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