Post 491 - Passage – Old Son Behold – I Know

Another one of those Aussie bands that the books and the Net knows little about. Released in 1974 on Warm & Genuine Records and penned by Falls – Miller other than that there’s no producer or city where it was recorded. One of my books says Sydney? So even it’s not real sure. But whoever these guys were it’s a pretty good song and sound, it was the only release which makes it rare in anyone’s book. Here to download is that single “Old Son Behold” b/w “I Know” (2079 901). Like I have said many times with bands like this maybe someone out there knows something about this single and will enlighten us. 

Post 490 - Hits From Pippin EP – Various

This 1974 EP on Atlantic Records features four songs from the stage show “Pippin” from Colleen Hewett, Marcie Jones, Dove and Stuart & McKay. John Farnham and Colleen Hewitt were the stars of this 1973 production of the Stephen Schwartz musical. “Hits From Pippin EP” (EPA 243) is a pretty rare one to find these days so I’m told. Thanks to Peter for this one.

Post 489 - Super Star Dale and the All Stars – Tip Toe through the Tulips LP

Dale Stephenson has been calling the John Laws program for over 25 years and has become a celebrity through his live accapella renditions of a variety of classic songs over this period of time. Dale’s wish has always been to record his own CD and become a "lebrity", and with the help of 2UE's Peter Kukura who produced the album and Rock and Roll legend Col Joye who freely gave up his time, the CD came to fruition. The Dale and Col duet of "Tip Toe through the Tulips" has gained instant "legendary" status. Dales’ wish to also perform with a band has been fulfilled. What an achievement - an intellectually handicapped man having a CD released by a major record company (Sony Music).  The album was titled “Super Star Dale and the All Stars – Tip Toe through the Tulips” (5176932000) released on Sony in 2004. Dale is just delightful to talk with and a real inspiration to millions of John Laws listeners Australia wide. 

Post 488 - Andy Foxx - The Singles

After Autumn broke up during an ill-fated trip to the UK in early 1972, splitting within just six weeks of their arrival, Steve McMurray, Glenn Beatson and Allan Magsuball formed Mecca, which moved to Canada and after that group split they joined Canadian band Wireless. Tony Romeril worked in Italy for some time, recording under the pseudonym Andy Foxx. The two singles here were recorded by Tony “Afrikaan Blue” b/w “Thank The Lord For The Night” (CTN-7002) and “Venus” b/w “Let’s Work It Out” (CTN-7011). I couldn’t find out much about these recordings, so what better way but to ask the man himself, this is what Tony told me……

“The tracks were released on Catoca Records, an Italian Record Company owned by the guys who wrote and produced  "Middle of the Road's" records. The big hit was "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep". They sold 18 million records in Europe and Britain in 18 months. "Afrikaan Blue" was recorded in 1972/73. And "Venus” 12-18 months later. When I arrived in England and left Autumn I sold my PA system and recorded demos at Morgan Studio which is where Paul Simon recorded at the time. I was playing the demos to a guy at Robert Stigwoods Company and a guy walked past and stopped and asked who was that singing. Of course I owned up, he said I have a record company in Italy for just that type of voice, can you come to Rome with me tomorrow morning and meet these guys. A whole 3 seconds later I said yes. I ended up staying 12 days and recorded both sides of the single over that time. (They were perfectionists). I was also treated like royalty. I ate in 23 different restaurants in 12 days. It was amazing. (Even worth changing my name to Andy Foxx).”

Tony also told me that he had never heard the finished version of “Venus”. Thanks Tony I really appreciate your help and time with this.

Post 487 - Abigail – Biting My Nails – Stay Awhile

Abigail Rogan (born 23 July 1946, in London) Known simply as Abigail, she became best known to Australians as a sex symbol, starting with the television soap opera Number 96 in the early 1970s. Despite common belief, she did not appear nude in the series. In fact it was fellow actor Vivienne Garrett who played Rose Godulfus from the same series who was the first to appear topless on Australian Television. In 1973, after leaving Number 96, she published her autobiography, Call Me Abigail which sold 150,000 copies in its first two weeks of sale. Also in 1973, Abigail made an attempt at a popular music career and scored a hit with a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Je t'aime... moi non plus", which reached the top 10 in Australia. Although this debut was a success, follow-up singles, including a comedic release with ventriloquist Chris Kirby, were not. She released 4 singles 3 from her 1973 LP “Abigail” for Festival Records produced by Martin Erdman. The fourth single here for you to download from 1976 on Laser Records, a cover of Genevieve Waite’s single penned by her and husband John Phillips (Mama's and the Papa's). “Biting My Nails” b/w “Stay Awhile” (LS-102846) the B side is also a cover of the Bells 1971 hit and produced by Charles Fisher. Tim Curry also recorded a cover of “Biting My Nails” in 2010. Abigail’s last television appearance was in 2002, when she briefly became a spokeswoman for Jenny Craig. She claimed to have lost 17 kilograms in seven weeks. She was interviewed on Sydney, Australia radio station 2GB on her 60th birthday in 2006. At that time she was living on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Flac

Post 486 - Doug Parkinson – Willing & Able – Endlessly

In 1985 Doug Parkinson had acting roles in the tele-movies The Body Business, Butterfly Island and Watch the Shadows Dance. He starred in the Kinsellas production Soul man in 1986 which toured nationally and in 1987 co-wrote the score for the surfing film “Wind Warriors” as well as co-writing the theme song “Willing and Able” b/w “Endlessly” (POS 3018) for the 9 network series of the same name. It was released in May 1987 on Possum Records. From what I can see this was the only recording for this label. 

Post 485 Mother Goose - Don't Believe In Fairy tales LP

Not much to say about Mother Goose in this post that I haven’t already said in previous posts.  When returning to Australia in 1979, after almost twelve months in the United States they undertook their 'Catch Me If You Can Tour', and recorded the album, “Don't Believe In Fairy tales” (L 37147) for Mushroom. The LP was produced by Ralph Moss and their version of “Paint It Black” is one of the best I've heard in a long time. Folk lore has it that Mick Jagger has said that this is the second best version of ‘Paint It Black’ he has ever heard, so could Mick and I be wrong?  Also a “BIG” thank you to Woodynet with  help in fixing up the art work for this one.