Before things get too serioushere at Rock On Vinyl, I thought it might be fun to post a song at the end of each month, that could be categorized as being either Weird, Obscure, Crazy or just plain Korny.
Chrissie left to pursue a solo career and went on to play the part of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar before becoming part of the duo, Cheetah. She was replaced by Jeremy Paul, who joined the show in Brisbane after performing in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Jeremy had also played bass with a Sydney band called Soffrok and therefore added additional instrumentation to the trio.
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| Early Air Supply |
"Love And Other Bruises" and "If You Knew Me", the first demos of Graham’s compositions were recorded on a tiny tape deck in a theatre orchestra pit. Everyone turned them down, but one - CBS Records who admired their unique style. They made a single in one afternoon and it shot to number one on the National charts. The duo found help from Frank Esler-Smith, Superstar’s musical director, and Air Supply’s future keyboardist. Graham and Russell settled on the named Air Supply.
For several years, the group gained no attention outside of Australia, earning one significant hit single, "Love and Other Bruises" (1976). In December 1976, they released their first album 'Air Supply' which is featured in this post, and it attained them a gold record three months later. Meanwhile their follow-up single, 'Empty Pages', was released in February 1977, and although it sold well, particularly in Brisbane, it just missed becoming a top forty hit.
The group's big break came hot on the heels of the release of their new single, 'Do What You Do', when, in June 1977, it was announced that they would be appearing at the annual CBS Convention in London with Chicago and Boz Scaggs. This was a fantastic achievement being the first Australian act to work at such an exclusive function.
Late June saw another step forward with the release of the new LP, 'The Whole Thing's Started' (which featured Graham's compositions and continued in their soft rock theme), and a tour of the US and Canada with their old friend, Rod Stewart. Air Supply's first stumbling block happened in August when it was announced that Jeremy was leaving and returning to Australia with no news of a replacement. This retarded their progress and was not helped by the lack of airplay and therefore chart success of their next Australian single, "That's How The Whole Thing Started', released in October 1977.
The group continued as a duo supported by their band and signed a record contract with Arista in 1980, releasing their first album for the new record company by the end of the year. 'Lost in Love', was a major success in the U.S., selling over two million copies and spawning the hit singles "Lost in Love", "All Out of Love" and "Every Woman in the World".
The group continued as a duo supported by their band and signed a record contract with Arista in 1980, releasing their first album for the new record company by the end of the year. 'Lost in Love', was a major success in the U.S., selling over two million copies and spawning the hit singles "Lost in Love", "All Out of Love" and "Every Woman in the World".
The following year they released their second Arista album, 'The One That You Love'. The title track became their only number one hit and it also featured two other Top Ten hits, "Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)" and "Sweet Dreams". With their third album, 1982's 'Now and Forever', their popularity dipped slightly -- it only had one Top Ten hit, "Even the Nights Are Better" and the other two singles, "Young Love" and "Two Less Lonely People in the World", scraped the bottom of the Top 40. Air Supply released a Greatest Hits collection in 1983, featuring a new single, "Making Love Out of Nothing at All". The single spent two weeks at number two while the album peaked at number seven and eventually sold over four million copies.
Two years later, they released another self titled album 'Air Supply' (1985), their fourth album. It featured the number 19 single "Just As I Am", but it was clear that their audience was shrinking -- the album was their first not to go platinum. 'Hearts in Motion' (1986) was even less successful, peaking at number 84 and spending only nine weeks on the charts. The duo released their 'Christmas Album' (1987) and after its disappointing performance, Air Supply decided to take a break. Russell started a solo career without any participation of Graham and released his first solo album, Russell Hitchcock (1987).
Two years later, they released another self titled album 'Air Supply' (1985), their fourth album. It featured the number 19 single "Just As I Am", but it was clear that their audience was shrinking -- the album was their first not to go platinum. 'Hearts in Motion' (1986) was even less successful, peaking at number 84 and spending only nine weeks on the charts. The duo released their 'Christmas Album' (1987) and after its disappointing performance, Air Supply decided to take a break. Russell started a solo career without any participation of Graham and released his first solo album, Russell Hitchcock (1987).
After a brief haitus, the duo eventually reunited in 1991 and continued to pump out more albums well into the new millineum.
The Christmas Album was the tenth studio album by Australian soft rock band Air Supply released in 1987. It was their last studio album to be released under Arista Records. The album featured recordings of classic Christmas songs plus the two original songs, "Love Is All" and "The Eyes of a Child." There is a short instrumental version of "What Child Is This" in the track "Silent Night".
So, here is another Aussie Christmas WOCK on Vinyl post for my wonderful blog followers.
As a bonus, I'm also including a rare 331/3 rpm Four Play 7" EP that Air Supply released in 1986, which features 4 of their early singles.
All of these Xmas 'Presents' are in FLAC format and come wrapped in Full Album Artwork for your pleasure.
Stay safe on the roads during the festive season folks and have a Merry, Merry Christmas everyone.
Track Listing (Christmas Album)
01 "White Christmas" - 3:25
02 "The First Noel" - 3:23
03 "The Little Drummer Boy" - 3:07
04 "The Eyes of a Child" - 4:33
05 "Silent Night" - 3:08
06 "The Christmas Song" - 3:01
07 "Sleigh Ride" - 2:23
08 "Winter Wonderland" - 2:35
09 "O Come All Ye Faithful"- 3:14
10 "Love Is All" - 4:30
Personnel:
Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell - lead vocals
Linda Harmon, Russell Hitchcock, Edie Lehmann, Michael Lloyd, Patti Lloyd, Debbie Lytton, Jeni Lytton, Graham Russell - backing vocals
Jim Cox, John Hobbs, Michael Lloyd - keyboards
Laurence Juber, Graham Russell - guitar
Dennis Belfield - bass guitar
Ron Krasinski, Paul Leim - drums
Alan Estes, Michael Fisher, Ron Krasinski, Bob Zimmitti - percussion
Brian O'Connor, James Thatcher - French horn
Ernie Carlson, Dick Hyde, Lew McCreary - trombone
Stuart Blumberg, John Rosenberg - trumpet
Gayle Levant - harp
The Christmas Album Link (205Mb) New Link 04/09/2023
Track Listing (Four Play EP)
01 "Love And Other Bruises" - 3:40
02 "Empty Pages" - 4:13
03 "Do What You Do" - 3:42
04 "That's How The Whole Thing Started" - 5:18
Four Play EP Link (109Mb) New Link 18/11/2024
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