classic and rare Australian popular music from the 1950's, 1960's. 1970's and beyond..including rock and roll, pop, beat, rock, surf and progressive, plus contemporary artists, new releases, reviews and other fun stuff

.

.
Showing posts with label Pop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pop. Show all posts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

The Clarion Set (The Story Of Australian Independent Label Clarion 1965-1974)

 


Compilation of the pioneering 60s/early 70s Australian independent Clarion label. A smorgasbord of driving R&B, sunshine pop, studio psychedelia and progressive rock recorded in Perth, Western Australia. Based in Perth, teenager Martin Clarke was working at a local radio station when he converted a spare bedroom into a makeshift recording studio. That modest early venture evolved into Martin Clarke Recording Studios, which opened in 1962 to become Perth's first professional recording facility. By the time the studio purchased a four-track in 1966, Clarke had launched the Clarion label, working with a constant stream of solo singers and beat/R&B groups. With a raised profile after Perth TV personality Johnny Young had a national hit with the Easybeats-penned 'Step Back', Clarion signed a number of promising new acts that included The Valentines (featuring a pre-AC/DC Bon Scott) and Young's TV colleague Robbie Snowden. Clarion went on to have a number of regional and national successes, releasing interesting music into the 70s (British expatriates The Birds and Chalice, plus local progressive rockers Fatty Lumpkin) before Clarke wound down the label and relocated to England. 

'The Clarion Set' assembles the pick of the label's roster, with choice selections from the aforementioned acts as well as female-fronted folk rockers Gemini, powerhouse R&B/soul vocalist Ray Hoff, pre-Valentines garage band The Spektors and in-house psychedelic experiment The Vegetable Garden. (Amazon review)

1965-1967

1-1 Russ Kennedy And The Little Wheels– I've Got My Eyes On You (And I Like What I See)

1-2 The Times – Glad, Not Sad

1-3 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Bama Lama, Bama Loo

1-4 The Spektors– Gloria

1-5 Johnny Young– Cara-lin

1-6 Mort And The Mobees– Choose Who I Like

1-7 Terry Walker With The The Hi Five– Long Time Gone

1-8 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– The Uncle Willie

1-9 Glen Ingram With The Hi-Five– Skye Boat Song

1-10 The Kompany– Tell Her No

1-11 Russ Kennedy And The Little Wheels– I've Been Watching You

1-12 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– My Good Friend Mary Jane

1-13 The Spektors– On My Mind

1-14 Johnny Young– Step Back (demo)

1-15 Russ Kennedy And The Little Wheels– Little Wheel

1-16 Maggie Hammond– Go Laddie

1-17 Glen Ingram With The The Clan – Take This Hammer

1-18 Colin Cook– Cry I Do

1-19 The Valentines – Every Day I Have To Cry

1-20 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Looking For My Pig

1-21 Mort And The Mobees– Can't You See

1-22 Maggie Hammond– High Flying Bird

1-23 The Valentines – I Can't Dance With You

1-24 Johnny Young– Good Evening Girl

1-25 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Tossin' And Turnin'

1-26 Russ Kennedy And The Little Wheels– Too Much Monkey Business

1-27 Glen Ingram With The The Clan (8)– That It's Me

1-28 Robby Snowden– No One Really Loves A Clown

1-29 Maggie Hammond– You Won't Be Leaving

1-30 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Ain't Doin' Too Bad Pts. 1 And 2

1967-1969

2-1 Johnny Young– Hold On

2-2 The Proclamation– King Of The Mountain

2-3 The Valentines – Love Makes Sweet Music

2-4 The Kompany– The Family Way

2-5 The Clan – Peeping Tom

2-6 Chris James – Da Doo Ron Ron

2-7 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– Love, Love, Love

2-8 Johnny Young– Come On Up

2-9 Robby Snowden– Talkin'

2-10 Glen Ingram– I'll Be Doggone

2-11 The Birds– No Good Without You

2-12 The Valentines – Sookie Sookie

2-13 Johnny Young– Craise Finton Kirk (Royal Academy Of Arts)

2-14 Robby Snowden– Sunshine Rides On A Trolley

2-15 The Troupadours– Come Home Baby

2-16 Colin Cook– You Baby

2-17 Ray Hoff & The Off Beats– I've Got To Get You

2-18 The Soul Purpose – Hip Huggin' Mini

2-19 Robby Snowden– Do You Want To Dance

2-20 The Troupadours– Near To Me

2-21 The Valentines – Peculiar Hole In The Sky

2-22 Johnny Young– Geno Pts 1 And 2

2-23 The Clan – Sunday Afternoon

2-24 Robby Snowden– Just A Little

2-25 The Troupadours– Little Boat

2-26 The Kompany– Little Joe The Boxer

2-27 Strawberry Fair– Come Back And Shake Me

2-28 The Proclamation– Tea And Sympathy (Don't You Worry)

2-29 Johnny Young– Every Christian Lionhearted Man Will Show You

2-30 The Valentines – She Said

2-31 Colin Cook– Riot In Cell Block Number 9

1969-1974

3-1 The Birds– Magic Words

3-2 Chalice – In My World

3-3 Swingshift – Somebody To Love

3-4 The Vegetable Garden– Hypnotic Suggestion

3-5 Gemini – Sunshine River

3-6 Willpower – Soul Finger

3-7 The Soul Purpose – Boogaloo Down Broadway

3-8 Strawberry Fair – Things We Said Today

3-9 The Vegetable Garden– Even Stevens

3-10 Fatty Lumpkin– Got To Get Back T' Nellie

3-11 Chalice – Ebenezer

3-12 The Birds– Dust In My Pants

3-13 Gemini – Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)

3-14 Chalice – Mr. Won't You Help Me

3-15 The Soul Purpose – Share

3-16 Willpower – Spinning Wheel

3-17 Swingshift – We Can Work It Out

3-18 The Birds– Rene

3-19 Fatty Lumpkin– Don't Knock My Boogie

3-20 Chalice – Nearly Gone

3-21 Gemini– Butterfly Wings

3-22 Swingshift – Here, There & Everywhere

3-23 The Birds– I See The Rain

3-24 Chalice – Nine To Five Girl

3-25 Fatty Lumpkin – Millionaire




Saturday, November 17, 2018

Normie Rowe....Frenzy! The 50th Anniversary Collection...30 track compilation


Norman John Rowe AM (born 1 February 1947) is an Australian singer and songwriter of pop music and an actor of theatre and soap opera for which he remains best known as Douglas Fletcher in 1980s serial Sons and Daughters. As a singer he was credited for his bright and edgy tenor voice and dynamic stage presence. Many of Rowe's most successful recordings were produced by Nat Kipner and later by Pat Aulton, house producers for the Sunshine Records label. Backed by his band, The Playboys, Rowe released a string of Australian pop hits on the label that kept him at the top of the Australian charts and made him the most popular solo performer of the mid-1960s. Rowe's double-sided hit the A-side, a reworking of the Doris Day hit "Que Sera Sera" /with b-side "Shakin' All Over" was one of the most successful Australian singles of the 1960s.

Between 1965 and 1967 Rowe was Australia's most popular male star but his career was cut short when he was drafted for compulsory military service (called National Service in Australia) in late 1967. His subsequent tour of duty in Vietnam effectively ended his pop career and having never been able to recapture the success in music he enjoyed at his peak in the 1960s, instead carving out a career in theatre and television.




more on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normie_Rowe



Friday, February 19, 2016

Sydney born, unsigned R'n'B Singer/Songwriter DANAH releases her debut single 'SIDE EFFECTS'



From Sydney's Bondi Beach, Singer/Songwriter, DANAH, has released her first single ‘Side Effects’.

"I am nervous, yet excited to be releasing my words and voice into the world! I'm so proud of the work I've put in for this release and I can't wait for everyone to hear it" - Danah 

DANAH is an emerging R'n'B singer and songwriter. Based in Sydney, where she was born and raised, Danah (Dana Gilden) found love for R'n'B music at an early age “I just connected to the soul in the voices and fell in love with all that R'n'B is”. There isn’t the biggest R'n'B scene in Australia, however Danah is hoping that can change with the release of her debut single ‘Side Effects’.

Danah, who holds a Bachelors degree in Music Performance has spent the last few years fine tuning her writing skills and takes inspiration from her studies in Roots, Jazz and Pop music. Earlier this year, Danah started working with Top 10 ARIA CHART producer Jhay Cabrera (Jhay C) on her track ‘Side Effects’, drawing on Cabrera’s expertise in R'n'B Music and showcasing Danah's abilities as a songwriter and a singer. 

Looking up to artists such as Jhene Aiko and Tinashe, the singer/songwriter stays unique with her own style, enhanced through the use of warm ethereal synths and pads to capture the mood of the song, along with reverse pianos, arpeggiated synths, orchestral strings, and 808's.

Watch the lyric video to 'Side Effects': here

Writing lyrics is where Danah prides herself, coming up with creative ways of weaving words together to create meaning. Melodically, lyrically and vocally Danah is inspired by artists such as Jhene Aiko, Lauryn Hill, Joss Stone, Toni Braxton, Melanie Fiona, Alicia Keys, India.Arie, Tinashe, Khelani, Frank Ocean, Eminem and The Weekend.

DANAH's Spotify playlist of 'Songs that Inspired 'Side Effects': here



Listen to Side Effects on Soundcloud: here
Available on iTunes: here + Spotify: here

Relevant Links: 





Visit my other music blogs here:
Twitter @islandmanrocks




Monday, January 25, 2016

Australian Legends...40 track collection by various artists...special Australia Day post



This 40 track collection brings together the cream of Aussie music from the 60's to the 90's from the Bee Gees' "Spicks and Specks", The Masters Apprentices' "Turn Up Your Radio" and Rusell Morrris' "The Real Thing" to LRB, The Angels, Men At Work, Farnsey and Barnesy, INXS, Crowded House, Kasey Chambers, Silverchair and everything else in between. Just perfect for that Australia Day barbecue!

So crank it up, and HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!







Visit my other music blogs here:
Twitter @islandmanrocks

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Sultry Aussie Singer Dioni Premieres Video for "Shades of Melancholy (Chillout Mix)"

Aussie Crooner Dioni Premieres Lyric Video for “Shades of Melancholy (George Priniotakis Chillout Remix) “


Compared to ’60s icons Dusty Springfield and Sandie Shaw, the Renaissance woman from Sydney has traveled extensively throughout Greece, performing in ancient theatres and stadiums in support of bands such as Faithless, Soft Cell, and The Chemical Brothers. Dioni has performed as a solo artist in Australia, France, Germany, Greece, and Qatar. She has a multilingual repertoire (including seven languages) and the ability to sing in multiple genres.

In 2001, Dioni co-founded her group Astyplaz, of which she is still the lyricist and vocalist. She soon caught the attention of veteran promoter Gilles Petelle, formerly of BMG Canada. 

Dioni played around the world, including Quebec City and Montreal, where her label Chic Vinyl Records is based. Dioni has since released two albums, Name Your Slippers and Bi, with Astyplaz (Universal and EMI, respectively), and a third collaborative EP. Dioni has also had tracks featured in numerous compilations, including the internationally recognized Buddha Bar XI series.

More information on Dioni is available on her official site www.dionimusic.com




For more info on Dioni, visit her social media: OFFICIAL SITE| FACEBOOKTWITTER


Visit my other music blogs here:
Twitter @islandmanrocks

Monday, May 11, 2015

Thaylia's birthday Single Release 13 May 2015.."Hope" Remix - Let's Pay it Forward!



Establishing herself as a strong solo performer, contemporary folk singer/songwriter Thaylia was recently selected out of hundreds of applicants as the 2015 NSW winner of the Alukura Songwriting Competition – an initiative of CAAMA Music where eight Aboriginal female singer-songwriters from around Australia were selected and flown to record at the CAAMA Music studios between the 12-20 April.

She is now ready to release her next single that she self-produced - a remix of her debut single Hope on her birthday the 13 May 2015 and she only has one wish and that is to give back. Having been born on Mother's Day, she has chosen to release on her birthday as a celebration of the gift of life and as a symbol of how we can use our lives to gift others who are in need. The single is a thumping electronic dance track that combines ambient trace, drum and bass with electrifying synths and her favourite acoustic guitar. 

Thaylia self produced the track and had it mixed and mastered by Stereo Missile Recordings who kindly sponsored the project. Steve Peach who founded the company is a highly esteemed music industry professional in Sydney who given his time and efforts generously to the project. 

The single will be available for free download via www.thaylia.bandcamp.com or supporters can choose to donate and 100% proceeds from the online sale of the single will be donated towards Abmusic & Mmad. Thaylia's humble music journey began at Abmusic - a music school for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders and Mmad (Musicians Making a Difference) is a charity that Thaylia is passionate about. Mmad exist to change the lives of young people through music who are at risk of addiction, homelessness, abuse and disadvantage.

Hope was originally released in Nov 2013 and went to Number 1 on the AMRAP Air It Now Charts for 3 weeks in Jan 2014 making it the most ordered song for community radio across Australia. This new remix  of Hope marks Thaylia's first ever release as producer. Thaylia self produced the track while studying a Bachelor of Music with a  major in Composition & Music Production at the Australian Institute of Music.




She is currently working on her debut EP release which will see her emerge with a new sound in 2016.


Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Instagram
Instagram
YouTube
YouTube

Monday, January 19, 2015

Sydney Electronic duo Porsches track "HORSES" and a taste of what's to come in 2015



Put two musicians in a room swapping samples and rubbing shoulders around drum machines for long enough and it will lead to a song, and then an entire project.

HORSES, is a sneak "taster" from a brand new collaboration project between beatmaker/producers Jesse Sewell and Carl Fox.

Chill swirling synths, ethereal vocals and eclectic beats are all phrases that are being thrown around the studio during the creation process and that's just where this first track has landed. Like much of the material in development, HORSES is focused around Fox's vocal melodies, layered over beats that were the original catalyst for the project.

The track premiered on BBC's Radio One Breakfast with Phil Taggart recently and is available for free download on Soundcloud. You'll be able to find it on all your favorite streaming services.

Expect a February release for Porsches debut single, which will be accompanied by the project's first live sets.

Soundcloud Link



                                                      

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Syre and Fresko...talked about and upcoming Indie-Pop duo from Melbourne


2014 began with Syre and Fresko winning 1st place in the National ABC/TripleJ Run competition, allowing them to represent Australia at the Annual Spring Gala for Chinese New Year in Beijing, performing for over 600+ million viewers in over 70+ countries. And the momentum hasn't stopped there.

“Creating a baby is kind of fun…”, but despite this, the husband and wife duo being about to start a family, it doesn’t look like they’ll be slowing down anytime soon.

Having recently released their debut EP, Syre & Fresko bring a rock edge now to the table, with some heavy drum performances, embellished with lush guitars and sweeping synths – it’s the sound of raw songs in their truest form, a sound growing around the world, particularly for those less excited about mainstream produced pop, but still maintaining some sweet vocal lines to thread it all together.

Admittedly still finding their feet, Syre & Fresko report a couple of fresh new singles on the way to help listeners balance their rock edge, with their melodic folk appeal. It’s truly an exciting time for one of the freshest, musically capable and talented duo’s to ever come out of Australia. 

“They’re one of Australia’s most talked about up and coming duo’s…” Tracee Hutchison, ABC Australia

“Hauntingly beautiful vocals. Very talented - need more music like this…” KovoBand (Melbourne, Australia)

“It's amazing what you guys are doing here… I just love visiting again... I could laze out on your sweet “Pillow” (original track) all day at this rate! London loves Syre & Fresko!!” MikeWhitePresents

Genre
Indie, Pop, Indie-Pop

Comparison
Foster The People, Florence and the Machine, Chairlift

Location
Melbourne, VIC, Australia






Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Australia's "I Know Leopard" return with new single 'Perfect Picture'



Following the release of their debut EP, Illumina, earlier in the year, Sydney four piece I Know Leopard have wasted no time jumping back into the studio, today unleashing Perfect Picture, the first taste of the band’s sophomore EP. The offering is trademark I Know Leopard –celestial, swimming, string-enhanced pop, a bit of synth and all of the feels.

Added straight to full rotation on Australia's national radio tastemaker network Triple J,  ‘Perfect Picture’ sees I Know Leopard keeping to their heady sonic intent but this time with a kraut-rock inspired groove.  Despite the lively tempo, the song remains meditative like its predecessors with dizzying layers of the lushest of strings and synths throughout. 


With all the right pop sensibilities for success, their debut EP featuring Hold This Tight, received instant radio support and nods of approval from the discerning ears of bloggers and journalists worldwide.The result was 140,000 Soundcloud spins, a hugely successful national tour and more than a handful of glowing reviews consolidating I Know Leopard’s reputation as king of the indie pop jungle.



Listen to 'Perfect Picture' and 'Illumina EP' on Soundcloud

Watch singles Hold this TightShe and Daisy Eyes on Youtube

www.knowleopard.com




“One of the most criminally underrated bands in the country. Not for much longer if they keep this shit up.” 5 Stars - Lachie Machara (JJJ)



“The five-piece's return to the spotlight has been an absolute delight to watch” - Indie Shuffle


 Superior Singing Method


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Peculiar Hole In the Sky..various artists..top notch Oz 60's psych, freakbeat and pop...many rare tracks



Another classic compilation of rare and classic musical gems from the 60's. You will recognise some names here like Normie Rowe, The Valentines, Jeff St John, The Wild Cherries and The Cam-Pact, but there are many you may not have heard of. A collection of psychedelic pop that will certainly take you back.

1. Peculiar Hole In The Sky - The Valentines
2. Imagine This - The Iguana
3. Still I Can Go On - The James Taylor Move
4. I Can't Help Thinking Of You - The Bucket
5. Going Home - Normie Rowe
6. House Of Bamboo - Peter Wright
7. Gained For A Fall - 1863 Establishment
8. Emily On Sunday - Clapham Junction
9. Unforgotten Dreams - King Fox
10. Long Live Sivinanda - Inside Looking Out
11. Girl In The Garden - Hugo
12. Moving In A Circle - The Executives
13. Eastern Dream - Jeff St. John & The Id
14. Zoom Zoom Zoom - The Cam-Pact
15. King Of The Mountain - The Proclamation
16. Upstairs, Downstairs - Jon
17. Krome Plated Yabby - The Wild Cherries
18. Magic Eyes - The James Taylor Move
19. Brass Bird - Lloyd's World
20. Walking & Talking - R Black & The Rockin' V's
21. Mr Guy Fawkes - The Dave Miller Set
22. Picture Of A Girl - 1863 Establishment
23. Sitting By A Tree - The Escorts
24. Morning Sun - Inside Looking Out
25. Drawing Room - The Cam-Pact
26. Hey! Watch Out - Hugo
27. Tell Me Love - Marty Rhone



Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Ray Brown & The Whispers.. Sydney,1964-66 ...short lived but very successful beat band



Ray Brown and the Whispers were in the vanguard of the first wave of Australian beat pop, from 1964-67, and during their brief career they were one of the most successful and celebrated bands in the country. Aided by his boyish good looks and considerable charm, singer Ray Brown ranked alongside Stevie Wright, Billy Thorpe and Normie Rowe as one of the most popular stars of the period, and The Whispers are now widely recognised as being one of its most accomplished bands. Although they enjoyed unprecedented success at the time, the group was short-lived, and their contribution to Australian music, both during and after the beat boom, is still sadly under-appreciated.

From the outset, Ray and The Whispers distinguished themselves as a top-notch performing unit, both live and on record, and they thoroughly road-tested all their material. In retrospect their only real weakness, as far as a long-term career was concerned, was that there were no writers in the group (unlike The Easybeats, The Blue Jays and their label mates The Bee Gees). But like The Blue Jays, their choice of material showed off both their versatility and their wide-ranging tastes.




Probably the Whispers' greatest love, though, was American soul and R'n'B, and they were tireless champions of the style, covering many numbers by the top performers of that period.Their first major break in came late in the 1964 when they secured the gig as resident band at Sydney's Surf City and The Beach House, taking over from Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs. Within a short time the Whispers were regularly pulling in 2000 punters per night on Fridays and Saturdays, and by the new year they were rivalling The Easybeats for popularity in Sydney.

Their rise to national fame was meteoric -- in just six months they scored four Top 5 hits in a row in Sydney, including their record achievement -- still unbroken -- of three consecutive #1 hits from their first three releases! They were also among the most prolific recording outfits of the day, with a nine singles, ten EPs and five albums to their credit in in little more than two years.

This 2 for 1 album combines their first 2 albums and contains all their hits.




Ray Brown & The Whispers 
Lawrie Barclay (rhythm guitar) 
Ray Brown (vocals) 
Al Jackson (lead guitar) 
Pat Jeffrey (drums) 
John Manners (bass) 
Bobby Richardson (lead guitar) 1964

Ray Brown & The New Whispers (early 1967) 
Ray Brown (vocals) 
Dave Russell (guitar) 
Ronnie Peel (bass) 
Steve Hardy (drums)