Friday, June 4, 2010

The Hawking Brothers "Australian Heritage" 1971 LP

The Hawking Brothers were Russ Hawkings (1931-1976) and Alan Hawking (1933-1988).  Excellent singers and instrumentalists, they first recorded in 1955 and were equally proficient with both traditional Australian folk music and country music.  In the latter genre they very deservedly had a big hit in Australia with the American song Catfish John (on their self-titled album).  They toured North America in 1975 and appeared at the Grand Ole Opry.

This album was produced in 1971 and features Australian traditional folk songs.  In 1975, they also produced a volume 2 but I have not yet been able to obtain a copy.

I have no idea who ripped this LP but if you are out there reading this, please accept my thanks.  It is MP3 VBR ranging from 178 to 202.
The tracks on this album are South Australia, Wild Colonial Boy, The Limejuice Tub, Botany Bay, Ten Thousand Miles Away, Bullocky-O, Click go the Shears, Eumerella Shore, Ladies of Brisbane, Flash Jack from Gundagai, With my Swag on my Shoulder, The Queensland Drover, and The Old Bullock Dray.

Download from MediaFire

Link failed? Then please leave a comment or contact mr.stockman@gmail.com

15 comments:

  1. It might do well to remember that THE HAWKING BROTHERS were a band consisting of 5 people. Originally thet were Called 'The Hawking Brothers And THe Wildwoods and then changed to 'The Hawking Brothers'. The members that made this band and their music work were GARY NEWTON (BASS), GEOARGE XANTHOS ( peddel steel guitar) and there were a few changes to the drummers including JOE ATTARD and JOHN FAUBLE.
    After the sad passing of Russ they brought on board Pete Hayze and then Leo Dalton putting a different sound to their music ( Pete - an excellent guitar player and Leo played a mean fiddle). Gary and George were there from the begining to almost the end. They were on every tour- Johnny Cash in Tassie, Buck Owens in Melbourne, and were on all the t.v adds for Melboune bitter and also the Channel 7 colour machine adds. Alan and Russ were absolutly fantastic artists (Guitar players and song writers) and wonderful men. I am privledged to knew them personally as I am proud to say that My Dad is Gary Newton. I love their music (The bass in working man Blues gives me a chill) GO DAD!
    Its so good to see their music is still played and loved so much.
    Sue

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    1. Hi Sue,
      Gary worked for my Dad for many years at D.J. Young Pty Ltd in East Kew. As a kid in the 70's I remember Gary well, running the paperclip and drawing pin machinery. My Dad used to say, "When Gary's sitting down biting his fingernails and doing nothing, I know the line is runing well"
      Roger

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  2. uncle peter and michael were fairly close to me, peter played a mean banjo and michael was good with the dobro, i still remember gazing at that guitar and dreaming of just touching it, but i never dared. lol

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  3. i am also proud to call peter and michael hayes my uncles, as my dad grew up living with them, i have many memories of the sunday sessions and mainly remember dad and pete talking about those days and allan and chad morgan and larry, chads son istill hold original vinyls so i will see if i can upload them for you all(special edition)

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  4. When I were kid and housed in the Turana Youth Training centre Gary Newton worked there as a youth worker. I have to say with absolute honesty he was a great man, always ready to listen to anyone with something to say, helpful in the extreme, he was a bright shining light in an otherwise dark and cold grave of a place. that was 1985. I hope he is still around and keeping well...stil making the best things out of horse shoe nails.

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  5. Gary Newton now lives in Ballarat, Vic. he loves to model live steam railways and radio control aircraft, he is a very kind and helfull person.

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  6. I am currently building a website to acknowledge those early pioneers who helped create and develop the Australian Bluegrass music scene.
    Please visit http://australianbluegrass.com to respond, my email address is located in the top right hand side of the website.

    I am seeking photos and information relating to the Hayes Brothers. I would like to make contact with Michael Oliver or anyone else on this list you might be willing to and able to help.

    Greg.

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  7. I remember as a teenager, Pete Hayes and numerous other musicians coming around to our house to jam and rehearse for recording sessions and shows. Pete was such a great bloke and an awesome musician. I have to admit to having a huge crush on him actually!! haha
    Russ and Alan Hawking also backed dad on some of his records. They were great friends of our family and really nice guys too. May Pete and his brother Mike, Russ and Alan and my dear dad Kevin all rest in peace. I can just see them now, having a big old jam session together in the sky. All were much loved and are sadly missed.

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    1. Thanks for that information Susan. Kevin Shegog - now that is a great name out of the past. He used to get a lot of air play, deservedly so, in South Western Queensland when I was much, much younger. I was especially fond of "One small photograph of you".

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  8. Brendan from Melbourne. Thank you for the information on The Hawking Brothers. I remember fondly as a lad on IMT with Graham and the Penthouse Club. They were terrific. I am trying to hunt down their LP's as well gather some more history on the group. Any links or further info would be appreciated.

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  9. HI, Brendan from Melbourne here. If anyone could assist me with a copy of FBAB 5301 Best of the Hawking Brothers on LP - Tape - CD (Green Cover with the 5 band members pictured) I would be very appreciative.
    with thanks. Brendan

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  10. I'd really like to know if there are master copies of any of the albums somewhere else than the degrading reel tapes sitting in my grandma's wardrobe. Anyone have any idea who might know? I've heard some pristine copies of certain songs around that don't sound like they've come off a vinyl album.

    Cheers.
    Mat (Alan's grandson)

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    1. Hello Mat, I do have one CD of theirs, presumably a CD re-release. It features USA country music including their really big hit, "Catfish John" - still a great favourite of mine. Other than that, I have no idea where the original masters may be, if they still exist. They recorded on Regal Zonophone and RCA so perhaps you could ask them.

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  11. Hi Mat, this is a bit of a long shot as it's been awhile since I've been on this site. Just trying to re contact you re The Hawking Brothers. Regards Brendan. You can contact me via. everglades.bm@gmail.com

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  12. Hi Sue, my name is Karen and I was looking up The Hawking Brothers, knowing that Gary Newton is a second cousin of mine. We don't know each other, however my sister in law in England had been tracing the family tree of Saynor which is your grand mother, Marjorie's maiden name. I now have a family tree that you and Dad may find interesting going back to the migration from the UK in the 1800's. Your Dad will remember Bert and Freda Saynor of Blackburn ( long gone); they were my grandparents. By all means, come back to me if this of interest bro you or Gary. Kind regards Karen.

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