Post 539 - Gulliver Smith - Such A Shame - Platonic Love - Woman Pie

Born Kevin Smith, Smith appeared as a child performer in Melbourne in the early 60s, covering golden oldies from the 50s. Eventually he left this scene to concentrate on his growing love of R&B and soul, with his band the Children in 1966. Dr Kandy’s Third Eye followed in 1967/8; in the vanguard of Sydney’s ‘flower-power’ psychedelic music period, their strange performances attracted Australian press attention. A series of short-lived, but interesting bands followed, but it was with Company Caine that his lyric writing became noticed and the band, despite poor media attention and no radio airplay, remains one of the great Australian cult bands of the 70s. Both their albums are now regarded as collector’s items. Smith’s solo album was well received, but it did not bring him a new audience. He moved back to Melbourne and led several more bands of variable quality which did not gather a following outside their small bohemian scene. Later Smith lived in the UK and New Zealand for many years, before returning to Australia in 1989. His song writing was noticed by John Farnham, who included one of his co-written songs with Ross Wilson “A Touch Of Paradise.” Here to download is one of Gulliver Smith’s single from 1973 a 3 track single on Reprise Records, “Such A Shame” b/w “Platonic Love” “Woman Pie” (RPA-14006).  The single was produced by Gus McNeil. Sadly we lost Gulliver to a long illness last week.