum had them signed to Mushroom Records and started producing their debut album, "Dreams of a Love", in July 1976. In April 1977 they released their debut single, "Robin Hood", which did not chart. Here to download is that single "Robin Hood" b/w "The Lemming Song" (K-6743), it was produced by Ian Meldrum at Armstrong’s Studios South Melbourne. This single and it's B side never made it onto "Dreams Of A Love". An interesting fact we have noticed is that on the label The Ferrets is spelled The Ferretts. We're not sure if this was a mistake or it was meant to be.

Post 349 - Digby Richards - Digby Richards LP

Digby Richards S/T LP released in 1973 on RCA Records hosted 3 singles. The first single "If I Could Write A Love Song", the second "New York City" and the last being "Spunky Monkey". The album was produced by Larry Murray and recorded in Hollywood California U.S.A. Musicians that backed Digby on this LP were Richard Bennett-guitars, Alan Lindgren-Keyboards, Joe Osborn-bass and Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner and Dennis Conway on drums. Here to download is the album "Digby Richards" (MVPLI-0001). Richards also does a great version of Kevin Johnson's "Rock 'N' Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life).

Post 348 - Peter Cupples - Fear Of Thunder / I'm Into You

As Stylus began to break up, Peter Cupples started working on some new music projects. A small band evolved and they took up a residency at The Hatters Castle in Melbourne. The band pushed Peter to write some different music. He moved away from the soul genre and he wanted to explore new avenues with his writing. This was the time that "Fear Of Thunder" was recorded. The song itself was exciting and different. It was Peter's way of expressing the new direction that he had discovered around that time. It didn't fit into any specific musical category when it was recorded, a difficult record to sell commercially. It was rock, pop, soul, reggae. A publishers dream and a record company’s nightmare. Here to download is the single from 1981 "Fear Of Thunder" b/w "I'm Into You" (FMS-2113) which was recorded for Full Moon Records and produced by Peter Cupples and John French. Peter never managed to put together the sound that was needed for a big Aussie hit. Maybe they were a bit too different, maybe the timing wasn't right. But he was playing the music he loved playing, and their loyal fans followed them around as he continued in his pursuit of success. Peter had friends in the industry like Daryl Summers who allowed him the opportunity to play my new music to the national audience. The "Changes" LP in 1994 was his first recording in 10 years. In that time records had become CD's and technology had improved dramatically and that showed out in the clarity of the finished product. Peter recorded a great LP in 2007 called "About Time". Read more about Peter's musical journey at http://www.petercupples.com/main/main_index.htm

Post 347 - Cash Backman - Jenny (You're My Best Friend) / Country Smile

Here is another one from Cash Backman. This single from 1975 was on Image Records and is here for you to download. Both sides were penned by Cash with production by Ern Rose and DougTrevor. "Jenny (You're My Best Friend)" b/w "Country Smile" (IS-169) makes good easy listening.

Post 346 - Olivia Newton-John - The Biggest Clown

"The Biggest Clown" (ITFK-4158) here for you to download, was the B side of Olivia's 1971 single "If Not For You". As far a I know it was never released on an LP, much less in CD format. It was produced by Bruce Welch and John Farrar and released on Interfusion Records. "If Not For You" was written by Bob Dylan and had been previously recorded by Beatle George Harrison for his 1970 album, All Things Must Pass. This single was her first international hit. Her follow up single "Banks of the Ohio" was a Top 10 hit in England and Australia.

Post 345 - Uncanny X-Men - Beach Party EP

The "Beach Party" EP contained the rebellious hit single "Everybody Wants to Work". The A side was produced by Rick Pinko Sims aka Red Symons, with the B side recorded live at the Chevron Hotel in Sydney on June 17th 1984, mixed by Jim Barton at AAV Studios Melbourne. Here to download is the EP "Beach Party" (X14068) recorded for Mushroom Records.

Post 344 - Lynne Dutton - You've Got Me Loving You / A Lonelier Day

Who is Lynne Dutton? We say good question as we can't seem to find anything about this lady. This is one of two singles released by Lynne on Festival Records. Here to download is "You've Got Me Loving You" b/w "A Lonelier Day" (FK-4658) it was her first single produced by Mike Loxton in 1972. Her second single was the Glenn Cardier penned song "Body & Soul".

Post 343 - Frankie Davidson - Aussie Music (You've Sure Come A Long Way) Part 1 & 2

This Frankie Davidson single, released in 1984 on Powderworks Records, was written by Frankie and produced by Mike Harvey. I'm not going to write a lot about this song as I think Frankie says it all in this song, I don't think there's many Aussie acts he doesn't mention in these two tracks. As Molly would say "Do yourself a favour and have a listen." It reminds me a bit of Lucky Starr's "I've Been Everywhere" only with Aussie artists instead of Aussie towns. Here to download is "Aussie Music (You've Sure Come A Long Way) Part 1 & 2" (POW 0230).

Post 342 - Jon English, Trevor White & The Superstar Band - Laid Back In Anger / Laughing At The Guru

Trevor White was born in Essex, England. He sang and played piano with the group Sounds Incorporated, and moved to Australia when the group broke up. He played Jesus in the 1972 Sydney production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Jon English immigrated to Australia with his parents in 1961. He was an early vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Sebastian Hardie but left to take on the role of Judas Iscariot in the Australian version of the stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar from May 1972. In 1976, Jon performed a duet with fellow Superstar Trevor White, Here for you to download is the single for Polydor Records "Laid Back in Anger" b/w "Laughing At The Guru" (2079 096). The A side was written by Iain Sutherland of Sutherland Brothers fame and the B side penned by Jon came from the "Hollywood Seven" LP. Unfortunately the single did not have major chart success, but I think it is quite a good song just the same.

Post 341 - Ernie Sigley & Denise Drysdale - Hey Baby / All I Have To Do Is Dream

Here to download is the double A sided single for Ernie & Denise "Hey Baby" b/w "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (K-6035). Released on Festival Records in 1975 and as far as I can find out these songs never made it to CD or LP. The single was produced by Brian Rangott at Armstrong Studio's Melbourne. The single certainly didn’t chart, despite them performing the song twice on their show. Once in March ’75, and a 2nd time in August ’75 when the single was issued. Thanks Micko with help with this one.

Post 340 - Doug Parkinson - Love Is Like A Cloudy Day / One Track Mind

Doug was born in Newcastle, NSW in 1946 and grew up on Sydney's northern beaches, where he attended Narrabeen Boys' High School. Since the mid-Sixties, Doug Parkinson has been regarded as one of Australia's finest vocalists, a “singer's singer” who is one of the truly great soul R&B vocalists of our time. His deep, resonant, smoky baritone voice is operatic in its power, yet possesses a range and subtlety that few others can match. His sound is instantly recognizable and unmistakable, yet his great versatility enables him to be equally at home in almost every popular genre including soul, R&B, pop, psychedelia, heavy rock, jazz, swing and musicals. Added to his vocal prowess is an imposing stage presence including his trademark "Lucifer" beard and a solid acting ability. Here to download is Doug's 1975 single for Atlantic Records "Love Is Like A Cloudy Day" b/w "One Track Mind" (100019). The A side is a Vanda & Young composition with the B side penned by Doug. The single was produced by Doug at Trafalgar Studios. To read more about Doug Parkinson (and it is a hell of a story) go to http://www.milesago.com/artists/dougpark.htm. It is well worth the read I can assure you.