Bluestone - The Closer You Get (1982)

(Australian 1972 -1984)

Melbourne singer Terry Dean formed country rock band Bluestone in 1972. Terry had enjoyed an extremely successful solo career recording a number of hit records, performing regularly in Melbourne and interstate and appearing nationally on TV shows including The Go!! Show, and Happening 70. The band's line-up included Terry Dean on lead vocals and guitar, Col Millington on drums (who played on the 6-track demo tape the band recorded at Laurie Arthur Studios at East Brunswick but had left the band when they recorded their debut album), John Creech (ex -The Mixtures) on drums and vocals, Ted Fry on bass and vocals (ex-Blues Rags 'n' Hollers) plus Mike Burke on pedal steel.

Bluestone was heavily influenced by west coast American country rock including artists such as The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Eagles, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris and numerous other influential songwriters as well as performing and recording much of its own material. It was renowned for its strong vocal harmonies and was also one of the first Australian country rock bands to feature pedal steel guitar on stage and in the recording studio. They were signed to the Bootleg label. The band's first album, self-titled 'Bluestone', was released to excellent reviews in 1974 and helped to cement the band as a major force in Australian country music.

The single from the album, ''Wind and Rain'', was a hit across Australia. Gavan Anderson (lead guitar and vocals) and Nigel Thompson (bass and vocals) who had both been members of The New Dream, joined the band in 1975 and this line up remained together until Bluestone disbanded in 1984 (see above). 

The band toured and recorded in the US in 1979 and 1982 and released a number of singles on the Scotti Brothers label. It also released its second album, 'The Closer You Get' in 1982, from which the singles "Single Again / Keep On Dancing" and "Remember / Oh How She Loves Me" were released. 

During its twelve years together the band performed regularly on Australian television (Hey, Hey It's Saturday, The Daryl Somers Show, Shirl's Neighbourhood and Countdown) and was invited to support a number of international acts including Cat Stevens, Dolly Parton and America on their Australian tours.

Since the mid 1980's, the members of Bluestone have gone on to pursue successful careers in the music industry: Terry Dean formed the successful duo Dean & Carruthers with Garry Carruthers and they celebrated 25 years on the road in July, 2010. Terry recently established Terry Dean's Guitars selling some of the world's finest acoustic instruments.

Avenue's PR Sheet for Bluestone

John Creech has continued his career as drummer to the stars touring with Kylie Minogue in the early 1990's and with Cotton, Keays & Morris, Brian Cadd, Mike Brady and many others.

Gavan Anderson joined legendary video game software development company, Beam Software as their music composer & producer. His best known work is the soundtrack on the Back to the Future game, although he did voices and sound effects for a wide variety of games titles, from their space game Star Wars to the sports game Bo Jackson Baseball. During that time he continued to work with numerous artists and bands including an 8 year stint with the legendary Spot the Aussie at the Esplanade Hotel, touring with Brian Cadd, Max Merritt and, most recently, Andy Cowan. He has also released a number of his own solo EP's. and an album in 2006, called 'Youth In Asia'.

Nigel Thompson continues to work with various bands (including 60's Band, The Substitutes) and has continued his involvement in events management and promotion.

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my vinyl and includes artwork for vinyl only, as this album has never been released on CD.  Label scans are also included.

It is worth while noting that some Aussie Rock music royalty made contributions to the recording of this album, namely 'Ian Mason' (keyboards) from Bootleg Family / Stockley, See & Mason; 'Broderick Smith' (Harmonica) from Carson / Broderick Smith's Big Combo; 'Colleen Hewitt' (Vocals) and 'Sam See' (Guitar) from Stockley, See & Mason.

Track List:

01 The Closer You Get 4:53

02 It Only Takes A Minute 4:11

03 Single Again 3:53

04 Full Moon Fool 2:49

05 Remember 3:38

06 Don't Blame It On Love 3:55

07 Ready For The Times To Get Better  3:20

08 Too Far 4:50

09 Let It Shine 4:21

10 Oh How She Loves Me 3:21

Bluestone were:

Gavan Anderson (Lead Guitar & Vocals)

John Creech (Drums & Vocals)

Terry Dean (Guitar & Vocals)

Nigel Thompson (Bass & Vocals)

Guest Artists:

Andy Tainsh (Bass & Keyboards)

Ian Mason (Keyboards)

Chops Veall (Keyboards)

Buzz Carson (Backing Vocals & Piano)

Colleen Hewitt (Back Vocals on 'Let It Shine')

Broderick Smith (Harmonica on 'Let It Shine')

Sam See (Guitar on 'Single Again')

Bluestone Link (232Mb)