Post 657 - Smoky Dawson & Friends - Ridin' All Over Again

Smoky Dawson, born as Herbert "Herb" Henry Brown, was an Australian country music performer, radio star, entertainer, and icon. He was widely touted as Australia's first singing cowboy complete with acoustic steel string guitar and yodel, in the style of American Gene Autry: Dawson had an extraordinarily long and prolific career, releasing his first single in 1941 and his last album in 2005, aged 92, making him at the time the world's oldest recording artist (now surpassed by Dame Vera Lynn who released an album aged 97, in 2014). Through his high-rating syndicated radio serials (at their height broadcast on 100 stations) television appearances, comic books and songs he created the persona of a happy-go-lucky singing cowboy". In 1995 he released the “Ridin’ All Over Again” (DIN453D) on Dino Records. He teamed up with Australia’s finest singing duets with the likes of John Farnham. Angry Anderson, Ray Burgess, Slim Dusty, Jimmy Barnes, Normie Rowe, Johnny Chester just to name a few. The album was engineered by T.M.G’s drummer Herm Kovac and produced by Chris Evans with help from Doug Trevor and Glenn Wheatley. In his later years Smoky Dawson was diagnosed with arthritis, emphysema and two hernias. In June 2000 he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver and had spinal injuries.[ As of 2004 he and Dot presented a radio show on 2NSB and lived in Lane Cove, New South Wales. Herbert Henry "Smoky" Dawson died on 13 February 2008 after a short illness, a month short of his 95th Flac

Post 656 - The Delltones - Give Me Some Loving - Have A Little Talk With Myself

The Delltones have been performing for Australian audiences for over five decades; their most successful recording years were in the 1960's. Wilson is the only current member from the original line-up. In the mid-1980's, he transformed the group from a vocal quartet to a five-piece vocal band. This, along with other stylistic changes, led to the band's resurgence and the chart topping, rock ‘n roll revival album, “Bop Til Ya Drop”. The Delltones remain one of the most consistent live entertainers in Australia and have been entertaining Australian audiences for over five decades. Wilson is the only current member from the original line up. The band recorded for a number of different labels over the years. In 1970 they recorded this single for Fable Records, a cover of the Spencer Davis Group’s “Give Me Some Loving” b/w “Have A Little Talk With Myself” (FB-030) the B side was a cover of Ray Stevens 1969 song. David MacKay produced and arranged the single. Flac 

Post 655 - Barry Michael - I Don't Understand (Where I Fit In) - All To You

Barry Michael started playing guitar at twelve years of age. He grew up listening to Fats Waller, County swing and Top 40 pop music. In 1980 he took off to see the world. For three years he travelled around America and Europe before ending up in London, where he met two brothers who played in ‘The Incredible Kidda Band”, a post punk rock band. Barry immersed himself in the London music scene and started writing songs, playing live with their band, and doing solo spots in pubs and clubs. In 1986 he returned to Australia and performed on the national TV show “Hey It’s Saturday”, on the Red Faces segment. He won on the night and was called back to perform on the show. He soon signed to EMI Records Australia and released two singles. His song “I Don’t Understand Where I Fit In” b/w “All To You” (EMI.1812) was a top 40 hit nationally and top 10 in Victoria. I was impressed at Barry’s backing band for this single which included Gary Young and Wayne Duncan, Paul & Mike Grabowski, Red Symons, Virgil Donati and Margot Moir, Red Symons also produced the single. In 2012 Barry rerecorded the single as a swing song. He was trying to write a love song with a difference.  Flac

Post 654 - The Jelly Roll Big Band - I've Been Away Too Long - Son Of A Preacher Man

“The Jelly Roll Big Band” was initially formed in cairns as “brass knuckle” - and won far North Queensland section of hoadleys battle of sounds then went to Rockhampton for country finals and come second to Townsville band the “Club”. They supported a lot of acts in Brisbane in 1971 which included Normie Rowe, Kamahl, and Doug Parkinson to name a few. “I’ve Been Away Too Long” b/w “Son Of A Preacher Man” (QK-4412), The A side penned by Max Merritt made it into the Brisbane Top 30 in 1971. The B side if I didn’t know and heard it on the radio I would have thought it was Blood Sweat & Tears even the vocals sound like David Clayton Thomas. Recorded for Sunshine Records the single was produced by Richard Batchens. Members were Barry Whitehead, Dave Godfrey, Stephen Berry-Porter, Ian Robinson and John James. This was the only recording by the band, a real pity there wasn’t an LP. Flac 

Post 653 - The Jug Band - Feeding Time - Hey Bulldog

The Jug Band  formed in Brisbane in late 1969 till 1973 had over fifteen member go through their stables in the three years they were together, yet only released one single in that time for Festival Records in 1971. “Feeding Time” b/w “Hey Bulldog” (FK-4402), the A side was written by guitarist Ray Nancarrow with the B side a cover of the Beatles song which first appeared on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack album. Flac 

Post 652 - Daytime Actors - Dance To The Beat - Got To Run

This single “Dance To The Beat” b/w “Got To Run” (TS 701) by the Daytime Actors was their first single in 1985 released on Top Shelf Records. The second single can be found on Post # 180 along with what little info I could find at the time. One thing that has me thinking is that according to all my books the band was formed in 1986 but this single came out in 1985, interesting don’t you think? Flac

Post 651 - Liv Maessen & Jimmy Hannan - Love Is For The Two Of Us - Did You Give The World Some Love Today, Babe

Liv Maessen and Jimmy Hannan had a go at a duet in 1971. It made no impact on the charts..."Love Is For The Two Of Us" b/w “Did You Give The World Some Love Today Babe” (FB-092) The single was produced by Geoff Hales for Fable Records. The A side was penned by Taku Izumi & Michio Yamagami and was given English lyrics by Sydney Lee. It also seems the Original version was sung in 1967 by Naomi Sagara and its original title: “The world is a thing for beloved two lovers”. Further research finds that the original English version was performed by Rene & Rene, a Latin pop duo from Texas.  Thanks to Doug Smith and Matt Gleeson from the “Milesago” FB page, for their good sleuthing for more info on this song.  On a personal note back in our radio days Mrs Ozzie myself and Graham were given a copy of this single to fix up for air play. The single was in pretty bad shape and after many hours of running through many computer programs I guess you could say we got it presentable enough to play on air. It has taken me about 4 years or more to find a copy to fix up again, so here’s hoping this will put the nightmares and demons to bed, “you had to be there”!!! Flac

Post 650 - Rod Boucher - Every Little Bit Of Australia - Technological Hero

Prior to his involvement with Good God Studio, Rod Boucher was a member of The Henchmen, a university folk band, then Buffalo Drive, a Rock band from Adelaide. He penned several commercial “hits” during that time including: “No Worries Luv”, (a timeless Aussie love song), “Money Stride” “The Yoohoo Song” and “Every Little Bit of Australia” b/w “Technological Hero” (MS 469) here for you to download. The single was produced by Chris Neal in 1980. Rod was known after Buffalo Drive as the guy who wrote and sang the Christian TV ads. He and his wife and 5 daughters relocated to England in the late 80's. His daughters are Danielle, Rebecca, Sunshine, Butterfly and Eden.  His 4th daughter Butterfly (real name) is now an international recording artist.Flac