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.

Post 374 - The Reels - Beautiful LP

The Reels is an Australian rock/indie pop group which formed in Dubbo, New South Wales in 1976 and initially disbanded in 1991, they eventually reformed in 2007. Their 1981 song, "Quasimodo's Dream", was voted one of the Top 10 Australian songs of all time. In late 1982, having signed a new contract with the RCA Records label, The Reels scored an unexpected hit with a wry, languid cover of the Burt Bacharach-Hal David song, originally recorded by Herb Alpert, "This Guy's In Love With You", which reached No. 7. They followed this with a one-off album for K-tel here for you to download "Beautiful" (NA-616). Although the tracks on Beautiful walked a fine line between sincere tribute and gentle parody, it proved to be the biggest success of their career, selling in excess of 40,000 copies and reaching # 32 on the album charts.

Post 373 - Clive Shakespeare - I Realize / There's A Way

Clive Shakespeare was born on the 3rd of June 1949, in Southampton, England. His family migrated to Australia. As lead guitarist, he joined various bands including The Road Agents in 1968 in Sydney with Terry Hyland on vocals, then he formed Down Town Roll as a covers band. Other members were Adrian Cuff on organ, Frank Ma on vocals, Doug Rea on bass guitar, Pam Slater on vocals and Danny Taylor on drums. Rea, Shakespeare and Taylor went on to found pop/rock band, Sherbet later that year with Dennis Laughlin on vocals (ex-Sebastian Hardie Blues Band, Clapham Junction) and Sam See on organ, guitar, and vocals (Clapham Junction). Here to download is his one and only single on Infinity Records from 1977 "I Realize" b/w "There's A Way" (K 6750). Both sides were penned by Clive. Shakespeare worked in record production, including Paul Kelly's debut solo album "Post".

Post 372 - Little Nell Collection

"Little" Nell Campbell was born Laura Elizabeth Campbell on the 24th May 1953. She was born in Sydney, to Ruth and Ross Campbell, a writer, who called her "Little Nell" (after a character in Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop) in his family life column in the Sydney Daily Telegraph. She has three siblings, two sisters and a brother. She began dancing at the age of 10, after being diagnosed with Hepatitis A, to keep healthy. She attended high school at the Abbotsleigh School for Girls in Sydney. Campbell decided to use the name "Little Nell" as a stage name after her arrival in Britain in the early 1970s with her family. She sold clothes at Kensington Market; her stall was next to Freddie Mercury's. She also worked as a busker and her tap dancing is often noted as the reason why she was cast as Columbia in the original production of The Rocky Horror Show. She reprised the role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, released in 1975, and starred as Nurse Ansalong in the 1981 sequel, Shock Treatment. From the mid-1980s to 1998, Campbell owned three nightclubs in New York: Kiosk, E&O, and most famously Nell's. Nell's was sold in 1998, right before she gave birth to daughter Matilda Violet in June 1998 to ex-boyfriend and business partner Eamonn Roche. She recorded a hand full of singles between '76 & '80 all here for you to download, they are from 1975 "The Musical World Of Little Nell EP (AMS-7351) which came out on red vinyl, from 1978 "Fever" b/w "See You Round Like A Record" (AMS-7374) and from 1980 "Beauty Queen" b/w "Beauty Queen (slow version) (PRE-004). The first two single were released on A&M Records and the last single on PRE Records. Also we have included the 12” Disco version of “Fever” (SP-12031) on A&M. Campbell has written several magazine articles, including regular segments called "Mama Talks" and "First Look" in the now defunct "Talk magazine". She returned to Australia after selling her Boerum Hill house in Brooklyn in December 2005, and is now retired and living with her daughter in the Northern suburbs of Sydney.

Post 371 - Big Storm - Living In Exile LP

Sydney band Big Storm was formed by some of the most experienced musicians in the business. Stewart D'Arrietta, Don Miller-Robinson, Hughie Benjamin and Bjarne Ohlin. Despite the talent and pushing from WEA none of their singles were successful. The singles were "Rubber Love", "Happy New Year", "Not Guilty" and "Once In Bed" Here to download is their one and only LP released on Sire/Reprise "Living In Exile (25918-2), produced in 1987 by Don Miller-Robinson.

Post 370 - Box The Jesuit - Bloody Mary EP

Box The Jesuit formed from the ashes of Sydney group Madroom, founding members Goose & Susie took the band name from a 17th century old English seafaring slang term for masturbation. Box the Jesuit went through a number of line-up changes and indie record labels between 1986 and their break-up in 1995. They released their debut EP "Bloody Mary" on Snoyd Records. Here for you to download from 1987, recorded at Kings Lane Studios, Darlinghurst. There's a great version of Freashwater's 1970 song "Satan". The band became renowned for their wild and entertaining glam rock stage shows, lead singer Goose would often climb the speaker stacks. In January 1992 Box the Jesuit supported Nirvana at the inaugural Big Day Out. They released their final CD "Guide Dogs For The Spiritually Impaired" in July 1993, but sadly Goose died just three weeks later on 1 August 1993 following a long battle with lymphoma. It was one of Goose's final wishes that the band continue after he died, as he felt that the last line-up was the band's best. Ben Brown, lead singer of the Hellmen, took over as front man for a year. He was replaced by Martin Laud, Goose's younger brother in 1994. Even though the band felt they were writing some of their best music, it seemed that the audience's interest had died along with Goose. The last line-up recorded an album that was never released and later broke up in 1995.

Post 369 - Dame Edna Everage - Disco Matilda

Edna's success grew in the UK throughout the 1980s and early 1990s however with semi-regular television shows. Her first specials were in 1978/1979 on the BBC. She became popular with broadcaster ITV after her performance on An Audience With Dame Edna in 1980. Edna made a cameo appearance in the 1978 film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Also in 1979 Edna released a single here for you to download for Big Time Records "Disco Matilda" b/w "Disco Matilda (Inst.)" (BZS-312). The single was produced by Jonathan King, the instrumental B side is credited to The Everage White Band With ABBO. For more Edna check out post 327.

Post 368 - Player (1) - Space Invaders / A Menacing Glow In The Sky

Russell Dunlop toured with the Aunty Jack Show, among numerous other acts, while becoming more involved in recording. In the late '70s, his highly successful partnership with Bruce Brown began. As well as recording dozens of local acts, Dunlop and Brown had success of their own with the 1980 hit Space Invaders, inspired by the wildly successful video game, which they released under the appropriate name Player (1) for WEA. They were asked to put an album together for the U.S but, as Brown recalls: "We sat down and wrote a bunch of space songs, but instead of sticking to the concept of the hit, we wandered off into the 'clever' musical genre with fancy time signatures, radical chord progressions and so on". The reply came back for the U.S that this was intended for 13- to 14-year-olds; there went the Brown-Dunlop gravy train. Nonetheless, they had a great time recording it. Here to download is the single for WEA "Space Invaders" b/w "A Menacing Glow In The Sky" (100114). The single was recorded at Alberts Studios in Sydney. Their production company, BAD (Brown And Dunlop), working in the hit factory that was Albert Studios in King Street, Sydney, was churning out some of the most successful local pop music of the time. Jon English, Mental As Anything, the Reels, Renee Geyer to name a few.

Post 367 - Eurogliders - Heaven / Heliograph

Eurogliders were formed in 1980 in Perth, Western Australia, which included Grace Knight on vocals and Bernie Lynch on guitar and vocals. In 1984, they released the album, "This Island", which featured their #2 hit "Heaven (Must Be There)". "Heaven" also peaked at #21 on the United States charts. Here to download is that single released on CBS Records "Heaven" b/w "Heliograph" (BA 223 178). Both sides were penned by Bernie Lynch. The A side was produced Nigel Gray and the non LP B side produced by Bernie Lynch. They disbanded in 1989, with Knight having a successful career as a jazz singer. Eurogliders reformed in October 2005, with Grace Knight and Bernie Lynch using session musicians and they released their fifth studio album, simply called "Eurogliders" and included the single, "Hummingbird", but neither album nor single peaked into the charts.

Post 366 - Emma Hannah - Waiting For The Rain / I Want You

Many will remember Emma Hannah from her many television appearances, including The Don Lane Show, The Ernie Sigley Show, and Reg Lindsay's Country Homestead. She was a regular on 70s country TV show Travelin' Out West with John Williamson. This single "Waiting For The Rain" b/w "I Want You" (ZS-139) recorded in 1975 on Wizard Records and was produced by Robie Porter. Both these tracks came from Emma's LP "Be A Lady In The Daytime". These days Emma is a Civil Marriage Celebrant in the Wollongong /Illawarra, Southern Highlands, South Coast and Sydney area. Emma’s latest CD "Wayfaring Stranger" is now available from all good independent retailers.

Post 365 - Danny McMaster - Rugby League Song (N.S.W.) / Rugby League Song (QLD)

Danny was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His family moved to Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast when he was 4 years old, where his famous father ‘Wallaby’ Bob McMaster was mine host at the equally famous “Wallaby Hotel” for the next 27 years. Performing in Talent Quests, in ‘live’ situations, as well as TV shows, Danny was a hoot as an amateur dabbling with impressions and music throughout the 70’s. He turned pro in 1980 and hasn’t looked back since. His love of Rugby League, led him to writing and recording “The Rugby League Song” in 1980 and it has stayed in the sporting lexicon as a perennial tribute ever since. Here to download is that single from 1981 on EMI "Rugby League Song (N.S.W.)" b/w "Rugby League Song (QLD)" (EMI-495). The single was penned by Danny and produced by Ian Mason. Danny has shared the stage with various big-names as Mary Wilson, Don McLean, Glenn Shorrock, The Barron Knights, Col Elliott and Sammy Davis Jnr., just to name but a few.

Post 364 - Gunther Gorman - Infectious Rhythm LP

Ian "Gunther" Gorman is one of Australia's finest guitar players. He started in the 60's at the age of 12, when he landed a wedding gig at the Parramatta Bowling Club. After attending the National School of Art in Canberra Gorman returned the Sydney to play with Home the brain-child of Glyn Mason. In January 1975, Daddy Cool appeared at the final Sunbury Festival, after which Gunther Gorman was recruited to bolster the group's line-up, and although it was clear by this time that Daddy Cool was well and truly past its use-by date, they soldiered on for a few more months. The success of Sherbet in 1976 came despite founding member Clive Shakespeare leaving the band in January of that year. Gorman initially replaced Shakespeare. Harvey James ex Mississippi and Ariel in turn replaced Gorman. In 1977 he joined the Richard Clapton Band and from '78-'79 formed Gunther's G-Force. Here to download from 1981 is his only solo LP " Infectious Rhythm" (600078) for WEA Records. The album features Huce Benjamin on drums, Clive Harrison bass, David Kimber piano, Don Miller Robinson guitar and bass, Ralph White brass, Doug Williams vocals and James Rogers bass. The LP was produced by Robinson and Gorman. In 1982 after receiving a phone call from Glenn A Baker, Gunther embarked on a 10 year here, there and everywhere stint with Frankie J. Holden, Rockpile Jones, Jim Manzie, Geoff Plummer, Wilbur Wilde in Ol' 55. In 2010 he teamed up with Mike Waddle, Dave Twohill and Roger McCulloch as The Barstars. These four Cooma based musicians not only have a great sound but also some serious history behind them. flac

Post 363 - Elliot Goblet - Friday On My Mind / You Get Me So Excited

Elliot Goblet is a character created by the Australian comedian Jack Levi. The character is renowned for his deadpan delivery of quirky one-liners. He speaks incredibly good, and clear English but shows no emotion. He started out with round glasses and a goatee beard but these days while the glasses are still there the goatee beard is gone. The Goblet character launched into the comedy scene with numerous TV performances on Hey Hey It's Saturday, The Eleventh Hour and many other Australian TV variety and sketch shows. He wrote a best selling book "Business According To Goblet" and appeared in short films and also the feature film "Fat Pizza: The Movie". Here we have his 1989 single release of "Friday On My Mind" b/w "You Get Me So Excited" (AV-2227). Released on Avenue Records and produced by Mike Brady, Doug Brady and Ross Inglis. Elliot Goblet has done live appearances all over Australia as well as in seven other countries including the United States and England. However these days most of his work is at corporate events where he either does a spot or is the MC.

Post 362 - Janice Slater - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood / Let The Love Come Through

Here is Janice Slater's third single release from 1967, produced by Robert Iredale for Spin Records. You will find more of Janice's work on our Blog on post #335, #251 and #235 and more to come I'm sure. Here is "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" b/w "Let The Love Come Through" (EK- 1984).

Post 361 - Heart 'N' Soul - Let Me Sing In Your Band / Lights Of Cincinnatti

Heart'n'Soul started out as a dinner club/cabaret band in Sydney in 1967 but it soon evolved into Australia's first jazz rock big band and the first local group to perform what has become known as jazz rock fusion. They issued three Singles on Festival, their third, here for you to download " Let Me Sing In Your Band" b/w "Lights Of Cincinnatti" (FK-3409), the A side was penned by Johnny Young and the single was produced by Spencer Lee and arranged by Rory Thomas and Phil Predeaux. By 1970 they renamed the band, The Heart'n'Soul Hot Boogie Band and was one of the first acts signed to Festival's new progressive label Infinity, which was launched in January 1971. When they recorded their "Hot Boogie Band" LP in late 1970, the group had expanded to 12 members.

Post 360 - John Meillon - Hot Pie And Tomato Sauce / We're A Weird Mob

John Meillon born on the 1st of May 1934, was an legendary Australian actor, most widely known outside Australia for his role as Walter Reilly in the films Crocodile Dundee and Crocodile Dundee II. Meillon was born in Mosman, Sydney. He had a recurring role in the TV series My Name's McGooley, What's Yours?. He featured in two episodes of "Skippy" in 1968 and 1969 appearing as "Nimble Norris". In 1976 he won the AFI Award for Best Actor for his role of 'Casey' in the film The Fourth Wish (1976). He married Australian actress June Salter in 1958. They were divorced in 1971. They had one son, John Meillon, Jr. He then married actress Bunny Gibson on 5 April 1972: they also had a son. In 1967 John recorded a song for RCA Records called "Hot Pie And Tomato Sauce" b/w "We're A Weird Mob" (101780) with the Orchestra directed by Tommy Tycho. You could never buy this promotional only record, it was manufactured for publicity purposes only and is extremely rare to find these days. John also voiced Victoria Bitter beer commercials until his unfortunate death on the 11th of August 1989.

Post 359 - Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons - Shape I'm In / So Young / Shape I'm In (Dub)

In late 1975 Ross Wilson, who was waiting out his Daddy Cool/Mighty Kong recording contract, had started producing other artists for a label he was involved in, Oz Records. He also decided to produce a version of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run", as a one off Christmas single for Mushroom Records. Since contractually he couldn't perform the vocals himself, Ross asked musician around town Joe Camilleri to sing and play on the record, and front it. Camilleri was born in Malta, and in Maltese the traditional nickname for Joseph is 'Zep', so the name put on the single was Jo Jo Zep and his Little Helpers. To promote the single it seemed a good idea to put together a scratch band comprising some of the other people who had worked on the record. These included bass player John Power (ex-Foreday Riders), who had recently relocated from Sydney to Melbourne to join Company Caine for an album which Wilson was producing. However Company Caine, which featured guitarist Jeff Burstin and drummer John McInerney, soon fell apart. Wilson suggested that the three team up with Camilleri to perform as part of a Christmas show at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. The performance proved so successful that, with the addition of second guitarist Wayne Burt (ex-Rock Granite) and drummer Gary Young (ex-Daddy Cool) replacing McInerney, the band decided to take things a little more seriously. On stage they called themselves Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons. The band signed with Oz Records, releasing their first single, "Beating Around The Bush", in July 1976. The song was also one of two Jo Jo Zep tracks on the Ross Wilson soundtrack for the feature film Oz. In 1978 the Oz Record label folded and the band moved to Mushroom Records, and another new musical direction began. Here to download is their 8th single release in 1979 on Mushroom "Shape I'm In" b/w "So Young" (new version) / "Shape I'm In" (Dub version) (K7665). The two tracks on the B side are non LP tracks. The Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons story is an interesting one and we haven't remotly touched it here so to read more go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Jo_Zep_%26_The_Falcons

Post 358 - Ronnie Burns - Changes / Mix Me Up Another Drink

Ronald Leslie Burns was born on the 8th of September in 1946. He fronted the Melbourne band The Flies in the early 1960s, followed by a solo career into the 1970s. Burns was raised in Melbourne, Victoria. His father was a butcher, his mother Edna was a fan of vaudeville and his brother Frank, who was five years older, was a drummer. In order to buy his first guitar for 10 shillings, Burns had part time jobs selling newspapers, working in a milk bar and in a fruit shop. He was fired from Myers for having long hair, however he had already joined the Mod band The Flies in early 1964. They won a Moomba band competition for a group most like The Beatles. Burns befriended Ian Meldrum, a university law student looking for somewhere to stay, whose two week visit became nine years of boarding at his parents' home. Meldrum later had a career as a pop music commentator, TV personality and record producer. The two were famously ejected from The Beatles' June 1964 Melbourne concert, because Meldrum was screaming too loudly. Meldrum later promoted Burns solo career in his writing for the weekly teen newspaper, Go-Set. In September 1965, Burns decided to leave The Flies to go solo – his place was taken by Peter Nicholl from The Wild Colonials. As a solo artist, Burns became one of Australia's most popular male pop singers from the mid 1960s to the early 1970s. His first single, "Very Last Day" was released in June 1966 on Spin Records. "Smiley", Burns' biggest hit, reached number two on the Go-Set National Top 40 in February 1970. It was written by Johnny Young. Here to download is Ronnie's 2nd last single, released on L&Y Records "Changes" b/w "Mix Me Up Another Drink" (K-5488) produced by Johnny Young in 1974. In the '90s Ronnie and family moved to Tasmania and for much of the decade he performed in the highly successful band Cotton, Morris & Burns, with old mates Darryl Cotton and Russell Morris. In 2000 Ronnie retired from live performance to concentrate on setting up an alternative lifestyles centre near his home in Tasmania, and his place in the trio was taken by former Masters Apprentices lead singer Jim Keays.

Post 357 - Neil & Errol - The Last Refrain / Heavyweight Boxer

There were four singles released under the Aunty Jack banner, this one was credited to Neil & Errol (Graham Bond/ Rory O'Donoghue). The scene, a park bench with Neil and Errol who sing a song where they have to avoid rhymes. Eventually Neil makes a rhyme, and Errol is thus set free. The B side, which is credited to Thin Arthur (O'Donoghue), has me a bit confused as it says on the label "From the forthcoming LP Aunty Jack Sings Wollongong". The track however isn't on the LP, so maybe it was left off at the last minute. In 2006, the album was re-released on CD, as a 2 disc set. Disc one is both sides of the original album, and disc two is a compilation of the Farewell Aunty Jack single, as well as songs used in the Aunty Jack series, but still this B side didn't appear. I'm not sure why, but will endeavour to find out. Here to download is the 1974 single "The Last Refrain" b/w "Heavyweight Boxer" (2079 052) on Polydor Records, the single was penned and produced by Graham & Rory.

Post 356 - AC/DC - Can I Sit Next To You Girl / Rockin' In The Parlor

After forming his first band In Session in Charters Towers when he was 17 Dave Evans moved to Sydney where he helped form a band

(no name yet!)with Malcolm Young, Colin Burgess and Larry van Kriedt, a week later Malcolm's younger brother Angus joined. Malcolm and Angus' sister-in-law Sandra came up with the name AC/DC and so one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever was born. He was a member of the band for a year before being replaced by Bon Scott around October 1974. Their first gig was at Chequers Nightclub in Sydney on New Years Eve 1973 and the band went on to attract a strong live following in the next few months before recording their first single in '74, here for you to download "Can I Sit Next To You, Girl" b/w "Rocking In The Parlour" (AP- 1055 1) for Albert. The single was produced by Harry Vanda & George Young, with both sides of the single penned by Angus & Malcolm Young. After AC/DC, Evans joined Newcastle band Rabbit, replacing original singer Greg Douglas. This record is very sought-after by collectors, we have seen it now 3 times on eBay in the last few months and every time it went for over $500.

Post 355 - Jigsaw - A Rose Has To Die / Music Man

Here to download is Jigsaw's 1974 single for Fable Records "A Rose Has To Die" b/w "Music Man" (FB-218). U.K. band The Dooleys also had a version in 1978 and there's yet another version by The Ryders, a group from the Netherlands. Ben Findon wrote the song, Ben also wrote Billy Ocean's debut single "Love Really Hurts Without You." The single was produced by Johnny Chester at Armstrong Studios Melbourne.

Post 354 - Craig McLachlan & The Culprits - Craig McLachlan & The Culprits LP

Craig Dougal McLachlan was born on September 1st, 1965 in Sydney, New South Wales. He is an Australian actor and singer, best known for his role as Ed in Bugs. He has also appeared in soap operas such as Sons and Daughters, Neighbours and Home and Away. He formed various bands during the late 80's and early 90's, namely Craig McLachlan and the Y Fronts in 1989, Craig McLachlan and Check 1-2 1989-91 and Craig McLachlan and the Culprits in 1996. Here to download is the LP from 1996 "Craig McLachlan & The Culprits" (RR 8844 2) on Roadrunner Records, all songs were written by Craig and the album produced by Mark Smith & Craig. If you would like to check out the "Craig McLachlan and Check 1-2" LP head over to http://rockonvinyl.blogspot.com/search/label/Craig%20McLachlan%20and%20Check%201-2

Post 353 - Uncanny X-Men - Singles Collection

Over the last few months we have been asked for a lot of Uncanny X-Men recordings. On post #14 you will find “Salive One” EP, post #145 you will find the single “Start Believing", post #332 Brian Mannix's solo LP and post #334 you will find their "Beach Party" EP. After a bit of research we found out that there were a lot of B sides as well as a few A sides of singles that never made it onto LP, so we decided to get all the singles here for you to download as a collection of singles from 1st to last. The singles are :

1. "How Do You Get Your Kicks" b/w "Superhero" (K-9034) Mushroom, (Both non LP tracks)
2. "Time Goes So Fast" b/w "Up To You" (K-9214) Mushroom, (Both non LP tracks)
3. "Still Waiting" b/w "Time Goes So Fast" (K-9805) Mushroom, (B side non LP Live track)
4. "The Party" b/w "The Slug" (K-9579) Mushroom, (B side non LP track)
5. "50 Years" b/w "Best Looking Guy" (K-9671) Mushroom
6. "Don't Wake Me" b/w "Truckin' On Into Alice" (BA-3486) CBS (B side non LP track)
7. "Start Believing" b/w "Sullivans" (650440 7) CBS (B side non LP track)
8. "I Am" b/w "Treat Me Nice" - "Kill The Children" (BA-3445) CBS (B side non LP track)
9. "Nothing Touches My World" b/w "Playing The Titanic" (BA-3517) CBS

As you can see there were only two singles that the A & B sides featured on LP, which is what makes their single catalogue rare to collect. Their first single was produced and A side penned by Skyhook's Greg Macainsh which has always been a favourite of mine. As you will hear all the A sides are very Uncanny X-Men while the B's are everything from truckin’, vaudeville, psychedelic to just plain weird and even a bit of Elvis, which to me is a formula for just plain brilliance. Like so many other recordings on this Blog I ask the question "why wasn't this stuff released on CD", but I guess we'll just give ourselves another headache trying to work that one out.

Thanks Woodynet for the covers you've created for this collection. It's much appreciated.

Post 352 - Jim Keays - Undecided EP

Jim Keays was working as a radio DJ from 1983 to 1987 and then signed with Virgin Records in the UK and recorded another version of "Undecided" with Andy Scott from Sweet on guitar and produced by Craig Leon. The single was released in July, followed by a cover of Count Five's "Psychotic Reaction" in October. Here out of 1987 to download is the EP with four versions of "Undecided" (VOZ 01712) on Virgin Records. On post # 275 you can hear the Jim Keays' Southern Cross version of the song. There are a lot of Jim's songs on the blog....and more to come.

Post 351 - Jigsaw - Light Up The World / Take Me Daddy

Another one from the Jigsaw stables, this time their 11th single release for Fable Records in1974. This single was produced by Johnny Chester & Jigsaw at Bill Armstrong Studios Melbourne. Here to download is that single "Light Up The World" b/w "Take Me Daddy" (FB 232). The A side was penned by Ben Findon and Geoff Wilkins and the B side written by Jon Calderwood.

Post 350 - The Ferrets - Robin Hood / The Lemming Song

After favourable reactions from audiences in Melbourne and Sydney, The Ferrets produced a demo tape that caught the attention of Ian "Molly" Meldrum talent coordinator for the TV series Countdown. Meldrum had them signed to Mushroom Records and started producing their debut album, "Dreams of a Love", in July 1976. In April 1977 they released their debut single, "Robin Hood", which did not chart. Here to download is that single "Robin Hood" b/w "The Lemming Song" (K-6743), it was produced by Ian Meldrum at Armstrong’s Studios South Melbourne. This single and it's B side never made it onto "Dreams Of A Love". An interesting fact we have noticed is that on the label The Ferrets is spelled The Ferretts. We're not sure if this was a mistake or it was meant to be.

Post 349 - Digby Richards - Digby Richards LP

Digby Richards S/T LP released in 1973 on RCA Records hosted 3 singles. The first single "If I Could Write A Love Song", the second "New York City" and the last being "Spunky Monkey". The album was produced by Larry Murray and recorded in Hollywood California U.S.A. Musicians that backed Digby on this LP were Richard Bennett-guitars, Alan Lindgren-Keyboards, Joe Osborn-bass and Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner and Dennis Conway on drums. Here to download is the album "Digby Richards" (MVPLI-0001). Richards also does a great version of Kevin Johnson's "Rock 'N' Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life).

Post 348 - Peter Cupples - Fear Of Thunder / I'm Into You

As Stylus began to break up, Peter Cupples started working on some new music projects. A small band evolved and they took up a residency at The Hatters Castle in Melbourne. The band pushed Peter to write some different music. He moved away from the soul genre and he wanted to explore new avenues with his writing. This was the time that "Fear Of Thunder" was recorded. The song itself was exciting and different. It was Peter's way of expressing the new direction that he had discovered around that time. It didn't fit into any specific musical category when it was recorded, a difficult record to sell commercially. It was rock, pop, soul, reggae. A publishers dream and a record company’s nightmare. Here to download is the single from 1981 "Fear Of Thunder" b/w "I'm Into You" (FMS-2113) which was recorded for Full Moon Records and produced by Peter Cupples and John French. Peter never managed to put together the sound that was needed for a big Aussie hit. Maybe they were a bit too different, maybe the timing wasn't right. But he was playing the music he loved playing, and their loyal fans followed them around as he continued in his pursuit of success. Peter had friends in the industry like Daryl Summers who allowed him the opportunity to play my new music to the national audience. The "Changes" LP in 1994 was his first recording in 10 years. In that time records had become CD's and technology had improved dramatically and that showed out in the clarity of the finished product. Peter recorded a great LP in 2007 called "About Time". Read more about Peter's musical journey at http://www.petercupples.com/main/main_index.htm

Post 347 - Cash Backman - Jenny (You're My Best Friend) / Country Smile

Here is another one from Cash Backman. This single from 1975 was on Image Records and is here for you to download. Both sides were penned by Cash with production by Ern Rose and DougTrevor. "Jenny (You're My Best Friend)" b/w "Country Smile" (IS-169) makes good easy listening.

Post 346 - Olivia Newton-John - The Biggest Clown

"The Biggest Clown" (ITFK-4158) here for you to download, was the B side of Olivia's 1971 single "If Not For You". As far a I know it was never released on an LP, much less in CD format. It was produced by Bruce Welch and John Farrar and released on Interfusion Records. "If Not For You" was written by Bob Dylan and had been previously recorded by Beatle George Harrison for his 1970 album, All Things Must Pass. This single was her first international hit. Her follow up single "Banks of the Ohio" was a Top 10 hit in England and Australia.

Post 345 - Uncanny X-Men - Beach Party EP

The "Beach Party" EP contained the rebellious hit single "Everybody Wants to Work". The A side was produced by Rick Pinko Sims aka Red Symons, with the B side recorded live at the Chevron Hotel in Sydney on June 17th 1984, mixed by Jim Barton at AAV Studios Melbourne. Here to download is the EP "Beach Party" (X14068) recorded for Mushroom Records.

Post 344 - Lynne Dutton - You've Got Me Loving You / A Lonelier Day

Who is Lynne Dutton? We say good question as we can't seem to find anything about this lady. This is one of two singles released by Lynne on Festival Records. Here to download is "You've Got Me Loving You" b/w "A Lonelier Day" (FK-4658) it was her first single produced by Mike Loxton in 1972. Her second single was the Glenn Cardier penned song "Body & Soul".

Post 343 - Frankie Davidson - Aussie Music (You've Sure Come A Long Way) Part 1 & 2

This Frankie Davidson single, released in 1984 on Powderworks Records, was written by Frankie and produced by Mike Harvey. I'm not going to write a lot about this song as I think Frankie says it all in this song, I don't think there's many Aussie acts he doesn't mention in these two tracks. As Molly would say "Do yourself a favour and have a listen." It reminds me a bit of Lucky Starr's "I've Been Everywhere" only with Aussie artists instead of Aussie towns. Here to download is "Aussie Music (You've Sure Come A Long Way) Part 1 & 2" (POW 0230).

Post 342 - Jon English, Trevor White & The Superstar Band - Laid Back In Anger / Laughing At The Guru

Trevor White was born in Essex, England. He sang and played piano with the group Sounds Incorporated, and moved to Australia when the group broke up. He played Jesus in the 1972 Sydney production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Jon English immigrated to Australia with his parents in 1961. He was an early vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Sebastian Hardie but left to take on the role of Judas Iscariot in the Australian version of the stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar from May 1972. In 1976, Jon performed a duet with fellow Superstar Trevor White, Here for you to download is the single for Polydor Records "Laid Back in Anger" b/w "Laughing At The Guru" (2079 096). The A side was written by Iain Sutherland of Sutherland Brothers fame and the B side penned by Jon came from the "Hollywood Seven" LP. Unfortunately the single did not have major chart success, but I think it is quite a good song just the same.

Post 341 - Ernie Sigley & Denise Drysdale - Hey Baby / All I Have To Do Is Dream

Here to download is the double A sided single for Ernie & Denise "Hey Baby" b/w "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (K-6035). Released on Festival Records in 1975 and as far as I can find out these songs never made it to CD or LP. The single was produced by Brian Rangott at Armstrong Studio's Melbourne. The single certainly didn’t chart, despite them performing the song twice on their show. Once in March ’75, and a 2nd time in August ’75 when the single was issued. Thanks Micko with help with this one.

Post 340 - Doug Parkinson - Love Is Like A Cloudy Day / One Track Mind

Doug was born in Newcastle, NSW in 1946 and grew up on Sydney's northern beaches, where he attended Narrabeen Boys' High School. Since the mid-Sixties, Doug Parkinson has been regarded as one of Australia's finest vocalists, a “singer's singer” who is one of the truly great soul R&B vocalists of our time. His deep, resonant, smoky baritone voice is operatic in its power, yet possesses a range and subtlety that few others can match. His sound is instantly recognizable and unmistakable, yet his great versatility enables him to be equally at home in almost every popular genre including soul, R&B, pop, psychedelia, heavy rock, jazz, swing and musicals. Added to his vocal prowess is an imposing stage presence including his trademark "Lucifer" beard and a solid acting ability. Here to download is Doug's 1975 single for Atlantic Records "Love Is Like A Cloudy Day" b/w "One Track Mind" (100019). The A side is a Vanda & Young composition with the B side penned by Doug. The single was produced by Doug at Trafalgar Studios. To read more about Doug Parkinson (and it is a hell of a story) go to http://www.milesago.com/artists/dougpark.htm. It is well worth the read I can assure you.