Ted Mulry Gang - The TMG Album (1977) + Bonus Tracks

(Australian 1972 - 1989, 1998)
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When the Ted Mulry Gang (TMG) formed in 1972, Mulry was already a well-known pop balladeer. After getting tired of being backed by different backing bands, in 1972 he switched from acoustic guitar to bass and formed his own band, “Ted Mulry Gang”, with guitarist Les Hall & drummer Herman Kovacs. The band signed a recording deal with Albert Records in 1974 and released their first album “Here We Are”. Guitarist Gary Dixon joined around this time to complete the foursome. With his own band behind him, he adopted a more hard-rockin’ style.

Their first major hit, and the biggest of their career was the 1975 single Jump In My Car which spent 5 weeks at number one on the Australian singles charts. Over the next few years they achieved a string of hit singles including a rocked up version of the old jazz song, "Darktown Strutter’s Ball", "Crazy", "Jamaica Rum" and "My Little Girl". Many of TMG’s songs, including "Jump In My Car" (my personnel favourite), were co-written with guitarist Les Hall. By the early 1980s their chart success had ended but they remained popular performers on the Australian pub circuit throughout the decade.
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Album Review
This, the third TMG album will not shock, astonish or confuse previous TMG buyers. It' the same formula as before. A straightforward drum beat, straightforward bass lines, a chunga-chunga rhythm guitar, interspersed with snappy lead breaks and relaxed, almost casual, vocals with slight, fetching melodies.

Les Hall & Ted Mulry

I mean, no way are TMG hard rock, But they are pleasant ,sing-along, foot tapping, pub rock. Fortunately for their finances they can also play in front of younger audiences and draw shrieks for guitarist Gary Dixon and a rousing sing-along for Dyna (a stage number where everyone in the crowd gets a chance to shout Fuck!)

At this stage of the game, TMG have settled into their groove and are cruising their stated direction in easy-going; cheerful fashion. Besides, Ted Mulry has an undeniable gift for turning- out the well-penned, concisely balanced pop song. The gift deserted him on the previous Steppin' Out elpee, but on TMG Album he's returned to form.

Herm Kovac & Gary Dixon

There's "My Little Girl" for instance-nothing complicated, just a hummable melody and a simple chorus on top of a relaxed Quo type rock backing. Then there's a clutch of lead guitarist Les Hall's offerings. "Without You" builds a nice melody between a feedback guitar routine that (for reasons unknown) is mixed down to the level of politeness. "Having You Around" is a country-rocker-type-thingum bob. Side One ends with a rendition of "Sha-La-Ia-lee". Given the energy and exuberance with which the Small Faces tackled it back in the mid-sixties, the relaxed pace at which TMG take it points out these boys are more at home with easy-going boogie than actual hard edged rock 'n' roll.

Mulry wrote most of side two. "Too Bad", "You've Got It" and "Linda" are all tight songs with "You've Got It" actually peaking the energy meter for the entire album. "Linda" is a well-paced rock ballad with hints of a John Lennonish growl in Mulry's vocal. The band lay back on the beat for this one and build up creditable atmosphere. Gary Dixon weighs in with "I'm Your Man", another soft-line boogie song.

It's not an album that deserves lavish praise because the Gang really don't set their sights on achieving anything much beyond a guaranteed beat and an inoffensive pop song.
But it's hard to berate them either. They've got their groove and they travel it in competent, if unadventurous fashion.
[Review by Anthony O'Grady for RAM Magazine, Sept 9, 1977. #66]

This post consists of FLACs ripped from CD (thanks to Sunshine) and includes full album artwork for both CD and Vinyl media.   I have also chosen to include 4 live recordings as bonus tracks, taken from their 1976 Live On Tour EP .   A scan of Anthony O'Grady's review is also included.

As a always say, ya just can't get enough of TED.  

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Tracklist
01 My Little Girl 3:35
02 Without You 3:11
03 Having You Around    3:12
04 Having Fun 3:47
05 Sha-La-La-La-Lee 3:15
06 Too Bad 3:12
07 You've Got It 3:18
08 Linda 2:44
09 I'm Your Man 3:00
10 Naturally 4:31
11 I'm Free (Bonus Live)    4:06
12 Goodbye (Bonus Live)      2:40
13 Crazy (Bonus Live)      4:07
14 Darktown Strutters Ball  (Bonus Live)  4:01
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TMG were:
Ted Mulry (Vocals, Bass & Piano)
Les Hall (Guitar, Vocals)
Gary Dixon (Guitar, Vocals)
Herm Kovac (Drums, Percussion)
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TMG The Album Link (297Mb)
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