This week’s My Choice selection is from one of BaG’s most active fans, Yogus Aerulius from Victoria. His comments on our Facebook song posts are often quite insightful and I am sure you will find his contribution here to be equally so. Enjoy wading through this selection.
The song title is a link to that song.
Yogus’s comments about the songs are in italics.
OZ ROCK
Yogus says:
Most are Australian singles because in 60s and 70s singles dominated radio coverage. Sadly there are too many great album tracks to include.
Mr America – Russell Morris
A stand out rock track from a brilliant songwriter who, after his initial success, had mainly written pop tracks. This song had some meat on its bones.
Eleanor Rigby – Zoot
A brilliant cover of the Beatles original, that dared to imagine just how far this song could be taken.
Friday on My Mind – Easybeats
A much covered masterpiece that influenced future OZ music. The Vanda/Young influence on our music was to become extraordinary.
Mothership – Madder Lake
An album track off Butterfly Farm. Showed the musical imagination of this prog rock band, who only released 2 albums.
I’ll Be Gone – Spectrum
Mike Rudd and Bill Putt’s experimental platform, coupled with Indelible Murtceps. So much wonderful music from these guys.
Wichita Lineman/By The Time I Get To Phoenix – King Harvest
Leo de Castro’s best era IMHO. What a voice.
Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy) – Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs
Thorpie’s anthemic masterpiece.
Just scratched the surface of some of the finest music the world didn’t notice.
It’s a Long Way There – Little River Band
One the world did notice. An epic track from a band that had the remnants of so many great bands in their number.
Click on the song titles to enjoy the songs
ALBUM TRACKS
Indian Sunset – Elton John – ‘Madman Across The Water’
An epic track highlighting Bernie’s fascination with American history. Brilliant arrangement and stirring lyrics of such power, that one can overlook the historical inaccuracy of Geronimo’s death. Should have been ‘Yellow Dog is dead..’
Have Mercy On The Criminal – Elton John – ‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player’
Another powerful collaboration of my favourite lyricist, and Elton’s musical genius.
Lazy – Deep Purple – ‘Machine Head’
Highlights the influence of Jon Lord and the musicianship of the band. Best track on the album IMHO.
When The Levee Breaks – Led Zeppelin – ‘Led Zeppelin IV’, or ‘Runes’ if you prefer.
Possibly the best band of the era at their best.
The Court of the Crimson King – King Crimson – ‘In the Court of the Crimson King’
The unedited album track amazes.
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida – Iron Butterfly – ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’
Another where the unedited album track transports the listener to nirvana. And I don’t mean the band.
Loan Me a Dime – Boz Scaggs – ‘Boz Scaggs’
The blues is Scaggs at his best. Duane Allman’s guitar on this makes it next level.
Click on the song titles to enjoy the songs
SINGLES
Waterloo Sunset – Kinks
Beautiful.
Tin Soldier – Small Faces
Natural Born Bugie – Humble Pie
Two tracks showing Steve Marriot (and Peter Frampton) at their best.
Stay With Me – Faces
A really serious rock song off the Faces last album, the brilliant ‘A Nods As Good As A Wink…’ Rod went on to greatness as we know.
POWER POP
Finally 3 songs that deserve recognition just for the power of the vocals and arrangement.
Eloise – Barry Ryan
Don’t Pull Your Love – Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds
Superman – Alison MacCallum
Thank you Yogus for an excellent selection, and for your comments on each track that enhanced our appreciation of the songs.
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