COLIN DRYDEN
The 1960s and 70s saw folk music as one of the country’s most popular music forms. Folk clubs, festivals, record albums, radio and television programs celebrated old ballads and newly written songs in the folk style. Television hadn’t stolen our minds, and songs, particularly ‘story songs’, played a far more vital role in entertainment. Folk music was and still is different from other forms of music, for it is deeply rooted in tradition and generally created as part of a rolling culture rather than being ‘designed’ for a particular market and/or the cash register.
Australia was booming in the 60s and 70s. WW2 had been banished from our minds (although many of us were dismayed by increasing international warmongering). We were feeling free, released from the old norms of austerity, exploring new ideas in everything from religion to sex. The songs reflected our changing society.
Rouseabout’s new series will celebrate some of the most important artists of the time. Drawn mostly from private recordings, particularly live performances or limited releases on small indie labels, the series will ensure these unique artists remain available as a reminder of their musical contributions.
The recordings in the series will be ‘cleaned up’ to eliminate noise; however, being live recordings, some inevitable bumps and squeaks remain to remind us of the live music atmosphere. The series will be released digitally. Notes to the recordings will appear on the Artist pages of Undercover Music.
The first two releases in the series feature COLIN DRYDEN
CATCH A FALLING STAR is a collection of original and traditional songs, including Colin’s compositions Factory Lad’, ‘Sitha’ and his evocative interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s ‘Ballad of Reading Gaol’. There are also some classic folk songs, including ‘’Scarborough Fair’ and a haunting song about the disappearance of Lord Franklin, ex-Governor of Tasmania, whose expedition disappeared in the Arctic in 1845. One of the standout contemporary songs is Sydney Carter’s ‘Silver in the Stubble’. On the album, Colin plays guitar, fiddle and concertina and is joined on several tracks by Dave Brannigan.
ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS is a collection of blues, rags, gospel and jazz songs - all given the special treatment Colin was renowned for delivering. There are also two songs by Bob Dylan. As a bonus, there is another version of ‘Lord Franklin’. Colin was an exceptionally talented guitar player and his versions of blues and jazz standards are riveting. ‘Down by the Riverside’, ‘Candyman’, ‘Dink’s Song’ and ‘St James Infirmary Blues’ all offer that special ‘live’ magic. Dave Brannigan also appears on several of the tracks.
More Information: Artist Page
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