Big Pig - You Lucky People

Following on the 1987 chart success of their first album Bonk, Big Pig released their second album, You Lucky People in 1990. This CD has long been out of distribution.

Shortly after the release of this album in 1990, Big Pig relocated to London and not long after that disbanded.

They were noted for their predominant use of drums and vocals, and an absence of guitars, making them a quite unique sounding band at the time.

Big Pig were a seven-piece Australian pop/rock band, based in Melbourne, that existed from 1985 until 1991. They were one of the pioneers of Australian "Industrial Rock".

The band formed in London in 1985. the original main members were Australian drummer Oleh Witer with singer Nick Disbray. The pair returned to Melbourne later that year and recruited the new line-up that would make the hit records.

They settled on the line-up consisting of....

Nick Disbray (lead vocals, percussion)
Sherine Abeyratne (from the band I'm Talking, featuring Kate Ceberano)(lead vocals, percussion)
Oleh Witer (vocals, drums)
Tony Antoniades (vocals, harmonica)
Tim Rosewarne (vocals, keyboard)
Adrian Scaglione (drums)
Neil Baker (drums)

Big Pig's first album, Bonk, is available from the great Ausrock Forum at...
Ausrock - Big Pig - Bonk

Artwork included / Bitrate 320k

Big Pig - You Lucky People - Part 1

Big Pig - You Lucky People - Part 2

Aussie Gold - 1992

As today is Australia Day, I felt this album was a fitting choice for today's release.

Aussie Gold was a CD released by EMI in 1992 as a fund raiser for the 1992 Paralympic Games Appeal.

The CD was initially available only in Westfield Shopping Centres across Australia.

All artists on this CD donated their time and material, with all proceeds from the sale of this disc benefiting the Australian 1992 Paralympic Games Team.

The artists and tracks on the Aussie Gold CD are as follows...

Hunters & Collectors - Something To Believe In
Diesel - Love Junk
Kylie Minogue - Better The Devil You Know
Icehouse - Anything Is Possible
Boom Crash Opera - Hands Up In The Air
Angry Anderson - Bound For Glory
Kate Ceberano - Brave
Jimmy Barnes - No Second Prize
INXS - On My Way
Jenny Morris - Humanity
Richard Clapton - Glory Road
Midnight Oil - King Of The Mountain
Noiseworks - Burning Feeling
John Farnham - See The Banners Fall
Wendy Matthews - Taking My Heart Around
Ian Moss - Tuckers Daughter
Dragon - Celebration
Margaret Urlich - Number One
Yothu Yindi - Mainstream

As this CD is no longer available, why not make a donation to the next Paralympics Games Team and help support Australia.

Artwork included / Bitrate 320k

Aussie Gold Part 1

Aussie Gold Part 2

Kevin Borich Express - No Turning Back

After The La De Da's came The Kevin Borich Express. They released the great No Turning Back album in 1979. The album was never released on CD.

The Kevin Borich Express line-up at the time of this album was -
Kevin Borich - Lead Guitar and Vocals
John Annas - Drums, Percussion and Vocals
Paul Christie - Bass
Tim Schafer - Keyboards

The tracklist is as follows....

No Turning Back
New City Lights
Silver Dime
Grounded
I Can't Wait
Mamma Is A Jazza
Don't Have To Run
Social Disease
Caught In The Middle


Kevin Borich is one of the top guitarists in Australian history and has been awarded some of the highest accolades in the rock industry.

1977 - Australian Rock Music Awards - Best Guitarist
1978 - Australian Rock Music Awards - Best Guitarist
1978 - Concert of The Year Award (Marconi Club)
1983 - Ampex Golden Reel Award
1983 - The Party Boys - LP EMI Gold Record
1983 - Live at Several 21st (Party Boys) EMI Gold Record
1987 - He’s Gonna Step on You (Party Boys) EMI Gold Record
1999 - Australian Blues Music Festival - Heritage Award
2003 – Australian Blues Foundation – Hall of Fame

Kevin is still actively playing gigs across Australia.
His current tour is The Legends Of Rock Festival... info & tickets are available HERE

His website is at kevinborich.com.au
Kevin's current albums can all be purchased direct from his site.
Please support our Australian Artists!

Vinyl Rip / Artwork included / Bitrate 320k

The Kevin Borich Express - No Turning Back

Yothu Yindi - Djäpana Limited Edition EP

This EP was a limited edition release, on Mushroom International Records, produced by Mark Moffatt in 1992.

The EP would have to be one of my favourites in my collection.

The track list is:

Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming) Gapirri Mix

Treaty (Filthy Lucre Remix)

Dhum Dhum (Bush Wallaby) This song talks about the bush wallaby or kangaroo. The wallaby is in the bush preparing the sacred ground for the Yolgnu people.

Matjala (Driftwood) This track talks about one people sharing the future together as we follow the pattern of the Yothu Yindi lifestyle.

Artwork included / Bitrate 320k

Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming) Limited Edition EP

The Bushwackers Collection

This was a 1987 release and has since, like so many good albums been deleted.

In my 20's I was introduced to The Bushwackers Band. A few of my roadie mates were doing their show and said it was worthwhile coming along. Those same roadies were previously working with the likes of James Freud, The Models and Men At Work, so in my eyes that was a different world.

One of the first shows I can remember was at the Melbourne Royal Showgrounds in the Centennial Hall. 1700 people and not a single person wasn't up dancing. The energy of that show was amazing. I distinctly remember the whole floor of that old building actually moving up and down with the stomping feet of the enthusiastic crowd.

I went on a tour with those guys, up all the east coast... Sydney, Central Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane. Every night was a party for the audience. The Bushies certainly gave everything they had to entertain the punters. One night I can particularly remember was at The Playroom on the Gold Coast. The support act was a pool full of female mud wrestlers... sure was a fun night!!

I can't remember all the players in the band at the time but I do remember Dobe Newton up front, who went on to write I Am You Are, We Are Australian with Bruce Woodley from The Seekers. Roger Corbett was on guitar and vocals, Freddy Strauks from Skyhooks on drums and the lead guitarist was a little bloke with long hair named Louis (Louie) McManus. Louie it turns out was the cousin of another famous singer / songwriter... Declan McManus, better known as Elvis Costello.  Sadly, Louis passed away in 2004 after his 4th stroke.

This is a prime collection of some of the songs they performed. They showcase our Australian heritage. Songs ranging from the funny and quirky Marijuana Australiana to the stirring recitation of Banjo Patterson's Clancy Of The Overflow, finishing with a heartfelt rendition of Eric Bogle's And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. Even I can confess to shedding a tear to that one on occassions.

The Bushwackers have a new album, Australian Songbook II due out early 2009 and their new website is at thebushwackers.com.au

I hope you enjoy this one as it is a classic example of our true Australian bush music performed by the best there is. There are bush bands and then there is The Bushwackers.

Artwork included / Bitrate 320k

The Bushwackers Collection Pt 1

The Bushwackers Collection Pt 2

Daryl Braithwaite with Tommy Emmanuel

This is another Brashs' / Uncle Toby's Not For Sale Promo single from Mushroom Records. It was released in 1994.

The single is by Daryl Braithwaite and the main track, Higher Than Hope features Tommy Emmanuel on lead guitar.

The other players are John Watson on drums, Tim Partridge on bass, Simon Patterson on guitar, David Campbell on guitar and backing vocals, Ricky Edwards on keyboards and backing vocals and Angie Becker also lays down backing vocals.

It is a 2 track single with the songs, Higher Than Hope and In The Distance.

Once again this single is not available for sale and is extremely rare to find.

I hope you enjoy!

Artwork included - Bitrate 320k

Higher Than Hope / In The Distance

Jimmy Barnes with Nathan Cavaleri

In 1993, Mushroom records released this one track promo single, a rework of the La-De-Da's, Gonna See My Baby Tonight.

The single was sponsored by Brash's and Uncle Toby's and was only ever available as a Promotional Item, Not For Sale!

It features Jimmy Barnes and the hot young pre-teen guitar player of the time, Nathan Cavaleri. Buzz Bidstrup from The Angels and GANGajang fame was on drums with Michael Hegerty on bass. Jeff Neill, from The Jimmy Barnes Band and Jimmy himself played rhythm guitar.

All in all a nice rare offering that is no longer in production and very hard to find.

Artwork included - Bitrate 320k

Gonna See My Baby Tonight

Australia Now Ensemble - Be At Lesson Children

This offering is from an ensemble based in the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne. After searching the internet for the last few weeks I can find out very little information about the recording. I cannot locate a copy of this CD for sale anywhere.

The details I do know are that the album was produced by David Briggs, formerly guitarist with Little River Band, who also plays lead guitar on Track 7, Johnny.... and was released in 1994.

Some of the members of the Australia Now Ensemble were from the band Wild Turkey, who are still performing around Victoria.

Their MySpace pages are at www.myspace.com/wildturkeymusic

An unusual addition to the lineup was actor Gus Mercurio, who performs a spoken lead vocal on the final track, Four Gong Conclusion.

Included players were... Andrew Gibson, Jodie Loebert, Nicholas Lyon, Michael Jordan, Ted Bardo, Paul Adolphus, Matt Walker, Michael Vidale, Phil Smith, Kirk Syrett and other special guests.

The music has a definate Australian Country Rock feel.

The album is a tribute to the Koorie people and to The Beatles.

Be At Lesson Children - Part1

Be At Lesson Children - Part2

Bitrate 320k