Larrikin Records "Waltzing Matilda: Songs of the Australian Bush" LP 1980 CD 1990

LP Cover 1980

CD cover 1990

Ian from Tasmania recently sent me a rip of, and graphics for, Larrikin Records LR118 "Seven Creeks Run" which I did a fair bit of work on even though the graphics and tracks seemed very familiar. Well, familiarity with the tracks was not a big issue because it was obviously a compilation of tracks from previous Larrikin albums. To cut a long story short, I eventually identified that I had, many years ago, copied a borrowed CD which was actually a 1990 re-release on CD but titled "Waltzing Matilda: Songs of the Australian Bush".

So here, somewhat belatedly, are FLAC and MP3 files from the CD issue. It is possible that regular downloaders already have most if not all of the tracks from LPs previously featured in this blog but here is your chance to get clean, unmodified copies.

Otherwise, this album can serve as a very good sampler for the featured artists.

Incidentally, The 1981 ABC-Larrikin 2LP set "While the Billy Boils" is in a similar vein to this album.

Tracklist with performers:
1. The Flash Stockman - Danny Spooner
2. The New Chum Shearer - Jacko Kevans
3. Song of the Artesian Waters - Cathie O'Sullivan
4.Ballad of the Kelly Gang - Dave de Hugard
5. Girls of the Ivory/Manchester Gallop - Mike and Michelle Jackson
6. The fire at Ross's Farm - Ted Simpson
7. Tumba-Bloody-Rumba - Warren Fahey
8. Seven Creeks Schottische- The Larrikins
9. Bluey Brink - Cathie O'Sullivan
10. The red-hot Wood stove - Bushwackers
11. Flash Jack the shearer - Trevor Shearston
12. The Free Selector's daughter - Mike and Michelle Jackson
13. One of the has-beens - Warren Fahey
14. Click go the shears - Martyn Wyndham-Read
15. The Ryebuck Shearer - Wild Colonial Boys
16. The Springtime it brings on the shearing - Dave de Hugard
17. Waltzing Matilda (Queensland version) - A.L. Lloyd

Make your choice of download below by clicking on your favoured version - lossless FLAC or MP3.
You will download one compressed file containing the tracks and the graphics. You will need to decompress the file to get to the contents.
Download FLAC version (274MB)
Download MP3 256-320VBR version (76MB)
If the download is not available, please let me know mr.stockman@gmail.com

The Bushwackers "Warrigal Morning" LP 1983

This LP was very kindly sent to me by Mark from Victoria. Many thanks as I had been wondering just when I would be able to do this one.

From the outset let me say that this is not quite in the vein that you might expect from The Bushwackers. The reason for this is that it is the soundtack album from the 1983 remake of the movie "Bush Christmas". It includes original performances of the traditionals "Lachlan Tigers", "Waltzing Matilda", "Billy of Tea"and the instrumental "The Fishing Reels". Sadly, it also includes that absurd rewrite of Saul Mendelsohn's "Brisbane Ladies" ("Augathella Station") that I have ranted about before. The album includes an instrumental performance of "Silent Night". All other tracks are original compositions specially written for the movie but well-and-truly in the style favoured by the band. Very good perfromances especially the guitar work of Tommy Emmanuel.

The "Bush Christmas" was a flop but you might like to look it up on the web to provide some context for some of the music. Apparently it was released on DVD in 2012.

Tracklist
1. Prince's Theme (a race horse)
2. Warrigal Morning (the movie theme)
3. Lachlan Tigers
4. Silent Night
5. Waltzing Matilda (Queensland Version)
6. Goanna Stew
7. The Fishing Reels
8. Billy of Tea
9. Travelling Music
10. Stir the Pudding (two parts)
11. Augathella Station
12. The Race.

Click here to commence download of the album. It is a compressed file which you will need to decompress. If download is not available email me at mr.stockman@gmail.com and I will put it up again. 50Mb MP3 @224-256 VBR.

The Bushwackers "Lively" LP 1984

This LP was recorded live at the Revesby Workers Club in Sydney in 1984. At that time, the members of the band were Dobe Newton, Roger Corbett, Tommy Emmanuel, Danny Bourke, Tony O'Neill, and Freddy Strauks. Although the LP features only 12 tracks, it contains about one hour of music as there are some extra instumental segments in some tracks. Overall, the LP used was in very good condition; the one exception being some sibilation on "And the Band played Waltzing Matilda".

Each side features unbroken continuous performances, that is, there is no gap between tracks so I have ripped the LP simply as side 1 and side 2. If you feel it necessary, you can break the sides down into the individual tracks.

Side one features, in order, Lime Juice Tub, Lazy Harry's, Marijuana Australia, Murrumbidgee (instrumental), When the Rain Tumbles down in July, and And the Band played Waltzing Matilda.

Side two, in order is, When Brittania ruled the Waves, Les Darcy, 1-2-3-4, Beneath the Southern Cross, Wall of Death, and Waltzing Matilda (Queensland version).

Download with Graphics MP3 @ 224-256VBR abt 100Mb
From MediaFire
Link failed? Then please leave a comment or contact mr.stockman@gmail.com

The Bushwackers "Dance Album" LP 1980 (Graphics Only)

These graphics have been kindly provided by a new Tasmanian visitor. Many thanks for your kindness.

I am not posting any of the tracks with these graphics. For those who wish to recreate the album, the relevant tracks are all on CD3 of the previously presented Bushwackers set. You can go to that posting by clicking on here.
Leave out the first two tracks and simply renumber the rest in the same order.

You have two options for obtaining these graphics. For smaller graphics, "right click" on each graphic and select save image and proceed from there.For larger graphics, use this Download link. (Only 1.3Mb)

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

The Bushwackers Band "Beneath the Southern Cross" LP 1981

The Bushwackers have had over 60 different members over the decades. With this LP the members were Eddy van Roosendael, Louis McManus, Michael Harris, Dobe Newton and Roger Corbett assisted by Broderick Smith, Rodger Montgomery, Rosemary Hallo, Mick Conway, and Steve Groves.
My copy of this album had some damaged tracks but I managed to obtain good rips of tracks from elsewhere.  Unfortunately, I have had to use a rip of  "And the Band played Waltzing Matilda" that was somewhat rough but I did manage to clear out a lot of the defects and it is acceptable provided that you do not listen too hard.  (If anyone has a better copy of this track, I'd love to receive it.) Incidentally, it is a different version to the one done earlier by the "Bushwackers".  The tracks are:-
1. St. Annes Reel (instrumental)
2. Waltzing Matilda (original version)
3. And the Band played Waltzing Matilda
4. The Catalpa (not the traditional version)
5. Lazy Harry's
6. South Australia
7. Beneath the Southern Cross
8. The Plate Glass Window (trad instrumental medley)
9. Battlers Ballad
10. Spider by the Gwydir (poem - poor original recording)
11. Lachlan Tigers
12. Fishing Reels (instrumental)

I have yet to do the graphics for the LP - I'll need to use photography to get the liner notes entirely and I will post the results soon.

Download tracks MP3 CBR and VBR  192 minimum
From MediaFire


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

The Bushwackers Band - And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda - LP Graphics ONLY

This download is LP Graphics only

I recently obtained a very good LP of this album but there seems to be little point in ripping it. The ten tracks are:-
1. To the Shores of Botany Bay
2. Wooloomooloo Lair
3. Clancy of the Overflow
4. Overlanders
5. And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda
6. Waltzing Matilda
7. Theme from 'Ben Hall'
8. One of the Has Beens
9. Jog Along Till Shearing
10. New Broom

If you take a look at the earlier posting of their CD compilation here, you will notice that the first ten tracks on CD1 correspond completely with this LPs tracks.

Accordingly, I am simply posting the LP front, inner and rear graphics here for those who may be interested having this cover.

Download LP graphics (no music)
from MediaFire 

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

The Bushwackers "The Great Bushwackers Band" 3CD compilation 2002

I have now noted that the 2002 Rajon 3CD compilation featuring selected tracks from the Bushwackers is not currently available for sale so I am now posting it. If it should again become available, I will remove the links to this post.
As is common for this type of issue, all tracks have most probably appeared on previous Bushwacker albums and you will recognise that many of them have been included in the excellent LP rips posted here courtesy of our Adelaide friend Ian. The tracks on these CDs appear to have been generated from the original masters. The rips are MP3 @224-256VBR and each CD is about 100Mb.

Track Listing for CD1
1. To the Shores of Botany Bay
2. Wooloomooloo Lair
3. Clancy of the Overflow
4. Overlanders
5. And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda
6. Waltzing Matilda
7. Theme from 'BenHall'
8. One of the Has Beens
9. Jog Along Till Shearing
10. New Broom
11. Van Diemens Land
12. Lachlan Tigers
13. Lime Juice Tub
14. Flying Pieman
15. Marijuana Australia
16. Theme from 'Cash & CD'

Download CD1
From MediaFire

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

Track listing for CD2
17. Hard Luck Stories
18. Billy of Tea
19. Flash Jack from Gundagai
20. Faces in the Street
21. Ned Kelly's Tunes
22. Ballad of 1891
23. Weevils in the Flour
24. Freedom on the Wallaby
25. Les Darcy
26. Dick's Pig
27. Bill's Yarn
28. Tent Poles (Are Rotten on the Wallaby)
29. Mistress on the Floor
30. Stringybark Creek
31. Annie
32. Past Carin'

Download CD2
From MediaFire
Link failed? Then please leave a comment or contact mr.stockman@gmail.com

Track listing for CD3 (mainly music for bush dances)
33. Wild Horses
34. Fanny Bay
35. Waves of Bondi (Waves of Tory, Rakes of Mallow, Drowsie Maggie, Spanish Ladies)
36. Road to Gundagai (Mudgee Scottische, Road to Gundagai)
37. Heel and Toe Polka (Brown Jug, Davvy Nic Nac, Ten Pound Float)
38. Pride of Erin (Planxty Irwin, Big Fairy Mountain and Little Fairy Mountain)
39. Drongo (Muckin' of Geordie's Byre, Nancy, Rakes of Kildare, Wynham's Reel)
40. Madmans Woodyard (Merri Creek, Madmans Woodyard, New St. George's Road)
41. Barn Dance (Dumbarton Castle)
42. Stockyards, Ned Kelly's Dance, Flying Doctor (Blackthorn Stick, Sixpenny Money, Kesh Jig, Haymakers Jig)
43. Queensland Back Step (Gallopede, Nut Brown Melody, 42nd Regiment, Bottom of the Punchbowl)
44. The Kangaroo Hop (Rogue's March, Skippy)
45. Strip the Willow (Soldier's Joy, Fred's Delight, McLeod's Reel, Trip to the Cottage, Marie's Wedding)
46. Waltz Country Dance (Starry Night for a Ramble, Springtime Brings on the Shearing,The Dark Isle)

Download CD3
From MediaFire (new 31Aug2017)
Link failed? Then please leave a comment or contact mr.stockman@gmail.com 
 

The Bushwackers Band "Murrumbidgee" LP 1977

Another great rip from Ian of Adelaide
MP3 @ 192 CBR
Track List
1. Augathella Station
2. Lachlan Tigers
3. Billy of Tea
4. Cold Feet
5. Rain Tumbles Down
6. Streets of Forbes
7. The Cameo (instrumental)
8. Tomahawkin' Fred (The Ladies Man)
9. Murrumbidgee River (instrumental)
10. Flash Jack from Gundagai

Ian has graciously provided another rip of a Bushwackers LP together with its cover graphics. I suggest that the music already posted speaks for the fine talent of this band.

I do have one reservation. "Augathella Station" is more usually known as "Brisbane Ladies" or similar. It was penned by one Saul Mendelsohn, a stockman, in the 1880s but minor variations have been collected. It is firmly based on the British sea song "Spanish Ladies" about British sailors returning to England from Spain.

Numerous artists performed versions of this song before the Bushwackers, for example, A.L. (Bert) Lloyd, The Rambleers, Denis Gibbons, John Greenway and others. The lyrics at the Contemplator are a fair representation of their versions (and they make sense).

Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, someone with little or no idea decided the song could benefit from some tinkering. Now I'm not opposed to a bit of sensible tinkering - it is a folk song after all. I could live with the elimination of most of the place names although I can't see the point of it. The really absurd bit though is that this version has the drovers still in possession of the herd of cattle on the trip back to Augathella Station (Ranch) after having sold them in Brisbane?? No, they would not have driven any stock back home! Further, this version also has the drovers spending all their "money on the shanty town women" in some country town on the way home. This raises two points - firstly, it was very unlikely that any drovers that way inclined would have any money left after the "Brisbane Ladies" and the "girls of Toowong" (Toowong is an inner suburb of Brisbane) but more tellingly, Australia may have had "shantys" (inns), but not "shanty towns" in that sense and "shanty town women" appears to someone's crude attempt at evoking the concept of USA wild west saloon girls. Altogether, it is very disappointing that the Bushwackers had anything to do with such unauthentic garbage. "Quintessence" has also performed this version.

"Rain Tumbles Down" was one of the legendary Slim Dusty's earliest songs; the classic "When the Rain Tumbles down in July". He wrote it in 1945 and it was first released in 1947 on the old Regal Zonophone label as a 78rpm. The initial release was definitely of the Australian "hillbilly" style but Slim thankfully released continuously improved performances of the song over the years and they appeared on several of his 103 albums. The Bushwackers remain fairly true to the song and it retains a country and western feel.

Great versions of "The Lachlan Tigers" and "Flash Jack from Gundagai".

For those who may be wondering, the LP cover is of a "lagerphone" in frantic motion. A very popular instrument in any respectable "Bush Band". It's often thought to be purely an Australian invention but it's an import from England but given the now very common name "lagerphone" in Australia (because of all the crown beer bottletops used in its construction).

Download with graphics
From MediaFire

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

The Bushwackers Band "Bushfire" 1979 LP

Track List
Stringybark Creek (a Ballad of Ned Kelly)
Annie
Van Dieman's Land
Lime Juice Tub
The Flying Pieman
Bushfire
Past Carin'
Hard Luck Stories
Wild Horses
Fannie Bay

This album is one of my favourites - a lovely mix of traditional and more contemporary Australian folk songs performed by a very talented band with a keen feel for Australian bush music.
"The Flying Pieman" and "Bushfire" are both instrumentals. "Past Carin' " is from the poet Henry Lawson detailing the despair suffered by many of the pioneer women of Australian. "Fannie Bay" (a reference to Darwin's main jail) is in the vein of "Take a Message to Mary" (but don't tell her what I've done) and don't miss "Hard Luck Stories".
Again, Ian of Adelaide provided this great rip for all our enjoyment. Graphics include artist information and the lyrics for all songs. Ripped at 192 CBR.
Download with Graphics
From MediaFire

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

The Bushwackers "Down There For Dancing" 1982 LP

Track List
The Willow Tree (set)
1234 (song)
King Gus (set)
No. 96 (set)
Hanging Rock (set)
Coney Island (set)
Smith Street Shuffle (set)
Over the Top (set)
Swedish Masquerade (set)
Under the Bridge(set)
Buffalo Bill (set)
White Dress (song)

This 1982 album from the Bushwackers is mainly dance instrumental featuring old time tunes both European and Australian but there are a couple of exceptions that may surprise. There are also two songs supporting the dancing theme. The album is more "old-timey" than folky but nevertheless very enjoyable.
This is another great rip from Ian of Adelaide but we would all love to hear from others wishing to share their Aussie folk holdings (email mr.stockman@gmail.com for any queries, advice, offerings etc)

Download with graphics MP3 256CBR
From MediaFire

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

Original Bushwhackers and Bullockies Band -"The Shearer's Dream" LP 1980

Track List
South Australia
Red hot woodstove
Maranoa drovers
Ned Kelly was born in a ramshackle hut
Swagless swaggie
Drops of brandy
Rye buck shearer
Woolloomooloo lair
Holy Dan
Bullocky, oh
Jim Jones at Botany Bay
Bush girl
Denis O'Reilly
Shearers dream.

There is a lot of confusion about the various "Bushwhacker" and "Bushwacker" configurations so perhaps a little explanation is needed.
In 1952, John Meredith, the renowned Australian folksong collector, formed the "Heathcote Bushwhackers" shortly after becoming just "The Bushwhackers". This band was really the first to bring genuine bush music, backed by the common instruments of the bush, to the general public. They had a few changes of members and broke up in 1957 with some members going on to "The Rambleers". They recorded one very successful LP "The Drover's Dream" (anyone got a good copy?).

The idea of being a "Bushwhacker" caught on and there were other bands using "bushwhacker" in their names to signify that they were "bush bands". This caused a lot of humour in the real bush where the term was usually deliberately spelt as "bushwacker" (meaning the "common" people living and working in the bush - not towns or cities) and they reserved the American based spelling "bushwhacker" for "ambushers", that is, a bushwacker might be bushwhacked by a bushranger.

We move on a few years to 1971 to the formation of a new band entitled "The Bushwhackers and Bullockies Band". As I understand it, in 1974, under that name they released their first LP "The Shearer's Dream" on the Picture Records label; the members of the band then being Dave Isom, Mick Slocum, Tony Hunt, Jan Wositzky and Dobe Newton. In 1980, the LP was re-released on Larrikin Records (LRF019) with the word "Original" inserted as a description, as by then, the band had more appropriately become "The Bushwackers" and its membership had changed but "The Original Bushwackers and Bullockies Band" is now almost universally used as the performers of the LP. The band later became just "The Bushwackers". A 3CD compilation of some of their earlier albums was put out in the '90s under the name "The Great Bushwackers". That compilation is shared on this blog.

Here is their website. The band is still active at music festivals as far as I know.

However, there is no confusion as to the quality of this band in its various configurations - consistently great performances both vocally and instrumentally with an excellent Australian "bushwacker" flavour as even this first of their albums readily demonstrates. Ian from Adelaide has provided this excellent rip of the LP so give him some encouragement and I'm sure he will offer more. So, thanks from me Ian.

Jan Wositzky, an ex-Bushwacker, has now obtained the rights to this album and intends to bring it out on CD in the near future and there may even be a bit of a reunion of some of the past members.  Accordingly, downloads of this album are no longer being offered.  Hopefully, we will be posting details when the CD is out.