Post 551 - The Ormsby Brothers - The Ormsby Brothers LP

Following Post #549 I thought it only appropriate to put this LP on the Blog. The Ormsby Brothers only released one LP which won them the 1973 Easy Listening Vocal; Award by the Australian Federation of Commercial Broadcasters.  The latter part of the year was made up of T.V. and live appearances all over the country with the highlight being part of the first concert presented at the Sydney Opera House. The brothers were not contracted to a record company at the end of 1977; they had plans of putting together another album but are far as I can find out it never happen. I think it a bit strange that out of all my Australian books on Aussie music the only one that list The Ormsby Brother is Noel McGrath’s “Australian Encyclopaedia Of Rock. I have found this with a few bands/singers from time to time.  I can tell you this book now is in pieces I’ve used it so much and I’ve never found another to replace my battered version.  Here to download is there only LP from 1973 “The Ormsby Brothers” (EMC 2509) for EMI and produced by Peter Dawkins with arrangements by Mike Perjanik and engineered by John Taylor and Richard Lush. "UPDATE"
It’s always nice to get good feedback on the Blog and when it’s from an artist themselves it’s a real pleasure. Adrian Ormsby left some nice comments on the 2 posts of their material.   I recently received a detailed, personal email from him telling me so much more than any of the books. So if anyone is chasing particular details don't hesitate to contact me.

Post 550 - Tom - Tom - Legend Of The Phantom - Phantom

Very little is known about this single by “Tom –Tom”, in 1981 released this one and only single “Legend Of The Phantom” b/w “Phantom” (13127), also in 1981 released the same single under the name of Mr.Walker. The song was penned by Tom Moeller which I assume might be the singer on the record. It was also released on Tom – Tom Records. I’ve only seen this on EBay once and it went for big dollars. Thanks to Peter for lending me his single to post on the Blog.

Post 549 - The Ormbsy Brothers - Singles Collection

Neville, Michael and Adrian Ormsby were born in New Zealand and began singing as a group in 1967. In September of 1971 the boys moved to Australia. Prior to Christmas in 1972 they released their first single “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” b/w “The World Goes ‘Round & ‘Round” for H.M.V. Records. 1973 they released a cover of the Lesley Gore song “You Don’t Own Me” for EMI which became their only hit, making the top 10 in all states. They released a self-titled LP after the success of the single. They released six singles from ’71 to ’74 which only sold moderately and since 1975 they sang around the Sydney club circuit.   Here to download are all six singles with their B sides, a big thank you to Badger and his good friend Jason Johnstone who help me with the single “Bad Day For Love” which I didn’t even know about till I went to put this singles collection together...UPDATE Thanks to WoodyNet you can grab some great art work for this post here...Art 

Post 548 - The 4IP Good Guys - Please Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas) - It Must Be Love This Time

Here’s another from the 4IP Christmas singles, this one from 1973 again with Geoff Mullins on lead vocals. Produced by Rocky Thomas for RCA Records “Please Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas)” b/w “It Must Be Love This Time” (102379) is here for you to download. The A side written by John Denver,  Mullins also branched into record production, co-producing a small hit by another Brisbane DJ Graham “Robbo” Roberts in 1975, called “Havin’ a Barbie / Rock & Roll DJ” (which can be found at Post #492).  After his run in radio, Mullins transitioned into the TV news room as an anchor on Brisbane’s Channel 0 news. It appears that the annual Christmas song was released for the years 1971 through 1976, with DJ Paul J. Turner taking over the headline name from Geoff Mullins in 1974. “Jingle Bell Rock” was released for Christmas 1975 which had been previously used in 1971 (but whether they were re-recordings or simply the old songs re-issued is not clear).  Mullins had one other (non-Christmas) hit, attributable to Geoff Mullins & the Good Guys, with a release called “Cold of the Wind / Running Bear” in mid-1972 (peaked locally at #26). Again a big thank you to Badger for his help.   

Post 547 - Geoff Mullins with The Good Guys - Jingle Bell Rock - The Ringing Reindeer

 Geoff Mullins was a popular Good Guy DJ with Brisbane radio station 4IP (all 4IP DJs were known as Good Guys).  He was an influential member that helped forge 4IP’s ratings success through the early 1970s against bitter rival 4BC.  From Christmas 1971, the 4IP team released an annual Christmas song, which became a short-lived tradition over the next few years.  Geoff Mullins was the focus of these songs, and the main vocalist. Here to download is their first Christmas hit from 1971 “Jingle Bell Rock” b/w “The Ringing Reindeer” (101993) for RCA Records. The single was produced by Rocky Thomas and Brian Nicholls. “Jingle Bell Rock”, reached #1 on the 4IP chart.  Hopefully we may be able to track down the other Christmas singles the guys did in time. Thanks to Badger for the notes and record for this post made my job very easy. 

Post 546 - Various - Aussie Christmas 2011

Seeing the Christmas Season is upon us I thought I’d better dig out the Christmas music. In 2011 the Sunday Telegraph included this Christmas CD within its pages.  The eight tracks CD included Christmas songs from Anthony Callea, Human Nature, Hi-5, Olivia Newton-John &Vince Gill, Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll & Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Gondwana Voices & Sydney Children’s Choir. 

Post 545 - Australian Cast - Return To The Forbidden Planet LP

Return to the Forbidden Planet is a Jukebox musical by playwright Bob Carlton based on Shakespeare's The Tempest and the 1950s science fiction film Forbidden Planet (which itself drew its plot loosely from The Tempest). It was billed as Shakespeare's forgotten rock and roll masterpiece.  Captain Tempest and his fearless crew journey into hyperspace...and beyond! This winner of the 1990 Olivier Award for Best Musical bursts with rock and roll hits, including "Great Balls of Fire”, "Good Vibrations”, “Teenager in Love", "The Young Ones" and "The Monster Mash".  The Australian version of “Return To The Forbidden Planet” (TVD 93354) was recorded Live at the Theatre Royal in Sydney. Cast members were Rory O’Donoghue, D.J.Foster, Tony Harvey, Jacqui Hall, Glen Hogstrom, Jonathon Maher, Julie Mullins, Rodney Dobson, Elliott Wiolshier, Tina Harris, Tom Lycos and George Washingmachine. The LP was produced by David Jacobsen in 1991 for ATA Records. I ask Rory O’Donoghue what he remembered about the show and he said…”It was rather a forgettable time Garry and a very strange show. From memory I believe it was “Young Girl" I sang but not sure what else is on LP”.flac