Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Seekers - Live On (1989)

(Australian 1962-68, 1975-90, 1992-Present)
.
The Seekers were a group of Australian folk-influenced popular musicians that was formed in Melbourne in 1962. They were the first Australian popular music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States. They were a highly popular band during the 1960s.
They had nine hits in Britain and Australia in the 1960s: "I'll Never Find Another You", "A World of Our Own", "The Carnival Is Over" (which The Seekers have sung at various closing ceremonies in Australia, including Expo '88 and the Paralympics and still stands as the 30th Best Selling Song in the United Kingdom), "Someday One Day", "Walk With Me", "Morningtown Ride", "Georgy Girl" (the title song of the film of the same name), "When Will the Good Apples Fall" and "Emerald City".
[extract from wikipedia]
Their best-known configuration was:
* Judith Durham: lead vocals, piano, tambourine
* Athol Guy: double bass, vocals
* Keith Potger: twelve string guitar, banjo, vocals
* Bruce Woodley: guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals
.
Later members:
Buddy England (vocals, guitar) 1973-77, replaced Bruce Woodley
Lisa Wisseling (vocals) 1973-81
Julie Anthony (vocals) 1989-90
Karen Knowles (vocals) 1990
Peter Robinson (bass, vocals) 1978-81, replaced Athol Guy
.
Riding with the success of other folk acts Peter Paul & Mary, they enjoyed colossal success in the UK, Europe and the USA. The Seekers were far and away Australia's biggest musical export of the decade and for the better part of two years their success as a singles band rivaled that of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The Seekers are also a particularly interesting case study for music historians. They are sometimes marginalised in accounts of Australian "rock" history because, as Ian McFarlane points out, they were "too pop to be considered strictly folk and too folk to be rock". Their popularity crossed all boundaries and their success far outstripped that of any other Australian group in either field. Today they remain one of the most enduringly popular and successful Australian groups of the 20th century. [extract from Milesago]
.
The Story Behind 'Live On'
As Australia's Bi Centennial World Expo in Brisbane drew to a close in 1988, the producers of the farewell concert settled on the song that would help create an unforgettable grand finale to the nation's greatest Festival. The Seeker's all time classic "The Carnival Is Over" certainly filled the bill. It evoked the mood and feelings required for Expo's last contact with both visitors and staff.
The televised event would also embrace Australia in Expo's last magical moments. The producers reflected on how best to present this soul-stirring finish. Obviously with the The Seekers themselves, but each was now happily pursuing their independent, individual lifestyle
Julie Anthony was already committed to perform during the closing ceremony. The producers could count on her incomparable voice and presence to bring the song and its meaningful lyrics to the heights they deserved for the dramatic farewell. Julie didn't know that the producers had again contacted the original members of the Seekers, Athol Guy, Bruce Woodley and Keith Potger were asked to name the voice that would finally convince them to come together in performance of song.
Their answer was short and sweet. Julie Anthony.
Julie loved the idea - The Seeker's music had always held a special meaning for her.
• The producers rejoiced.
• The song was performed.
• The audience roared their approval.
• The Expo closed with a magnificent swansong.
And the world briefly welcomed back the refreshed and still unique sound of Australia's first truly international musical group

After that momentous night, events moved swiftly. And there were some crucial questions on everyone's minds.
• Was there a project worthy of a more permanent bond of The Seekers legendary music, Julie's brilliant voice and the original Seekers themselves?
• Was there new and original "Seekers" music available to record so those magnificent melodies and harmonies could re-created for today's audience?
Would this musical marriage also suit Julie's future career directions?
• Was there an audience still looking for music of fun, hope and optimism, mirroring life's real moments, without gimmicks, but full of quality and meaning?
.
With Julie's sparkling presence the Seeker's and their music would, indeed... LIVE ON
.
Into this unique 'Australian-Made" project, prepared and produced for ultimate presentation as a stage musical, came the unconditional moral and financial support of Australia's Pioneer Electronics, old friends of the Seekers and great admirers of Julie.
Pioneer instantly committed to underwrite tie costs of producing this album. Polygram moved quickly to sign The Seekers to new international recording agreements. The "Australian-Made" group are supporting the project with all their resources, both within Australia and internationally, in conjunction with the Australian Tourist Commission.
The Australian Broadcasting Coporation are planning a series on Television for the group
The total project will be a unique international joint venture, combining the marketing skills of all the participants in order to export the project to all parts of the globe.
The Seekers' musical carnival may have indeed once seemed over. Now, with Julie, Athol, Keith and Bruce, The Seekers and their unique music achieve new heights of appreciation world wide.
We are proud to present you with this collection of brillant and original material. The combination of freshly recorded Seekers classics with new material ensures that a legendary Australian musical story will certainly - LIVE ON!
.
OK - so this isn't really a 'rock' posting but hey - as a young boy I have fond memories of listening to The Seekers on the radio and grew up on classics such as "Georgy Girl", "World Of Our Own" and "Morningtown Ride". So, here's my rip of 'Live On' taken from an 'out of print' CD at 320kps and includes full album artwork.
.
Track Listing
01 - Prelude (Live On)
02 - The Streets Of Serenade
03 - I'll Never Find Another You
04 - Georgy Girl
05 - Building Bridges
06 - Love Is Me Love Is You
07 - Come The Day
08 - The Carnival Is Over
09 - One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
10 - Some Day One Day
11 - Taking My Chances With You
12 - Morningtown Ride
13 - Time And Again

14 - Keep A Dream In Your Pocket
15 - Here I Am
16 - World Of Our Own
17 - How Can A Love So Wrong Be So Right
18 - Sparrow Song
19 - House Of Cards
20 - Red Rubber Ball
21 - When Will The Good Apples Fall
22 - Live On

.
The Seekers Link (128Mb) New Link 06/05/2020
.

3 comments:

  1. This russian site spams my phone and won't allow the download.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gidday Aussie, nal from Midoz2 days. Was incredibly sad when all the work you and Deutros and the rest of the shed was abruptly ended by the thoughtless. hope everyone is still hanging in there. Was a refuge for the 'don't fit ins' like me. Latest Trower is another beauty. This request is from left field. Dug out the hard drive from an old box that was being utilised around Midoz2 times. Have come across two Seekers downloads that are password protected. Is there any chance that you or Deutros may have access to them? Just asking. Hope the universe is rewarding your good deeds with the equivalent joy you spread. Like Trower does. Why he has never been asked to the Blues Festival is beyond me. Thanks for even contemplating this request. Nal

    ReplyDelete