REPOST: Renee Geyer - Moving Along (1977) + Bonus Tracks

(Australian 1970-2023)
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Long recognised as Australia's foremost jazz, blues and soul singer, Renee Geyer (born 1952) has issued more than 20 albums over the course of a 30-year career.
Best known for her rich, soulful, passionate and husky vocal delivery, Geyer has also been much in demand as a session singer. She has sung backing vocals on numerous album sessions ranging from La De Das, Dragon and Men At Work to Richard Clapton and Jimmy Barnes.
Geyer has worked and recorded in the USA as well as singing back-up vocals for international artists such as Joe Cocker, Sting and Chaka Khan.
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In 1970, at the age of 16, Geyer's singing career began as a vocalist with jazz-blues band Dry Red, for her audition she sang The Bee Gees' hit "To Love Somebody". She soon left Dry Red for other bands including the more accomplished jazz-rock group Sun. Sun consisted of Geyer, George Almanza (piano), Henry Correy (bass guitar), Garry Nowell (drums), Keith Shadwick (sax, flute, clarinet, vocals) and Chris Sonnenberg (guitar). The group released one album 'Sun' in August 1972.

Renee with Michael Gudinski

She then sang with two short lived bands, Free Spirit and Nine Stage Horizon before joining a jazz-blues band called Mother Earth, who backed Renee on her selftitled debut album and the singles "Space Captain" and "Oh! Boy". She split from Mother Earth at the end of that year.
Her second album, 'It's A Man's Man's World', yielded the singles "What Do I Do On Sunday Morning?", "It's Been A Long Time" and a stunning cover of James Brown's "It's A Man's Man's World". Geyer's gorgeous rendering of this song became her first charting single when it reached Number 29 in Melbourne during December 1974. By that time she had teamed up with jazz/funk band Sanctuary. When they came to record her 'Ready To Deal' album, Sanctuary became known as The Renee Geyer Band.
Ready To Deal was a success and spawned three singles; "(I Give You) Sweet Love", "Heading In The Right Direction" and "If Loving You Is Wrong". During that period, The Renee Geyer Band supported overseas visitors like Eric Clapton.

The band recorded the live album 'Really . . . Really Love You' with Renee in 1976 before she travelled to the USA to record 'Moving Along' in Los Angeles with Motown producer Frank Wilson and a host of American session players, including members of Stevie Wonder's band. "Stares and Whispers" and "Tender Hooks" were issued as singles. Renee's final single for 1977 was the theme song to the television soapie The Restless Years.
Geyer spent the next decade dividing her time between Australia and the US. She recorded her next album 'Winner' in LA. "Money (That's What I Want)" and "Baby Be Mine" were issued as singles. The excellent 'Blues License' album (with Kevin Borich on guitar) and the BB King song "The Thrill Is Gone" were released in July 1979.

In 1980, Renee was signed to Michael Gudinski's Mushroom Records. She recorded with rock band The Ideals, which resulted in the hard-edged "Hot Minutes" single in July 1980. Her biggest hits came with the salsa/reggae styled "Say I Love You" single in July 1981 and the 'So Lucky' album (November 1981). The album produced two other singles, "Do You Know What I Mean?" and "I Can Feel The Fire".
Geyer went on to release three further singles on Mushroom; "Love So Sweet," "Goin' Back" and "Trouble In Paradise". Her last albums for Mushroom were 'Renee Live' and the 'Best Of' set called 'Faves'.

.In 1984, she recorded a duet with Jon English called "Every Beat Of My Heart" and in 1985 her first album for WEA, 'Sing To Me', contained the singles "Faithful Love", "Every Day Of The Week" and "All My Love". 'Live At The Basement' was her last solo album for eight years, during which time she lived in L.A. and joined Californian band Easy Pieces, appearing on the A&M album 'Easy Pieces' in 1988
[extract from www.nostalgiacentral.com]
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Following the 'Easy Pieces' album which was released just as the record company A & M was changing US distributors and therefore died, Renee took a decade off from recording. During this time she did much session work for her great friend Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, Toni Childs, Sting and Neil Diamond among others.

However, in 1995 she returned to Australia, permanently and resumed her recording career and has released a series of hugely acclaimed albums since then including her best seller ever, 'Tenderland' on which she pays tribute to the soul classics she grew up on. Not slavish cover versions of "Midnight Train To Georgia", "Love Don't Live Here Anymore", "Sexual Healing", even Prince's "Thieves In The Temple", but totally individual interpretations as only Renee can do. [comments by Micko at Midoztouch]
Trivia Note: Renee contributed backing vocals to Sting's second solo album, 'Nothing Like The Sun'. She was incorrectly listed in the credits as René Gayer.
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Album Review
This was the album that was to break Renee Geyer onto the American market. This is another Australian record that is so good that it would be worth a lot of money if it was rare (but it’s not) which is really a good thing for music fans. Renee had already put out a few albums by the time this record came around, but it’s still regarded highly by collectors and fans alike because it contains some of her best work. "Be There In The Morning" – sometimes referred to as Northern Soul – is a great modern soul sounding cut with a driving soul groove and a compelling vocal hook (on 7” single it is actually pretty hard to find, but it’s readily accessible on this LP and have also included an alternate mix which has a more funkier groove to the original).

Another great song on this album is the title cut "Movin’ On'" a really upbeat funk dancer complete with breaks midway through. There’s also a great 'fresh' version of "Heading in the Right Direction" and an almost reggae sounding soul cut called "Tender Hooks".
But the track that gets me every time is her hit single "Stares and Whispers" - I just love the catchy riff and lyrics which make this such an enjoyable track. Overall, a fantastic record that probably doesn’t get the props it deserves.

This rip was taken from an 'out-of-print' CD in FLAC and contains full album artwork, along with two bonus tracks: a live version of her hit "It's a Man's World" (Recorded at A Reefer Derci in 1976 ) and the remixed version of "Be There In the Morning" taken from 'At Her Very Best' compilation LP.

Appendum:  Sadly, Renee Geyer passed away on 17 Jan, 2023 in Geelong.  Taken from us way too soon - R.I.P 

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    NEW IMPROVED RIP

Track Listing
01. Heading In the Right Direction (2.58)
02. Be There In the Morning (4.24)
03. Quicker Than the Eye (4.03)
04. Tender Hooks (4.45)
05. Stares And Whispers (3.33)
06. Just To Make Love To You (4.43)
07. Touch (4.50)
08. Moving Along (6.39)
[Bonus Tracks]
09. It's A Man's Man's World (Live A Reefer Derci 1976)
10. Be There In The Morning (Alt.Version)
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Band members:
Vocals, Backing Vocals : Renée Geyer
Guitars : Ray Parker, Jr., Greg Poree, Stephen Beckmeier
Bass : James Jamerson; Nathan Watts; Barry 'Big Goose' Sullivan
Keyboards : Harry Booker; Jerry Peters; Mal Logan
Piano : Reginald Burke
Drums : Raymond Pounds
Percussion : Jack Ashford; Frederick Lewis
Background Vocals : Venetta Fields; Sherlie Matthews; Pat Henerson; Tiemeyer McCain; Otis Stokes; Frank Wilson.
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.Renee Geyer (312Mb) New Link 16/06/2024
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REPOST: W.O.C.K On Vinyl - 21 Years of Rock N Roll: A Tribute to 'Rock Around The Clock' (1977)

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Before things get too serious here at Rock On Vinyl, I thought it might be fun to post a song / album at the end of each month, that could be categorized as being either Weird, Obscure, Crazy or just plain Korny.
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"Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (the latter under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1954. It was a number one single on both the US and UK charts and also re-entered the UK Singles Chart in the 1960s and 1970s.

It was not the first rock and roll record, nor was it the first successful record of the genre (Bill Haley had American chart success with "Crazy Man, Crazy" in 1953, and in 1954, "Shake, Rattle and Roll" reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart). Haley's recording nevertheless became an anthem for rebellious Fifties youth and is widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world. The song is ranked No. 158 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. [extract from wikipedia]
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21 years of Rock and Roll, "Rock around the Clock" was released in 1977 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the release of Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock," 2SM and its sister radio stations, 3XY in Melbourne and 4IP in Brisbane, put out a re-make of the song with a host of stars doing the vocals including: Glenn Shorrock, Shirley Strachan, John Paul Young, Daryl Braithwaite, Renee Geyer and Frankie J Holden.
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The rear sleeve states:
'The record that launched the Rock 'n' Roll era became a hit in Australia in July, 1956. It proved to be one of the most fantastic hits of all time with collective sales estimated at over 22 million. 'Rock around the Clock' has been waxed in thirty-five different languages with over 140 versions globally'.

2SM/3XY/4IP with the ANZ Bank commissioned the cream of Australian rock talent to record this limited edition tribute to 21 years of Rock 'n' Roll. Hope you enjoy it."
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The artists appear by courtesy of:
Glenn Shorrock - E.M.I. Records
Graeme 'Shirley' Strachan & Frankie J. Holden - Mushroom Records
John Paul Young - Albert Productions
Daryl Braithwaite - Razzle Records
Renee Geyer - R.C.A. Records
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This is a rather Obscure 7" Single as it was only released in Australia, in relatively small numbers and therefore it earns a place in this month's WOCK On Vinyl. Perhaps it should be renamed to:
"WOCK around the Clock" ! Ripped from vinyl in FLAC format and includes full artwork.
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New Improved Rip

Track Listing
01 - Rock Around The Clock (Tribute)
02 - Spoken Word: History Of The Song Rock Around The Clock
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Rock Around The Clock Link (33Mb)
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Various Artists - Andrew Durant Memorial Concert (1980)

 (Australian 1980)

Andrew MacLeish Durant (2 October 1954 – 6 May 1980) was an Australian musician-songwriter. He was a member of country rock group Stars (1976–79) providing guitar, harmonica, and backing vocals. He was also a session and backing musician for a range of artists. He died of cancer, aged 25. On 19 August 1980 a tribute performance was held in his honour, with a live double-album recorded by various artists, Andrew Durant Memorial Concert, which was released on 9 March 1981. All but three tracks were written by Durant. It peaked at No. 8 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart and reached No. 40 on the End of Year Top 100 Albums Chart for 1981...R.I.P

Andy's Story

Andrew was born in Adelaide on 2nd October, 1954, the youngest of six children. Four of his five brothers and sisters played guitar at various times, and this influence, together with the blues and folk records they brought home during their teenage years induced Andy to show a musical interest at a very early age. He taught himself to play guitar around the time he started High School, and developed to the point where he performed solo at school concerts. At the age of fifteen he bought his first electric guitar and started jamming with other beginners in the area; playing material from the Beatles, The Band, Cream and Grand Funk Railroad.

He quickly earned respect as the best local musician, showing a strong talent for guitar, harmonica and vocals. Songwriting ideas were also starting to come through at this time.

His friends also remember him for his performances at parties. playing accurate renditions of Dylan songs such as "Love Minus Zero - No Limit", "George Jackson", and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door".

In late 1972 Andy, Glyn Dowding and I formed a band called Astrakhan, with the intent of developing a career- Towards the end of the band's 18 month life Andy introduced his first original song to our repertoire of material by groups such as Free and Deep Purple. He left Astrakhan just before it disbanded, and formed a band called Mirrormere, to play more experimental music under the influence of bands such as King Crimson.

In 1975, I formed Stars with Glyn. Mick Pealing and Graham Thompson. and after working for a year and earning ourselves a record contract in Melbourne, we asked Andy to rejoin us as rhythm guitarist/ harmony vocalist. He accepted, expressing an interest in developing his songwriting. Within only a few months he became the major writing force in the band, producing some ten songs, most of which were recorded for the Stars 'Paradise' album released in January 1978. These songs, which were to earn Andy his reputation as a songwriter, were his first serious works.

The Stars -1978

The success of Paradise led to a consistent national touring schedule for Stars. which, together with line-up changes, detained the release of the follow-up album 'Land of Fortune' till June 1979. ln August 1979, after months of hesitation. Andy submitted himself for medical tests to investigate the unusual growth of a mole on his back. The tests confirmed that the mole had become malignant. This form of cancer is called melanoma. Stars fulfilled their September commitments with a replacement guitarist while Andy recuperated after a removal operation. He resumed live performances with the band in October after further tests indicated an "all clear" on his health.

In November, Stars disbanded due to disappointing sales of the 'Land of Fortune' album, coupled with the need for new direction and a change of pace after four years of constant touring.

Andy was invited to Sydney in December to play guitar on Richard Clapton's current album, 'Dark Spaces', but had to abandon the project before completion due to the discomfort of severe back pains. He returned to Melbourne and after extensive medical tests at the Peter MacCallum Hospital, was diagnosed as having "secondary's" in the form of bone cancer. Extensive chemotherapy and ray treatment were prescribed immediately, but by February 1980, Andy was bedridden. To enable him to remain at home with his family regular ambulance transport was provided to and from the hospital.

Andy made clear his wish that his condition be kept secret, for the entitlement of his privacy, and to avoid the pain it would cause his many friends. He had great determination to win his battle and despite his illness, his talent and love for song writing continued to grow. The small group of family and friends who surrounded him encouraged him to further the musical statement he had already made. Andrew Durant died on Tuesday, May 6th. 1980, aged 25.

This Memorial Concert was conceived as a gesture of love and respect from Andy's friends and peers. The full potential of his talent may never be realized, but his music remains and it is befitting that it be performed in its entirety. Showtime will realise the magnitude of the entire entertainment industry pulling together to make this unique event possible.

The plan commenced with the intention of using proceeds of the concert to establish the annual "Andrew Durant Songwriter's Award". Sponsorship since received now enables us to direct the majority of the proceeds to the Peter MacCallum Hospital for further research into the drugs used in Andrew's treatment.

A copy of the Hospital's letter acknowledging the proposal is included below for your reference.

This post consists of FLACs ripped from both Vinyl (original 2LP release) and CD (bonus tracks) and includes full album artwork for both media, along with label scans

I saw Andy Durant playing with Stars back in 1977, during the 'Nightmovies Concerts' and was a huge fan of his guitar playing. His passing was a huge shock to the Australian Music Industry and fan community and his legacy will never be forgotten. This post is a tribute to both his amazing contributions to the Australian Music Scene and the strength he demonstrated as a Cancer patient.

Artists who contributed to this memorial concert were: Mick Pealing, Malcolm Eastick, Glyn Dowding, Renee Geyer, Broderick Smith, Ian Moss, Don Walker, Graham Thompson, Kerryn Tolhurst, Jimmy Barnes, Richard Clapton, Rick Formosa, John-James Hackett, Glyn Mason, Mick O'Connor, Billy Rogers

LP Track List

A1 Back Again 4:35
A2 Pick Up The Pieces 5:42
A3 Paradise 3:48
A4 Jive Town 3:51
A5 Good Times 1:17
B1 Last Of The Riverboats 4:03
B2 Jupiter Creek 4:19
B3 Ocean Deep 5:31
B4 Look After Yourself 4:03
C1 Innocent Bystanders 4:02
C2 Iceman 6:15
C3 Solitaire 6:02
C4 Wasted Words 5:22
D1 Song For The Road 4:55
D2 Mighty Rock 7:17
D3 Knockin' On Heavens Door 9:41

Bonus Tracks

01 - Let's Get Moving

02 - Living A Lie

03 - Red Neck Boogie

04 - West Is The Way

Andy Durant Memorial Concert Link (726Mb)

Rénee Geyer - It's A Man's World (1974) plus bonus live track

 (Australian 1970 - 2023)

Rénee Geyer was born in Melbourne on 11 Sep 1953 to a holocaust surviving Slovak mother (who was consigned to Auschwitz) and a Hungarian father. Whilst still at high school she began singing for a jazz/blues band Dry Red in 1970 aged 16 and later joined Sun who released one, self-titled, album in 1972. She soon left Sun and joined R&B/soul group Mother Earth.

By 1973, she was signed to RCA Victor and released a debut, self-titled, album mainly of covers, on which she insisted Mother Earth, who had been released by the label, were to be her backing band. It was followed in 1974 by "It's A Mans Man's World" named after the lead track, a cover of James Brown's classic 1966 deep soul song, which she released as a single and both single and album where her first charting recordings.

Female R&B/soul icons were thin on the ground in the 1970’s in this country, Wendy Sadington, Alison McCallum, Marcia Hines, Linda George and Bobbi Marchini certainly had their fans, but Rénee Geyer had already won plaudits for her cover of James Brown’s It’s A Man’s Man’s World and she was a genuine soul diva at the tender age of 20. Later in 1975 she formed her own collective – The Renee Geyer Band, they were now based in Melbourne, and she moved from RCA to Mushroom Records, and Michael Gudinski’s partner Ray Evans became her manager, after she severed ties with Horst Leopold, her manager from the Sun/Mother Earth days.

At the time Mushroom Records and Premier Artists were part of the same corporate group, clustered together in a baroque -Edwardian property at 27-31 Dudley St, West Melbourne, where they neatly bundled up recording, artist booking and management, publicity and finance within one overarching business, and unsurprisingly the internal conflict of interests were extensive. Many performers who emerged from this era claimed that they never got a fair share of the income they had generated – including Rénee Geyer.

Ray Evans-Renee-Geyer-Molly Meldrum

In 1984, Rénee would sever ties with Mushroom and Ray Evans, the split was particularly acrimonious with Evans, Geyer alleged that he failed to properly account for and report her finances, deprived her of income earned and ultimately charged her for operating expenses of which she was unaware, lawyers were ultimately required to resolve the matter, and henceforth Rénee became her own manager for the rest of her career.

This is the first Rénee Geyer album I owned and is her 2nd solo album. "It's a Man's Man's World" is more infused with a classic RnB sound, with touches of blues, than her later more funk-soul influenced albums. Her cover of the James Brown song was a huge hit in Australia. Producer Tweed Harris, previously best known as a 60s soul musician, works here with a classic band setup augmented with orchestral and brass colourings. This is my favourite Geyer album and each track has its own unique appeal, particularly the title track and her cover of Isaac Hayes' "Do your Thing".

Her vinyl album was released on the RCA label, however the CD release was made on the Mushroom label in 1995.

VALE Renee Geyer

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Renée Geyer, Australian Jazz and soul singer died on January 17, 2023. A statement made by The Mushroom Group on behalf of the family of Renée Geyer confirmed the news. The statement read:

“It is with immense sadness that we announce that Renée Geyer has passed away from complications following hip surgery. While in the hospital, it was discovered that Renée also had inoperable lung cancer. She was in no pain and died peacefully amongst family and friends.”

“Renée is one of the most highly regarded singers in contemporary music – her unique vocal sound influences countless singers to this day. Renée was irrepressible, cheeky, and loyal and her musical legacy speaks for itself, with her performing and recording career spanning five decades.”

“She was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005; in 2013 she was the first woman to be inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame; and she received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Women in Music Awards in 2018.”

I would like to make this post a tribute to 'the best RnB / Soul female artist' that Australia has ever  produced.  I was gutted when I learned of her passing last Tuesday and as a long time fan, words fail to express the sadness that I feel.  "It's A Man's World" was the first song that I heard Geyer sing back in the early 70's and as an impressionable young teenager, I was instantly besotted. 

Ripped to FLAC, this CD presents a much better quality sound than would my well worn vinyl LP. I have of course included full artwork for both media. As a special bonus, I am also including a 'recent live' rendition of the title track, that Renee made at the ABC's Studio 22, Sydney.  

RIP  Rénee Geyer

Tracklist

01 It's A Man's Man's World - 3.34 
02 They Tell Me Of An Uncloudy Day - 3.42
03 Take Me Where You Took Me Last Night - 3.53
04 Since I Fell For You - 3.42 
05 What Do I Do On Sunday Morning - 3.58
06 Love The Way You Love - 3.15 
07 Scarlet Ribbons - 2.45
08 Do Your Thing - 3.44 
09 And I Love Him - 5.14
10 It's Been A Long Time - 3.23
11 Mama's Little Girl - 3.26 
12 Once In A Lifetime Thing - 3.33
13 Feel Good - 3.15

14 It's A Man's World (Bonus Live / Studio 22)

MUSICIANS
Renée Geyer: Vocals, Backing Vocals
Guitars: Phil Manning; Tim Gaze; Steve Murphy; Tony Naylor
Keyboards: Tweed Harris
Bass: Barry "Big Goose" Sullivan; Mike Kelly
Drums: Geoff Cox
Background Vocals: Julie McKenna; Wendy Reece; Bobby Bright; Mike Brady
Percussion: Gary Hyde

Renée Geyer Link (328Mb)

Renee Geyer: Live At Dallas Brooks Hall [Really Really Love You] (1976) / Live At The Basement (1986)

 (Australian 1970 - Present)

Renee Geyer has been classed as one of Australia's top rock/blues singers. But in my mind, she should also be named as one of Australia's top musicians. Because, in her voice there is a perfectly tuned instrument that is superbly controlled.

Over the past two years, Renee has emerged out of the Sydney club session scene into the Top 40 commercial market. Where many singers have had to sell themselves down the drain to achieve that necessary hit single, Renee stood firm - it was her way or forget it.

After her early LP recording in Sydney of 'Sun' she joined RCA Records and recorded 'Renee Geyer' Acclaimed by the critics, this album introduced Renee to a new and younger audience. But Renee was not happy with the finished product. She felt much more at home with her third album 'It's A Man's World', which subsequently went gold.

Renee Geyer Band On Stage At Dallas Brooks Hall 1976

Late last year, after joining Mushroom, Renee recorded another album, entitled 'Ready To Deal' and with her band of musicians which she had so carefully picked - Mal Logan, Barry Sullivan, Greg Tell and Mark Punch, she felt she had recorded a collection of songs which showed the true talents of herself and her band.

Renee Geyer with Molly Meldrum (on right)

Obviously the Australian public thought so too, as this album also went gold within a matter of months. During this time there was a string of successful singles on the Top 40 and Renee's following had expanded to all ages. Performance wise, Renee toured the country appearing at discos and concert halls. With a good steady flow of Jim Beam and Jonnie Walker always at hand, many of Renee's performances were memorable and some were forgettable.

Early 1975 Renee toured with Eric Clapton as support act and granted her vocal performance was excellent, but presentation wise, she was shabby to say the least. Her big problem was that she was too frightened to come out from behind the musicians and be a performer in her own right.

Live At Dallas Brooks Hall (1976)

Dallas Brooks Hall in the late 70's

One could be excused for thinking that she wore Barry Sullivan's bass amp for an earring! Over the next six months her confidence grew and on December 21, 1975 at Dallas Brooks Hall, the Renee Geyer Band headlined their own concert. It was a magical night and in my mind it marked the beginning of 'Miss Renee Geyer - Singer/Performer'.

Apart from the band's own title track, and a version of the jazz standard "Masquerade", she covers contemporary soul/funk tracks by Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, the Temptations, Aretha Franklin (a duet of "It Only Happens" with Doug Williams), Sly Stone, and the Average White Band. Her cover of Watson's "Hard Head" has appeared on a few rare soul/funk compilations before.

Dallas Brooks Hall that night was packed with followers, musicians and groups - their encore was unanimous. This is what this live album is all about, April 11, 1976 at Dallas Brooks Hall, Renee sang goodbye and 'Really, Really...Love You'. [Liner notes by Molly Meldrum]

Live At The Basement (1986)

This is one of Renee's lesser known albums, released mid 1986, but with Renee in the US it did not chart. It was recorded at Sydney's famous Basement club on one of her return trips from the US, just before she went back to form Easy Pieces with members of The Average White Band.

Recorded at midnight on 12th May, 1986, within 12 hours she would be on that plane back to New York and this was a kind of farewell party, to farewell her friends at Sydney's Basement Club. The basement had always heard the best of Renee Geyer. On this occasion the mood was especially electric and celebratory. 

From the moment she opened her set with the rocking "Release Yourself", her message was clear: Miss Geyer was happy to be singing her favourite music, on a familiar stage, with eight of Australia's finest musicians around her.

Renee essentially avoids the synth trappings of her 1980's recordings for her much loved big band soul sound. So with the exception of "Baby I've Been Missing You" from Renee's 'So Lucky' album and the ever present fave "It's A Man's Man's World", the performance here consists of Renee and the band jamming on old soul faves.

And what a big band it was too, with all having played with a who's who of Oz rock royalty and including the grossly underrated Mark Williams on backing vocals. However, he also performs 2 spine tingling duets with Renee on Otis' "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" and James Brown's "I've Got You (I Feel Good)"

With her own blend of funk and soul, Renee and her band gave a thrilling performance. If proof was ever needed of the special place that Renee Geyer occupied in Australia's music scene over the past 50 years, this is it. [extracts from liner notes and notes by Micko at Midoztouch]

It is interesting to compare these two live recordings, released 10 years apart and clearly shows a maturing in Renee's live presence and confidence on stage. I remember seeing her perform at Waurn Ponds in Geelong in the late 70's and although I was somewhat star struck by her performance, I did sense that she was not fully comfortable being on stage. Mind you, I wasn't really focusing on her voice but rather other attributes that she had !

Nevertheless, these two live recordings provide a great insight into how good a performer Renee Geyer was and her ability to make any of the classics her own.  

This double post consists of FLACs ripped from CD (Dallas Brooks) and Vinyl (The Basement) and  includes full artwork and label scans.

Really Really Love You [Live At Dallas Brooks Hall)

01 Hard Head - 5.33 

02 Shakey Ground - 4.38 

03 Person to Person - 4.08 

04 It Only Happens (Duet with Doug Williams) - 4.18 

05 Booty - 5.06 

06 Masquerade - 6.41 

07 Really Really Love You - 11.08 

Renée Geyer Band were:

Renée Geyer: Vocals

John Pugh: Guitars

Mal Logan: Keyboards

Barry "Big Goose" Sullivan: Bass

Greg Tell: Drums

Russell Smith: Trumpet

Bruce Sandell: Saxophones

Miguel Carranza: Trombone

Doug Williams : backing vocals

Otis Kevinagh : backing vocals

Stanley Brown : backing vocals

Really Really Love You Link (261Mb)

New Link 25/02/2024

Live At The Basement

01 Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay:  5.46

02 Baby I've Been Missing You:  4.25

03 I've Got You (I Feel Good):  5.13

04 It's A Man's Man's World:  7.28

05 Peace And Understanding Is Hard To Find:  5.52

06 Who Was That Girl:  5.31

07 (If You Leave Me) I'll Go Crazy:  3.30

08 Release Yourself:   8.24

The Band were:

Renee Geyer: Vocals

Mark Williams: Backing/Lead Vocals

Steve Housden: Guitars

Jamie McKinley: Keyboards

Geoff Oakes: Tenor Sax

Andy Thompson: Tenor/Baritone Sax

Mike Bukowsky: Trumpet 

Harry Brus: Bass 

John Watson: Drums

Live At The Basement Link (260Mb)

New Link 26/12/2024

W.O.C.K On Vinyl: Various Aussie Artists - Mushroom Evolution Concert (1982)

On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future. Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.

With respect to Australia's Music Industry, we can be very proud of the contributions that our Aussie Musos have made in entertaining people from every nation with music and song, with many of our artists achieving world wide acclaim. Huge Concerts on the Australia Day long-weekend are something of a rock & roll tradition. 

In 1972, the Sunbury festival — our very own Woodstock — set the trend when 35,000 people camped out for three days on a site in country Victoria to watch the cream of Australian rock Daddy Cool, Max Merritt and the Meteors, Spectrum, Chain and, of course, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. The event was such a success that it became a regular on the rock & roll calendar for the following three years. The last Sunbury (1975) — which featured Deep Purple, Skyhooks, Sherbet, Madder Lake and the Dingoes — was marred by inclement weather. Its financial failure lolled the festival.

It wasn't until 1982 and the Mushroom Evolution concerts at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne that Australia Day rock was revived. Over the two days of the event, over 100,000 people turned out to help Mushroom celebrate its tenth anniversary and watch the likes of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, Paul Kelly, Renee Geyer and Russell Morris. The original lineups of Chain and Madder Lake also reformed for the event. 

The following year, Narara '83 tried to revive the spirit of Sunbury with a three-day concert at Somersby, NSW, featuring Cold Chisel, Australian Crawl, INXS, the Angels and the Church. Despite its success, die festival took on a strong international focus the following year, headlining with Talking Heads, Eurythmics, Simple Minds and the Pretenders. In 1986, Australian Crawl kept the tradition alive: For their final show ever, they headlined an all-day gig at Melbourne's Myer Music Bowl. The following year, the Australian Made tour stole the limelight but it wasn't until 1992 when the Big Day Out was launched in Sydney (headlined by Nirvana and the Violent Femnes) that a regular event agajn branded its name on the weekend [Dino Scatena-Rolling Stone Magazine Sept 1994]

Myer Music Bowl - Evolution Concert 1982

To mark this Australia Day, I have decided to post the Mushroom Evolution Concert. I purchased this Triple LP when it was first released in 1982, mainly because it had one of my favourite Aussie bands featured (Madder Lake) however the album was also chocked full of some of Australia's finest artists.

Album Review

Almost one year after the two day concert at Melbourne Myer Music Bowl which drew more than 100,000 fans of Australian rock, this audio documentary of the Mushroom Evolution Concert was finally made available. Even allowing for the lavish and intelligent packaging, the lengthy delay was surprising. Still, this stunning triple album set was worth waiting for.

Mushroom and the late Michael Gudinski had already been the backbone of Australian rock for a decade and this tasty sampling of the label's history is remarkably diverse and exciting. From the techno-pop of MEO245, to the gritty blues of the original Chain, to the zany rock 'n' roll celebration of OL'55, to the familiar melodic strains of Madder lake, this is Australian rock at its best.

With generally excellent performances by those acts, along with Sunnyboys, Sports, Kevin Borich Express, Renee Geyer,, Rock Doctors, Milly Miller, Paul Kelly (without his Dots), stalwart Russell Morris, Mike Rudd and the Heaters, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, Models, Dave & Derros and the Swingers this album is a vibrant, blockbusting delight. And with a pricetag of just $17.99, this live release was a bargain.  

As a special bonus, to close side six, the cream of the musicians from the various acts came together in a giant jam (overlorded by the irrepressible Wilbut Wilde) to bash away two classics - Stand By Me and Johnny B. Goode. For the icing on the cake, Mushroom 'old boys' Angry Anderson (ex Buster Brown) and Broderick Smith (ex Dingoes) handled lead vocals  [Review by Glenn A. Baker]

This post consists of FLACs ripped from the CD release (thanks to Sunshine) and consists of full album artwork for both vinyl and CD.     

To read a comprehensive coverage of the concert as reported by Donald Robertson in 1982 Feb edition of 'Roadrunner', take a look at the Roadrunner website  (thanks to Crossocean8).

Happy Australia Day and enjoy this great Aussie Rock

Tracklist

1-1 Billy Miller And The Great Blokes  - She Took My Heart

1-2 Dave And The Derros  – Nice Legs, Shame About The Face

1-3 Meo 245  – Other Places

1-4 Mike Rudd And The Heaters  – Love Comes, Love Goes

1-5 Mike Rudd And The Heaters  – Ill Be Gone

1-6 Swingers  – Counting The Beat

1-7 Kevin Borich Express  – Don't Let Go

1-8 Kevin Borich Express  – Can't Help It

1-9 Sunnyboys  – Trouble In Brain

1-10 Sunnyboys  – Birthday

1-11 Paul Kelly – Hand Me Down

1-12 Paul Kelly – Billy Baxter

1-13 Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons  – Love And Devotion

1-14 Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons  – You Don't Know

1-15 Models – Happy Birthday I.B.M.

1-16 Models – Local & or General

1-17 Rock Doctors  – Yes Indeed

1-18 Russell Morris And The Rubes  – In The Heat Of The Night

1-19 Russell Morris And The Rubes  – Roar Of The Wild Torpedoes

2-1 Madder Lake  – Goodbye Lollipop

2-2 Madder Lake  – Song For Ernest

2-3 Madder Lake  – 12lb. Toothbrush

2-4 The Sports  – How Come

2-5 The Sports  – Stop The Baby Talking

2-6 Chain – Black And Blue (Medley)

- Dust My Blues

- Blow In 'D'

- My Arse Is Black With Bourke Street

2-7 Chain –  I Remember When I Was Young

2-8 The Fives (OL'55)  – C'mon Let's Do It

2-9 The Fives (OL'55)  – On The Prowl

2-10 The Fives (OL'55)  – Goodnight Sweetheart

2-11 Renee Geyer And Friends  - Sitting In Limbo

2-12 Renee Geyer And Friends  – Say I Love You

2-13 Renee Geyer And Friend  – Heading In The Right Direction

2-14 The Jam – Stand Me By (Featuring – Broderick Smith)

2-15 The Jam – Johnny B. Goode (Featuring – Angry Anderson, Matt Taylor)

Mushroom Evolution Concert (1.07G)

REPOST: Various Aussie Artists - A Reefer Derci (1976)

(All Australian Artists)
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The Reefer Cabaret was the successor to the fabled TF Much / Much More Ballroom concert 'happenings' promoted by Bani McSpedden and John Pinder in 1971-72. The Much More events ended in December 1972, reportedly because of complaints from St Patrick's Cathedral (who owned Central Hall, where the shows were staged) about the type of music being performed and the use of drugs by audience and performers. During 1973 Pinder and McSpedden reportedly promoted similar events under the title "Stoned Again" (a name no doubt inspired by the famous Robert Crumb dope cartoon) but we've been unable to locate any details about these events as yet.

Like the Ballroom, the Reefer Cabaret was not the name of a venues per se (like Catcher or the Thumpin' Tum) but rather the title for a regular concert event held in one of the large community halls Melbourne that could be rented on a casual or regular basis for dances, meetings and similar functions -- in this case, the Dallas Brooks Hall in inner Melbourne, and built by the local chapter of the Order of Freemasons.

Like the Ballroom shows, the Reefer Cabaret events were usually held monthly and typically featured long concert-style performances, with multiple musical acts on the bill, interspersed with comedy, poetry readings, theatrical, dance or novelty performances.

The first Reefer Cabaret show was held on 3 August 1974 at the Dallas Brooks Hall. It starred The Dingoes, soul group Skylight, the avant garde group Wind and rising stars Skyhooks, with its charismatic new lead singer Graham "Shirley" Strahan. The night cost $1200 to stage, and attracted 850 people. Unfortunately the Freemasons, who owned the Hall, were not impressed by the type of music (or its volume), nor by the copious quantities of illicit substances which were consumed by the audience. Roberts was obliged to move the Reefer Cabaret to the Ormond Hall in Prahran, owned by the Blind Institute of Melbourne, who apparently didn't have the same qualms about the moral dangers of loud music and dope-smoking. The shows were then presented on a monthly basis, with newer bands such as Madder Lake, Ayers Rock, Split Enz, The Renee Geyer Band and Ariel, who gained invaluable experience before a relatively discerning audience.

The Reefer Cabaret shows ran until sometime in 1976. As with the Garrison venue (which closed in 1974) the Reefer Cabaret gave considerable support to artists on the fledgling Mushroom label and (like the earlier Garrison: The Final Blow double album) Mushroom commemorated the Reefer Cabaret by recording the final concerts and compiling a selection of tracks on the valedictory 2LP set A-Reefer-Derci, (1976), which featured performances by Ariel, Ayers Rock, the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, the Renee Geyer Band, Skyhooks and Split Enz (Extract from Milesago).

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Standout tracks are Ayers Rocks cover versions of the Rolling Stone's 'Gimme Shelter' and Weather Report's 'Boogie Woogie Waltz'. Their live work is nothing short of spectacular. Another personal favourite is Split Enz's rendition of 'Time For A Change' which showcases the superb vocals of Tim Finn and the haunting keyboards of Eddie Rayner.

This rip was taken from a Vinyl pressing in FLAC format (thanks to Sunshine) and includes full album artwork (thanks to Micko at Midoztouch)

Reposted in FLAC format for your pleasure

Track Listing
1. Intro/Welcome
2. Intro To Renee Geyer Band
3. Renee Geyer Band: It's A Man's Man's World
4. Intro to Split Enz
5. Split Enz: Amy
6. Split Enz: Lovey Dovey
7. Split Enz: Time For A Change
8. Ayers Rock: Boogie Woogie Waltz
9. Ayers Rock - Gimme Shelter
10. Ariel - I Can't Say What I Mean
11. Ariel - Rock 'n' Roll Scars
12. Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band - Roll That Reefer
13. Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band - The Prefect
14. Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band - Out In The Suburbs
15. Skyhooks - Revolution
16. Skyhooks - Smut
17. Skyhooks - Saturday Night

A Reefer Derci FLAC Link (474Mb) New Link 03/09/2023

Renee Geyer - Blues License (1978)

(Australian 1970-Present)
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Renée Geyer is Australia's most respected and successful soul singer, with a recording career of nearly 30 years. Her career began around 1971 in Sydney, when a girlfriend took her along to the rehearsal of friends who were forming a band. Geyer was encouraged to get up and have a sing and was instantly invited to join as singer. Although she was so shy in the beginning she couldn't face the audience, musicians noticed her, and Geyer was invited to join one more experienced band after another until 1971, when she became part of an ambitious jazz fusion group called Sun. Geyer was still just 19 at the time.

After one album (Sun '72), Sun and Geyer parted company; Geyer eventually found herself part of a group called Mother Earth, still with jazz leanings but also incorporating the soul and R&B Geyer loved and excelled at. With Mother Earth, she started touring and was offered a solo recording contract. She insisted that Mother Earth provide the backings on her first album.

For her second album, the cream of Melbourne musicians were assembled for the sessions. Geyer formed such a strong bond with these musicians, but by the time the 'It's a Man's World' album was released and her powerfully provocative version of the James Brown title song was a big hit, Geyer was ready to throw her lot in with those musicians rather than be a solo performer. Her two solo albums so far had been cover versions or sourced songs, apart from the single "Heading in the Right Direction." The Renée Geyer Band wrote the songs for 1975's 'Ready to Deal' album in the studio and toured extensively.

A live album, 'Really.. Really Love You', followed, based on Geyer's building reputation as a powerfully voiced, raunchy performer, to be followed by an even more powerful blues album called 'Blues License' which featured the brilliant guitar virtuoso Kevin Borich (and his Express). That reputation found its way to America and led to an invitation to record an album in Los Angeles with famed Motown producer Frank Wilson. While the 'Movin' Along' album provided another hit at home, in America 'Stares and Whispers' created confusion. R&B stations loved the record, but didn't know what to do when they discovered Geyer was a white Jewish girl from Australia. For the next few years, Geyer bounced between Australia and America, working in Australia and recording two more albums in America. When 1981's So Lucky album presented her with a huge hit with "Say I Love You" both in Australia and New Zealand, it became necessary to put the American dream aside for two years.

In 1983, Geyer returned to base herself in America permanently, still keeping in touch with her Australasian fans with tours. While in America, Geyer became part of a group called Easy Pieces with former members of the Average White Band. But the album took so long to record, by the time it was finished, the group had never performed and were going their separate ways. Geyer spent several years in America doing session work for Sting (the fade vocal on "We'll Be Together"), Neil Diamond, Jackson Browne, and others, touring with Joe Cocker and Chaka Khan and others, and writing songs.

During one foray back to Australia, Geyer was invited to sing the Paul Kelly song "Foggy Highway" for the soundtrack of a TV series based on the seven deadly sins. Kelly was so impressed by Geyer's version, he offered to produce an album and wrote some of the songs, including the title track, which (alongside "It's a Man's Man's World" has become Geyer's signature song, Difficult Woman). The working relationship with Paul Kelly was such a happy and satisfying one, Geyer decided to base herself back in Australia. With Paul Kelly and Joe Camilleri (Jo Jo Zep, Black Sorrows) producing, she recorded 1999's Sweet Life album.

At the end of 1999, Geyer released her frank life story, Confessions of a Difficult Woman through Harper Collins.( © Ed Nimmervoll, All Music Guide )

'Blues License' is the sixth studio album by Australian musician Renée Geyer. The album was recorded in 1978 and then released in 1979, peakeing at number 41 on the Kent Music Report.

During the 1980's and 1990's, Renee Geyer, the great Australian soul/blues/jazz/R&B singer spent a great deal of time between Australia and America performing with artists like Sting, Chaka Kan, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown. She also toured Europe with Joe Cocker and Chaka Khan. She really needs to be more widely heard outside the Australasian area. This album is a good starter if you need a demonstration of Renée's talents. It's a great blues/soul album with backing by the Kevin Borich Express on most tracks. In fact, all the musicians featured here are "top notch."

Blues License may be the least recognised Renee Geyer album, but is her most stylish and consistent album. This is a more bluesy album than most of her normal R&B/soul releases, and there quite a few blues standards on this album, which are brilliantly sung in Renée's easily recognisable voice. Renee has the great "knack" of adopting and adapting tunes to make them her own. If you get a chance, source her 1975 'Ready To Deal' or her 1986 'Renee Live at the Basement' albums, as they are standout efforts in my opinion.

Album Review
Renee has often included the occasional blues song on her albums and in her live sets, but this is her only straight blues release.  Even though it consists of predominantly well known blues standards ie. "The Thrill Is Gone", "Dust My Blues", "Stormy Monday" etc Renee proves to be a natural blues wailer with a real feeling for the genre and is capable of stamping her own style on them. And the way she and Kevin's guitar spark off each other is positively electric.

Kevin plays some blistering guitar work on 5 of the 8 tracks & his Express has the brilliant John Annas on drums and bassist Tim Partridge (Co Caine, Mighty Kong & Foreday Riders) who plays on all tracks along with Renee's regular keyboard man Mal Logan.
On the tracks where Borich is absent, he's more than capably replaced by the superb Tim Piper (Chain, Blackfeather) on 2 tracks and Renee Geyer band regular Mark Punch on one. Add Kerrie Biddell's sublime backing vocals on 2 tracks and Sydney blues legend Ron King (Foreday Riders) playing harp on another and what we have here is one killer blues/rock album. (by Micko at Midoztouch)
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This post consists of FLACs ripped from my 'near mint' vinyl purchased on release and cared for like it was my youngest child. And what a cover, it was an instant love affair when I saw this album in the racks and then turned it over to see my favourite Aussie guitarist supporting her. Full album artwork and label scans (for both RCA and Mushroom releases) are included. Once you've listened to this album, you'll want to play it again and again, trust me. Thanks to Greg Noakes for the publicity shots of Renee featured in this post (Ooh la la)
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Track listing

01 - The Thrill Is Gone – 6.55 (Rick Darnell, Roy Hawkins)
02 - That Did It Babe – 5.15 (Pearl Woods)
03 - Set Me Free – 4.08 (Deadric Malone)
04 - Bellhop Blues – 3.23 (Kevin Borich)
05 - Won't Be Long – 3.48 (J. Leslie McFarland)
06 - Stormy Monday – 6.43 (Aaron "T-Bone" Walker)
07 - Dust My Blues – 3.03 (Elmore James)
08 - Feeling Is Believing – 7.01 (Willie Henderson, Richard Parker)

Renée Geyer: vocals, backing vocals
Mal Logan: keyboards
Bass – Tim Partridge
Drums – John Annus, Steve Hopes

Featuring – Kevin Borich Express 
Guitar – Kevin Borich, Mark Punch
Harp – Ron King (6)
Keyboards – Mal Logan
Vocals – Kerrie Biddell, Renee Geyer

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Renee Geyer FLAC Link (253Mb) New Link 21/12/2019
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