Post 379 - The Same Day Twins - Walking And Talking / A Little Bit Afraid

Perth brother and sister duo, John and Shirley Read began their career in the music business in 1967. The Same Day Twins won the Festival of Perth Talent Quest, they performed around Perth with such acts as “The Shadows” and Billy Thorpe and appeared on Club 17, the local teenage TV Show. In 1968 they toured South Vietnam with the first West Australian Concert Party, sponsored by Channel 9 and AFOF (Australian Forces Overseas Fund). Upon their return, they moved to Sydney where they became Robert Stigwood’s only Australian-based act, recording two singles at EMI, released on the Festival label. They appeared on Bandstand, The John Laws Show, The Gordon Chater Show, This Day Tonight, The Bob Rogers Show, The Brisbane Tonight Show, The Dick McCann Show, Celebrity Blind Date, The Easybeats Special, and were regulars on Rex Mossop’s Club Show. The duo also supported many local and international touring acts including Billy Preston, Matt Munro, Winnifred Atwell. In 1970, Shirley toured with acts including Normie Rowe, Johnny O’Keefe and Freddy Hampton, with whom she formed Trik, releasing two singles. Here to download is their single one and only single for Festival Records "Walking And Talking" b/w "A Little Bit Afraid" (FK-2511) produced by Pat Aulton in 1968. In 1973 Shirley moved to Melbourne and joined Brian Cadd and the Bootleg Family, for their national tour. During this time Shirley also appeared on recordings by Billy Thorpe, Colleen Hewitt, Kevin Borich and Ross Wilson. In 1975 she toured nationally with The Renee Geyer Band. Her next projects were with her then husband, Russell K. Smith, in a revival of ‘70’s cult band Company Caine and with reggae outfit Billy T, producing the album “No Definitions” on CBS and co-writing the single Gotta Keep On Dancin’. In 1998 Shirley’s career took a turn when she was elected Secretary of the Musician’s Union, Sydney Branch, NSW District, a position she held for a four years. She is credited with rebuilding the Union, which was about to close its doors. In 2002 she decided to return to her first love, performing and returned once more to the Perth Blues Club and recorded her first solo CD.

Post 378 - Ol' 55 - Should'a Been Here Yesterday LP

We found this album in a garage sale back in 2009 with no cover so was a bit of a mystery. I asked all my music contacts and posted what I'd found on the Midoztouch forum with no contact back from anyone about the album. I was starting to think it was someone else with Ol' 55's name on the label, until one day we received an email for a guy called Rod Crundwell telling us that it was for real and a story about the album. Then after a computer crash and losing all my emails we lost contact with Rod and lost all the info he'd given us. Then earlier this year we found Rod again on Facebook. Thanks now to Rod, we have the art work and the info again to share with you all.

“This album was recorded in 2001. The personnel are..Rockpile Jones on lead guitar and vocals. Geoff Plummer on drums (both from the original Ol55 line-up. Sadly Geoff passed away in 2006). Rod Crundwell on keyboards, guitar and vocals, Neil Pepper Guitar and vocals and Kim Constable bass and vocals. The songs are (1) 'Bad Boy' (2) Well don’t You know, (3) Neil Peppers song 'Every Night' (4) Make Believe...a live staple at the time featuring Rockpile on lead vocals (5) Dancin to the Muzak. written by Crundwell and Sanders later of Men with Day Jobs...Rod Crundwell on lead vocals. (6) Comic Book World composed by original Ol 55 bass player Jim Manzie and previously recorded by Ol 55 (very differently!) on 'Cruisin for a Bruisin' LP, ( 7) Should'a been here yesterday featuring Rockpile on lead vocals , this song was later recorded for the first Men with Day Jobs LP. The three bonus tracks were recorded live in Glen Innes in 2000. It was a limited print run and only sold at gigs”

Here to download is this very rare Ol' 55 album produced by Jim Morley. Again thanks to Rod Crundwell for all his help with this recording and info. Don't forget to check out Rod with Men With Day Jobs @ http://www.backpocketrecords.com/MenWithDayJobs/MenWithDayJobs.htm

Post 377 - Winter - I'm The Captain / Travelling Man

Winter played around Sydney to great acclaim through 1977-78. On the strength of some demo tapes they recorded, were signed to EMI records in 1978. "I'm the Captain" was the only single, released in August 1978. It was produced by Richard Lush, who had produced “Sherbet” and had worked as 2nd Engineer for the Beatles. The band appeared on Countdown, in sailor suits and on other TV shows (notably the ‘Super Flying Fun Show’) sadly, the tapes of the latter were lost. Here to download is Winter's one and only single "I'm The Captain" b/w "Travelling Man" (EMI-11717) for EMI Records. Band members were Greg Sita - lead vocals, Rod Crundwell - keyboards, vocals, Stafford Sanders - guitar, vocals, Billy Stevens - bass, vocals, Ken Stephenson - guitar, vocals and Paul Fenton - drums, vocals. The band split up at the beginning of 1979…but Rod, Stafford and Paul reunited in 2001 as Men with Day Jobs, and to be joined by Ken Stephenson for the "4 Characters" album in 2011. We would like to thank Rod Crundwell for the info for this post.

Post 376 - Judith Durham - The Olive Tree / The Non-Performing Lion Quickstep

Judith Durham, OAM was born Judith Mavis Cock, on 3rd of July 1943, in Essendon, Victoria. She is an Australian jazz singer and musician who became the lead vocalist for The Seekers in 1963. She left the group in mid-1968 to pursue her solo career. In 1993 Durham began to make sporadic recordings and performances with The Seekers, continuing into the 2000s. In 1967, Judith made her first solo recordings under her solo contract with EMI; here for you to download is "The Olive Tree" b/w "The Non Performing Lion Quickstep" (DO-5003). This was followed up by Judith's second solo single; "Again and again / Memories".

Post 375 - Jacko - The Singles Collection

Following his retirement from football, 'Jacko' used his fame and popularity to launch a singing career. His first single, I'm An Individual was a number 1 hit on the Australian singles chart. A second single, Me Brain Hurts was not so successful. A 1991 release "You Can Do This" also failed to make an impression. Here for you to download are the three singles and their B sides, the 1st being from 1985 "I'm An Individual" b/w "Our Relationship Is Giving Me The Creeps" (k-9634) released on Raw Prawn and produced by Ern Rose & Sam See. Also from 1985 "My Brain Hurts" b/w "Like I Want You" (K-9788). Produced by Sam See, also for Raw Prawn. His last single out of 1991 was from Possum "You Can Do This" b/w "You Can Do This (Instrumental)" (POS-5201) produced by Ken Francis. After his singing career ended, Jackson began appearing in advertisements, the most successful of which was his role in Energizer battery commercials during the 1980s. The commercials ended with a manic Jacko yelling "Get Energizer. It'll surprise you! Oi!" Jacko's catchphrase "Oi!" was pronounced to rhyme with boy. These commercials were shown extensively in the United States, even though few people knew of Jackson, during a period of high American interest in things Australian. He would be the brand's last American spokesman before the emergence of the Energizer Bunny.