Post 527 - Ronnie Burns - We Had A Good Thing Goin’ EP

Ronnie Burns released 8 EP’s for Spin Records between 1966/71. Here to download is his 4^th EP “We Had A Good Thing Goin’” (EX 11383). The title track is a cover of a Neil Sedaka song with Ronnie writing “Can’t You Feel” and the last track penned by the Bee Gees “Terrible Way You Treat Your Baby”.  

Post 526 - Jeanne Little - Dahling Are You Paying Attention? - Oceana Roll

Jeanne Little (born Jeanne Mitchell; 11 May 1938) is a Gold Logie-award winning Australian entertainer and TV personality. Little was born in Sydney. Little made her television debut on Network Ten's Mike Walsh Show in September 1974. Invited on as a guest showcasing designer maternity clothes, she quickly became a regular, eventually (after a stint at Channel Seven) moving with the Walsh Show to Channel Nine. The Seven Network had attempted two short-lived shows featuring Little's unique talents: Jeanne's Little Show and Cuckoo in the Nest, a situation comedy in which she played a wacky Auntie Mame-type character. As part of the Mike Walsh Show team again, Little wowed and won audiences for the next 15 years. She was a guest on the Midday with Ray Martin and her appearance on the BBC's Michael Parkinson variety show so startled London critics she had the London Evening News saying: "What a woman! With her in the house you wouldn't want a TV." Among the overseas guests she has appeared with are Phyllis Diller, George Burns and Danny La Rue. In 1976 Little won the Gold Logie for most popular television personality and has won two other Logies for her work on the Mike Walsh Show. She performed at the Royal Command Bicentennial Concert before the Prince and Princess of Wales. Her stage career took off with Jerry's Girls where American director John Frost teamed Jeanne with Marcia Hines, Debra Byrne and Judi Connelli. Then came Legends with Kerrie Biddell, Toni Lamond and Nancye Hayes at the Sydney Opera House.  Marlene, Little's one woman tribute to Marlene Dietrich toured Australia and the US to critical acclaim, followed by More of a Little, which was filled with songs and chat. In the late 90s through to the mid-2000s Little appeared on the panel discussion show Beauty and the Beast. Here to download is as far as I know the only single she released in 1976 “Dahling Are You Paying Attention” b/w “Oceana Roll” (2079 095) for Polydor Records. The single was produced by Silver Studs Lance Reynolds with Reynolds co-writing the A Side. In February 2011, it was announced Little was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, first diagnosed in 2009 and is being cared for in a nursing home. In August 2014, family members advised that Little's illness had advanced to the stage that she "no longer knows where she is or what’s going on around her". 

Post 525 - Francis Butler - There Is no Escape LP

After the 69’s departed in 1976 Francis Butler released a solo religious album in 1978, “There Is No Escape” (RH-011), on independent label, Rhema, before travelling to the United States and becoming a religious minister. There doesn’t seem to be much info on him after he moved to the States that I can see.  Most of the songs on “There Is No Escape” follow a melodic rock style.  Songs such as ‘You Can Know For Sure’ and the title track have progressive and jazz-rock edges, including Yes like synthesizer arrangements.  ‘Hungry Man’ and the boogie rocker ‘Jesus Said’ both give an opportunity for Francis to get down with his harmonica, while ‘With Jesus’ provides a reflective acoustic ballad mood.  Some of that old jug-band background from the 69’s carries over into ‘My Melody’, ‘I’m Really Diggin’ His Music’ and ‘you’d like Me to Be like Everyone Else’, all of which feature Francis on lead kazoo.  The latter song makes use of that Rudy Vallee “megaphone” vocal style, as does the brief vaudeville ‘Some Little Bug’.  Opens and closes with short arty instrumentals called ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’ featuring electric guitar and spacey electronics.  Francis also plays acoustic and 12-string guitars. The LP was recorded in Airbourne Studios Brookvale Sydney. Musicians on the album are Grahame Wardrop, Randall Waller – guitars, Bill Grahame, Phil Truscott – bass, Steve Wyatt – keyboards, Chris Neale – moog, Barry Stewart, Jim Young – drums and Executive Producer was David Smallbone. A BIG! Thank you to Graham sorry for the 46 seconds of hell but well worth it in the end because I could not have posted this LP without your help. Like someone once said “The things we do for music” 

Post 524 - The Breakers - When I'm On T.V. - Lipstick And Leather

After OL’55 split, Jim Manzie and Geoff Peterkin had formed a more contemporary-sounding rock band by the name of The Breakers. Jarryl Wirth (guitar; ex-News, The Lonely Boys), Scott Douglas (rhythm guitar, vocals; ex-Class) and Martin Fisher (keyboards) completed the line-up. The Breakers were described as `heavy metal pop that combined Beach Boys vocals, Ramones guitar riffs and Buggles synthesisers'. From early on, the band was highly touted; indeed, the single `When I'm on TV'/`Lipstick b/w Leather' (MS-417) (August 1980) was tough guitar pop in the style of UK outfit The Motors. Nevertheless, The Breakers did not get the chance to fulfil any early promise because the band broke up a year later. Manzie concentrated on his production duties (Innocents, Loaded Dice, Choirboys).

Post 523 - OL'55 - Rockin' Singles

Like Sha Na Na and Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids in the USA, Australia's own rock'n'roll revival act, Ol'55, enjoyed enormous popularity with a style that bordered on parody. Under the direction of astute manager Glenn A. Baker, however, the band managed to combine novelty kitsch with clever theatrics, a keen sense of pop dynamics and an acute understanding of the rock'n'roll form. Ol'55 emerged out of Sydney band Fanis which had formed in 1972. Former chartered accountant Peter Bryan joined Fanis at the start of 1975, and rock writer Baker created a whole new image for the band based around good-time American rock'n'roll. The band took its new name from the Tom Waits song (as covered by The Eagles), dressed in authentic rocker gear, and played vintage 1950s material and appealing originals in the same style (mostly written by Manzie). Having created the flamboyant Frankie J. Holden persona (FJ Holden, geddit?), Bryan proved to be a hyperactive, motormouthed frontman with a natural flair for outrageous showmanship. Ol'55 made its live debut in July 1975 and by September had issued its first single on the Mushroom label, Paul Anka's `Diana' backed with The Spaniels' `Goodnight Sweetheart'. Wilbur Wilde (sax) completed the classic Ol'55 line-up when he joined in October 1975.`Diana' had been a minor hit in Sydney, but the follow-up, `On the Prowl'/`This Little Girl', took the band into the national Top 20 (#18) during June 1976. At the same time, the band's debut album Take It Greasy peaked at #2 on the national album chart, eventually attaining double platinum status (over 140000 copies sold). With two more hit singles, `Looking for an Echo'/`Doin' Fine' (#14 in August) and `(I Want a) Rockin' Christmas'/`Little Saint Nick' (#8 in November), Ol'55 took its place alongside Skyhooks, Sherbet, Hush, the Ted Mulry Gang, John Paul Young and Supernaut in the vanguard of Australian mid-1970s pop. Plummer left Ol'55 in January 1977 to be replaced by Geoff `Spud' Peterkin (ex-Springwater). One month later, the band's fifth single, `C'Mon Let's Do It'/`Teenager in Love', reached #18 on the national chart. Frankie J. Holden also issued his debut solo single, `My Right of Way'/`Chartered Accountant Blues', in April. Written by Jimmy Manzie, it was the theme song to the Australian feature film The FJ Holden. Frankie J. Holden left the band in May 1977, followed one month later by Wilbur Wilde who joined Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons. Ol'55 unveiled its revamped line-up in August with new singer Mikey Raffone (microphone, geddit?; real name Paul Stevens, ex-Silver Studs). The band's second album Fiveslivejive (featuring the original line-up) failed to chart. In the meantime, the new line-up's debut single, `Stay (While the Night is Young)'/`Caught in the Curl', reached #11 in November 1977. Bruce `Tangles' Allen (sax) expanded the line-up at the end of 1977, but by February 1978 Mikey Raffone had left. The band continued as a five-piece with Jones, Drummond and Manzie sharing lead vocals. `(Feels Like a) Summer Night'/`He's Gotta Go' reached #23 in May 1978, but the band's next single, `Time to Rock'n'Roll'/`Homework's Done', on the Junction label (October 1978) failed to chart. Likewise, the band's third album, Cruisin' for a Bruisin', was not successful. `Ruby'/`Nobody Should be Kissing My Baby' returned Ol'55 to the national Top 40 (#36) in February 1979, followed by the unsuccessful `Living for Your Smile'/`Shaggy English Sheepdog' (April 1979). In March Ol'55 signed overseas deals with PolyGram for the release of Cruisin' for a Bruisin' in Europe and with CBS for release in Canada. Unfortunately, a split in the band's ranks prevented any follow-up on the deal. For some time, Manzie had been steering the band in a more pop-oriented direction, and this caused friction with Rockpile Jones and Patrick Drummond, who wanted to continue in the rock'n'roll vein. The two guitarists left the band in June 1979 amid much acrimony, taking with them the rights to the name of Ol'55. Jones and Drummond recruited original Ol'55 drummer Geoff Plummer, Rob Drummond (bass) and Bob Tawney (guitar) in a new line-up and started from scratch. By the end of the year, Ol'55 had signed a new deal with RCA. Terry Bellew replaced Rob Drummond on bass. Ol'55 issued the unsuccessful single `Comic Book World'/`Peek-a-Boo' (February 1980), followed by its eighth hit, Lou Christie's `Two Faces Have I'/`The Fool' (issued on the Leo label through PolyGram), which reached #15 on the national chart during September (Top 10 in Melbourne and Sydney). The Vault album produced one more single, `Anywhere the Girls are'/`You've Got What It Takes' (December), but Ol'55 split up soon after. Here for you to download are all the Ol'55 singles with a big thank you to WoodyNet for some fantastic art work to complement the set.    

Post 522 - The Webb Brothers - The Colonel Put The Lickin' In The Chicken But Who Put The 'Roo In The Stew - Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport

Born in Gympie QLD the three brothers share a property called “Thornside”. Fabian learned guitar during schooldays and began to sing to his own accompaniment.  He taught Berard a few chords and they built on that.  He then taught Marius. Two elder brothers played mouth organ and ukulele.  They played at a few dance halls around the area as a five piece band later the two elder brothers dropped out.  In 1953 The Webb Brothers group formed, mostly for their own enjoyment. Buddy Williams Show goes to Gympie.  Buddy runs a talent quest with a Rodeo Recording as first prize.  The boys won. In 1954 they auditioned for the Australian Amateur Hour, and were successful in winning their heat with a massive 13000 votes from all over Australia. Then in 1958 they  Recorded for Columbia releasing "The Call of the Bellbird" and "Just Sing Sing Sing" - two of their own compositions. More records followed for Columbia, W&G, ATA Festival and RCA. On all their records, the Webb's have recorded a mixture of popular songs including some of their own such as "The Jockeys are Striking", "The Purple Petrol Eater", "Here on this Mountain", "If Only", "Sally Anne" and here for you to download "Who Put The Roo In the Stew" b/w “Tie My Kangaroo Down Sport” (103895), to name a few. In September 1981 the news of the day was the "Kangaroo meat scandal" Marius penned the lyrics "The Colonel put the lickin' in the chicken, but who put the Roo in the stew?" Recorded in Brisbane's Sunshine Studio, the song was released with RCA Sydney. Due to its topical nature, everything about the song was done quickly to coincide with the beef scandal. It was written, recorded and released as a single within ten days - claimed by RCA to be the fastest released and fastest selling record they had ever handled in Australia. In 1982 this single earned the Webb Brothers their second golden guitar for Australasia's Top Selling Record at the 1982 Tamworth Country Music Awards.

Post 521 - Kylie Mole - So Excellent - I Go, I Go

Mary-Anne Fahey (born 19 August 1955 as Mary-Anne Waterman) is an Australian actress, comedian and writer. Fahey's Kylie Mole character – a scowling schoolgirl – was so popular she published the best-selling novel My Diary by Kylie Mole and also released the Double A-Side single in 188 for CBS Records, "So Excellent" and "I Go, I Go" (653028 7), which hit #8 on the Australian ARIA chart in November 1988. A music video for "So Excellent" was filmed. The Kylie Mole character was one of several iconic characters that appeared in the show, and her characterisation resonated especially with Australian youth. The Australian adoption of the word "bogan" was first popularised in the media by Kylie Mole, and other phrases she used also gained a wider currency. As well as performing monologue comedy segments, The Comedy Company also featured Kylie Mole interviewing various celebrities, including Julian Lennon, Sylvester Stallone, the band INXS and Kylie Minogue on the show. Kylie Minogue also appeared in some of the comedy sketches playing Kylie Mole's second-best friend, Rebecca. As well as appearing in The Comedy Company, Kylie Mole was also featured in the second series of the ABC's Kittson, Fahey television show in 1993. In 2002, sixty minutes of footage of The Comedy Company was edited into a special called The Comedy Company: So Excellent, with the subtitle referencing a famed line by the Kylie Mole character. Fahey is currently living in Melbourne and is now concentrating on writing and children's theatre. On 7 May 2007,[2] she published her first children's novel I, Nigel Dorking: An Autobiography about a Boy with an Unusual Vocabulary.