New arrivals in the Library’s large collection of recordings by local groups, performers and composers released on independent labels, including the following great titles.  In some cases the covers are as entertaining as the content within.

Assorted Creams by The Orange Humble Band.

Half a Cow Records, 1997

Half a Cow Records, 1997

 

Half a Cow Records, 1997

Half a Cow Records, 1997

Several releases by Sydney based independent record label, Half a Cow Records include Assorted Creams, the first release by Sydney rock group, The Orange Humble Band, in 1997.  Track highlights on the album include It Doesn’t Matter and Katie Said So – two songs with catchy upbeat tunes.

Spider and Lamb by Sydney band Warmer, is their second album release after The Cat’s Miaow in 2005.

Spider and Lamb by Warmer.

Half a Cow, [2011]

Half a Cow Records, [2011]

The Electrical Banana Album by Chewee.

Half a Cow Records, 2016

Half a Cow Records, 2016

Banana Smoothie Honey by Plunderers.

Half a Cow Records, c2000

Half a Cow Records, c2000

Two releases featuring that beloved fruit, the banana, as a theme include The Electrical Banana Album by Nic Dalton, multi-instrumentalist and Half a Cow Records co-founder.  He recorded the psychedelic pop album under the name of Chewee.  Most songs were created on the spot  – words and music – and the domineering wah wah solos throughout are all first takes.  Track highlights include, Cinnamon you are Booby and Chamomile Mix.

Banana Smoothie Honey by pop band of Canberra origins, The Plunderers, is a 2000 rerelease of their 1992 album.   The band also featured Nic Dalton on bass guitar and lead vocals, when active between 1984-1992.

Most of these CDs are currently available on the Listening Posts in Arts.  The online catalogue indicates which Listening Post the CD is available on.  There are eight jukebox listening posts in the Arts Reading Room, where you can listen to CDs from the audiovisual collection.

Group of people using listening post in Arts room © Andrew Lloyd

Group of people using listening post in Arts room © Andrew Lloyd

Dune Rats by Dune Rats.

Ratbag Records, [2014]

Ratbag Records, [2014]

The Brown Hornet by The Brown Hornet.

Shock Records, 1997

Shock Records, 1997

Dune Rats is the self-titled first album by the Brisbane rock band released through their own record label, Ratbag Records, in 2014, reaching No. 22 on the ARIA Chart.

The Brown Hornet is the self-titled first album by Melbourne funk band released in 1997 by Shock Records, an independent Australian owned record label, that is now part of the Shock Entertainment organisation.

Blue gold : sound works for sustainable water care by Ros Bandt and Leah Barclay.

Hearing Places, 2012

Hearing Places, 2012

Recently during a desk shift in the Information Centre, a visitor handed me a small stack of CDs she wanted to donate to the Library, and introduced herself as Ros Bandt.  We have other CDs by this internationally acclaimed sound artist and composer in the collection, so it was great to meet her.

Blue Gold by Ros Bandt and Leah Barclay, is a 2012 release on the Hearing Places Label, recorded in Melbourne in 2009.  It is an electroacoustic multimedia work, investigating the delicate balance between wet and dry.  The performers, cello (wet) and the clarinets (dry), navigate their way through the electroacoustic sound fields sourced from Southern Ocean underwater recordings, aeolian harps in the arid Mungo desert, flash storms in the bush and wetlands of the Otway Ranges.

Mother’s not feeling herself today by Suzannah Espie.

Vitamin, [2015]

Vitamin, [2015]

Wheel in the sky by Cub Callaway & The Revolutionnaires.

Dominion Records, [2015]

Dominion Records, [2015]

Mother’s Not Feeling Herself Today is the critically acclaimed latest album by Australian country music performer, singer/songwriter, Suzannah Espie, released by independent label, Vitamin Records.  With a mixture of country, soul, blues and pop, Espie explores the subject of motherhood on an album that has made many Australian best-of lists since it was released in 2015.

Wheel in the Sky by Cub Callaway and the Revolutionaries, is the latest release by the singer, songwriter and guitarist, who with his band, has been a major force in the local music scene for thirty years.

Firework Dogs by The Eliza Band (Vinyl).

Transient Studios, 2011

Transient Studios, 2011

The Library also has a very large collection of vinyl recordings.  Fireworks Dogs by The Eliza Band is a 2011 release by Transient Studios, with all songs by Rory Cooke.  The Preston Front is a really great track on Side 2, and is featured here.

Vinyl recordings and other audiovisual material, can be ordered from the online catalogue for use in the Library during normal opening hours.

 

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