Post 761 - Rory O'Donoghue - The Collection 1967 - 1981

 

"The Pogs" were popular on the wealthy North Shore party circuit in Sydney and also played university architecture revues. It was at one of these revues that they met songwriter producer Peter Best who helped score the band a recording deal with Festival Records subsidiary label Leedon Records. They recorded their debut single, "Claret and Tears" b/w "Heidi", in mid-1966. Both sides were composed and produced by Best (as were the A and B sides of all four of the band's singles). None of the band's four singles made the charts however, and in 1967 they were dropped by Leedon. "The Pogs" did make one further curio however - "Aboriginal Referendum Jingle (Vote Yes for Aborigines)" a tune in support of the "Yes" vote for the 1967 Australian referendum, also penned by Best. In 1967, "The Pogs" recruited organist Graeme Thompson and lost bassist Nino Bellantonio. Thompson was then drafted into the Australian Army and was replaced by Bruce Hadden. Drummer Paul Brownlow also left to concentrate on his electrical business and he was replaced by Greg "Max" MacManus. The band also changed their name to "Oak Apple Day" and went into a more psychedelic rock direction, influenced by bands such as The "Doors". "Oak Apple Day"continued performing in university revues, even touring with them professionally, and it was there that Rory O'Donoghue first collaborated with future Aunty Jack Show co-star Grahame Bond.O'Donoghue was also booked as a session singer for a single entitled "Moonshot" (released in July 1969, obviously to coincide with the Apollo 11 moon-landing), which was a crazy, fun, psychedelic workout replete with spacey sound effects and corny control tower instructions ("All systems A-OK!"... "Trajectory A-OK!"). The single was written by the duo Bannerman-Stokes on the RCA label under the name "Oak Apple Day with The Deadly Pair" and it has distinction of being one of the first 45rpm singles in Australia to be issued in stereo."Oak Apple Day" broke up in 1970 and Rory went on to play jazz before joining "The If" who performed The Who’s rock opera "Tommy". He also worked on the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" before once again hooking up with Grahame Bond to play “Thin Arthur” in the hit ABC TV comedy "Aunty Jack". Rory formed the "Cool Bananas" sometime in 1973, original drummer Robbie Dearlove was replaced by Russell Dunlop in time for their first single, "Been And Gone", which was released on the Albert label.  Rory's other musical credits in this period included playing the lead guitar solo on the hit 1974 Kevin Johnson single "Rock 'N' Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)". In 1980 "Fatty Finn" E.P written by Grahame Bond and Rory O'Donoghue was released, Rory sang 3 of the 5 songs with his Mother Sybil singing on "Mean Woman Blues".On the 15th of December 2017, O'Donoghue's daughter Jessica announced on Facebook that he had died on 13 December. In a follow-up post the next day, she stated that he had been undergoing treatment for depression and mental illness, and had taken his own life in hospital. 

This post is a labour of love a few years ago I talked to Rory about doing this but at that stage I was missing a few songs to complete. Rory & I never met in person but had many conversations on Face Book about his music, the Aunty Jack show and he was always very helpful and nothing was ever to much trouble, he was such a friendly nice guy and I miss our talks very much. So Rory here it is and I hope you like it, R.I.P my friend. Image Marco Del Grande. Art work Henry DeRooy. Flac

Post 760 - Split Enz - Merry Christmas From Split Enz To Frenz Of The Enz

 

Seeing it's that time of year again this is a Split Enz  Christmas Fan Club single from 1983, Contains a mixture of Christmas greetings and well wishes, mostly to an improvised studio jam, as well as Christmas carols and covers of other songs. Date based on a reference to Neil Finn's newborn son, Liam. Recorded by Festival Records for Fan Club Edition, the record was in Green Translucent. Flac

Post 759 Joe Dolce - Pizza Singles

 

Joe Dolce achieved international recognition with his multi-million-selling song, "Shaddap You Face", released worldwide under the name of his one-man show, "Joe Dolce Music Theatre", in 1980–1981. The single reached number one in 15 countries. It has sold more than 450,000 copies in Australia and continues to be the most successful Australian-produced single worldwide, selling an estimated six million copies. When in Ohio, Dolce would sometimes visit his Italian grandparents and extended family—they used the phrases "What's the matter, you?" and "Eh, shaddap", which Dolce adapted and used in the song. He wrote the song about Italians living in Australia. His follow up single, "If You Wanna Be Happy" was released in 1981 and charted in Australia and New Zealand. In December 1981, Dolce released the album "Christmas in Australia", which peaked at number 92. Joe Dolce Music Theatre, was performed in cabarets and pubs with various line-ups, including his longtime partner, Lin Van Hek. Here to download is all the singles as well as a the 12" extended versions of "Pizza Pizza" & "Shaddap You Face". Thanks to Henry DeRooy for more great art work.Flac

Post 758 - John St Peeters - A's & B's All The Singles

 

John St Peeters was born in Melbourne, in 1956, to Italian-born parents. He grew up in Richmond with a younger sister, Josephine. Early in his career he performed as Johnny Lo Piccolo. From the age of 11 he played piano accordion on TV talent quests, such as Brian and the Juniors. John St Peeters and the Sharells were formed in 1974, as a vocal trio, with two female vocalists, Niki Nicholls and Kim Julin. They toured Australia, North America and South-East Asia before issuing a single, "Take Me if You Want Me" in October on the Astor label. He resumed his solo career in 1976 with a disco-based single, "You Know that You're Sexy", in November of that year. Peeters signed with EMI Records, which issued his next two singles, "Shiny Side Up" and "Love the Way You Move", none reached the top 100. At the King of Pop Awards of 1977 St Peeters won Most Popular New Talent. In the following year his contract was taken up by RCA Records. He released his next single, "Deep Inside of Me",  which peaked at No. 22.His next single, "High Class Woman" '78, reached the top 50.He followed with his debut album, "So Many Ways" produced by Spencer Lee. In 1979 he formed the John St Peeters Band. His second album, "One Night Stand", and its associated singles did not reach the top 40. His 1980 single, "Wonder World"was the theme song for Simon Townsend's Wonder World, a children's variety TV series.Here are all his singles for you to download with art by Henry DeRooy. Flac

Post 757 - Dave And The Derros - The Mushroom Singles

 

Dave And The Derros was created by lead singer David Jones. Jones was a radio disc jockey based in Newcastle N.S.W and wrote novelty songs for his radio show. David had a large repertoire of radio character voices, one of which was his beloved Dave the Derro. David liked to make parody songs for his radio show. This eventually allowed him to work up an act based on "Dave". He complemented his performances with an ever changing backing band of musos. Some of these various musos also backed John Paul Young. Dave and the Derros also released an album in 1980 called 'Live After Death' which features most of these singles recorded live.  David Jones (vocals),  Trevor Parkinson (guitar),  Kevin Buckingham (guitar),  Bert Moonen (bass) Steve Connellan (drums),  David Baldwin (drums). Thanks again Henry DeRooy for more great art work. Flac

Post 756 - Edith Bliss - The Singles

 

Born Eda Bliss in Brisbane and studied at the University of Queensland, she briefly worked as a kindergarten teacher before moving to Sydney in 1979. There she initially worked as manager of an upmarket shoe store in Bondi. In 1979, she reportedly accompanied a friend to provide moral support at a singing audition, and she was asked to also audition. She did, and won a contract with ATV Northern Publishing. Under the supervision of Chris Gilbey she began recording. Later that year she released her debut single, "If It's Love You Want", on the Grundy Organisation "GO" label, which peaked at #24 on the Australian chart. She subsequently released two more singles, "Heart of Stone" (#86 Aus) and "Two Single Beds" (#79 Aus), before releasing the album "Sheer Bliss", in 1980. "If It's Love You Want", released in November 1979, was written by Allan Caswell and Brian Caswell. On the verge of releasing a new single, written by Steve Kilbey of The Church, Bliss opted for a career in television. She was employed as a reporter on the children's series Simon Townsend's Wonder World which began in 1979. Bliss later married Wonder World sound mixer, Mark Tanner; they had four children, Eden, Madison, Harrison and Lawson. In 2006, she appeared (under her married name) as a contestant on the final episode of game show Wheel of Fortune, and won. She also appeared on Where Are They Now? on the Seven Network, for a Wonder World reunion in 2006. She died of lung cancer in 2012. Thanks Henry DeRooy for the art work.Flac

Post 755 - Johnny Teen And The Broken Hearts - Discography '88 - '90

 

Late 80s punk rock band from Sydney, were known as "A sarcastic arrogant band with an ill-tempered lead vocalist" Johnny Teen (real name Robert Gale). Green Fez Records issued the bands first live single a cover of Supernaut's "I Like It Both Ways", from there they moved to Timberyard Records and released a number of singles and EP's. Members later involved with Pearls & Swine, Blind Society & Panacea.Members:- Johnny Teen (vocals), Acid Baloney (guitar), Holiday Inn (guitar), Evil Kenevalknob (drums)Ladel Set (bass). Art work Henry DeRooy.Flac

Post 754 - The Monitors - The Singles

 

The Monitors were a band of the early 1980s. They were primarily a studio group which involved a collaboration between Terry McCarthy on vocals and keyboards, and Mark Moffatt on guitar, bass guitar and keyboards. They used various guest vocalists. Their debut single, "Singin' in the '80s", was released in 1980 and reached No. 16 on the Kent Music Report singles chart.The video featured Gayle & Gillian Blakeney lipsyncing the vocals of Kim Durant, the sisters went on to become television hosts on children's television show Wombat and actresses on television soap opera Neighbours. A second single, "Nobody Told Me" June 1981, peaked in the top 40. The Monitors issued a sole album, "Back from Their Recent Illness" in October 1982, for which Ricky Fataar had joined on drums, percussion, guitar and keyboards. The group disbanded in 1982.Thanks Henry for the art work.Flac

Post 753 - Xanadu - The Complete Singles '69 - '80

 

In 1970, "Xanadu" performed their single"Isabella" on the biggest music show in the nation at that time, Brian Henderson’s "Bandstand." Signed to Polydor Records, this recording by Xanadu was one of the first stereo 45 RPM records released in Australia. The band was accompanied in the studio by a 24 piece orchestra - which even included a sitar. Barrie Morrisson sang the lead, he was just 16 years old. Xanadu arrived in the UK on the invitation of Bee Gee, Maurice Gibb following their epic 7 month stint entertaining U.S. and Aussie troops in war-torn Viet Nam.In Europe the group enjoyed massive success in Germany, Holland and Belgium. Marc Bolan & T.Rex recorded their last hit record "I Love to Boogie" in the Xanadu-owned London studio, Decibel. On Post # 738 you'll find their LP "So Far from home" and more info on the band.  They changed their name from "Xanadu" to "Soho" shortly after the song Xanadu was released by "E.L.O." in 1980. Thanks again Henry DeRooy for some fine art work. Flac

Post 752 - Cattletruck - The Singles A's 'N' B's

 

Cattletruck began as a self-described "irreverent semi-acoustic punkabilly covers outfit", that would play "anywhere, anytime, invited or not" In early 1985 singer/guitarist Paul Janovskis decided to "get serious" and the group independently produced a single "Never Is", which received public radio airplay. This allowed the band to lead support gigs for A-list Australian and International acts.In 1986, they signed with Regular Records and began work on their debut album, with a series of singles and video clips released. In December 1987, "Ready to Believe" was released, which peaked at number 58 on the Australian Charts.The band ground to a halt amidst bickering, management problems and financial issues in 1988. Henry DeRooy art work flac

Post 751 - Kim Durant - The Singles '79 - '88

 

Kim Durant was born in Macksville NSW in the late 50s. When Kim was 18 she moved to Sydney with her manager to boost her singing and acting career. Durant then moved to Queensland and became one of Queensland's most awarded female entertainers over a long period of time. She has appeared on two Royal Command Performances and has also appeared on every major television show throughout Australia. Signed to the Infinity label she released her first single ''Givin' Up On Love'' in 1979, penned by Sherbet's Garth Porter & Tony Mitchell. This was followed by a number of singles and an album 'Take Your Time With Me'. Durant provided the backing vocals for The Monitors on their biggest single, "Singin' In The '80s" which was released in 1980 and reached #16 on the Australian singles charts. Her Awards range from Queensland's Entertainer Of The Year and Queensland's Recording Artist of The Year. Thanks again for some great art work from Henry DeRooy.  Flac

Post 750 - July 14th - Me And My Gun - We Kiss

 

 July 14th was put together by Terry Bradford, and the core members were Terry, Rod Ling and Robyn Habel with Tom Cowsill, Andrew Mills, Roy Ezinger and Brett Spilsbury joining at different stages. The name July 14 is made up from the birth date of three of the band members. The group's first single released in 1984 "Me and My Gun" (GPR 110) on Greasy Pop Records did very well nationally and internationally. The group was commissioned to provide the tracks for two documentaries, the first for the ABC titled Searching for Women's History a three part documentary which was broadcast on national television. The second project was a US documentary on the Zanoni shipwreck off of Port Lincoln.Flac

Post 749 -The Models - The B Sides

 

Models were formed in Melbourne in August 1978. They went into hiatus in 1988. They are often referred to as "The Models" They re-formed in 2000, 2006 and 2008 to perform reunion concerts, and began regularly performing again from 2010 onwards. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", their only No. 1 hit, appeared on the Australian singles charts in July 1985. The related album, Out of Mind, Out of Sight, peaked at No. 3 on the Australian albums charts after its release in August. Out of Mind, Out of Sight appeared on the Billboard 200 albums chart, with the single, "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", peaking at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. An earlier song from the same album, "Barbados", had peaked at No. 2 on the Australian singles chart. Models early line-up included Andrew Duffield on keyboards, Mark Ferrie on bass guitar, Janis Freidenfelds (a.k.a. Johnny Crash) on drums and percussion, and Sean Kelly on vocals and lead guitar. A later line-up was mainstay Kelly on guitar, James Freud on vocals and bass, Roger Mason on keyboards, Barton Price on drums, and James Valentine on saxophone. Backing singers in the group included Zan Abeyratne and Kate Ceberano (both from I'm Talking) and Canadian-born Wendy Matthews. In early 1989, Duffield, Kelly, Matthews and Valentine were members of Absent Friends. On 27 October 2010, Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame by Matthews.

Here for you to download are all the B Sides from all their singles. 12 of the 17 songs are non album tracks and are pretty good but if you're expecting songs like "Barbados" "Out Of Sight Out Of Mind" then you will be dissappointed, But I like these, I think the Models might have been expermenting with new sounds or instruments or maybe just doing something completly different than the A Sides. But what ever they were doing it worked. One B side is a cover of The Tornados 1962 hit "Telstar". The 12" versions of some of their singles have different B sides then the 45 versions and yes that will be another post to come. To complement these tracks more great art work from Henry DeRooy, thanks Henry! Flac

Post 748 - John Christie - The Complete Singles '74-'77

 

Johnny Christie born in Bendigo Victoria, he recorded one single for Fable Records in 1972 "Sorrow Is My Name" Like a lot of Aussie Musos he went to the U.K. to try his luck and dropping Johnny to John. Dave Clark (from the Dave Clark Five) discovered John and produced many singles  his first "Everybody But Me" in 1974 for Polydor Records. His second single also from 1974 "4th Of July" was penned by Paul & Linda McCartney. He released 12 singles for Polydor & EMI from '74/'77 as well as one LP. John can also be heard on the soundtrack album of Dave Clark’s musical “Time”. John starred in a lot of West End musicals and singing regularly on cruise ships. There's not a lot about John on the net and is a hard man to pin down but like I always say maybe someone out there might inform us with more about this great singer. Here are all the A & B  sides of those singles with some great art work from Henry DeRooy. Flac

Post 747 - Windy And Warm - It Hurts Me So - Bread

 

Melbourne band "Windy And Warm" named after a Chet Atkins instrumental featuring the vocals of a teenage Robin Jolley. They played pop covers and recorded one single for Astor Records in July 1969 a cover of a Spencer Davis song "It Hurts Me So" b/w "Bread" (A-7141), the single was produced by Max Berrenger. Members were:- Robin Jolley (vocals 1967-) John Beshara (guitar), Geoff Maxwell (drums), Roger Sharp (vocals 1965/67), Ian Stewart (guitar) and Ian Williams.  (bass). flac

Post 746 - Paul Gaffey - The Band Plays Oom Pah Pah - Barley Rye

 Paul Gaffey is an Australian singer-songwriter whose past remains shrouded in mystery. All that is known about Gaffey are his minor Aussie Top 40 hit "And the Band Played Oom Pah Pah " b/w "Barley Rye" (K 5567) and his ambitious prog rock album about the demon "Mephistopheles". The basic story is about a woman reminiscing about the days she spent with her love at the local ballroom before he went to war in 1944. The single A & B side was produced and written by Simon Heath in 1974 for Festival Records. FLAC

Post 745 - Dragon - The Vertigo Singles

 

Dragon formed in Auckland in January 1972 with a line-up that featured Todd Hunter on bass guitar, guitarist Ray Goodwin, drummer Neil Reynolds and singer/pianist Graeme Collins. All had been in various short-lived bands in Auckland, Collins is credited with using I Ching to provide the name Dragon. Their first major gig was an appearance at the Great Ngaruawahia Music Festival in early January 1973. By 1974 several personnel changes had occurred, with Todd Hunter's younger brother, Marc Hunter, joining on vocals and Neil Storey on drums. The band recorded two progressive rock albums in Auckland, "Universal Radio" in June 1974 and "Scented Gardens for the Blind" in February 1975 both on Vertigo Records. Despite being one of Auckland's top live attractions by late 1974, neither albums nor related singles had any local chart success, and they recruited Robert Taylor (ex-Mammal) on guitar as they searched for a raunchier pop sound. By early 1975, manager Graeme Nesbitt (ex-Mammal), who had obtained regular gigs and organised their first New Zealand tours, felt they should tackle the larger Australian market. Nesbitt was unable to travel with them to Australia as he had been arrested for selling drugs.The three Vertigo singles are now very sorted after by collectors and sell for big bucks, here for you to download are those singles "Vermillion Cellars" b/w "Rock 'N' Roll Ponsonby" (6036 908) "Education" b/w "Swell Foot Sue" (6036 909) "Star Kissed" b/w "Crystal Dove" (6036 910). All singles were released in 1975. FLAC

Post 744 - Feather - Girl Trouble - Sweet Melinda

 

The nucleus of Sydney band Feather came together in early 1976 under the name Blackfeather, and lead singer Neale Johns had fronted various incarnations of Blackfeather since 1970. The 1976 Blackfeather line-up was more pop-oriented and featured Johns, Ray Vanderby (keyboards), Lee Brossman and Warwick Fraser, plus Warwick’s 14-year-old brother, Stuart. In November 1976, Johns left to travel to the UK and Vanderby followed him out of the band. The remaining members recruited singer John Swan and guitarist Wayne Smith to become Feather. 

The bands first break came that same month when it supported  Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow on an Australian tour. Feather then settled into the local pub rock circuit and issued the single "Girl Trouble" in May 1977 for CBS. The band also recorded an album at that time called "Going Through Changes" which has never surfaced. In April 1978, on the eve of the band’s support spot on TMG‘s three-month ‘Disturbing The Peace’ tour, John Swan left the group. 19-year-old Gary Conlan stepped in as Swan’s replacement. The band contributed two tracks to an Alberts compilation album, "Canned Rock", recorded live at Parramatta jail.  FLAC

Post 743 - Cheek - Collection

 

The mainstays of the Aussie band (Lee Emmett, Felix Maslin and Bud Mangion) first joined forces in 1974 as Jasper. Emmett, Maslin and Mangion formed Punkz with the addition of Robin Jackson (who had been the original lead vocalist with Hush and had played in a schoolboy band in the UK with Peter Frampton) and Randy Hall, who was quickly replaced by Ray Goodwin from the John Paul Young Allstars. Punkz came to the attention of Ol’ 55 manager and rock brain Glenn A Baker, who helped shape the bands 1960’s pop image. Mushroom Records issued the singles Anyway You Want It '76 and Take Me For What I’m Worth '77, neither of which were very successful despite the fact that they were near note-perfect versions of the 60’s originals. Ray Goodwin left soon after and the band changed its name to Cheek to avoid any punk rock connotations. A cover of the Mighty Avengers’ "So Much In Love", backed with The Easybeats‘ "Do You Have A Soul?" was Cheek’s debut single for Mushroom in January 1978. The band then began recording an album, with the addition of Troy Richards on keyboards and guitar.The album was never released, and the final single, "Leave My Heart Alone", was also unsuccessful and the band broke up in August 1978. An EP on Greg Shaw’s Bomp! label appeared in the US. Felix Maslin died as a result of an asthma attack in 1988. Here for you to download are the two singles and E.P. FLAC

Post 742 - Barry Crocker - Neighbours - Neighbours (Instrumental)

 

The Neighbours theme song is the theme tune to the Australian soap opera Neighbours. It was composed by Tony Hatch with the lyrics written by his then wife, Jackie Trent, It was once voted the world's most recognised television theme song. Neighbours was originally recorded by Barry Crocker. After Trent and Hatch relocated to Australia in the 1980s, they were asked to write the theme song for Neighbours. The soap opera was going to be called Ramsay Street, before the couple penned the song. Trent told Jessie Stoelwinder from The West Australian, "We wrote the song as Neighbours because we said Ramsay Street was too close to Coronation Street, which was the major soap in Britain." The theme was written and recorded in a day and Trent said "We called in Barry Crocker at about 10pm to put his voice on it and it was on the producer's desk by 10am the following morning. And they loved it, so the series was then called Neighbours." Since 1985, there have been nine different renditions of the theme broadcast on television. They were sung by the following artists:

1 Barry Crocker 18 March 1985 – 6 July 1989 

2 Barry Crocker7 July 1989 – 15 May 1992

3 Greg Hind 18 May 1992 – 27 November 1998

4 Paul Norton and Wendy Stapleton 18 January 1999 – 14 December 2001

5 Janine Maunder 21 January 2002 – 20 July 2007

6 Sandra de Jong 23 July 2007 – 12 April 2013

7 Stephanie Angelini and Daniel Boys 15 April 2013 – 5 December 2014

8 Garth Ploog 5 January 2015 – 24 March 2020

9 Bonnie Anderson 25 March 2020 – present.

FLAC

Post 741- Scattered Aces - C'Mon Everybody - Waltzing Matilda

 

In August 1983 Peter Wells formed Scattered Aces with Paul De Marco aka Fred Zepplin on drums, Ronnie Peel on bass guitar and lead vocals  and former Buffalo bandmate, Chris Turner, on guitar and vocals. The group issued a six-track extended play, 'Six Pack', on Big Rock Records in April 1984. They followed with a cover version of Eddie Cochran's 1958 song, "C'mon Everybody" b/w "Waltzing Matilda" (BRS-003), as a single but they had broken up by mid-1984. Peter Wells died of prostate cancer in 2006. Ronnie Peel died in 2020. Members were Peter Wells (guitar), Chris Turner (guitar), Ronnie Peel (vocals/bass), Fred Zepplin (drums). FLAC

Post 740 - Sharon O'Neill & Doug Parkinson - Water For The Flowers - Jeremiah's Peabody

 

In 1989, ABC Records put together a series of albums aimed at kids. One of these albums, called "Album 9" contained a new song written and sung by Sharon O'Neill. The song was called "Water For The Flowers" The rest of the album was made up of other artists, including Normie Rowe and Doug Parkinson. A single was released from the album, with Sharon only having one side of the single, with "Water For The Flowers" (876 188-7), and the other side was also from the album, Doug Parkinson's "Jeremiah Peabody". Their was also a CD version of the album released by the ABC as part of a series of songs for children. The CD was called "More ABC For Kids".FLAC

Post 739 - Bruce O'Hara/Charley Boyter E.P.

 

Charley Boyter has been entertaining audiences for almost 45 years. Originally from Windsor NSW Australia, Charley was removed from his Aboriginal family as a youngster along with his brother and three sisters and spent the rest of his childhood growing up in a foster home in Sydney. Charley began playing around with a guitar at the age of fifteen, jamming along with other pickers at a Church of Christ camp at Lake Illawarra. As Charley’s guitar playing improved he started performing for church groups playing and singing traditional Country and Bluegrass Gospel music. Charley started performing with a good friend, Bruce O'hara and soon after, this combo became known as Country Sound.It was during this time that Slim Dusty saw and heard Charley’s guitar playing and offered him a job with his show. Charley joined Slim’s Travellin’ Country Band in 1975 and has toured most of Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Charley has recorded on so many of Slim’s albums, Slim once remarked “Charley has played on more of my albums than any other guitarist”.The partnership with the Slim Dusty Show lasted for about 20 years.Charley is a multi-award winning artist and his unique acoustic guitar sound can be heard on some Aussie Classics such as Walk a Country Mile, Country Revival, Duncan and Leave him in the Longyard.Bruce O'hara who I can find very little about, recorded a live E.P in 1971 Called "Creamsleeves" "The Moter Cycle Song" b/w two of Charley's songs "The Sunset Is Red This Evening" "Don't Let Them Tear That Little Brown Building Down" (TEP-719) for Troubadour Records. Thanks to Tim for sending me this rare one for the Blog.FLAC

Post 738 - Xanadu - So Far From Home

 Xanadu was formed in the Queensland town of Bundaberg. The band was made up of three siblings, Claire, Don and Barrie Morrison, from Moore Park Beach, Wayne Anderson, also from North Gooburrum, and Chris Button, whose parents lived in Bundaberg. In 1967 after performing at the Federal Hotel in Bundaberg, as well as around the Bundaberg district for a number of years, the group left on a tour of Australia's eastern seaboard. "They finally ended up in Sydney where they quickly made a name for themselves, appearing on many Sydney TV stations as well as a spot on Brian Henderson's Bandstand, where the group performed their second single "Isabella". Which was released by Polydor records. In May 1971 the band signed on for a seven-month tour of Allied bases in Vietnam.  Their bass player, Barrie Morrison, was just 16, while the oldest member of the group, Wayne Anderson, had his 21st birthday in Vietnam. After Vietnam, Xanadu travelled to Thailand where they soon had a massive following, and even enjoyed their own television show on Bangkok TV3. "While in Thailand the group were asked by Bee Gee Maurice Gibb to go to the UK.  In Europe the group enjoyed massive success in Germany, Holland and Belgium. For the next decade Xanadu toured, recorded or rubbed shoulders with many of the greats of that era - The Bee Gees, The Sex Pistols, Marc Bolan - who recorded his last hit record ''I Love to Boogie'' in the Xanadu-owned London studio "Decibel". Chris Button Guitarist and vocalist was killed in a beach buggy accident in the late 1970s. By 1982 the band had gone their separate ways and all had returned to Australia. In 2003 Group members were awarded the Vietnam Logistical and Support Medal by the Australian Government for their valued work in Vietnam. Drummer Don Morrison died in 2019. Here to download is their LP from 1977 "So Far From Home" (28934 OT) released on Jupiter Records. Thanks to "History Of Australian Music From 1960 until 2010" Blog for the notes. Thanks to Henry with his help with the art work.  Flac 

Post 737 - Popgun Men - Behind Dark Glasses - Modern Man

 Including members of X-Ray-Z and Secret Police Pop Gun Men issued one single For EMI Custum Records in Feb. 1980. "Behind Dark Glasses" b/w "Moden Man" (PRS 2749). By mid 1980 Pop Gun Men had went back to being X-Ray-Z who played the Melbourne Punk scene until early 1982. Before splitting X-Ray-Z recorded some demos and live tracks which Polyster Records turned into a compilation album in 1988. The line up included Peter Rich & Mauri Bund - (vocals, synthesizer,guitars), Andrew Picoleau - (Bass,vocals), Dis Naylor - (Guitar), Errol Senol - (Drums). Rich & Bund real names are Peter & Martin Doley and Senol's real name is Errol Selimi all three members of X-Ray-Z. Flac

Post 736 - Kerry James & The Corridors - Wonderful Summer - Don't Treat Me Like A Child

 Kerry Hall who worked at McDonalds and also ran the "Cheek" Fan Club, was up for anything and was happy to be molded into a pop star with Bob Taylor, a former member of Johnny Devlin’s Devils who became the musical director of this recording project. "Wonderful Summer" b/w "Don't Treat Me Like A Child" (100067) came out as a single under the name Kerry James. It was recorded in 1978 at Trafalgar Studios, Sydney by Graham K. Owens and Executive producer Glenn A, Baker. Baker talked Warners into releasing the single with a very attractive picture sleeve. The band was led by guitarist Mick Hamilton, who came up with the working name The Corridors, which was a pun on her surname. The A side was a cover of a Robin Ward song with the B side a cover of a Helen Shapiro number. Kerry, who stuck with the name, went on to sing with the band Cocky Laura and later she worked on cruise ships seeing the World. She now lives on the Gold Coast where she does a high energy club show and pays tribute to the great Tina Turner.  Flac

Post 735 - Ivan Hutchinson - The Pushbike Song - Let Him Go Let Him Tarry

 

Ivan Joseph Hutchinson born on 11th February 1928 was an Australian film critic, television personality and music director.Hutchinson was active in the industry for over 30 years, from the early 1960s until the mid-1990s, first on Melbourne-only programs for HSV-7 and later nationwide through the entire Seven Network. In the early 1970s he appeared alongside film and TV journalist Jim Murphy on Channel 7 in probably Australian TV's first regularly-scheduled evening movie review program entitled “Two on the Aisle”. Hutchinson later moved into the roles of midday and classic movie host and appeared in numerous local film cameos usually playing himself or a critic. In his last years, Hutchinson was a film columnist for The Sun News-Pictorial and its successor, the Herald Sun. In addition to his on-air role for Seven, Hutchinson was a studio and session pianist serving as the band leader, arranger and music director for most of the variety shows and specials originating from HSV-7 throughout 1964 to 1994. In Oct.1973 Ivan Hutchinson And His Honky-Tonk Piano released a version of The Mixtures "Pushbike Song" b/w "Let Him Go Let Him Tarry" (FB-198) for Fable Records.Flac

Post 734 - Uncanny X-Men - I Am (extended version)

 "I Am" is a song by Uncanny X-Men. The song was released in April 1986 as the lead single from the band's second studio album, "What You Give Is What You Get". The song was the first single released by the band on CBS Records. It peaked at number 18 on the Kent Music Report.This version of "I Am" (BA12206) is the extended version, produced by Kevin Beamish. flac

Post 733 - Richard Clapton - The Heart Of It (Extended Version) - Atom Bomb

 "Solidarity" is the eighth studio album by Australian rock  singer-songwriter, Richard Clapton It was released in Australia in September 1984 It peaked at No. 27 on the  Albums Chart. Here is the extended version mix of the single "The Heart Of It" b/w "Atom Bomb" (X 12045) released on Mushroom Records in 1984. It was recorded at Paradise Studios, Sydney. Flac

Post 732 - The Stetsons LP - The Stetsons

 The Stetsons are an Australian country rock band formed by members of GANGgajang, Mental As Anything and Flying Emus. They released a self-titled album in 1987. In 1997 some of the original members got back together and released a second album called Their Most Successful Album...Ever. Their single "There's A Train In My Head" from their self-titled debut album was used in Crocodile Dundee II. Members were Chris Bailey (bass) – The Angels, GANGgajang, Jimmy Barnes Band, Dave Steel Band

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (vocals) – Doobie Brothers

Kayellen Bee (vocals) – GANGgajang

Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (drums, keyboards) – The Angels, The Party Boys, GANGgajang

Mark Callaghan (vocals) – GANGgajang, Riptides

Marilyn Delaney (vocals) – GANGgajang

Wayne Goodwin (fiddle) – Flying Emus, Dave Steel Band

Robert James (guitar) – GANGgajang, Wendy Matthews Band

Pixie Jenkins (fiddle) – John Williamson, Jimmy Barnes Band

Reg Mombassa (guitar, vocals, keyboards) – Mental As Anything, Reg and Pete's Dog Trumpet

Peter O'Doherty (bass) – Mental As Anything, Reg and Pete's Dog Trumpet

Rose Pearse (vocals)

Martin Plaza (vocals, guitar) – Mental As Anything

Ian Simpson (banjo) – Flying Emus

Geoff Stapleton (keyboards, guitar) – GANGgajang, Rockmelons, Absent Friends, The Dukes, Aliens. Here to download is there first S/T album from 1987 "The Stetsons" (832 941-1) Released on Mercury Records. Thanks Henry for your help.  Flac

Post 731 - Vikki Broughton - Good Good Morning - Anyone Who Had A Heart

 

Vikki Broughton born in 1954, was the first act to be signed for TV show Young Talent Time by Kevin Lewis the original executive producer of the show and partner in the company with Johnny Young. Later he also produced several episodes on  the Peter Couchman show also on channel 10 and Vikki was part of the pilot. After YTT she was managed by Duane d Zigliotto and had a very successful career in cabaret locally in Asia, Japan and Europe sharing the stage with international stars such as Abba, Pink Ladies, Umberto Tozzi,Teresa Teng to name a few. Vikki married a successful Melbourne Barrister and retired from her singing career. As far as I can find out this is the only single Vikki released on L&Y Records in 1975 "Good Good Morning" b/w "Anyone Who Had A Heart" (K-5932). It was produced by Johnny Young with the B side produced by Duane Zigliotto. She was backed by Select. flac

Post 730 - Scandal - The Singles

Scandal formed in Adelaide in February 1976 and by the end of the year had signed a deal with the Mushroom label.Comprising four English migrants and a token Australian Aldo Civitico, the band’s stylish UK-centric sound drew on influences such as Supertramp, Bryan Ferry and David Bowie for inspiration.Mushroom issued Scandal’s debut single "Best Deal in Town" in March 1977, followed by "Harry" in August. The band enjoyed its only national chart success with a cover of the smooth soul/pop track "How Long "(originally by U.K. band Ace). Scandal’s version reached #23 in Australia in May 1978.Their self-titled debut album was also released in May and produced the band’s fourth single "She’s a Lady". It was to be the band’s final release and they broke up in December. Kerrison, Harriot and Watson formed a group called The Extractors but by August 1979 had revived the Scandal name for a new band with Adrian Dessent on guitar, Greg Trennery on bass and Nat de Palma on drums.The new line-up was not successful and Kerrison left the music industry while Dessent went on to work with Wendy and the Rocketts. By 1983, Watson had joined Sydney band, The Venetians. Here to download are all four singles released on Mushroom Records. Flac 

Post 729 - The Cliffmores/The Surprise Sisters - Singles Collection

The Cliffmores started singing in Woomera South Australia, and moved down to Adelaide after receiving rave reviews after appearing on Adelaide Tonight. They sang at all of the local clubs and dances, especially the Salisbury Youth Centre. They were backed by local musicians, some of whom went on to overseas success (Alan Tarney, Kevin Peek and Terry Britten to name just a few). After providing backing vocals on several local records they released their own singles, which were produced by David McKay. They moved to Sydney where they sang in the clubs in Kings Cross and then to England in 1969 after meeting Barry Gibb who suggested Robert Stigwood should manage them. In England, they became The Surprise Sisters. In the 70s David Bowie saw them performing at the Marquee Club in London and introduced them to Tony Visconti who produced their sole album for RCA. Their biggest hit was "La Booga Rooga" which was released in 1976. They disbanded in 1978 to pursue solo careers.
The Surprise Sisters released 9 singles between 1975/1977 and one LP only, one of the singles made it on the LP which makes the other A & B sides collectible. Members were Susan, Linda, Ellen and Patricia Sutcliffe. Here to download are the two Cliffmores singles from 1967/68 and the nine Surprise Sisters singles released in the U.K. Flac

Post 728 - Slim Dusty - Lights On The Hill - Redwing

This is the first recording of "Lights On The Hill" released in February 1972. I read somewhere a long time ago that Slim called this the Rock 'n' Roll version. A lot different than the 1975 version from the LP of the same name that's for sure. Joy McKean tells the fascinating story behind Lights On The Hill, She remembers that night in June 1971, leaving Tamworth for Warwick, and trucks coming over the hill blinding her with their high-beam.
"I realised I was at Devil's Pinch, a local name for the place where there is a drop down the mountain on one side of the narrow road," McKean said."I couldn't help wondering how long it would take for Slim to find me if I went over the edge."By the time she hit Warwick caravan park, she had the song in her head and Slim wanted to record it immediately. I remember the first time I heard this version was in 1972 when a guy that lived across from my Mum asked her when she went into town would she pick him up a copy of Slim Dusty's new single. I think he played it everyday at full volume for weeks but I must say I did like it and when the album of "Lights On The Hill" came out I was a little disappointed that the 1975 version was so different.
Now don't quote me but this single and it's B side "Lights On The Hill" b/w "Redwing" (DO-9836) I don't think has ever been released on an album or CD but not knowing all Slim's recordings I might be wrong, but I have done a bit of digging and I can't find this version on any Greatest hits ect ect. Flac

Post 727 - Donald Dunstan - Desiderata - How Do I Love Thee? The Toys

Donald Allan Dunstan, AC, QC usually known as Don Dunstan, was a South Australian politician. He entered politics as the Member for Norwood in 1953 at age 26, became leader of the South Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party in 1967, and was Premier of South Australia between June 1967 and April 1968, and again between June 1970 and February 1979.
In the late 1950s, Dunstan became well known for his campaign against the death penalty being imposed on Max Stuart, who was convicted of rape and murder of a small girl. He harried Premier Thomas Playford IV aggressively over the matter, creating an uproar over what he saw as an unfair process. Playford eventually relented, and appeared shaken thereafter; the event was seen as a turning point in the Liberal and Country League's decline, and Labor gained momentum. During Labor's time in opposition, Dunstan was prominent in securing some reforms in Aboriginal rights, and was at the forefront of Labor abandoning the White Australia Policy. Labor conducted an extensive campaign in marginal LCL seats at the 1965 election, resulting in 21 of 39 seats, with Frank Walsh and the Labor Party taking power and Dunstan becoming Attorney-General. The LCL opposition changed leaders and installed the young Steele Hall, worrying Labor as the elderly Walsh appeared bumbling in contrast. This resulted in Labor replacing Walsh with Dunstan. Despite maintaining a much larger vote over the LCL, Labor lost two seats at the 1968 election, with the LCL forming government with support of an independent. Dunstan responded by increasing his attacks on the Playmander and was able to convincingly sustain Playmander attacks with the effect of convincing the LCL into watering down the malapportionment. Again with little change in Labor's vote but with the Playmander removed, Labor won 27 of 47 seats at the 1970 election. With a fairer seat and boundary system in place, Dunstan won three more elections, in 1973, 1975 and 1977.
In 1976 Don recorded a single for RCA Records "Desiderata" b/w A"How I Love Thee?" B "The Toys" (2061 5), it was produced by Rocky Thomas at Sound Studios, Adelaide, South Australia. 
Dunstan was afflicted by illness in his final years. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1993 before contracting an inoperable lung cancer, which led to his death on 6 February 1999. flac 

Post 726 - XL Capris - Where's Hank?

XL Capris formed in Sydney in 1978 by Julie Anderson, Tim Gooding, Johanna Pigott and  Kimble Randall. Their best known single was a punk version of Tommy Leonetti's "My City of Sydney" (1979). This single was the only Australian disc found in legendary UK DJ John Peel's "battered wooden box" of 142 favourite records when, following his death in 2004, the contents of the box were revealed to the public in a Channel 4 television special. XL Capris made two albums, “Where Is Hank?” and “Weeds” both produced by Todd Hunter of Dragon and released on their own label Axle Records. Hunter later joined XL Capris as guitarist and subsequently married Pigott; they became a successful songwriting team: co writing "Rain" for Dragon and "Age of Reason" for John Farnham. Prior to forming the XL Capris, Gooding was a film and television screenwriter.(The Aunty Jack Show; Wollongong The Brave/Kev Kevanagh: Beyond The Infinite; Heatwave). He and Pigott worked together creating the 1984 ABC TV series ‘Sweet & Sour “ which chronicled the activities of a fictional band, The Takeaways, and their efforts to succeed in 1980s Sydney Pop scene. Where Is Hank? (Axle 103) released in 1981 produced by Hunter, Gooding wrote ten of the fourteen tracks including two with Pigott. 'Hank' in the title was a German shepherd owned by Rendall: "Hank went to live on a farm at Nambucca Heads".'Tosca' was the name of their landlady's cat and it was chased up a tree by Hank thus the album title Where Is Hank? is a pun on a 1980s TV ad for a chocolate bar: 'Where's George?' The response is ... 'gone for a Tosca!'.
 Thanks to Chris for sending me this LP for the Blog and Tim for sorting out the IT issues. flac

Post 725 - Mental As Anything - Silent Night - Wooden Heart

Mental As Anything doing a Live, acoustic and busking set on “Good Afternoon Australia”, Dec 21 1984. Mental As Anything, now consisting of Greedy Smith (vocals/keyboards), Martin Cilia (guitars), Jacob Cook (drums), Craig Gordon (vocals/guitars) and Peter Gray (vocals/bass), played a special 40th anniversary show at Surfersaurus in Sydney, during October 2018. Smith was by this point the only original member of Mental As Anything to still be playing with the group. Sadly "Greedy" Smith died of a heart attack on 2 December 2019, in Sydney. Smith's final show with the band -- and the band's last show to date -- took place on 23 November in Werrington, New South Wales.

UPDATE - Unfortunately this is the only Christmas post for this year, I have had a few technical issues   with computers more than I would like to mention but fingers crossed the Blog will be up and running full steam in 20/20. Wishing you all a fantastic Christmas and a great New Year. Ozzie. Flac

Post 724 - Mata Hari - Gypsy - Easy

Mata Hari was a band formed in Newcastle in on or around 1970, they played mainly cover songs. Their only record was a cover of a 'Van Morrison' song "Gypsy. This was backed by an original penned by lead guitarist Greg Callan and singer Jim Stanes, called "Easy".(Polydor 2079 026 ) It was a minor hit on the local radio station 2NX, now NXFM and 2KO, now KO-FM. They developed a bit of a name as a 'good time rock and roll band', through their high powered stage act, fronted by Jim Stanes, who was with them all the way to the final gig at Wangi Wangi Workers Club on 23-8-1975. I got this bit of info from a web site by their roadie John, if you follow the link at the end of this you will read a lot more about the band with photos, song list, line ups, where they are now and heaps more it’s really worth a look. It’s a pity that all Aussie bands big or small haven’t got a page like this, a real credit to John the roadie.   Thanks again to Tim for another rare gem for the Blog.  Flac  http://www.newcastlebandsdatabase.com.au/bands/MataHari.html

Post 723 - Jim Cooper - The Great Sydney Harbour Ferry Boat Race - Save Some History For Me

“The Great Sydney Harbour Ferry Boat Race” has been part of Sydney's Australia Day celebrations since 1981. Jim Cooper is an Aussie entertainer who has been around for quite a while. He recorded his first LP for Col Joye's ATA Records in 1977. This 45 was released in on the obscure Wheel Records label, SMX 54986.The B side was a song protesting the destruction of historic city buildings. This single was taken from the Flexi Disc released on the Ambassador label in 1980. Track 2 “Save Some History For Me” or its information is not listed anywhere on the label. Jim was quoted saying “I still remember being asked to write this song long before the first race took place.. It is an honour to be a part of this iconic event. The record was engineered by Steve Adams with the B side Engineered by David Cafe and Steve Adams (not on label). Thanks to Tim for giving me this for the Blog. Flac

Post 722 - Ber-Dum Ber-Dum - Love Potion No. XXX - Time Will Tell

I contacted my friend Rod Crundwell who was a member of this band and here's what he told me...... 

Thanks for your interest in Berdum Berdum! Hope you enjoy the record. The band was popular around Avalon and the northern beaches from 1983 to 1985. They were regulars at local venues such as Moby Dicks, Avalon RSL and many more, and always attracted a loyal following. The name came from a line in the Buzcocks song 'Boredom' where Pete Shelley shouts 'berdum, berdum' in the outro. The repertoire was mainly original, the writing shared between guitarist Phill Tate, bassist Sean Crawley and keyboard player Rod Crundwell. They were influenced by new wave/punk bands (e.g. The Stranglers) but also had a strong pop sensibility and a focus on harmonies. The original drummer was Craig Hartmann, who left and was replaced by James Barton. Their one and only single Love Potion xxx (P.Tate) b/w Time will Tell (R Crundwell) (PW-101) was recorded at ex/Sherbet guitarist Clive Shakespeare's studio and produced by the mysterious and enigmatic Arnold Stigheardt. The record performed well on the independent charts and was frequently played on 2JJJ. Although they went their separate ways in 1985 the band is still fondly remembered by many on the Peninsula.

Regards Rod. Flac