Mike McClellan - The Heartland (1988)

(Australian 1966 - Current)
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Mike McClellan began performing in the late 60’s and released his first album, titled simply ‘Mike McClellan’ in 1972. It was regarded as one of the most auspicious debut albums from any writer singer of his era. He toured extensively for the next 2 years playing the songs from that first album and previewing the material that would make up his breakthrough record. His second album ‘Ask Any Dancer’ went Gold and the song ‘Song and Danceman’ was voted Song of the Year at the Annual Music Industry Awards in 1975. It hardly needs repeating that the song has become an Australian classic having been recorded many times, both here and overseas.

Tours with performers including Roger Miller, Melanie, Dr Hook, The Hollies and Leo Kottke expanded Mike’s audience even further and he earned (deservedly) rave reviews for his capacity to hold his own in the company of such internationally recognized stars. That recognition took a giant leap forward when Rick Nelson recorded one of his most acclaimed songs – ‘Rock’n Roll Lady’ in 1975 and John Farnham covered ‘Saturday Dance’ in the same year.

1976 saw the release of what was regarded as Mike’s finest album of the 70’s – ‘Until the Song is Done’.  ‘The Gamble’ shot to top of the country charts and ‘Lovers Never Wind Up Friends’ and ‘Midnight Flight’ were covered overseas. It was inevitable, for so many reasons, that Mike would record a live album. For alone on stage, with just a guitar, he was able to create a certain magic that couldn’t be easily captured in the studio. ‘An Evening with Mike McClellan’ was released in 1978 and included some of his most requested concert tunes along with several brilliant demonstrations of his unique guitar playing.

1979 saw him compering his first television series ‘National Star Quest’ which lead to his being asked to take over the highly successful ABC program ‘Country Road’. Within a year it became ‘Mike McClellan’s Country Music’ and he continued to present the show for a further 3 years, touring extensively behind the huge national profile that it sustained for him. 1980 marked a change in direction. He parted company with EMI and, working with Harry Vanda and George Young of the Easybeats, released ‘Laughing in the Dark’ on the Albert’s label. It became his second gold album on the strength of the single ‘The One I Love’ - one of his most requested songs, it joined the growing list of McClellan classics and was covered many times internationally.

1982 took him overseas to the UK and America. He was away for 12 months, gathering enthusiastic reviews wherever he played and establishing valuable contacts with international publishers. He returned to Australia in 1983 – and this marked yet another change in his career. Weary of the constant travelling he sought more stability for him and his family. MOJO, then regarded as the most dynamic ad agency in the country persuaded him to write for them. For 2 years he contributed some of the most memorable advertising in television, writing the concepts, words and music for clients such as Australian Airlines, Red Rooster, Channel 9 and growing the XXXX and Tooheys campaigns for the agency. Invigorated by new challenges he and a partner left MOJO and set up their own agency – KAZOO. It grew rapidly over the period from 1986 to 1991. The 2 partners became 3, the staff went from 3 to 30 and the billings went through the roof!

In 1989, despite the ad demands, Mike released a new album ‘Heartland’ (featured here). It is considered by many to be his finest album and marked a return to the EMI label. In 1991, he sold his share holding of KAZOO to set up HOOKS, LINES and THINKERS and take complete control of his own destiny once more. He needed the flexibility to do some more writing for himself, to free up his time and take advantage of the dramatic changes that had been happening in the communications industry itself. He now works with CEOs and senior managers, mentoring and facilitating the development of business, marketing and communication strategies.

1998 was yet another auspicious year in his long career as it marked the release of his first single for

Warner Music. The three songs contained were a little different to past McClellan offerings. They are

tributes to three great Australian sportsmen – Mark Taylor, Don Bradman and David Campese. In late

2001 Mike release a comprehensive retrospective of his recording career. Personally chosen and carefully re-mastered from the original tapes ‘Time And Time Again’. It is an EMI double CD containing 35 of his best songs. Among these are re-recordings of two songs from his very first album and two never previously released - ‘California Cool’ and ‘New York City Blues’. Also in late 2001 we saw the first of what have become standout concerts with old friends Kevin Johnson and Doug Ashdown.

In 2005, in conjunction with Andrew Pattison, who established Melbourne’s much loved acoustic venue ‘The Troubadour’, he brought to Australia and shared the bill with the wonderful US singer/songwriter Danny O’Keefe. There is another CD of new songs now being recorded and for the first time in many years, Mike is back doing concerts, renewing old friendships and playing extensively.

‘Mike is a national treasure – a fine musician, songwriter and performer – in many ways the voice of Australia’ says Dr Greg Whateley, Principal of AICM. ‘I personally grew up listening to Mike’s music and remember every milestone noted in this article. To have Mike at AICM is nothing short of sensational. AICM is a small conservatorium with big plans – and it is a delight to have Mike as part of those plans.’

In 2008+ Mike has accepted a position as Senior Visiting Fellow at AICM and will be involved in teaching and advising on an ongoing basis.

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This post consists of both FLACs ripped from my vinyl, another album I picked up in pristine condition  at the market for a couple of bucks. Gee I love Trash & Treasure.  Full album artwork, lyric sheet and label scans are also included.  Another fantastic release from one of Australia's most iconic folk and popular artists.  The first track "Murmur Of The Heart" is brilliant and leads the way for some of his best songs to date.

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Track Listing

01 - Murmur Of The Heart

02 - The Heartland

03 - Storm Out On The Ocean

04 - Sing Me Home Tonight

05 - River Of The Night

06 - I Love That Old Rock 'N' Roll

07 - Face To Face

08 - A Fool Like That

09 - Somebody Else

10 - Sacred Ground

11 - Oh Babe

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Mike McClellan FLACs (276Mb) New Link 26/02/2024

Mike McClellan - Laughing In The Dark (1980)

(Australian 1966 - Current)
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Mike McClellan has long been regarded as one of the finest singer, songwriter, guitarists Australia has ever produced.  He's had three top 5 singles, recorded ten albums, of which two went gold, many songs covered internationally, hosted his own TV series on the ABC (Australia's national broadcaster) for four years and sold out concerts across Australia.  He's universally known as The Song and Danceman after the title of his biggest hit which was voted song of the year by the Australian Music industry in 1974.  It's an iconic song in his native Australia and has been covered many times around the world. The following a brief chronological biography of his musical career todate.

1945 – Born on August 24th in Melbourne. He began performing in the mid 1960’s as a singer-guitarist at the “Troubadour” (Sydney’s folk music headquarters). As neither a folk singer or a traditionalist he took to blues and country and developed his own guitar style.

1969 – Joined the “Clair Pool” singers on Barry Crocker’s weekly “Sound of Music” show and stayed until the end of 1970.

1972 - Released his first album, titled simply "Mike McClellan". He toured extensively for the next 2 years playing the songs from that first album and previewing the material that would make up his breakthrough record.

1974 – Release of  "Song and Danceman". Mike McClellan was already an established performer on the acoustic music scene. That song was to bring him national recognition and a following that has remained loyal to his highly personal brand of music for over 25 years.

His second album. "Ask Any Dancer" went Gold and "Song and Danceman" was voted Song of the Year at the Annual Music Industry Awards in February 1975.

Tours with such performers as Roger Miller, Melanie, Dr. Hook, The Hollies and Leo Kottke expanded his audience even further and he earned rave reviews for his capacity to hold his own in the company of such internationally recognised stars.

That recognition took a giant leap forward when Rick Nelson recorded one of his most acclaimed songs, "Rock’n Roll Lady", in 1975 and John Farnham covered "Saturday Dance".

1976  - The release of what many regard as his finest album of the 70’s - "Until the Song is Done". "The Gamble" shot to the top of the country charts and "Lovers Never Wind up Friends" and "Midnight Flight" were covered overseas.

1978  - "An Evening With Mike McClellan" was released and included some of his most requested concert tunes, among them several brilliant demonstrations of his unique guitar playing.

1979 - Mike compered his first television series "National Star Quest" which lead to his being asked to take over the highly successful ABC program "Country Road". Within a year it became "Mike McClellan’s Country Music" and he continued to present the show for a further 3 years.

1980 - Marked a change in direction. He parted company with EMI and, working with Harry Vanda and George Young of the Easybeats, released "Laughing in the Dark" on the Albert’s label. It became his second gold album on the strength of the single "The One I Love".

1982 - Took him overseas to the UK and America. He was away for 12 months, gathering enthusiastic reviews wherever he played and establishing valuable contact with international publishers.

1983 - His return to Australia was to become a watershed. Weary of the constant travelling he committed himself to building a reputation in the advertising industry for which he had occasionally been writing as a freelancer. Success came quickly. Firstly with Mojo, then an agency in partnership with others and finally his own company, Hooks, Lines and Thinkers.

1984 – Inducted into the Hands of Fame.

He released an album of new songs in 1990. "The Heartland"

1998 was another auspicious year in his long career for it marked the release of his first single for Warner Music. But the three songs it contained were a little different to past McClellan discs. They were tributes to three great Australian sportsmen, Mark Taylor, the then recently retired Aussie cricket captain, Sir Donald Bradman, and David Campese, often called "the Bradman of Rugby."

2001 sees the release of a comprehensive retrospective of his recording career. Personally chosen and carefully remastered from the original tapes "Time. And Time Again." is a double CD containing more than 30 of his best songs. Among them he has re-recorded two from his very first album. A third track, "New York City Blues", is a never before released gem that was recorded during the sessions for "The Heartland" CD.

Today, McClellan is a senior tutor at the CMAA Country Music Academy in Tamworth, Australia, and is still performing extensively [extract from Country Music Hall Of Fame Website]
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Mike's Guitar (Interview)
 Like Dylan, McClellan’s acoustic guitar has become a part of his life’s story:

"It was 1965, a friend of  mine was short on cash, and he wanted to return to Adelaide. Would you be interested in buying the guitar he asked?. It was a red Gibson Hummingbird. We agreed on a price, and I took it home with me. I have had it ever since.

It’s the guitar on which I wrote almost all of the best songs from the early years of my career, and I still have a quite magical relationship with it. It’s not loud, but sings beautifully either finger picked or strummed, and remains among the finest examples of its type.

The saddle was replaced with a fixed one some years ago, which stabilized the tuning. The neck and fret board have had some work done on them over the years, and the original tuning heads were replaced back in the late eighties. So it’s not in original condition. It now has an L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup in it, but I rarely, if ever, perform without a high-quality microphone in front of it. I have yet to find a pickup that can convey all the subtleties I hear coming from the sound hole.

It’s been a working musician’s instrument, and since resuming my performing career in recent years, continues to remind me of why I fell in love with it so long ago.
[ extract from thehub.musiciansfriend.com]
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This post consists of FLACs ripped from my vinyl (another mint 2nd hand record store find) and the usual album artwork with label scans. The usual mix of folky / country tracks with some more racey, uptempo tracks with full orchestral backing like the title track and "Hold Tight". Mike's backing band reads like a who's who of Aussie rock legends - Tommy Emanuel, Kirk L'Orange, Warren Morgan and Tony Ansell to name but a few.
Kirk L'Orange's slide guitar work on "Good Companions" adds a new dimension to the music and at times sounds like Jackson Browne's 'Running on Empty', while Tommy's guitar pickin' skills gives "Sad Songs" the Bluegrass injection that Mike was looking for when he wrote the song. The standout track for me, however, is his catchy hit single "The One I Love" which showcases Mike's songwriting skills and mastery of the acoustic guitar. This is probably one of Mike's best albums.
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Track Listing

01 - Good Companions
02 - Rock 'N' Roll Man
03 - Lovers And Strangers
04 - Laughing In The Dark
05 - The One I Love
06 - Burnin' Your Bridges
07 - Hold Tight
08 - I Got Over You (A Long Long Time Ago) *
09 - Sad Songs
10 - All I've Got Is Love
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Musicians
Mike cClellan (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar)
Doug Gallacher (Drums, Percussion)
Clive Harrison (Bass)

Wayne Findlay (Piano)
Warren Morgan (PIano)
Tony Ansell (Organ, Synthesizer, String Arrangements)
Tommy Emmanuel (Electric / Acoustic Guitars)
Kirk L'Orange (Slide Guitar)
Phil Lawson (Bass) *
Doug Bligh (Drums) *
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Laughing In The Dark FLACs (240Mb)
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Mike McClellan - Ask Any Dancer (1974)

(Australian 1966 - Current)
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Mike McClellan has long been regarded as one of the finest singer, songwriter, guitarists Australia has ever produced.  He's had three top 5 singles, recorded ten albums, of which two went gold, many songs covered internationally, hosted his own TV series on the ABC (Australia's national broadcaster) for four years and sold out concerts across Australia.  He's universally known as The Song and Danceman after the title of his biggest hit which was voted song of the year by the Australian Music industry in 1974.  It's an iconic song in his native Australia and has been covered many times around the world.

For 15 years he was the pre-eminent singer songwriter of his generation in Australia before retiring from the road to pursue a very successful career in advertising.  But in the last 5 years he has returned to writing and performing and, in the words of ABC 702 radio's Drive presenter Richard Glover, "just gets better and better."

When Song and Danceman was released in 1974 Mike McClellan was already an established performer on the acoustic music scene.  That song topped the charts bringing him national recognition and a following that has remained loyal to his highly personal brand of music for over 40 years.  For those who had already experienced his talent his first hit single did no more than reinforce what they already knew: that he was one of the best songwriters to emerge from this country in many years and among its most talented singer/guitarists.

He had began performing in the late 60’s and released his first album, titled simply Mike McClellan in 1972.  It was regarded as one of the most auspicious debut albums from any writer/singer of his era.  He toured extensively for the next 2 years playing the songs and previewing the material that would make up his breakthrough record.

His second album, Ask Any Dancer went Gold and Song and Danceman was voted Song of the Year at the Annual Music Industry Awards in February 1975.  He hit the cover of every magazine in the country and played concerts from Darwin to Tasmania.  It hardly needs repeating that Song and Danceman has become an Australian classic having been recorded many times, both here and overseas.

Tours with such performers as Roger Miller, Melanie, Dr. Hook, The Hollies and Leo Kottke expanded his audience even further and he earned rave reviews for his capacity to hold his own in the company of such internationally recognised stars.  That recognition took a giant leap forward when Rick Nelson recorded one of his most acclaimed songs, Rock’n Roll Lady, in 1975 and John Farnham covered Saturday Dance.
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Note: Mike McClellan was voted into the Australian Country Music Hands Hall of Fame in 1984, and  a picture of his hand print is shown below. To read more about this award, see The History Of Australian Country Music
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Mike McClellan - 1984

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my near mint condition LP that I purchased from the Essendon Secondhand Records Store some years ago. Full album artwork and label scans are included, but of course.  Points of interest on this LP are the who's who of Aussie Rock that play on this album, namely Doug Ashdown and Graham Lowndes on backing vocals, Tim Partridge on bass, Kerry Tolhurst on guitar and Russell Dunlop on drums.
I really like this album and it is hard to pick a favourite track as they are all fantastic, so I'm not going to try. Have a listen for yourself - you won't be disappointed.
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Track Listing
01. Song and Dance Man
02. Come Up To My Room
03. Me And Petunia

04. Rock ‘N’ Roll Lady
05. Catfish Ray
06. Traces
07. One Man Band
08. Another Grey Day
09. Sinking Ships
10. Sweet Rollin’ Man
11. One More Song
12. Saturday Dance
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Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, – Mike McClellan
Bass – Dave Ellis, Tim Partridge
Congas, Tambourine, Shaker, Washboard, Percussion – John Sangster
Drums – Doug Gallacher, Russell Dunlop
Electric Guitar – Mark Punch, Tim Piper

Harmony Vocals – Alison Mac Callum , Doug Ashdown, Graham Lowndes, Joy Mulligan, Norma Stoneman
Mandolin, Electric Guitar – Kerry Tolhurst
Piano – Tony Ansell
Piano Accordion – Enzo Toppano
Piano, Electric Piano, Harmonium – Tony Esterman
Soprano Saxophone, Arranged By [Strings & Brass] – Graham Lyall
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Mike McClellan FLACS Link (243Mb)
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Patch - The Star Suite (1973)

(Australian 1973)
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'The Star Suite' is an interpretation of the Four Elements of the Zodiac: Air, Fire, Water & Earth by an all Australian studio band called Patch.
The idea of this Aussie project, based in Melbourne, was conceived by renowned producer Peter Dawkins (Dragon, Billy Thorpe, Australian Crawl, Billy T, Rabbit, Mi Sex Pseudo Echo and Air Supply), who gathered a line-up of rock veterans and session musicians to play music inspired by the four elements of the Zodiac. ''The star suite'' came out in 1973 on the Harvest label.

Patch was mainly made up of Ariel and Taman Shud personnel, guitarist and fine folk singer /songwriter, Mike McClellan and others. It is not hard to pick out Spectrum / Ariel's Mike Rudd's guitar in the mix along with keyboardist Tony Esterman, New Zealander Rod Coe on bass and drummer Doug Gallacher, later of Madden & Harris.

They were supported by a number of guests, like percussionist Ian Bloxsom from Crossfire, Tony Ansell on organ, bassist Bill Putt, also of Spectrum and Ariel, cellist Nathan Waks, Ariel's and Taman Shud's guitarist Tim Gaze and saxophonist Doug Foskett.

Peter Dawkins

Liner Notes (thanks to Ozmuze at Midoztouch2 for transcription)
An original and stimulating concept in music, this suite depicts the most fundamental and profound aspect of astrological symbolism, that of the consideration of the signs of the zodiac in relation to the elements of fire, earth, air and water. One of the most important and ancient classifications (the very starting point of astrological development) and which are personified in four specific and quite definite horoscopical “types” of people. The connecting theme, evident throughout the different movements, has its correspondence in astrology in the common denominator that unites all people, that is, the similarities that are derived simply from the basic human factor involved, which can occasionally become submerged in efforts aimed at detailed interpretation and analysis, and attempts to define the characteristics of every zodiac personality by keeping each separate and distinctly and recognizably different.
Each movement musically portrays the division of that particular “element” into three, that of cardinal, fixed and mutable, and the extension of the initial primary types into the more subtle categories of the twelve signs. The make-up of each of us is a vast yet delicate merging and balancing of varied yet often contradictory character traits, which find clear and genuine connections via our personal natal chart, with the planetary patterns formed at the actual moment, date and place of birth. Every person should be able to give ample reign to their imagination and should find in each of the movements of this suite startling musical ideas that strike chords of identification in the more perceptive regions of the mind (with perhaps an especial rapport with the “element” that singularly might be the most predominant in his own individual horoscope).
I hope that you enjoy this sensitive and beautifully artistic expression of the elements as much as I have. by Karen Moregold.

Mike Rudd & Bill Putt

Review
Four long, instrumental tracks with a gentle atmosphere was what Patch had created and the opening ''Air'' sounds pretty promising, despite its soft and elaborate atmosphere, it sounds like the instrumental efforts of Goldon Giltrap, featuring a heavy acoustic content next to some jazzy keyboards and mellow electric guitars and swirling around orchestral, Fusion and light, psychedelic overtones.I am afraid that the next three pieces are not as good, even if the extended running times give promise for some charming musicianship.''Fire'' holds a very long Classical-drenched harpsichord theme, which is not really memorable, then the music sinks into a mellow Fusion style with decent organ and electric piano, before evolving into some kind of electric Folk Rock.

''Water'' is without question the jazziest cut of the album, but it lacks the nerve and density of the better bands of the style, again the keyboard work is worth mentioning, but I can find no relation between the stretched jazzy experiments and the following Psych/Folk environments on acoustic guitar and organ. ''Earth'' is a constantly developing Fusion piece, opening with flute and acoustic guitars, synthesisers and calm electric textures take over, but the addition of sax after the middle make this one sound more like Jazz Funk.

The music is entirely instrumental and is progressive at its best. Despite being made up of only 4 tracks and being over 40 minutes long, it is by no means boring. It has an ethereal, dreamy feel, building to great climaxes, all rather good, really. Overall, the music is generally better than the awful cover.
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This post consists of MP3's (256kps) ripped from vinyl (sourced on the web many moons ago) and includes limited artwork.  Note that the rip is a single file Album Wrap. This Australian album is rather obscure and has sold for $50-$150 over the past five years, when it has turned up for sale.  Grab this rip while you can!
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Tracks Listing

01.  Air (9:15)
02.  Fire (10:41)
03.  Water (10:57)
04.  Earth (11.14)

Line-up / Musicians
- Peter Dawkins / concept, composer, producer
- Mike Rudd / electric guitar, composer
- Mike McClellan / acoustic guitar, composer
- Doug Gallacher / drums
- Tony Esterman / keyboards
- Rod Coe / bass

Supporting Musicians:

- Bill Putt / bass (4)
- Tony Ansell / organ (2,3)
- Nathan Waks / electric cello (1,4)
- Tim Gaze / electric guitar (1,2,4)
- Ian Bloxham / percussion (3,4)
- The Bennelong Trio, Peter Draper / guitar (4, opening)
- The Bennelong Trio, Brian Strong / cello (4, opening)
- The Bennelong Trio, Nick Negerovich / flute (4, opening)
- Mike Perjanik / ARP synthesizer (1-3)
- Doug Fosket / saxophone (4)  'Awesome solo by the way !'  

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The Star Suite Link (77Mb)

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Mike McClellan - Until The Song Is Done (1976)

(Australian 1966 - Current)
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Mike McClellan: Strong Roots, new reflection  (Rolling Stone Magazine Feature Article)
A year ago I reviewed Graham Lowndes' excellent album 'Survival's A Song' and in the course of the review I attributed the song "Suzi Get Off This Train" to Graham. I was most embarrassed a couple of days later to hear that Suzi was written, not by Graham but by his friend Mike McClellan. What's more, I was informed, Mike was furious and intended to write and tell me of my error in no uncertain terms. I waited in trepidation.
Many months later much of the force of Mike's anger had dissipated - so much so that he laughed at the mention of the incident, though I did take the chance to apologise and offer a brief defense: how was I to have known that Australia had two brilliant songwriters secreted away in its coffee lounges, struggling to earn $15 a gig?

Well, at last it looks like things are changing for Mike. His current album 'Ask Any Dancer' has been released in the UK, its release looks imminent in the United States and towards the end of June this year he plans to go to England where he will record his next album "Until The Song Is Done". But he is taking it all in his stride: "The reaction from England and America has been very pleasing but I'm trying not to get to optimistic. If it happens,it's great, if it doesn't, I'll just keep going and continue to work at it."

My first encounter with Mike was at a crowded jostling EMI reception where conversation was limited to my shouted apology and Mike's rejoining laughter so it was with some relief that we met a day later in the quiet of the afternoon. Mike, a resident of Sydney, was in the midst of 'doing' Melbourne, from radio station to radio station, but he still acted like a man with time to spare and sat back, relaxed and easy, as our kitten played on his knee and he talked about his past and present, his influences and his future.
"My favourite single of all time came out in the early 60's: "You Can Have Her, I Don't Want Her' by George Hamilton. It was a magnificent single. It flattened me when I first heard it and I flogged it and flogged it"

On balance, however, rock music was a minor influence on the young McClellan. Coming from what he describes as a "very conventional family background" his love of music during his high school years was channeled away from rock and roll into the church choir, school concert productions and musical comedy. If fact during these years he turned his attention to straight drama, winning a scholarship to NIDA in '62. His family however, prevailed on him to postpone his acting career in favour of the relative security of a teachers' training course and in 1963 he wound up at Armidale Teacher's College for what he feels were the two most important years of his life.

"It was my first opportunity to get involved with music away from my home environment. I started playing guitar when I was even playing drums in the college band. I was a shithouse drummer - I had a good sense of rhythm but no technique at all. About that time Peter, Paul and Mary were making an impact and I was really keen on their guitar arrangements. I was also listening avidly to Doc Watson and an incredible 12 string acoustic guitarist and banjo player who was backing the Chad Mitchell Trio then, who turned out to be Jim (roger) McGuinn of the Byrds."

On vacations to Melbourne and Sydney, Mike extended his interest from folk and rock to blues. Those were the days of Trevor Lucas, Martin Wyndam-Reid, Brian Mooney, and most importantly for Mike, Paul Marks. "Paul was a fine guitarist", he says, "the best of his kind in Australia then and he was singing and playing the blues - he was using jazz arrangements and doing his own material as well as songs by Broonzey and others. It was Paul who was responsible for getting me into the blues."

By 1966 after a year's teaching in the country Mike was back in Sydney doing some fancy blues and country picking around the folk clubs. It was about this time that he came together with Graham Lowndes and with a third member, Derek Robinson, they formed the Currency Blues Co, a band they still remember with affection.
"Graham introduced himself one night in Sydney and asked if he could sing with me, he said he sang a bit of blues. Thin little weedy Graham. So I thought of yeah, and said alright, come and have a sing. I started to play and out comes this magnificent voice - I nearly fell off the floor, it was incredible."
Mike continued playing around the clubs and teaching until the end of '69 when he joined the chorus of Barry Crocker's TV Show, Sound Of Music. This rather amazing turn of fortune came about through New Faces.  My wife used to say go New Faces, you can do better than those mugs and I'd say oh no, so she sent my application form and I wound up winning about 1800 bucks which I didn't complain about. The show was a load of rubbish though and I go on to the Sound Of Music because they had to make it
look as if New Faces lead somewhere. When the show folded I went back to teaching."

Since then Mike has been singing and playing solo and he has finally given up teaching, this time for good. In the past few years his songwriting has gone from strength to strength. "My early songs were desperately self-conscious and terrible naive. In the 60's I depended mainly on other material."
He enjoys playing solo, primarily because his first love is the acoustic guitar which would tend to get lost in most electric bands. At present on stage Mike alternates between his sixteen year old Gibson Hummingbird and his two Martins, a D35 and a 1938 017. "I also rather like to be totally in control of a performance. I'm not a very strong singer and my songs work best in live performance with a limited accompaniment."  On record however these difficulties are easily overcome and both Mike's albums make use of accompaniment and orchestrations to further develop his songs.

His first album 'Mike McClellan'  was released in June 1972 and though it received some excellent reviews, nothing much came of it. "The record company ATA did nothing to promote it, although they did manage to get out a poster three months after it had been released but it received no airplay to speak of."  His second album, Ask Any Dancer was released by EMI in September 1974.

Unlike so many musicians, Mike's love of music extends beyond his own work and much of his free timer is spent in listening to and enjoying others, Two Australian musicians who sprang readily to mind as favourites of Mike's were Graham Lowndes: "he's the most electrifying singer I have ever heard" and Jean Lewis: "a fine fine singer". McClellan's name has long been associated in the public's mind with these two musicians as well as others like Margaret Roadknight and Bob Hudson, and I asked him what those musicians had in common.

"Apart from the shows that we have done together, I tend to think of us as survivors of an era that is long past. I think our main bond is that most of us started out in the folk era and through determination and a strong belief in what we are doing, we are still around.  It has been difficult for us all - survival would have been impossible for me if I hadn't had teaching as well as music to support my family. In that way I guess I'm different to the rest: I've got a family, a couple of Kids, a mortgage, I drive a car - I enjoy and in a way - need all the middle class trappings.

The list of overseas favourites could be endless but it includes Dobie Gray, "Drive Away" was the first single I bought in years", David Ackles, Paul and Mentor Williams, Joni Mitchell. Jerry Jeff Walker, Steely Dan (particularly Katy Lied), Randy Newman and most recently Martha Reeves and keyboards player and singer/songwriter Michael O'Martian.

As far as Mike is concerned, things are looking up for the Australian Musician. "No longer do you have to make excuses for Australian records. Our recording facilities are equal to those overseas and so are the cream of our musicians. If we spend the right amount of time and energy we can make a musical product that is as musically polished and valid as anything they can produce in America. I tend to think that the material that we send overseas has got to be not as good but just a little better than the overseas product, since the record company who will make or break it has got to be able to say obviously there is something here and we will spend a lot of money to get an unknown artist off the ground.

To add to his chance of success, Mike signed in February with a new manager Robin Britten, whose management of the Hollies has already proved his value. But if for any reason Mike's assault on the big time fails this time around, after almost 10 years in the business he is not likely to give up now. As he says in "One Man Band " (from his latest album), "...somethin' inside keeps pushin' me on/so I shuffle my blues through a worn out tune/and I carry on".   (Article written by Margaret MacIntryre, Rolling Stone Magazine, May 8, 1975. p43)
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This post consists of FLACS ripped from my vinyl (ex condition) and includes full album artwork and label scans as per usual. This is a great album and if you liked his first album, then you're gonna love this one. My only criticism  is that the last track "Sail Tonight" wears a little thin after awhile, with the chorus being repeated over and over again for the last 3mins of the song. Although a catchy tune, this repetition spoils what could have been a great single, if he had shortened the chorus by several minutes..

Track Listing:

01 - Carry Me (Until The Song Is Done)

02 - The Gamble             
03 - Love Survives             
04 - Midnight Flight             
05 - Room Service             
06 - Now The Rodeos Are Gone             
07 - Takin' The Tide             
08 - Lovers Never Wind Up Friends
09 - My Old Guitar And Me             
10 - I Had An Old Dog             
11 - Sail Tonight

The Band:
Bass - Greg Lyons, Tim Partridge, Darcy Wright, Len Barnard
Drums - Doug Gallacher, Russell Dunlop, Len Barnard
Guitar - Mike McClellan, Jim Kelly, Peter Walker
Keyboards - Ian Mason, Judy Bailey
Percussion - John Sangster, Sunil da Silva
Pedal Steel - Ken Kitching
Harmonica - Richard Brooks
Banjo - Paul Trenwith
Mandolin - Graham Lovejoy
Trombone - Ken Herron
Backing Vocals - Brendan Kristen, Julie Amiet, Kristi Lane, Janice Slater, Barry Leef, Pate Aulton & Mike
String & Brass Arrangements - Graham Lyall
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Mike McClellan FLAC Link (290Mb)
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Mike McClellan - Selftitled (1972) + Bonus Tracks

(Australian 1966 - Current)
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Mike McClellan was born in NSW and his first big break came when he won a television talent quest. From there he became a regular on the TV series 'Sound of Music'. At this point, Mike formed his own band called the 'Currency Blues Co' in the mid-sixties.
During the 60's, he trained as a teacher in Armidale and taught in schools in New South Wales before recording his first album for Col Joye's ATA records in 1972, under his own name.

He recorded this debut album with the assistance of respective artists such as Graham Lowndes and Duncan McGuire (Ayers Rock). The album was released in June 1972 and although it received some excellent reviews, nothing much came of it, probably because his record company ATA did nothing to promote it. They did manage to get out a poster three months after it had been released but it received no airplay to speak of. Two singles were lifted from the album  "Some Other Sunrise" and "Suzie, Get Off This Train" but neither made an impression on the charts. In my opinion, ATA should have released "Lonely Man" as a single, as it is clearly the strongest track on the album.  Col didn't like his new material so he left and Mike recorded his next (and all subsequent albums) with EMI Australia.

Mike McClellan On GTK 1972

His second album, 'Ask Any Dancer', was released in England and Europe and in November, 1974 he made the charts with 'Song and Dance Man'. The single was highly acclaimed and was covered by artists in England, America and South Africa.
In 1975, he released a third album on the EMI label entitled 'Until The Song Is Done' but this too made no real impact on the charts as did the single "Carry Me".
In March, 1976 Mike came up with a more aggressive, rock style sound on his 'Coming Up For Air album'. A single, 'Caddie' (inspired by the movie) was lifted from it and its release coincided with his successful tour of Australia with Melanie.
Mike was noted as much for his songwriting as for his singing and his material was recorded overseas by several artists, including Rick Nelson.

A proposed trip to the US following an offer to record in Nashville unfortunately didn't materialise and it wasn't until mid 1977 that Mike surfaced again with an album and a single entitled 'Another Night'.
In September '77 he recorded a live album for EMI which was released in November under the title of An Evening With Mike McClellan - Live.  [extract from Noel McGrath's Australian Encyclopedia Of Rock, Outback Press, 1978. p215-216]

In 1979, he went on to host a television country music show.  In 1982, he toured overseas and his return to Australia in ‘83 marked another change in his career.  Weary of the constant traveling he sought more stability for he and his family.  Mojo, then regarded as the most dynamic ad agency in the country, persuaded him to write for them.  For 2 years he contributed some of the most memorable advertising on television, writing the concepts, words and music for clients such as Australian Airlines, Red Rooster, Channel 9 and growing the already established XXXX and Tooheys campaigns for the agency.  Invigorated by new challenges he and a partner left Mojo and set up their own agency which they called Kazoo.  It grew rapidly over the period from ‘86 to ‘91.  The 2 partners became 3, the staff went from 3 to 30 and the billings through the roof.

Through all the demands on his time he still managed to release a new album in 1990.  The Heartland is considered by many who know his work to be as good as anything he has recorded and marked a return to the EMI label.
He subsequently sold his share holding in Kazoo to re-establish Mike McClellan Pty Ltd and take complete control of his own destiny once more.  He needed the time to write for himself and take advantage of the dramatic changes that had been happening in the communications industry.
1998 marked the release of a single commissioned for Warner Music.  But the three songs it contained were a little different to past McClellan discs.  They were tributes to three great Australian sportsmen, Mark Taylor, the much-admired former Aussie cricket captain, the great Sir Donald Bradman, and David Campese, often called “the Bradman of Rugby.”

Late 2001 saw the release of a comprehensive retrospective of his recording career.  Personally chosen and carefully remastered from the original tapes Time. And Time Again. is a double CD containing 35 of his best songs.  Among them are re-recordings of two from his very first album, a studio version of California Cool that was only ever released as a B side on a single and New York City Blues, a never before released gem that was recorded during the sessions for The Heartland CD but didn’t fit comfortably with the other songs.
Late 2001 also saw the first of what were standout concerts with his old friends Kevin Johnson (who wrote Rock’n Roll I Gave You All The Best Years of My Life) and Doug Ashdown (Winter In America).  A sell out crowd at Sydney’s Basement and a standing ovation said it all – “Their artistic and intelligent acoustic alchemy had a capacity house singing, stamping and tingling beyond the witching hour.  A night indelibly imprinted”, said Glenn A. Baker.
In 2005, in conjunction with Andrew Pattison, who established Melbourne’s premier acoustic venue the Troubadour, he brought to Australia and shared the bill with the wonderful US singer/songwriter Danny O’Keefe.  The concert crowds reinforced his belief that there was still a sizeable, enthusiastic audience in Australia for acoustic music of depth, conviction and real quality.

Mike McClellan Today - Still Playing

Mike was, for 6 years, a senior tutor at the CMAA Country Music Academy in Tamworth and is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Australian International Conservatorium of Music where he taught a course in song writing.  Ironically, after many, many years his original training as a school teacher is being put to good use once again and his song writing workshops have become an important part of his creative life.
2011 saw the release of his first album of new songs in 20 years.  In reviewing it for Country Update Pat Drummond called it "a stunning new CD. In the context of a long and illustrious career this is a very special album.... for one of Australia's most influential country/folk legends."
Mike took to the road again in 2011 playing concerts across the country to standing ovations.  As a performer he just seems to get better with time and it is a tribute to his talent that many in his audiences have been coming to see him sing for well over 40 years.  And now, 40 years after Song and Danceman hit the charts he is releasing a new CD, Dancing In The Rain.  If the initial reaction is any indication this one is even better than the last.
Reviewing one of Mike’s Troubadour performances for the Melbourne Age some years ago journalist Paul Speelman wrote, “McClellan is a national asset”.  His 2011 CD, If only for a moment… only added to his reputation as one of our finest singer songwriters.  The new one, Dancing In The Rain, will surely enhance what is already an exceptional body of work. [extract from Mike's Website]
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This post consists of FLACs ripped from my rare vinyl copy (I've never seen another copy) and includes full album artwork and label scans.  Mike McClellan has a voice and sound that is similar to Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Michael Murphy and on occasions, even John Denver.  As song writers go, he is as good as Doug Ashdown, John Williamson and Hans Poulsen. One observation however, is that his track "Playing It By Ear"
sounds a little like Harry Nilsson's megahit "Everybody's Talkin'" and as good as Mike's song sounds, one has to wonder.
As a bonus, I have included several live tracks taken from some early 70's GTK appearances, sourced from Youtube.
If you like this post, then stay tuned - cause' I've got a couple more albums of Mikes to post in the future which you are really going to enjoy.
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Track Listing 
01 - Blues For Ginny
02 - There Is A Place
03 - Love Is A Lady
04 - Country Morning
05 - Will She Come?
06 - Lonely Man
07 - Some Other Sunrise
08 - The Fiddler
09 - Playing It By Ear
10 - Nursery Rhyme
11 - Where Will I Be Tomorrow?
12 - Susie Get Me Off This Train
13 - (Bonus) Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues (GTK) *
14 - (Bonus) Some Other Sunrise (GTK 1971) *
* Sourced from YouTube

Credits:Mike McClellan - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Grahame Lister - Harmony vocals, Acoustic Rhythm Guitar
Red McKelvie - Electric Guitar
Duncan McGuire - Bass Guitar
Warren Daly - Drums
Gillian McIntyre - Violin
John Capek - Piano
Billy Weston - String Arrangements
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Mike McClellan FLAC Link (269Mb)
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