Monday Nov 13, 2023
Singers-EP.11-Cheryl Gray Part 1
Australian Music Archives
Building on the work of many others, this series of podcasts charts the development of Australian Music. The Chart series commences at 1957 with the introduction of Top 40 charts. Other series will focus on Singers and Groups. Whilst 1957 is the starting-point, we will also be moving back in time to chart the rich history of Australian Music in many forms, before the beginning of the Top 40 era. The general principle in the development of these podcasts is 'let the music do the talking'. Thus, there will be a premium on musical content, with less emphasis on the narrative. Occasionally, when there is a good story to be told (and there are many!), I may wax a touch lyrical, more so in the Singers and Groups series. The key reference work is David Kent's "Australian Chart Chronicles 1940-2008", a truly monumental work in its breadth of detail. Many people/sites have contributed to the research for the podcasts; too many to name them all but special thanks to the History of Aussie Music Blogspot, the Milesago Facebook page, the Best of Bandstand Facebook page and the Pop Archives site, where you can answer the question, "Where did they get that song from?". Many video contributors on You Tube have been a great resource in finding obscure songs including Folk Rock Australian Rock More! sallie6 and Clem Viney and there are many others! The podcasts are designed to be a permanent record and as such this is a 'labour of love' and strictly not-for-profit. I have attempted to partner with a major Australian organisation but, alas, no interest! Thus, as my late Father would have said, I am the "chief cook and bottle-washer" which means that I'm researcher, scriptwriter, digitiser, narrator and producer. As such, especially in terms of digitising vinyl records, there may appear to the ear of the listener, to be less-than-optimal sound. I work all music through Audacity, vinyl or otherwise, but, at times with old vinyl, "you can only do so much"! So, please enjoy the podcasts and let me know what you think.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
After a few months off the scene, I'm back with an opening episode featuring the music of The Atlantics. This episode focusses on 1963 and The Atlantics rapid rise in the space of a few months. As well as the classics; Bombora and The Crusher, we'll hear The Atlantics as backing band for Kelly Green, Kenny Shane and Johnny Rebb. There's a lot of great music in this episode and much more to come!
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Made it again after more medical misadventures; Covid this time, with various implications for the voice! I am going to take a three-month break with the publication of this one; recharge the batteries! Episode 3 of the TV Series is taken from an LP, The Johnny O’Keefe Show (a 1962 episode). The LP was reissued on CD. However, no attempt was made to fix the pitch of Johnny’s various introductions; he sounded like he had a peg on his nose! To the best of my limited skill, I have recalibrated the pitch with, hopefully a better sound (no pegged noses!).
The episode itself presents a bevy of Australian Rock & Pop stars including; Warren Williams, The Crescents, The Fauns, Ian Crawford, Lonnie Lee, Paul Wayne, Barry Stanton, Warren Carr and, JO’K himself. Enjoy The Johnny O’Keefe Show!
Friday May 12, 2023
Friday May 12, 2023
Apologies for the delay in publishing the next episode but I’ve been making a one-person assault on Medicare; many tests but not much to see!
This episode is another where we play and comment on a whole LP; in this instance, “My Favourite Kinda’ People”, W&G 1965. The “My” in the title refers to Brian De Courcy who managed four of the seven artists who appear on the LP. It’s a snapshot of W&G, arguably at the height of its power, in 1965. When you sit back and listen to the 14 tracks (2 per artist), you’ll discern many quality productions (one exception that is easily recognised). The seven featured artists are; The Strangers, Pat Carroll, The Pink Finks, Merv Benton, Johnny Cooper, Colin Cook & Little Gulliver.
Enjoy the music!
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Episode 2 of the Johnny O’Keefe story covers the period from July ‘58 to August ‘59. This was a period of significant advancement for Johnny O’Keefe & The Dee Jays.; several hit records and the release of the first LP; the seminal TV show, Six O’Clock Rock began; several appearances on Lee Gordon Big Shows and an appearance on promoter Bill Watson’s “Shower of Stars” tour - a rival to Lee Gordon. The highest charting hit nationally was Why Do They Doubt Our Love which reached 8. Plenty more of course, including a songwriting credit to JO’K for the Swan-ee River hit; it’s all about the hyphen! Enjoy the music!
Monday Feb 06, 2023
Monday Feb 06, 2023
A belated return to the Television Series with Brian Henderson’s Bandstand ‘63. This episode was released as an LP, from which the songs used in this podcast have been digitised. The songs also appeared on the Brian Henderson’s Bandstand CD, issued in the “SPIN” series around the turn of the century. The LP is a part-snapshot of the Australian Music Industry in ‘63, albeit a powerful one with the combination of Bandstand and Festival Records. However, The Beatles were hitting the charts and the full impact of the British Beat Boom would hit in 1964. As the ‘era of the instrumental’ was ending, this LP features five instrumentals. Sadly, only one female is featured; the wonderful Judy Stone. There’s a couple of oddities on the LP, including a rendition of a little ditty called “Persian Kitty”! Enjoy Brian Henderson’s Bandstand ‘63!
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Monday Jan 23, 2023
This weeks episode takes us back to the Singers series, with Part One of the Johnny O’Keefe story. The first episode takes us from July ‘57 to May ‘58. So there’s a lot to go and a lot more research to do! Particular thanks to Bob Hayden and Don Hudson for their definitive work, “Johnny O’Keefe Discography”(2020) which lays out a complete and accurate music chronology.
Highlights of Episode 1: Johnny O’Keefe & The Dee Jays’ first record release was on 78 only. We’ll hear Eddie Cochran’s version of Am I Blue, the first 45; you will notice a difference to Johnny’s version! We talk about the first Lee Gordon Big Show and how Johnny & The Dee Jays were signed-up after Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps were stranded in Hawaii. And we’ll attempt to unravel The Wild One/Real Wild Child confusion. Plus, the Festival applause over-dubbing on the 2nd EP, Shakin’ at The Stadium Vol.1. which wasn’t ‘live’ at all but which did give the world the career-defining Wild One. Enjoy the Music!
Saturday Jan 14, 2023
Saturday Jan 14, 2023
After the Christmas/New Year break, we return and head into the Australian Music hitting the charts in June 1966. The highest charting 45 was a double-sider for Johnny Young & Kompany on the Clarion label out of Perth. In fact, three Perth groups hit the charts this month, along with a group out of Hobart and another out of Adelaide; certainly reflecting a more national chart. Sydney and Melbourne artists are also represented with the likes of The Vince Melouney Sect, The Groop and Ronnie Burns. On an international level, four future Number Ones hit the chart. Which one lasted the longest? And which Australian artist, outlasted them all at 37 weeks? Enjoy the music!
Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
May 1966, the last month of Autumn, brings a load of 60s classics entering the charts, including Frank Sinatra’s return to the top of the charts with Strangers in the Night. On the Australian artist side, Normie Rowe reaches the highest position with Pride & Joy/The Stones That I Throw (and who wrote that one?). We’ll also hear debut chart success for Grantley Dee, Ray Hoff & The Offbeats (on Clarion) and The Loved Ones. Tony Barber rounds out the month with Wait By The Water (and who wrote that one?). Enjoy the music of May 1966!
Welcome
Building on the work of many others, this series of podcasts charts the development of Australian Music. The Chart series commences at 1957 with the introduction of Top 40 charts. Other series will focus on Singers and Groups. Whilst 1957 is the starting-point, we will also be moving back in time to chart the rich history of Australian Music in many forms, before the beginning of the Top 40 era. The general principle in the development of these podcasts is 'let the music do the talking'. Thus, there will be a premium on musical content, with less emphasis on the narrative. Occasionally, when there is a good story to be told (and there are many!), I may wax a touch lyrical, more so in the Singers and Groups series. The key reference work is David Kent's "Australian Chart Chronicles 1940-2008", a truly monumental work in its breadth of detail. Many people/sites have contributed to the research for the podcasts; too many to name them all but special thanks to the History of Aussie Music Blogspot, the Milesago Facebook page, the Best of Bandstand Facebook page and the Pop Archives site, where you can answer the question, "Where did they get that song from?". Many video contributors on You Tube have been a great resource in finding obscure songs including Folk Rock Australian Rock More! sallie6 and Clem Viney and there are many others! The podcasts are designed to be a permanent record and as such this is a 'labour of love' and strictly not-for-profit. I have attempted to partner with a major Australian organisation but, alas, no interest! Thus, as my late Father would have said, I am the "chief cook and bottle-washer" which means that I'm researcher, scriptwriter, digitiser, narrator and producer. As such, especially in terms of digitising vinyl records, there may appear to the ear of the listener, to be less-than-optimal sound. I work all music through Audacity, vinyl or otherwise, but, at times with old vinyl, "you can only do so much"! So, please enjoy the podcasts and let me know what you think.