Friday, October 02, 2009

Five From Five

We're going all-Australian again today, as I'm still obsessing about music from a country where Trouble by Lindsay Buckingham was number one and Long John Baldry was still having hits in 1986.

So first up, here's classic Aussie rockers Ol' 55 with a cover of Lou Christie's Two Faces Have I, which they've turned into a glam rock stomper that'll make you want to dance around the room. The falsettos remain and everything. This clip is from a 1980 Paul Hogan Show.



Now here's Pat Wilson, wife of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock's Ross Wilson (isn't he a judge on Australian Idol now?) with a none so Eighties candy pop delight Bop Girl. She's like a cross between Swing Out Sister and Nancy Nova, but this hit from 1983 will burrow into your brain and never, ever leave. Video is well dodgy. Is that Molly Meldrum in the hat?



Here's something we absolutey cannot relate to over here: being involved in the Vietnam War. But Australia was and there are a few songs about it, including the great Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel. But here's the most moving. It's Redgum with I Was Only 19 (A Walk In The Light Green).



Going back to 1970, here's one of Australia's biggest and best-loved hits. It's Daddy Cool with Eagle Rock. Terrible name for a band, but they have a very distinctive style. Very groovy clip too.



Here's Split Enz, who had a career well before we got them with I Got You. Here's something you probably won't have heard from 1980, it's their mega hit One Step Ahead.

9 comments:

Mondo said...

Some frightful jiving in the first clip FC..and I don't think I've heard anyone sing in with an Australian accent before (Redgum). No Surprises but Daddy Cool is my fave.

Do you remember Bowie's Australia buzz around his Let's Dance period..

I saw this lot a few times in the late 80s - ring any bells?

PS - any chance of changing my link on your blog-list to this. As I'm closing the other one?

Jon Peake said...

I've heard of Johnny Diesel but not actually heard him - until now of course. Thanks for the clip.

I recall the Bowie Let's Dance vid making me think of Australia as a place totally different to how I'd imagined. Sons & Daughters didn't do it justice.

Of course I'll change that link, Mondo, I thought the blog had been a bit quiet lately.

Louis Barfe said...

Are Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons on your radar, F-C?

Jon Peake said...

Yes they are Louis, and very good they are too.

Louis Barfe said...

I've got a couple of their LPs which I am liking very much. I investigated after hearing Costello's cover of So Young. Hit and Run's a big favourite with me.

Craig said...

FC, Australia has a long tradition of happily hugging to its bosom anything that they think is any good.
We Kiwis call that stealing, especially when applied to Split Enz.
They can have Russell Crowe.

Jon Peake said...

Sorry about that Craig, I knew Split Enz were from NZ but forgot!

Cocktails said...

And exactly what are you implying about Lindsay Buckingham there?! That's a top song.

I love Bop Girl. Completely against my better judgement of course.

Do you know 'Everywhere I Go' by QED? Annoyingly catchy and from the same period? I think they might have been from NZ though.

Jon Peake said...

I love Trouble too, but it didn't even make the top 30 over here, so I mean it in a good way.

I don't know that QED song, Cocktails. I must seek it out at once.

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