Pollyanna - 1996 - Long Player FLAC

Big Bully/Piston/The Cake/16 And Counting/Bakelite/Keep Me Guessing/Electric Cardigan Rock/Lemonsuck/Potomac/Squeeze/T-Shirt Tan/Railride/Kickboard



  Pollyanna were an Australian alternative rock band, which formed in 1993 as Blue Trike by Matt Handley on lead vocals and lead guitar (ex-Catherine Wheel) and Maryke "Rayke" Stapleton on bass guitar and vocals. Their brand of noisy indie guitar pop appears on four studio albums, Long Player (1996), Hello Halo (1997), Delta City Skies (1999) and Didn't Feel a Thing (2001). Long Player, their highest charting release, peaked at No. 31 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Two of their tracks, "Pale Grey Eyes" and "Lemonsuck", were both listed on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1995. The group were nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Album and Best Alternative Release for Long Player at the ARIA Music Awards of 1996. The band broke up in 2002.

Lucky Starr - 1964 - The Silver Spade Digs Lucky FLAC

Make Yourself At Home-Lovely Way To Spend An Evening/Clementine/Blue Berry Hill-Rock A Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody-He's Got The Whole World In His Hands/The World I Used To Know/I've Been Everywhere/Someday You'll Want Me To Want You/The Three Trees/Some Of These Days/Bye Bye Blackbird-Cotton Fields-Lazy River/Mule Skinner Blues/You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You/What'd I Say



Lucky Starr was born as Leslie Morrison in 1940. His father was a motor mechanic and his mother was a housewife, and he had a younger sister. He attended Canterbury High School before starting an apprenticeship as an electrician.

Two-and-a-half years later he began his rock and roll career in 1957 as Les Starr, lead singer and rhythm guitarist, of the Hepparays in Sydney. Other members were Tony Caperero on lead guitar, Bruce Gurr on piano, Dave Taylor played bass guitar and Owen Smith provided drums and percussion. Starr recalled how, "the guitarist in his band taught him how to play in five months." After winning several talent quests, "someone idly punned that he was 'a lucky Starr'."

 Late in 1959, as Lucky Starr, he signed as a solo artist to Festival Records, and in December he released a four-track extended play, Sentimental Journey. For his early work he used the Hepparays as his backing band. He followed with four singles in the next year. He was a regular performer on television music and variety shows, Bandstand and Six O'Clock Rock, and took over from Johnny O'Keefe as host of the latter for a brief period in 1960, while O'Keefe was touring the United States.

In May 1960 Morrison, aged 19, was involved in a romance with touring Mouseketeer, Cheryl Holdridge, who was under 16. In May 1963 he recalled, "We corresponded when she went back to the States, and I decided then to follow her, somehow. Once, in 1961, I waited up all night to phone her when she was recovering from a tonsils operation. But we are not 'in love' any more, I guess."

Starr released his cover version of the novelty, tongue-twisting single, "I've Been Everywhere", in early 1962, it was written by Geoff Mack, which name-drops numerous Australian towns. It peaked at number one in Sydney in April. "Spinner" from The Biz described the track, "It's a hard hitting novelty number with a slight C and W flavour. Full of gimmicks it features high velocity lyrics in which Lucky recites 120 towns in the Commonwealth... He sings each verse in one breath and you'll wonder how he does it when you hear it." Adapted to American towns, it became a United States country music hit for Hank Snow after being released in September of that year.

Starr released a compilation album, I've Been Everywhere, in June 1962, which included his early singles and their B-sides. "Spinner" opined, "it shows his versatility to the foil, which is evident in the tracks, 'Candy Pink Lips,' 'Suspense' and "Sweet Georgia Brown.' Other tracks include: 'Heart-Break,' 'Way Down Yonder in New Orleans,' 'I See You as an Angel' and others. In our opinion this LP is worthy of a place in the libraries of both young and the young at heart alike — it's a beauty." According to the journalist, "he has worked at his profession perfecting his musicianship, taking voice training, learning acting and dancing — in a word, learning enough to make the most of his 'break' when it came." In July of that year he issued a four-track EP, Lucky's Been Everywhere, with his four versions of "I've Been Everywhere": the Australian one, the US one, the British one and a newly-written New Zealand one.

During 1963 he travelled to the US where "he played the Nevada circuit, opening in mid-1963 at the Mapes Hotel Casino Room, Las Vegas." According to The Australian Women's Weekly's Robin Adair the tour was organised by US entertainer, Norman Kaye (of the Mary Kaye Trio). Starr signed with local label, Dot Records, which released a lone single, "Poor Little Jimmy Brown", however "proposed American movie roles and major record deals never happened." He returned late that year to Australia and appeared in Once Upon a Surfie, a Christmas-themed surfing musical alongside "Dig Richards, Jackie Weaver, Bryan Davies, Jay Justin, Rob EG, Jan Green and The Delltones."
 

 Starr issued another solo album, The Silver Spade Digs Lucky, in 1964. He subsequently toured "the USA, New Zealand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and Italy." According to Daily Mercury's correspondent, "he was the first Australian performer to entertain the troops in Vietnam; in fact paying his own way there and made five subsequent trips into the war zone." During the late 1960s Starr performed as a country musician "and took his travelling show around the Australian bush." In 1980 he was inducted into the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame with their Hands of Fame.

In September 2015 Starr released a re-working of "I've Been Everywhere" titled, "We're Going Everywhere... On the Old Hume Highway". He has two children and a grandchild. As of July 2015 he was still performing regularly. Thanks to Mustang

 

New Link Added 26.06.2021

Think - 1976 - We'll Give You A Buzz (2008) FLAC

Light Title/Look What I've Done/Rippoff/Stringless Provider/Big Ladies/Our Children (Think About)



Think’s We’ll Give You A Buzz, released on Atlantic in 1976, with cover painting by Neil Vesey.

In 1976 Auckland-based Think released their only album, We’ll Give You A Buzz, featuring six long tracks with great instrumental virtuosity. Highlights include the guitar wizardry of the late Phil Whitehead and strong Hammond organ and synth by Don Mills. Recorded in a week at Stebbings by Julian Lee and Phil Yule for WEA, the album was released on the prestigious Atlantic label. We’ll Give You A Buzz featured a striking album cover design by Neil Vesey. Unheralded at the time of release, but extensively bootlegged on CD since, the album was finally officially released on digital channels in 2014. The average price for an original of this one from online re-sellers is north of $600, a sign of both its poor original sales and the current high regard for its musical content.

  What you'll find here is a mix of mid to late 1970s British pomp / prog similar to England, Kestrel, and Nostradamus, combined with some obvious pop moves and the required boogie rock number ('Rippoff') that all Australasian bands felt obligated to include back then. Of course Think were not alone in releasing music such as this from the region, as you will find other examples in Dragon (first 2 albums), Sebastian Hardie, Aleph, and Ragnarok. There's excellent songwriting and instrumental breaks throughout. Other than the one trip up as mentioned above, all the rest is excellent in my estimation.

Zoot - 1980 - Zoot Locker (1995) FLAC (RE-POST)

You Better Get Going Now/1 X 2 X 3 X 4/Monty And Me/It's About Time/Sailing/Yes I'm Glad/Little Roland Lost/She's Alright/Sha La La/Flying/Mr Songwriter/Strange Things/Hey Pinky/The Freak/Evil Child/Eleanor Rigby



Plympton High School mates John D'Arcy on guitars and vocals, and Gerard Bertlekamp (later known as Beeb Birtles) initially on lead guitar and vocals formed Times Unlimited in Adelaide, South Australia with drummer Ted Higgins and a bass guitarist in 1964. Birtles moved to bass guitar and they were joined by Darryl Cotton, lead vocalist from local rivals, The Murmen. The new group of Birtles, Cotton, D'Arcy and Higgins formed in 1965, and were named Down the Line from The Hollies version of Roy Orbison's "Go Go Go (Down the Line)". Soon Gordon Rawson, an ex-school mate of Birtles, briefly joined on rhythm guitar.

Down the Line performed covers of English Mod groups: The Hollies, The Move, The Who and The Small Faces in many clubs and discos around Adelaide, gradually gathering a following. They sometimes backed Bev Harrell, a then popular singer, who was managed by Darryl Sambell. By May 1967, Sambell also managed rising singer, Johnny Farnham, and used Down the Line as session musicians on demo recordings which secured Farnham a contract with EMI Records. One of these was "In My Room", written by Farnham, which became the B-side of his debut single, "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)" released in November. After recording with Farnham, Down the Line were approached by Adelaide-based musician, Doc Neeson, who was interested in band management and suggested:     Y'know, you should change the name to something short and punchy like Zoot. — Doc Neeson, mid-1967.

They liked the name but did not sign with Neeson, who formed a pub rock band The Angels in 1970. Zoot were playing some original material in their set and by early 1968 D'Arcy was replaced on guitar by Steve Stone. D'Arcy was later a member of Allison Gros alongside Graeham Goble. Other Adelaide bands, The Twilights and The Masters Apprentices, inspired Zoot to tackle the national market, so in mid-1968, Zoot relocated to Melbourne. Prior to the move, they had entered the South Australian heats of Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds, finishing second in a tense contest to The Masters Apprentices (eventually second nationally to The Groove).


Although Zoot were a popular band during the late 1960s, critics labelled them as teenybopper or light bubblegum due primarily to the Think Pink – Think Zoot publicity campaign devised by their management. After relocating to Melbourne in mid-1968, Zoot signed with Columbia Records/EMI Australia and were managed by Wayne de Gruchy, they recorded their first single, "You'd Better Get Goin' Now", a Jackie Lomax cover with David Mackay producing. They invited the music media to Berties discothèque—co-owned by de Gruchy and Tony Knight—to promote its release in August. Think Pink – Think Zoot had band members dressed head to toe in pink satin, they arrived in Cotton's pink painted car, they were photographed with Cotton's pet dog Monty—fur dyed pink—and the venue was pink themed throughout. The publicity gimmick brought attention to the group and attracted significant numbers of teenage girl fans, however it caused problems in establishing their credibility as serious rock musicians. By December, management by de Gruchy was dropped in favour of Sambell and Jeff Joseph, who also managed Farnham and The Masters Apprentices. 

Zoot's second single, "1 × 2 × 3 × 4" was released in December and charted on the Go-Set National Top 40 Singles Chart. By September 1968, Higgins and Stone had returned to Adelaide to be replaced by Rick Brewer (ex-The Mermen with Cotton, Third Party) on drums and Roger Hicks on guitar. Besides radio airplay, the band appeared regularly on local pop music TV show, Uptight!. Their third single, "Monty and Me" continued the Think Pink – Think Zoot theme and was produced by Go-Set writer, Ian Meldrum (later hosted Countdown), which also reached the Top 40 in June. Meldrum also produced "The Real Thing" by Russell Morris and used Hicks as a session musician—he wrote the song's opening guitar riff. Zoot was voted Top Australian Group in Go-Set's pop poll published in June, just ahead of The Masters Apprentices and Brisbane group, The Avengers. In July they undertook a tour through the eastern states with Ronnie Burns, The Sect and Jon Blanchfield on the bill.

Hicks left by September for The Avengers, and was replaced by Rick Springfield (ex-Icy Blues, Moppa Blues Band, Wickety Wak). Meldrum had produced Wickety Wak's single, "Billie's Bikie Boys" with Birtles as a backing vocalist. From September, Zoot joined other Australian bands on the national Operation Starlift tour, which was generally a publicity success but a financial disaster. For Zoot, it brought about increased media ridicule, peer envy and scorn from detractors, much of the criticism was homophobic such as "pretty pink pansies" taunts. October saw the release of "It's About Time" by EMI, Zoot read about it in Go-Set and had expected to re-record its demo quality. In December, in Brisbane, they made headlines when they were assaulted by street toughs, resulting in injury to Cotton.

 By early 1970, band members had tired of the garish pink outfits and associated harassment and physical abuse, hence, to rid themselves of the bubblegum/teen idol image, they burnt their outfits on TV music show, Happening '70. Zoot then promoted their fifth single "Hey Pinky", released in April, with an advertisement in Go-Set which featured a nude picture of their bums. "Hey Pinky" was a hard charging guitar oriented song but it failed to chart. The song, written by Springfield, was rebellious in nature and openly mocked the pink outfits as well as their previous management and their detractors. Their debut album, Just Zoot followed in July and reached No. 8 on Go-Set Top 20 National Albums Chart. Go-Set also released their 1970 pop poll results in July with Zoot in fifth place behind The Masters Apprentices for 'Best Group', Springfield was second to Doug Ford (The Masters Apprentices) as 'Best Guitarist' and fifth as 'Best Composer', while Brewer was third as 'Best Drummer' to Colin Burgess (The Masters Apprentices).

They finished second in the Victorian heats of Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds to little known band, Nova Express (with vocalist Linda George). In August, both bands went to the national finals, where Zoot finished second to The Flying Circus.

In December they released a hard rock cover of The Beatles' song, "Eleanor Rigby" which became their most popular single when it peaked at No. 4 in March 1971. It remained in the Top 40 for twenty weeks and reached No. 12 on the Top Records for the Year of 1971. Their next single, "The Freak" / "Evil Child", another hard rock song, was released in April and peaked into the top 30.

With the chart success of "Eleanor Rigby", RCA expressed interest in bringing them to the United States to record, but they encountered problems with visa work permits, meanwhile Springfield was being scouted for a solo career. Along with other disappointments and frustrations, this led to the band breaking up in May 1971. Go-Set published their 1971 pop poll results in July with Zoot in third place behind Daddy Cool for 'Best Group', Springfield was 'Best Guitarist' and fourth as 'Best Composer', Brewer was second as 'Best Drummer' to Burgess, Birtles was second as 'Best Bass Guitarist' to Glenn Wheatley (The Masters Apprentices) and "Eleanor Rigby" was 'Best Single' ahead of Daddy Cool's "Eagle Rock". EMI/Columbia released a compilation, Zoot Out in 1971 and another, Best of the Zoot Locker 1969–1971 in 1980.

@yers R0ck - 1976 - Bey0nd FLAC RE-POST

Moondah/A Place To Go/Catchanemu/Song For Darwin/Angel In Disguise/Little Kings




Ayers Rock was the leading Australian 'jazz-rock' group of the 70s, fusing rock with influences from soul, R&B, jazz and Latin music. The band was built on world-class standards of playing and complex arrangements, and inspired by overseas groups such as Traffic, Santana and Weather Report. The original members were all seasoned players, widely regarded as among the best musos in the country, and their musical connections were woven through a series of major bands of the 60s and early 70s.

Mark Kennedy was and is still widely regarded as one of Australia's best drummers. He rose to prominence as the original drummer in Spectrum. He left that band in late 1970, just after recording their first LP, and he became an in-demand session player, as well as working in a series of loosely connected groups including King Harvest (where he first teamed up with McGuire and Doyle) and Friends with Leo De Castro.


Left: the original lineup of Ayers Rock (1973). Clockwise from left: Duncan Maguire, Mark Kennedy, Jim Doyle, Ray Burton (seated)

Duncan McGuire was a true rock veteran (and one of the unsung heroes of Aussie music). His first band was The Phantoms way back in 1959. He was a member of The Epics (1962-64), who backed Little Pattie live and on her early Singles and first album, as well as playing with Reg Lindsay, Johnny Ashcroft, Brian Davies, Jay Justin and Johnny O'Keefe. From 1966-68 he was a member of The Questions (Doug Parkinson's first major band) which also included Ray Burton and Doug Lavery (who later joined The Valentines and Axiom). McGuire stayed with Parkinson through In Focus and Fanny Adams before shifting to Melbourne and playing with King Harvest and Friends.

Jimmy Doyle had been a member of the backing bands for The Delltones and Dig Richards, and during the early Sixties he also worked as the musical director for renowned honky-tonk pianist Winifred Atwell.

Ray Burton had been the rhythm guitarist in the Dave Bridge Quartet in the early Sixties, and then a member of the Delltones' backing band, after which he joined the first lineup of successful Sydney harmony-pop group The Executives. He worked variously with Doyle, McGuire and Kennedy in King Harvest, Doug Parkinson In Focus and Friends. He relocated to the USA in the early 70s, where he worked with Helen Reddy and co-wrote her 1972 international mega-hit "I Am Woman".

In 1973 the above-named four took the logical step and formed their own band, McGuire Kennedy Burton. Later in the year, they added another player, multi-intrumentalist Col Loughnan. Col had actually started his career as lead singer with Sydney vocal group The Crescents. In 1962 Col was recruited to replace Noel Widerberg, lead singer with The Delltones, who had been tragically killed in a car accident earlier in the year. Col performed with The Delltones for five years (1962-67). In the late Sixties Col returned to his first love, jazz, and his prowess on a wide range of instruments (alto, tenor and baritione saxophones, flute, keyboards and percussion) gave the Ayers Rock sound a distinctive edge.

With Loughnan on board, the new band changed their name to the more marketable (and patriotic) Ayers Rock. They were one of the first groups signed to Michael Gudinski's newly established Mushroom label, and their debut single, "Rock'n'Roll Fight", was issued at the end of 1973.

They performed at Sunbury '74 and one track from their set, Ray Burton's "Morning Magic", was included on the Highlights of Sunbury 1974 LP, which has recently been re-released in the 2-CD set Highlights of Sunbury 1973 and 1974 on Michael Gudinski's Liberation Blue label. These tracks are the only extant Ayers Rock recordings to feature Burton, who left the band during 1974. Col Loughnan's official website features a superb colour clip of the group performing live at Sunbury, with excellent sound.

                 Jimmy Doyle,Duncan McGuire,Col Loughnan,Chris Brown and Mark Kennedy

He was replaced by singer-guitarist Chris Brown, whose previous credits included a stint in Little Sammy & The In People, the noted '60s Sydney club outfit led by singer Sam "Little Sammy" Gaha (father of TV's Eden and Danielle Gaha); although not commercially successful, this notable band variously included Brown, Harry Brus, Michael Carlos, Barrie McAskill, Col Nolan and Janice Slater.

Ayers Rock's debut album Big Red Rock was taped live before an invited audience at Armstrong's Studios in Melbourne over two nights in September 1974. The live-in-the-studio approach worked extremely well for Ayers Rock, and the album clearly demonstrated why their awesome live 'chops' had made them such a popular concert attraction. But it also was something of a necessity for the cash-strapped label -- they took the same approach with andnother early signing, Mackenzie Theory. The Ayers Rock LP reportedly cost Mushroom a mere $5000 to record.

 Big Red Rock was an early critical and commerical success for Mushroom, showcasing the band's considerable prowess and the material was a good balance between the more commercial song-based material of McGuire and Brown and the more adventurous instrumentals. The LP features three songs by McGuire, including their memorable second single, the Latin-flavoured "Lady Montego", a song that dated back to McGuire's stint in Friends; an earlier, slower version appears (in a live recording) on the Garrison: The Final Blow LP.

Big Red Rock also features two excellent pieces by Loughnan, two songs by Chris Brown, and a dazzling cover of Joe Zawinul's "Boogie Woogie Waltz", originally recorded by Weather Report (who were at that time virtually unknown in Australia). Loughnan's power-jam "Crazy Boys" is also worth hearing for its hilarious intro; dedicated to an unnamed Sydney hamburger joint, it includes a sly reference to a "Gudinski burger" and very funny joke about "Dr Hopontopovus, the Greek gynaecologist".

As Vernon Joyson has noted, Ayers Rock's recordings suggest that there was some dilemma about whether they should pursue a more expansive instrumental-based approach or opt for a more song-based commercial sound. From the evidence of Big Red Rock, its arguable that its the instrumental tracks -- "Crazy Boys", "Big Red Rock" and the brilliant cover of "Boogie Woogie Waltz -- that stand up best today, but the demands of radio airplay and gigging meant that this dilemma was never satifactorily resolved, and the group's relatively short lifespan and small catalogue meant that they never really got the chance to reach their full potential.

                                                  Playing at the Concert For Bangladesh

In the late 1975 Ayers Rock performed at the final gigs at Melbourne's fabled Reefer Cabaret. Live versions of the Stones' "Gimme Shelter" and "Boogie Woogie Waltz" were included on the double-album A-Reefer-Derci, culled from performances from the last two nights on 30 and 31 December 1975, and released by Mushroom in 1976. Like Mushroom's earlier Garrison: The Final Blow set, it commemorated the closure of the venue and was a means of thanking the Reefer Cabaret for supporting Mushroom's artists during 1974-75.

During '75-76, Kennedy began working with Marcia Hines and they later became engaged, which led to him leaving Ayers Rock in 1976. He was replaced for a time by Russell Dunlop, who, like Kennedy, was a seasoned veteran, and a respected session player and producer, but his permanent replacement was hotshot young drummer Hamish Stuart, who has since become a mainstay of the Sydney music scene and one of the most respected drummers in the country. At this point the group also added a permanent keyboard player, Andy Cowan (ex Madder Lake).

Ayers Rock's second LP Beyond was not quite as successful sales-wise, but no less impressiv musically. By this time the emphasis had shifted to longer works that allowed the band to showcase its considerable improvisational skills, and the LP consists of just six tracks, three each by Col Loughnan and Chris Brown. One of Brown's songs, "Little Kings", was lifted to become their third single.

 Duncan McGuire (left) and Chris Brown at the Record Plant, L.A. in September 1975.

Recorded in Los Angeles, the album was vastly more expensive to record than its predecessor, reportedly costing Mushroom a whacking $60,000, but by this time Mushroom's coffers had been swelled by the massive success of Skyhooks. The LP was also released in the USA, with different cover art. Their fourth and final single for Mushroom, "Song For Darwin" (May 1976) was inspired by the Cyclone Tracy disaster that had devastated the city on Christmas Day 1975.

After parting with Mushroom, the band broke up for about three years, but it was reformed by Brown, Doyle, Stuart and Cowan in 1979 and they established their own label, Red Rock. A new single, "On The Avenue" was released at the end of 1979, followed by "Lies" in early 1980, both issued through Polydor. The singles were both included on their third and final LP Hotspell, distributed by RCA. Unfortunately, the album was not successful and the band broke up in 1981.

Founding members Jimmy Doyle and Duncan McGuire have, sadly, both since passed away; Duncan died in 1986 from a brain tumour and Jimmy died in May 2006 from liver cancer.

On a happier note, we are pleased to report that Mark Kennedy, Col Loughnan and Ray Burton are all still going strong. Ray has his own website, faeturing great information and images of his career, past and present. Col has recently released a new CD, Ellen St, and his earlier collaboration with guitarist Steve Murphy, entitled Feel The Breeze, is also highly recommended. Both are available from Col's website, which is listed below.

Judith Durham - 1971 - Australia's Own Judith Durham FLAC

Gift Of Song/Wailing Of The Willow/The Light Is Dark Enough/Take Care Of My Brother/God Bless The Child/Here I Am/What Could Be A Better Way/Skyline Pigeon/The Ones Who Really Care/It Don't Cost Very Much/Ferris Wheel/Climb Ev'ry Mountain



Judith Durham AO (Judith Mavis Cock, born 3 July 1943) is an Australian singer, songwriter and musician who became the lead singer of the Australian popular folk music group The Seekers in 1963. The group subsequently became the first Australian pop music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States, and have sold over 50 million records worldwide. Durham left the group in mid-1968 to pursue her solo career. 

Durham returned to Australia in August 1968 and her first solo television special, 'An Evening with Judith Durham' screened on the Nine Network in September. During her solo career she has released albums titled For Christmas with Love, Gift of Song and Climb Ev'ry Mountain. In 1970 she made the television special, Meet Judith Durham, in London, ending with her rendition of "When You Come to the End of a Perfect Day" by Carrie Jacobs-Bond (1862–1946).

 In 1975 Judith starred in an acting and singing role as Sarah Simmonds, a burlesque type performer in "The Golden Girl", an episode of the Australian television series "Cash and Co." Set in the 1800s Australian goldfields, this episode also featured Durham's husband, Ron Edgeworth, on piano. She performed six songs including "Oh Susanna", "When Starlight Fades", "Maggie Mae", "Rock Of Ages", "There's No Place Like Home" and "The Lord Is My Shepherd".

During the 1970s she returned to traditional jazz and recorded Judith Durham and The Hottest Band in Town and Judith Durham and The Hottest Band in Town Volume 2 and in 1978, The Hot Jazz Duo. Durham performed at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1978, receiving a standing ovation in front of a crowd of 3,000. She then moved to Queensland and focused on her songwriting.

In 1994, Durham began recording albums again. Her 1994 album, Let Me Find Love peaked at number 8 in Australia. In 1996, she released a covers album, Mona Lisas, under the direction of producer Gus Dudgeon. This was re-released as Always There in 1997 with the addition of Durham's solo recording of fellow Seeker Bruce Woodley's "I am Australian" (with Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply and Mandawuy Yunupingu of Yothu Yindi) and the Smith Family theme song of the title. Her recording of "Always There" was first released on the 1997 double CD Anthems, which also featured Bruce Woodley's "Common Ground" and the Seekers' "Advance Australia Fair" arrangement.

In 2001, Durham did another Australian tour and in 2003 she toured the UK to celebrate her 60th birthday. Her birthday concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London was filmed and released on DVD in late 2004. The album was released on CD and download in 2014, titled Live in London. In 2006, The Seekers were awarded the "Key to the City" of Melbourne by Lord Mayor John So. As part of the ceremony, Durham sang part of her song "Seldom Melbourne Leaves My Mind" and was later invited by the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund to record the song, as a fund-raiser, with Orchestra Victoria. 

The decision was then made to record The Australian Cities Suite with all proceeds from the sale of the CD to go to the charitable sector. The album was released in October 2008. The project was to benefit charities such as the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia (Durham is national patron) and Orchestra Victoria, in addition to other charities which benefit from the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund or its national affiliated network United Way.

In 2006, Durham started modernising the music and phrases in the Australian National Anthem, "Advance Australia Fair". She first performed it in May 2009 at Federation Hall, St Kilda Road.

It was released on CD single. On 13 February 2009, Durham made a surprise return to the Myer Music Bowl when she performed the closing number at the RocKwiz Salutes the Bowl – Sidney Myer Music Bowl 50th Anniversary with "The Carnival is Over". On 23 May 2009, Durham performed a one-hour a cappella concert in Melbourne as a launch for her album Up Close and Personal.

 In October 2011, it was announced Durham had signed an exclusive international deal with Decca Records. George Ash, President of Universal Music Australasia said "It is an honour to have Judith Durham join Decca's wonderful roster of artists. When you think of the legends that have graced the Decca Records catalogue it is the perfect home to welcome Judith to, and we couldn't be more excited to work with Judith on not only her new recordings but her incredible catalogue as well."

Between 2011 and 2016, Decca Records re-released Gift of Song and Climb Ev'ry Mountain, The Australian Cities Suite and Up Close and Personal (as An A Capella Experience) as well as two compilations and a new studio album, Epiphany.

In June 2018, to celebrate Durham's 75th birthday, a collection of 14 previously unreleased songs was released on the album So Much More.   Thanks to Mustang

Finch - 1977 - Nothing To Hide FLAC

That's Your Way/Changes/Foolin'/Say You'll Be There/Leave The Killing To You/Nothing To Hide/Dreamer/Where Were You/One More Time/Right Day Fir A Riot



Finch were an Australian hard and pub rock band, initially forming as Stillwater in 1972. By 1973 they had changed their name with the line-up of Peter McFarlane on drums, Owen Orford on lead vocals, Bob Spencer on lead guitar, and Tony Strain on bass guitar. They won a 2SM/Pepsi Pop Poll, earning a contract with Picture Records to release their debut single, "And She Sings" in January 1974. Their first album, Thunderbird, appeared in May 1976. In March of the following year Spencer left to join Skyhooks and the group went through various line-ups to settle with McFarlane and Orford joined by Mark Evans (ex AC/DC) on bass guitar. Their second album, Nothing to Hide, was issued in March 1978. Upon attempting to enter the international market they changed their name to Contraband by October that year. They issued a self-titled album in May of the next year but disbanded later in 1979. 

 Stillwater formed in 1972 in Sydney as a hard rock band and by the following year had changed their name to Finch. The line-up of Finch was Peter McFarlane on drums, Owen Orford on lead vocals, Bob Spencer on lead guitar, and Tony Strain on bass guitar. They won a 2SM/Pepsi Pop Poll, earning a contract with Picture Records. The group released their first single, "And She Sings", in January 1974 while Spencer was still in high school. Finch contributed to the soundtrack album for the surfing film, Drouyn (August 1974), which featured world champion, Peter Drouyn. Finch's tracks, "Sail Away", "Lady of Truth" and "Roses" were used in contrast to "jazzy incidental material". The Canberra Times' Michael Foster noted the "sound is no less compelling, and perhaps is more evocative because it is less insistent on the one beat and theme".

 The band worked in the pub rock circuit and released a self-financed album, Thunderbird, in May 1976 on Eagle Records. It was produced by John Zulaikha (Buffalo), Brian Todd (their manager) and the band. Tony Catterall of The Canberra Times felt it was "not without its merits" as the group "are always at least exuberant", however "it suffers sadly from a lack of originality (Free, Status Quo and Black Sabbath influences abound), naivety in the lyrics and poor production". Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, noted the group "had a good deal of English-flavoured blues and hard rock buzzing around in their systems". In December they released a single, "Short Changed Again", which peaked at number 29 on the Sydney chart. As the single gained notice their distribution company foundered.

Late in 1976 Finch moved to Melbourne and supported a national tour by Supernaut. In March 1977 Spencer left to replace Red Symons on guitar in Skyhooks. Tony Strain left the band at the same time. From April to July the band went through nine different members (including Sam Mallett, Skeeta Pereira, Gary Quince, and Graham Thompson) before Peter McFarlane and Orford were joined by Mark Evans (ex AC/DC) on bass guitar, Graham Kennedy on guitar and vocals, and Chris Jones on guitars. The band signed to CBS / Epic Records and issued the single, "One More Time" in October. They started recording material for their second album, Nothing to Hide, in the following month. Dave Hinds (ex-Marshall Brothers, Rabbit) replaced Chris Jones (who joined Feather) on guitar and vocals in December.

The band adopted a more hard rock style, and the next single, "Where Were You?" reached number 14 in Melbourne and number 33 in Sydney in February 1978. Nothing to Hide (March) was produced by Peter Dawkins (Dragon) and provided a second single, the title track (May). The Canberra Times' Luis Feliu opined that they continued to provide "punchy rock and roll and a bit of R and B, the British way ... However, Finch's style has now become overworked to the point of being uninteresting". Finch signed with CBS's United States subsidiary label, Portrait Records. Due to a Dutch band also called Finch, the Australian group were renamed as Contraband.

In October 1978 Portrait issued Contraband's debut single, "That's Your Way" and Barry Cram (ex-Pantha, Avalanche, Russell Morris Band) replaced McFarlane on drums, who joined Swanee. In May the following year an album, Contraband was released, which was also produced by Dawkins. Some interest was generated in the US but the album was not successful in Australia. It provided two singles "Rainin' Again" (March 1979) and "Gimme Some Lovin'" (July) – which is a cover of The Spencer Davis Group 1966 single. Earlier Finch material was re-released under the Contraband name. However Portrait dropped them later in the year and they broke up.

The Hawking Brothers - 1973 - Country Gold FLAC

Catfish John/Release Me/Mama Tried/Me And Bobby McGee/Someone Told Me A Story/ Where Has All The Love Gone/I Can't Stop Loving You/Restless Soul/A Good Love Is Like A Good Song/Swinging Doors/Linda Darling/Night Runners/Bringing Mary Home/Working Man Blues/Yakity Axe/Too Many Tears



The Hawking Brothers, were an Australian country music band, formed in 1955 and disbanded in 1985. They comprised brothers Russell (1931–1976) and Alan (1933–1988). After originally recording with Regal Zonophone Records, they went on to record a number of albums with RCA Records. When it comes to winning awards, The Hawking Brothers have been very successful, winning 6 Golden Guitars. They played at the Grand Ole Opry in 1975. In 1989 The Hawking Brothers were inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown.


1931 July 1st Russell Hawking born, Mooroopna Victoria.1933 July 7th Alan Hawking born, Mooroopna Victoria.1935 Mother dies. Alan raised by his grandparents (mother’s parents) in Clifton Hill.Russell raised by grandparents (father’s side) in Mooroopna.Because they were raised separately they spent much of their childhood apart. When older Russell moved to the country inspired by brother Rus and cousin Barry Ling. Russell and Barry both played bass and sang.

1940’s Alan, Russell and Barry went along to the newly formed Hillbilly Club in Brunswick.This is where they got their basic training.Alan worked as a cabinetmaker, so he made his first guitar which led to a guitar making hobby.Later he joined the well known fretted instrument maker in Melbourne, “Maton” he stayed 15 years until he became a professional musician in the 70’s.

1950’s Alan and Russell joined the “Trailblazers” a Melbourne country music concert troupe, working in radio, touring and doing live concerts in and around Victoria where he met his future wife Diane.Alan and Russell started as a duo Alan on lead and Rus on rhythm guitar featuring their two voices Alan is a multi-instrumentalist. They then formed the band which turned professional in 1970.

1955 The Hawking Brothers as a duo record their first 78rpm Regal Zonophone disc. “My Darling Daisy”.Since then almost 30 more recordings in the Hawking Brothers name for W & G, Parlophone”, “Fable”, “Planet”, “Crest”, “Columbia” and “RCA”. 1956 Alan and Diane marry.They later have four children.1960 – Appeared on the television program “New Faces”, winning their heat and the final.Recorded for Ron Tudor on his new label, Fable, with a backing group called The Wildwoods which consisted of George Xanthos on pedal steel, Gary Newton on bass and Joe Attard on drums. They eventually became The Hawking Brothers Band.

1970 The Hawking Brothers (full band) become professional musicians. 1972 Hawking Brothers fan club founded by Dian Johns.First club ever set up in Australiafor a country band.They were support acts for Johnny Cash and Buck Owens and many other artists they toured Australia.Recorded at the famed RCA Studio in Nashville. 1974 Golden Guitars for Instrumental of the Year with “Yakity Axe” and Vocal Group with “Catfish John”. 1975 Golden Guitar for Vocal Group of the Year with “Julianna”. Representing Australia on the International Show in NashvilleUSA. On November 2nd Russell passed away. Peter Hayes was brought into the band and Alan took over as lead vocalist. 1976 Won award for “The Country Band” that has done the most in country music. 1977 Golden Guitar for Best Group” with “This House Runs on Sunshine”. Inducted into the Hands of Fame in Tamworth. 1978 Golden Guitars for Album of the Year with “Country Travellin’” and Vocal Group of the Year with “Silver Wings”. FEIP award (Favourite Entertainment Incentive Performance) for “Best Country Band”1979 Golden Guitar for Top Selling Single and Album of the Year with “One Day at a Time”.Three more FEIP Awards for “Best Country Band”, “Best Country Album – Australasian Radio Recording Award.

1980 Won Best Country Band FEIP. As The Hawking Brothers they toured with Charlie Pride.After numerous changes to the band line-up Alan decides to goes solo. – He performs with the help of his long time friends “Country Ltd.” Records with RCA a single “Just For Today” Releases album of the same name. He received two FEIP Awards for Best Male plus Most Popular.1983 Golden Guitar for “Best Instrumental” – “Back to Those Rolling Plains”. 1985 Golden Guitar for Instrumental of the Year with “Gospel Train” 1988 Alan Hawking passed away on 19th September. 1989 Inducted into the “Roll of Renown” in Tamworth. Thanks to Mustang

Anne & Johnny Hawker - 1968 - The Music Hawkers FLAC

Real True Lovin' (Duet)/Boom Bang-A-Bang (Anne Solo)/Cinderella Rockefella (Duet)/I Got You (Duet)/Sunglasses (Anne Solo)/You're Out Of Your Mind(Duet)/My Papa Has Got One (Johnny Solo)/Dear World (Duet)/Take A Breath (Duet)/ Timothy (Anne Solo)/Lovin' Season (Duet)/Runaround (Johnny Solo)



John Hawker was born in 1931 in Bristol, England. He is known for his work on Romper Stomper (1992), The Heartbreak Kid (1993) and Sounds Like Us (1969). Hawker recorded on the W&G and Astor labels with his own band (Johnny Hawker Band/Johnny Hawker Orchestra) during the sixties. He also worked on many Australian recordings, including Grantley Dee's Wild One. Hawker married Anne Hathaway in 1964 and they formed a duo in 1968 releasing a number of singles on Astor. Anne also recorded some singles on the same label as a solo artist. Johnny died on March 14, 2016 in Woodend, Victoria,

Cinderella Rockefella  charted #7 Sydney, #2 Melbourne, #4 Brisbane and #4 Adelaide Co-charted with the original version by Esther & Abi Ofarim. Thanks to Mustang.

Laughing Clowns - 1983 - Everything That Flies (12'') FLAC

Everything That Flies (Is Not A Bird)/The Year Of The Bloated Goat/Nothing That Harms/Every Dog Has Its Day



Laughing Clowns, sometimes written as The Laughing Clowns, is a post-punk band formed in Sydney in 1979. In five years, the band released three LPs, three EPs, and various singles and compilations. Laughing Clowns' sound is free jazz, bluegrass and krautrock influenced. The band formed to accommodate Ed Kuepper's growing interest in expanding brass-driven elements he had brought to The Saints' third album, Prehistoric Sounds, and by adopting flattened fifth notes in a rock and roll setting while using a modern jazz styled band line-up.

Along with The Birthday Party, The Go-Betweens, The Moodists and The Triffids, the Laughing Clowns also spent extended periods in Europe during the early 1980s, and gained an international cult status. All four aforementioned groups have cited Laughing Clowns as an influence at some point in their respective careers.  This rare 1982 12" single release is ripped from vinyl and the cover
art scanned from from the copy and a brilliant bit of Judi Kuepper artwork it is. This is brilliant  Clowns in all their glory, including the song "Every dog has its day" with the wildest bass intro
ever.

Hunters & Collectors - 1988 - Raw Material (12'') FLAC

Faraway Man [Live]/Say Goodbye [Live]/Back On The Breadline [Live]/Parting Glass [Live] [with Paul Kelly]



Hunters & Collectors are an Australian rock band formed in 1981. Fronted by founding mainstay, singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Seymour, they developed a blend of pub rock and art-funk. Other mainstays are John Archer on bass guitar, Doug Falconer on drums and percussion. Soon after forming they were joined by Jack Howard on trumpet and keyboards, Jeremy Smith on French horn, guitars and keyboards, and Michael Waters on trombone and keyboards. Also acknowledged as a founder was engineer and art designer Robert Miles. Joining in 1988, Barry Palmer, on lead guitar, remained until they disbanded in 1998. The group reformed in 2013 with the 1998 line-up.

Originally Hunters & Collectors were influenced by Krautrock and productions of Conny Plank, featuring strong percussive influences, noisy guitar, and driving bass lines. Their sound was in the vein of the Talking Heads album, Remain in Light (1980). Hunters & Collectors utilised Plank to produce two of their early albums, The Fireman's Curse (1983) and The Jaws of Life (1984), but neither charted into the Top 50 of the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. Their first Top 10 album, Human Frailty (1986), also featured their logo, a H & C symbol, where the "&" consists of twin snakes entwined around a hunting knife, a variation of a caduceus.

Later Top 10 studio albums were Ghost Nation (1989), Cut (1992), and Demon Flower (1994). Their hit singles were "Talking to a Stranger" (1982), "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (1984), "Say Goodbye" (1986), "When the River Runs Dry" (1989), "True Tears of Joy" (1992), and "Holy Grail" (1993). They became one of the best live acts in Australia and according to musicologist, Ian McFarlane, their "great achievement was to lay bare human emotions in the intensely ritualistic milieu of the pub-rock gig".

"Raw Material" was recorded Live in Australia July 1988. It is a 12″ only promotional live EP that was put out in America.Parting Glass does not exist in studio form in the Hunters and Collectors back catalog. Thanks to Sunny

The Lipstick Killers - 1984 - Mesmerizer FLAC

 Hindu Gods Of Love/Driving The Special Dead/Bongo Flip/Strange Flash/Let's Talk About Girls/Sock It To Me Baby/Dying Boy's Crawl/Twilight Of The Idols/I've Got Levitation/Pharmaceutical Au Go-Go/Out Of Our Tree/Liquor Fit



One of the best bands of the late 1970s and early '80s Sydney "Detroit" scene, the Lipstick Killers were a seminal punk group from Sydney. At the end of 1978, their mentors, Radio Birdman, flew overseas where they imploded, but the Lipstick Killers lived on, quickly becoming one of THE bands to catch in a city where live music venues were opening by the day. They released their debut album, 'Mesmerizer' in 1984.
 After the Psychosurgeons' breakup the band morphed almost immediately into Lipstick Killers, final singer Stan Armstrong being replaced by Filth's Peter Tillman, and Kim Giddy coming in on bass. David and Mark Taylor on drums and guitar made up the rest of the band;
in 1979 the original rowdy, high-energy line-up recorded their debut single, Hindu Gods (Of Love) with Steve Harris of the Visitors on piano and Deniz Tek behind the desk,
a year of growing popularity in Sydney based on legendary live performances followed encouraged by Greg Shaw's enthusiasm the band moved to L.A. in late 1980 for a year and, while they played several shows, nought was coming of it so they broke up, eventually returning home

Members

David Taylor (drums), Kim Giddy (bass), Mark Taylor (guitar), Peter Tillman (vocals),
Michael Charles (drums), Stephen Mather (bass)

Lime Spiders - 1988 - Headcleaner FLAC

25th Hour/Can't Wait Long/ Slave Girl/Out Of Control/That's How It Will Be/1-2-5/Beyond The Fringe/Save My Soul/Weirdo Libido/Here With My Love/Heard Her Call My Name/ Drip Out/ I Was Alone/Mr. Soul/ Time Of Day/My Flash On You



Headcleaner is a sixteen track compilation album from Australian alternative rockers, the Lime Spiders, issued in 1988 through Virgin Records. It was initially released on music cassette before being appearing on vinyl LP (1989) and CD formats.


Lime Spiders are an Australian punk rock band which formed in 1979 with founding mainstay Mick Blood on lead vocals. He was later joined by Tony Bambach on bass guitar, Gerard Corben on guitar, his son Tom Corben on drums, and David Sparks on guitar. Their debut studio album, The Cave Comes Alive! appeared in June 1987 and reached the top 60 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. 

Their most successful single, "Weirdo Libido", was released in January that year and reached the top 50 on the related Kent Music Report Singles Chart. In April its music video was the first ever shown on Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV music series rage. The track was used on the 1988 feature film Young Einstein's soundtrack. The group disbanded in 1990 and in 1999 Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, noted they had provided "raucous sound mixed screaming vocals and wild, fuzz-tone guitar riffs to arrive at a mutant strain of acid punk that bordered on heavy metal". The band have reformed for reunion shows and tours. In May 2016 the Lime Spiders catalogue was re-released for the first time ever digitally on platforms around the world.

Julie Anthony - 1977 - A Part Of Me FLAC

You're Part Of Me/Bye Bye Now/A Fool Like You/Winter In America/Another Suitcase/Sparrow/Playing Second Fiddle On The Way Down (Is Worse Than Playing Third On The Way Up)/Last Night I Didn't Get To Sleep At All/You're The Only Man/The Nearness Of You/Sunday Afternoon Boatride In The Park On The Lake/The Need To Be




b. Julie Moncrieff Anthony, 23 August 1951, Galga, South Australia. Anthony was born in Galga (population 15) and raised on the family farm. In her teens she began singing with a local band and in 1970 won an amateur television talent quest. Her victory and the first prize ($600 and a trip to Tasmania) led to regular appearances on the Adelaide Tonight Show. She moved to Sydney, making television appearances and performing on the club and cabaret circuit, and eventually embarking on international tours. An engagement at the Hong Kong Hilton in 1973 was followed by the lead role in the Australian production of Irene.

                                                                                                                 Julie in Irene.

Three years later she starred in the UK version at the Adelphi Theatre. The Play and Players of London honoured her with the Best Newcomer (Actress) award for 1976. She returned to Australian television and appeared in three national specials, and in the same year she married her manager Eddie Natt. In 1977 she won the Sammy and Penquin awards for Best Television Variety Performer. Tours of America followed and Anthony worked with Bill Cosby, Roy Clarke and Merv Griffin. In 1980 she was awarded an OBE for services to the entertainment industry. Three years later she accepted the role of Maria in The Sound Of Music; following a season in Sydney, the show successfully toured major and regional centres.

For the 1988 World Expo held in Brisbane, Anthony was invited to sing with the re-formed Seekers, joining the group as lead singer from 1988-89. In 1988 she sang the national anthem at the official opening of Australia’s new Parliament House. The same year she returned to the stage in I Do!, I Do! In 1990, she was awarded AM in the Order of Australia for services to the entertainment industry. In 1994, Anthony further demonstrated her versatility by teaming with jazz musician Don Burrows (reeds/flute) for tours, including a successful appearance at the Jazz and Blues Festival at the Gold Coast International Hotel in 1995. A year later she returned to cabaret with a season at the Tilbury Hotel in Sydney. In her extensive repertoire she demonstrated great conviction, whether singing ‘Amazing Grace’ or material ranging from Stephen Sondheim to the Beatles. In June 1996 she accepted a cameo role as a band singer in the Bruce Beresford film Paradise Road, starring Glenn Close and Jean Simmons. Julie Anthony is one of the best and most durable theatre and variety performers in the post-war Australian entertainment industry. She has won the prestigious Mo Award for Entertainer Of The Year three times, and Best Female Variety Performer nine times. An admirable singer and engaging personality, she has successfully blended her career and family duties. Thanks to Mustang.

New link Added 17.10.2020

Non Stop Dancers - 1984 - Surprise Surprise FLAC UPGRADE

 Surprise Surprise/Spider And The Fly/Shake This City/Armadillo Rhumba/Dancing/What A Way To Go/Midnight Matinee/House Across The Street/Too Young To Die/Mobbing Me/Spellbound

I won this back in 1984 when 2SM was king of the airwaves if you were the right number caller you would win 10 albums that were on 2SM's rotation at the time must have won a couple of hundred. Another album that I have never heard until now so that means I've owned it for all those years without a listen and I must admit I didn't mind it.
Formed in Newcastle then relocated to Sydney They trans-versed a wide range of styles from Ska, pop, reggae and swing. The single Shake this City was released October 1984 and reached No. 44 on the Australian charts and got to No. 22 in Sydney.

As a bonus I've included 3 live tracks the only info I have is 1986 Revesby, Sydney so maybe the Worker's Club.Formed in 1983 Style  

Pop, funk Original line-up: Larry Van Kriedt (sax, guitar, vocals; ex-AC/DC, Eighty Eights), Kevin Jones (guitar, vocals), Jane Stewart (keyboards), Karen Steains (bass), Brett Van Kriedt (drums)
 
Sydney dance outfit Non Stop Dancers played an energetic blend of pop, funk and soul. Larry Van Kriedt had a background of some note: born in San Francisco, his father was a renowned jazz sax player; he was also the original bass player for the nascent AC/DC. He formed Non Stop Dancers with his brother Brett following the break-up of his previous band, The Eighty Eights.

Non Stop Dancers issued The Independent Single (`Only One'/`Blow by Blow') in May 1984 before signing to EMI. The album Surprise Surprise (December 1984) produced three energetic singles, `Shake this City'/`Spellbound' (October), `Mobbing Me'/`Too Young to Die' (March 1985) and `Dancing'/`Armadillo Rumba' (June). `Shake this City' peaked at #22 in hometown Sydney during November. The band issued one more single, `Lost and Found'/`Strive' (August 1986), before breaking up. Larry Van Kriedt concentrated on session work, and then in the early 1990s teamed up with Def FX as a hidden fifth member. He co-wrote much of the band's early material.

Johnny Farnham - 1970 - Looking Through A Tear FLAC

One/ I've Been Rained On/Mirror Of My Mind/The World Goes Round And Round/All Night Girl/You're Breaking Me Up/Two/Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head/Looking Through A Tear/Visions Of Sugarplums/What Can I Do/In A Moment Of Madness/Ain't Society Great/1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero


Looking Through A Tear is the third studio album by Australian pop singer Johnny Farnham, the title of which relates to a song on the album, which is a cover of an Aretha Franklin number. it was released in Australia by EMI Records in July 1970. Farnham's covers of Harry Nilsson's penned "One" which became a hit for Three Dog Night and a cover B. J. Thomas' single "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" were released as singles, and helped to propel the album to #11 on the Australian Kent Music Report Album Charts. "One"/"Mr. Whippy" (non-album track) was released as a double A-side in July 1969 and peaked at #4 on the Go-Set National Singles Charts. "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" was released in November and peaked at #1 for seven weeks in January–March 1970. Farnham wrote two songs for the album.

Farnham's first solo single was the novelty song entitled "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)", which was released in November 1967, it made #1 on the Go-Set National Singles Charts in January 1968 and remained there for five weeks. Selling 180 000 copies in Australia, "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)" was the highest selling single by an Australian artist of the decade. Farnham's first album, Sadie, produced by David Mackay was released in April. Almost immediately, Farnham was recording his second album, Everybody Oughta Sing A Song released in November. This was followed by a non-album single, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", in November 1968. In July 1969, Farnham released a cover of Harry Nilsson's "One" with another novelty song, "Mr. Whippy", as a double A-side single, Produced by Howard Gable which peaked at #4 on the Go-Set National Singles Charts. Farnham then released a cover of B. J. Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" also produced by Howard Gable, in November, which peaked at #1 for seven weeks in January–March 1970. Both of these singles were contained on his third album, Looking Through A Tear released in July 1970, which peaked at #11 on the Kent Music Report Albums Charts.

Jimmy Hannan - 1964 - Jimmy Hannan's Beach Party FLAC

At the Shore/Dance the Froog/Hokey Pokey Stomp/Beach Ball/Another You/Upside Down/Little Latin Lupe Lu/Everybody/You Make Me Happy/You Gotta Have Love/You Guessed It/Highway of Love



Jimmy Hannan (25 August 1934 – 7 January 2019) was an Australian radio and television personality, variety show host, singer, entertainer and game show host of the 1960s and 1970s. One of the pioneers of television, he appeared regularly on Graham Kennedy's variety show In Melbourne Tonight, and later hosted his own musical variety show Jimmy, later called Tonight with Jimmy Hannan. Hannan hosted music show Saturday Date from 1963 until 1967, which featured such performers as Billy Thorpe and Olivia Newton-John. He won the 1965 Gold Logie award for most popular personality on Australian television.
Hannan had his start musically performing in a big-band. As a teen idol, he often performed with people such as Johnny Devlin and Little Pattie. He released the single "Beach Ball", originally recorded by the City Surfers, in 1963. The song was written by Roger McGuinn who went on to become a member of the Byrds. The single reached number No. 2 on the local charts and featured the Bee Gees as backing vocalists. He worked on radio in Melbourne at 3UZ. He hosted game shows including Name That Tune and Celebrity Squares.Hannan was married to Joanne and had four children, including Melissa Hannan who won the Miss Australia title in 1981 and was also in the Miss World competition held in London. He retired from show business at 50 and died on 7 January 2019, aged 84, from cancer in Bellingen, New South Wales.

Jay Justin - Timeless Hits FLAC

Ramblin' Rose/Puppet On A String/Pretend/South Of The Border/You Don't Have To Say You Love Me/You Don't Know Me/Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On/Story Of My Life/100 Pounds Of Clay/I Only Want To Be With You/Why Do You Wanna Make Those Eyes At Me/King Of The Road/Just Married/Things/Green Grass Of Home


In 1960 Jay Justin signed a recording contract with EMI's subsidiary label HMV Records. His debut single was released in August but it failed to make the charts. His second single ''Why Don't You Try'' became his breakthrough record in July 1961, spending eight weeks in the charts and reaching the Sydney Top 40. By this stage he was appearing regularly on both Bandstand and The Johnny O'Keefe Show.

He released two relatively unsuccessful singles before he hit it big with ''Proud of You'' in April 1963. It made the number one spot right around the country and spent a total of seventeen weeks in the charts. It was also released in the US on the Veejay Records label. Two more singles were released that year but neither emulated his previous success. Jay was also a talented songwriter and in collaboration with Joe Halford, the Artist and Repertoire man for EMI Records, wrote a number of songs for other local artists like Bryan Davies and Patsy Ann Noble.

Jay was also responsible for discovering young singing sensation Little Pattie. He spotted her performing at a dance at the Bronte Surf Club and arranged an audition for her with HMV Records. Jay and Joe also co-wrote her debut double-hit single called 'He's My Blonde Headed Stompie Wompie Real Gone Surfer Boy' and 'Stompin At Maroubra'. Jay continued recording and issuing singles on a number of labels until the mid-Eighties. During this period he spent some time in the UK where he recorded one single with top British composer, producer and conductor Norrie Paramour. He also represented Australia at the World Songwriting Festival in Rio de Janeiro and even started his own record label called Jamboree Records.

(HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FROM 1960 UNTIL 2010)

M0nd0 R0ck - 1984 - The M0dern B0p WAVE RE-POST

Lovers Of The World/Come Said The Boy/Happy Families/The Modern Bop/Take Me Away/Baby Wants To Rock/Flight 28/Marina/Cost Of Living/In My House


The Modern Bop is the fourth studio album by Australian rock band Mondo Rock, released in March 1984 and peaked at number 5 on the Kent Music Report.



 Mondo Rock was an Australian rock band formed in November 1976 by mainstay singer-songwriter, Ross Wilson (ex-Daddy Cool). They're best known for their second album, Chemistry which was released in July 1981 and peaked at number 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report. Their song "Come Said the Boy" peaked at number 2 in Australia in 1984. The group disbanded in 1991, although they have periodically undertaken reunion concerts. According to Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, "by way of ceaseless touring and the release of a series of sophisticated pop rock albums, the band was one of the most popular acts in Australia during the early 1980s".

Mondo Rock were formed in November 1976 in Melbourne by Bob Bickerton on drums (ex-Rock Granite and the Profiles); Mike Clarke on bass guitar (ex-Mick Rogers and Eclipse); Greg Cook on keyboards and guitar (ex-Cam-Pact, Skylight, Phil Manning Band); Peter Laffy on guitar (ex-Fox, Freeway); and Ross Wilson (ex-Daddy Cool) on lead vocals and harmonica.

In September 1978, Mondo Rock released their debut single, "The Fugitive Kind", on Oz Records which peaked at number 49 on the Australian Kent Music Report. In October 1979 the line-up of Wilson, Gyllies, Bulpin, Laffy and McLennan recorded their debut album, Primal Park, which was issued on the Avenue label via EMI Records and peaked at number 40 in Australia. The album yielded two singles, "Searching for My Baby" (September) and "Primal Park" (November). McLennan contracted hepatitis as the band was due to tour to promote the album, so he was replaced, first by Eddie Van Roosendael (ex-Stiletto), and then by Gil Matthews (ex-Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs) on drums, for the tour.

 In February 1980, a new version of Mondo Rock of Wilson, Matthews and James Black (ex-Rum Jungle, Russell Morris Band) on keyboards and guitar; Paul Christie (ex-Kevin Borich Express) on bass guitar; and Eric McCusker (ex-The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band) on guitar was established.

This line-up released their first major hit single, "State of the Heart" in October 1980, which peaked at number 6 on the Kent Music Report. The track was written by McCusker, who contributed many songs to the band's repertoire, taking some of the pressure off Wilson, who was experiencing temporary writer's block. Matthews left after the single appeared and was replaced by Andy Buchanan (ex-Darryl Cotton Band) and then by John James "J. J." Hackett (ex-Stars, the Fabulaires) in March 1981. Their next single, "Cool World", appeared in April 1981 and was also successful on the chart, reaching No. 8.

The band's second album, Chemistry was released in July 1981 and peaked at number 2 on the Kent Music Report. Two more singles were released from the album with "Chemistry" peaking at number 20 and "Summer of '81" at 31. The royalties from "Summer of '81" single were donated to Amnesty International.

In June 1982, Mondo Rock released "No Time", the lead single from the bands third studio album. According to Mccosker, "No Time" was inspired by The Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down", as a tribute to John Lennon. The song peaked at number 11 in Australia. In July 1982 the band released its third studio album Nuovo Mondo, on RCA / WEA, which peaked at number 7 in Australia. Christie left the group in September and subsequently formed an all-star band, The Party Boys; he was replaced on bass guitar by James Gillard. Two additional singled were released, The Queen and Me" and "In Another Love". The album also includes "A Touch of Paradise" which was released in February 1987 by Australian pop singer John Farnham, as his third single from his album, Whispering Jack and reached the Australian top 30.

By 1983, the Mondo Rock line-up of Wilson, Black, Gillard, Hackett, and McCusker started recording their fourth studio album. In December, the album's lead single "Come Said the Boy" was released, which peaked at number 2 in Australia. The song is a provocative tale about the loss of virginity and was banned by many radio stations including Sydney's then top-rated 2SM – which was affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The Modern Bop was released in March 1984 and peaked number 5 in Australia. The album yielded two more singles, "Baby Wants to Rock" and "The Modern Bop".
 

 In June 1985 Polydor Records released the band's first compilation album Up to the Moment, which peaked at number 5.  The album produced two singles, "Good Advice" and "The Moment". On 13 July 1985 Mondo Rock performed four tracks for the Oz for Africa concert (part of the global Live Aid program). The concert was broadcast in Australia (on both Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US.

Mondo Rock: (l-r) James Black, Ross Wilson, Gil Matthews, Eric McCusker, Paul Christie 2015

The group's sixth studio album, Boom Baby Boom was released in September 1986 with the line-up of Wilson, Gillard, Hackett, and McCusker, joined by Andrew Ross on saxophone and Duncan Veall on keyboards. The album peaked at number 27 in Australia. The album's second single "Primitive Love Rites" was released in October 1986 and peaked in the top 40 in Australia and in 1987, became a minor hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 40 on its Mainstream Rock chart. In November 1987, the band released an extended play titled, Aliens. Wilson disbanded the group early the following year and recorded a solo album, The Dark Side of the Man, which included a top 40 single, "Bed of Nails", in June 1989.

In 1990 Mondo Rock reconvened and recorded the group's sixth studio album, Why Fight It?, which was issued in November 1990. Three singles were released from the album, "Why Fight It?", "I Had You in Mind" and "Soul Reason". In 1991 Wilson dissolved the group again.