I recently stated that I was working on this album but, thankfully, Alan from Sydney has now provided a very good rip of the album; a task I was finding very difficult because of a close-to-death LP. Many thanks Alan.This album was a follow-up the his "First Hundred Years" LP. Alex did not actually wait out the 200 years (1988) and this LP was released on the 200th anniversary of the discovery of eastern Australia and the claiming of Australia for Britain by Captain James Cook in 1970.
Alex Hood might not be the best of the Australian Folk singers but he is surely one of the most dedicated and prolific. I have always admired his work and enthusiasm. He is still a regular performer today.
This is definitely one of my favourite Australian folk albums which accounts for why my copy was so worn out (I actually bought it in 1970). The songs, of course, supposedly come from the period 1888 to 1970 and are a mix of traditional, oldies and some modern compositions written specifically for the album. Actually, the album notes advise that the song "Just before the Battle, Mother" was collected in Australia near Canberra and was thought to be about the Boer War. Of course, it is the very well-travelled song written during the American Civil War. The notes on Waltzing Matilda completely overlooks that "Banjo" Paterson penned this song in 1895 and it was published as sheet music in 1903. This track is close to the original. Thankfully, our folk singers avoid the later Marie Cowan version which is the one most Australians know.
The track "Dinki Di" is practically identical to the version my grandfather, a First World War veteran of the Western Front, used to sing but Australian Army personnel have continued to adapt this song to subsequent wars and actions.
"Lord Gort" and "How'd Yer Be?" are two well-known recitations (at least to we older ones) very well performed by Alex. Additionally, there are four tracks written by Larry King with some involvement by Alex.
A very enjoyable album.
Download link removed at the request of the copyright holder J. Albert & Son Pty Ltd
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Hi all...just tried to download and had a problem with rapidshare...maybe you could have a look.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise keep up the good work!
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteThanks for uploading and all the work you do. However there seems to be an error in the upload as RapidShare says the file can not be downloaded (limit reached). I grateful if you could look at this this and either reupload or use an alternative host. Almost any are faster than Rapidshare!
Sorry all. I used the link that Alan used and neither of us realised that it was limited.
ReplyDeleteDonnatv - I use Rapidshare for two reasons. One, using a collectors account, I can lock away the files so no phantom deleter can get at them and it greatly facilitates file management. Two, I have twice had the experience of the host site discontinuing and having to upload everything again both times. In this respect I believe that Rapidshare is far more bullet-proof.
I admit that Rapidshare can be slow but, from my end at least, there most definitely are slower ones.
Email received:
ReplyDelete"Dear Paul,
I refer to your recent post via http://australianfolk.blogspot.com/ entitled “Potential Copyright Issues”. I confirm that J. Albert & Son Pty Limited (“Albert Music”) is the Copyright owner of the following titles:
* Alex Hood – “The Second Hundred Years” LP 1970
* Alex Hood - Alex Hood sings of Australia’s First Hundred Years LP c1960
Unfortunately, we can not allow for these works to be made available via free downloads. We would ask you to kindly remove all links for works written and performed by Alex Hood immediately.
We are in the process of supplying back catalogue to digital music providers, such as iTunes. This only ensures that the music is available, and the songwriters receive royalties from each download."
5 years further on and still no sign of this material anywhere. Brilliant move! - you've shut down access to downloads and have now effectively killed this fine material altogether - I hope you're proud of yourselves!
DeleteHey! It is disgraceful but I never believed them from the outset!
Delete