The Story of 1976 - my final podcast! The Story of 1976 includes the themes of immersion, naivety, deception, vocation, religion and coincidence; quite a list for one podcast! In some ways, this podcast has been almost 50 years in the making. I started seriously thinking about it ten years ago, started building the playlist about five years ago and finally, writing the script about three weeks ago. I do ‘give away’ a fair bit about myself but at this stage of life it’s “Que, Sera, Sera”.

What I have done is mix Australian artist music (except for one Neil Young track) with narration; some tracks in full and some abbreviated. As I mention in the narration, a lot of the script is spoken with a wry smile on my face. I have studiously followed “the no names, no pack drill” dictum (except for one cryptic reference).

This final podcast is very different to the rest of my work. I hope that you enjoy it and thanks to all who have listened and downloaded over the last few years. And thanks to all of the Australian singers and musicians who made so much great music!

Episode #101 tells the story of “Australian Artists in Japan”. From the Milesago website, I’ve discovered that the idea of Australian Artists recording in Japan emerged from a cultural exchange that began in conjunction with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. As far as I can ascertain, three Australian artists recorded in Japan; Col Joye and The Joy Boys, Noeleen Batley and Little Pattie. I have a picture of Judy Stone in Japan but no record of any recording. Episode #101 is also my penultimate episode. The voice is obviously deteriorating which is almost certainly related to Parkinsons (meaning that it’s not going to get any better). Episode #102 will be something entirely different; coming soon! Enjoy episode #101!

The Annette Steele Story:

Episode 100 is a ‘fill-in’ episode of sorts while I find all that I need for the “Australians in Japan” episode. Episode 100 focusses on Australian singer Annette Steele who recorded three 45s on the IN label, 1966-67. Annette had a unique and powerful voice but, sadly, none of the 45s dented the national charts. Annette came from Melbourne, made appearances on the GO!! Show and was a regular at the Q Club in Kew. After her third and final 45, 1967, Annette seems to have disappeared. Any information would be most welcome.

With the recent sad passing of the great Col Joye, I have returned to The Col Joye Story for Part 4, covering the years 1964-65. I think it quite possible that many listeners may not be familiar with some of the 45 tracks that will be played in this episode. Only two of the seven 45s released in the period made the national Top 100. The British Beat boom, led by The Beatles, with The Rolling Stones not far behind, changed the Music Industry forever. Col Joye only released one EP in the period 1964-65, however, he did release three LPs and one very odd 3 EP set ( a Festival cash grab that didn’t work!). On the LPs are some of Col Joye & The Joy Boys’ best Rock ‘n’ Roll, perhaps even better than their original work in the 50s. Enjoy Part 4 of The Col Joye Story.

In Episode Three of The Judy Stone Story, we cover the period 1965-69. Within this timeframe, Judy released her biggest hit, “Born A Woman”, recorded after her shift from Festival to the ATA label. We’ll hear a couple of tracks that found their way onto EPs and LPs but were never on a 45 single. Also, we’ll hear the A side of a 45 release on which a then up-and-coming Australian songwriter named Kevin Johnson wrote both sides. And, towards the end of the episode, we’ll hear a track from Judy’s EP, “Italian Style”, on which all tracks are sung in Italian! Enjoy Part 3 of The Judy Stone Story.

Episode Two of THE JUDY STONE STORY covers the years 1963-64. In a strange quirk of fate, Judy only released three 45 singles in these two years, including the big hit, “4 003 221 Tears From Now”. In the same period, five EPs were released and three LPs, including “The Best of Col and Judy”. There’s a number of lesser-known recordings, including a couple that should have found their way onto 45 singles. One of those five EPs was titled, “Once in a While”, a track that never appeared on a 45 single; very unusual! Enjoy some great Judy Stone vocal performances in this episode.

After a “voice rest” break, we are back with the promised Judy Stone Podcast Part One. This first episode of Judy’s story covers her recordings for the period 1961-62. There is also a bit of background, delving into her very early career, including her ‘discovery’ by Reg Lindsay. As always, this podcast is mainly about the Music and, wow, did Judy record some songs that go way back. The oldest was first recorded in 1924! That particular song also, in a strange bit of trivia, has a link to Gilligan’s Island! Judy’s biggest hit for this period was “I’ll Step Down” but there was also one 45 single that did not chart; the vagaries of the Music Industry. I hope that you enjoy this ‘deep dive’ into Judy Stone’s early career.

JUDY STONE & COL JOYE

Straight off, I need to tell everyone that this will be the last Podcast for about three months. The combined effect of Long Covid and Chemotherapy has left my voice in a bad way, so I will give it three months of rest and treatment.

As promised, this Podcast focusses on the collaborations between Col Joye and Judy Stone. I’ve divided the Podcast into three parts;

Within that division, we talk a little about the “Col & Judy thing”, which led to speculation about marriage which, of course, never happened. The Col and Judy LP only enhanced the speculation. The liner notes of the LP clearly define the purpose; to broaden the appeal of Col and Judy to a more mature audience.

The 1998 CD single is a beauty which, I believe, was Col and Judy’s final collaboration. They sing “Love is a Rose”. Along the way, we find the source of this and other songs, some going way back!

Until next time……

Another Podcast for the instrumental fans; The Joy Boys Story Part 2. Interestingly, we will hear The Joy Boys “voices” towards the end of this episode but perhaps not in the way that you might be expecting?! This episode picks up the story in September of 1962, through to December of 1964. With the late Norm Day now established in the group, we will hear a number of his compositions. We will also hear a track written by Tony Barber (Aztecs) that incorporates his wonderful sense of humour. The Surf Era is covered in this episode and we’ll hear a few Joy Boys’ tracks that were ready made for the Australian Summer of Surf 1963-4. Enjoy the music!

Apologies for the gap since the last episode. The “Studio” has now moved from Pyrmont to Port Macquarie. Also, and alas, those wonderfully-titled “Side-Effects of Chemo” have continued. Anyway, this episode is Part 3 of The Col Joye Story, covering the period from late-1961 to December 1963. The biggest hit in this period was “Today’s Teardrops” and perhaps, the low-point was the nursery rhyme turned pop song, “Ring Around My Rosie”. I’ve cherry-picked some songs from Col’s LPs and EPs, including a song titled “What About Me” (Don Gibson - not the Moving Pictures song). Take a listen to the opening chords of the song which, to my ear, sound very much like those used in the introduction to a major hit in 1979. Towards the end of the episode there are a couple of real ‘rockers’; “Be Bop A Lula” and “I Need Your Love Tonight”. Enjoy Part 3 of the Col Joye Story!