In any case, this episode is a tribute to the genius that is Easybeats (and much else) auteurs Harry Vanda and George Young.
Like I said, I don't even know where to begin about this. Except possibly to say that as somebody who has been trying, for most of my adult life, to evangelize about the greatness of those guys to American chums with only fitful success, I never expected to ever witness anything quite so cool. And yes, a lot of the performers are mediocre, but who cares? [I love that Isabella Manfredi, however, for obvious reasons.]
I should add that I did extremely well on the quiz portion of the show, which makes me very proud. I should also add that as a result of this show I discovered two terrific straight-ahead rock songs, by Aussie bands heretofore unknown to me -- "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again" by The Angels...
...and "Run to Paradise" by The Choirboys...
...that Vanda and Young had a hand in.
I should also also add that I was turned on to this show by ace antipodean pal Peter Scott.
Hey Pete -- I owe you, big time.
6 comments:
OK. This is the find of my week. Just awesome. It was better than CATS.
Why VH-1 hasn't bastardized this concept yet, I don't know (or have they?)
I remember the Choirboys tune from its frequent airplay on LA's shortlived KEDG-FM circa 1988. It made me buy the album, which, if I recall correctly, was uneven.
But it's one of those catchy hook filled songs that whacks you over the head in the beginning but doesn't wear well with time.
Great singer - Stevie Wright meets Freddie Mercury. Parts of the Choirboys tune owe a hell of a lot to John Cougar's "I Need a Lover Who Won't Drive Me Crazy."
I have an uncle who lived in Tasmania as an artisan for decades. Most of my cousins have now moved to the mainland in the Sydney area. I try to visit at least once a year. The flight's unending torture but the surf's worth it.
The Angels were revered by the hard rock crowd in L.A. My boyfriend, the drug dealing guitarist, used to shell out big bucks for their import LP's at Tower in Hollywood.
Speaking of Aussie bands, I kinda liked the Baby Animals as well. But they too had sometimes wondrous hits and uneven albums.
When they were staying in Los Angeles I saw them at a small club in the Valley. They were an amazing live band. Plus, I would so love to have a threesome with Suze and Nuno.
Here's just a little a taste of something that maybe the girls will like better than the boys, especially those with a sweet tooth for sin. Enjoy the eye candy.
Vickie Rock
The Choirboys album is pretty good, with a number of good powerpop tunes (leaning more to the power side, which I prefer).
Yeah, I think I liked about sixty per cent of the Choirboys CD. Crunchy stuff.
Vickie Rock
Hey Vickie: My favourite Choirboys song is "Empire":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xhhQfqvn_4
Hey Peter Power Pop:
I prefer the album version for the arrangement and better words. It rocks a little more. I'd never heard the single before and was kinda shocked. The mood of the lyrics is quite different.
Cheers,
Vickie Rock
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