Australian Music Day - 1992

This 19 track CD is another promotional release from 1992.

It's from The Coca Cola Australian Music Awards.

All in all not a bad selection of tracks off this now near impossible to get album. Not bad for something I found in my local Vinnies Store when I went to the post office today. Best ONE dollar I spent all day!!

I hope you all enjoy!

Artists and tracks are :-

Radio Freedom - Proove
Girl Overboard - Your Love
Tall Tales & True - Watching The Wind Blow
James Reyne - Ferris Wheel
Pearls & Swine - No More Room In Heaven
The Sharp - Dance For Me
Bass Culture - Love Your Life
Scarlet - Love Hates Stares
Astral Project - Come With Me (Tonite)
Clouds - Say It
Cleopatra Wong - Thank You
Images - Lost In The City
The Honeymen - Felt Like A Kiss
James Blundell - This Road
Shanley Del - Funnel Of Love
Paul Norton - When We Were Young
Broderick Smith - Snowblind Moon
The Lovers - The River
Mark Gillespie - Flame

Full Artwork included / CD Rip / Bitrate 320k

Australian Music Day - 1992

Mark Williams - ZNZ

Mark Williams was born in 1954 in New Zealand. While still at high school, he formed his first band with some of his classmates. They called themselves The Face. Mark was the vocalist and rhythm guitarist.

In 1975 and 1976 he was voted New Zealand's Top Male Vocalist.

This album was a totally different sound for Mark, who had previously had a much "smoother" sound.

The album was produced by Harry Vanda and George Young, they also wrote all the songs. It contains the killer track "Show No Mercy".

The tracks on this album are :-
Show No Mercy
Fix Of Love
Spell Is Broken
Heavy Woman
Good Thing
I Love Electric
Shanghai Lily
You're So Cool
Feel For The Night
Fool No More

Since the release of this album, Mark has been in constant demand as a session singer.

Recently Mark took over vocals for the newly reformed Dragon. They have a new album due out shortly.

Once again, this is another long deleted album.

Full Artwork included / CD Rip / Bitrate 320k

Mark Williams ZNZ

Peter Blakeley - Harry's Cafe de Wheels

Named after a famous Aussie pie shop in Wooloomooloo, Sydney, this is the first album by Peter Blakeley.

Peter Blakeley is an Australian White Soul / Adult-Contemporary singer and songwriter.

He was a lead singer for popular band The Rockmelons in the mid-1980's.

Launching a solo career in 1987, he had a huge hit single in Australia in 1990 with "Crying in the Chapel", which was not a remake of the 1950s song "Crying in the Chapel".

The album was released in 1989 and is now another deleted item from the Australian catalogues. This is sad to see as it is happening all too often to our ARIA award winners. The ARIA Award for Single Of The Year for 1990 was presented to Peter Blakeley for his hit "Crying In The Chapel". That single was his first single from this album.

The album was recorded in Los Angeles and features some top flight Aussie and LA musician's, including.... Dan Dugmore, Jim Keltner, Jeff Porcaro, Linda Ronstadt, Wendy Matthews, Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel and many, many more.

Tracks on this album are :-

Crying In The Chapel
Quicksand
You Never Heard It From Me
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Heaven Is Calling
Who Let The Secret Out
Strange In My Own Hometown
There Must Be Something I Can Do
Working For A Living
Lost On The River
Quicksand (Reprise)


Artwork included / CD Rip / Bitrate 320k

Peter Blakeley - Harry's Cafe de Wheels

Chocolate Starfish - 1994

I first saw ARIA award winning band Chocolate Starfish on Hey, Hey It's Saturday back in 1994, when they were promoting this CD.
I can recall my own view on them at the time. Their lead singer was reminiscent of another flamboyant singer I had seen in the 1970's, Jeff Duff and his great band Kush.

The band first emerged and recorded in 1993.

This, their first album, achieved Platinum status and received an ARIA Award for Most Popular Album of 1994. It is undoubtedly their most recognised and popular work.
The album debuted in the ARIA charts at #2, quite an achievement for a relatively unheard of band.

The producer was Brian Canham, leader of Pseudo Echo, who also mixed the album along with the famous Doug Brady.

Chocolate Starfish's first major album release had 2 top 5 hits. They were You're So Vain,(a cover of the Carly Simon song) and Mountain.
Other tracks, such as All Over Me and Four Letter Word also achieved top 40 success in Australia.

Extensive touring over 1994 ensured this album was in the CD collection of many Australians in the mid 90's.

Adam Thompson was the lead singer, coming out of University in Geelong. The band became known for his often outrageous appearance and on-stage persona.

The band, as they were are the time of this album comprised of -

Adam Thompson - Vocals
Zoran Romich - Guitar
Norman Falvo - Keyboards
John Nixon - Bass
Darren Danielson - Drums

Chocolate Starfish disbanded in 1998 and had a short reunion in 1999.

This album is another casualty of the Australian recording industry and has been deleted from their catalogues.

Artwork included / CD Rip / Bitrate 320k

Chocolate Starfish

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

Creative Recycling

My old mailbox had just about collapsed and I was in need of a new one.

So, I had a brainstorm and decided to recycle an old Compaq PC into something useful.

I get many comments from people about the finished product.

Do YOU have any novel recycling ideas? I'd love to hear about them.

Australian Played - Jimmy Barnes Fan

I came across this on MySpace and thought that many of you would get a laugh out of it.

The song is by the Sydney based cover band called Australian Played.

The track is named "Jimmy Barnes Fan" and is set to the tune of Jimmy's Working Class Man.

Please listen to the lyrics... I'm sure we have all come across a "Jimmy Barnes Fan" out there!

Musically this is great... and the singer, John Backer has one hell of a voice.

Download and enjoy.... and if you like more from this band please check out their MySpace page at... Australian Played

Many thanks to John Backer for supplying me with this new 320k format version of the song.


Download this track from... Jimmy Barnes Fan

Trax - Australian Made

This album was released by EMI in 1987 and was a compilation album sponsored by SA-FM Radio Station in Adelaide.

The album has been deleted years ago but I still find it to be one of the all time best Australian albums ever released.

The tracks are all Australian rock classics.

The track list is....

Friday On My Mind - The Easybeats
The Real Thing - Russel Morris
I'll Be Gone - Spectrum
Eagle Rock - Daddy Cool
Eleanor Rigby - The Zoot
Black And Blue - Chain
Turn Up Your Radio - Master's Apprentices
Most People I know Think That I'm Crazy - Billy Thorpe
Evie (Edited Version) - Stevie Wright
Horror Movie - Skyhooks
April Sun In Cuba - Dragon
Khe Sahn - Cold Chisel
I Got You - Split Enz
The Boys Light Up - Australian Crawl
It's A Long Way To The Top - AC/DC
Am I Ever Going To See Your Face - The Angels
Gonna See My Baby Tonight - The La De Da's
One - John Farnham

Turn up the volume and enjoy a little bit of our musical history!!

Artwork included / Bitrate 320k

Trax - Australian Made / Part 1

Trax - Australian Made / Part 2

Men At Work Rarities

This track is the original 1979 "B" side version of Downunder from Men At Work's first single.

The "A" side was a track called Keypunch Operator. I am still searching for a decent copy of both of these tracks.

It was an independant release by the band on 7 inch vinyl and is an extremely rare recording that was only ever available in a limited quantity.

The hugely popular version of the song from the Business As Usual album, released in 1981 was quite different.

This is a vinyl rip and is unfortunately only in 128k format.

Downunder 1979

Keypunch Operator

*** Added 18th December... I have located a copy of Keypunch Operator today but it is only in 96k format. I am still searching for high quality copies of both sides of this rare single.

I hope you enjoy this glimpse into Men At Work's origins.

Hot new bar in Perth

Last night we went to a great new bar in Perth. It is situated at 3 Aberdeen Steet, East Perth... right next to the McIver railway station.

Deville's Pad is amazing. It has to be one of the most novel and well setup venues we have ever seen in Australia. In fact, we have never seen a bar so well laid out.

The theme is "volcanic devilry".... and the decor certainly fits that to perfection. Rich in it's kitsch atmosphere with cool sounds and lighting... there is stimulation for the eyes and ears at every turn.

Go-Go dancers in cages... costumes and a smoking volcano in the middle of the dance floor set the scene for a great evening.

The bands were 50's rock n roll style and man could those guys rock.... think Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis. The sound system is excellent and not over the top loud.

The delicious food is very "Vegas - American Diner" style in its origins. The bar is a little pricey but a decent range available.

This is also one of the first bars in Perth with an "over 25's" policy... the exception being Wednesday nights, when they do have a kid's night.

The venue also has special rock n roll nights... so you can dress in your best Elvis era finery and jive the night away.

Seriously... if you want a great night out in a world class bar that does stand out from the rest then give this place a try.... I'm sure you won't regret it.

The owners have obviously spent a large fortune setting up this place and they have definately hit the bullseye in getting it right.



Check out their website here..... Deville's Pad

I have never written a blog like this before but found this place to be SO unique that I felt compelled to say it is worth a visit and I am sure you'll enjoy the night out.