Anyone Help With 2 Oddball Records

[Suinoz]

Need some help with a couple of 45's i found in a charity shop here in OZ. They were among another 20 records that looked like a small collection from someone who may have been into gospel type soul. Both are on Aussie Festival yellow and black labels. Have to say they would both sound great palyed at a northern night. Any help appreciated. Thanks, Sue. OZ. K.T.F.

1. The Laurie Allen Revue, Cool Jerk. Great take off of the Capitols classic.

2. Billy Thorpe, Dream Baby. Brilliant uptempo version of the Roy Orbison classic.

Oh the things we come acroos these day's just when we think we have heard it all !!!!

I will list a few more next time round, it's just that i can't find these 2 listed in J.M.

[Pete S]

Need some help with a couple of 45's i found in a charity shop here in OZ. They were among another 20 records that looked like a small collection from someone who may have been into gospel type soul. Both are on Aussie Festival yellow and black labels. Have to say they would both sound great palyed at a northern night. Any help appreciated. Thanks, Sue. OZ. K.T.F.

1. The Laurie Allen Revue, Cool Jerk. Great take off of the Capitols classic.

2. Billy Thorpe, Dream Baby. Brilliant uptempo version of the Roy Orbison classic.

Oh the things we come acroos these day's just when we think we have heard it all !!!!

I will list a few more next time round, it's just that i can't find these 2 listed in J.M.

Probably Aussie versions - does it say on the label they were licensed from the US companies? Billy Thorpe had one single in the UK by the looks of it but it wasn't this one.

[Godzilla]

The power of google...

LAURIE ALLEN / LAURIE ALLEN & THE REVUE

Melbourne, 1967-68

John Adolphus (guitar)

Laurie Allen (vocals, guitar, organ)

Lawrie Byrnes (drums)

Ron Cameron (drums

Harry Herni (guitar)

Colleen Hewett (vocals)

Glenys Hewett (vocals)

Michelle Kennedy (vocals)

Barry Rogers (bass) 1967

Manfred Shane (guitar)

Gary Young (drums) 1968

Wayne Duncan (bass) 1968

Phil Manning (guitar) 1967

History

Vocalist, guitarist and organist Laurie Allen's is best known for his chart-topping partnegsubip with Bobby Bright in the mid-1960s, but Laurie was a veteran of the Austraian rock and pop scene. His first outfit was The Roulettes (1958-59), followed by Malcom Arthur & The Knights (1959-61), The Blue Jays (1962) and then Bobby and Laurie (1965-66), whose story is included in our MILESAGO Bobby & Laurie article.

Laurie's first solo project after Bobby & Laurie's heyday was Dice formed in 1967 and soon renamed Laurie Allen and The Revue. It was modelled on the American soul revues of the early to mid-Sixties (e.g. the famous Stax Revues ca. that were backed by Booker T. & The M.G.s and the Memphis Horns) although Laurie's band evidently had no horn section.

The datings in Who's Who suggests that the group went through a couple of distinct rhythm-section changes. The earlier lineup (ca. 1967) may have been Lawrie Byrnes (drums, ex-Little Gulliver & The Children, Ram Jam Big Band), Barry Rogers (ex-Rondells, bass) and Phil Manning (ex Blue Jays, Bay City Union, guitar). The later (1968?) backline may have been Gary Young (ex-Rondells, drums) and Wayne Duncan (ex-Rondells, bass); another notable player who passed through was guitarist John Adolphus (later of the Hot City Bump Band).

The band gigged mainly around Melbourne and recorded three Singles for Festival during 1967-68. The Revue included some notable members, not least the long-serving Young and Duncan (who had been in Bobby & Laurie's backing group, The Rondells) and it's also notable for being the first major professional outing for sister vocalists Glenys and Colleen Hewett.

After the Revue ended Bobby and Laurie reunited for about two years, until their final split in 1971, after which Laurie joined the short-lived Nite Train in 1971. He continued to write and release country music in the early 70s. He toured as guitarist for boxer-turned-country singer Lionel Rose and released a solo album and single in 1972 on on Col Joye's ATA label. He toured with country legend Slim Whitman in 1973, regularly worked with other artists including Col Joye, wrote songs for Col and other ATA artists, and released a new version of "I Belong With You" on ATA in 1975. In 1976 he wrote the song "Motivatin' Day" for 'Cowboy' Bob Purtell, which earned him a Golden Guitar at the Tamworth Country Music festival.

In 1980 Laurie was seriously injured in a car accident and was hospitalised for several months. Friends and colleagues including Johnny Ashcroft and Mick Hamilton rallied round him and organised a sucessful benefit concert in Sydney. He later joined the country rock / rockabilly Silver Wings Band. Bobby & Laurie reunited in the 1990s and performed at rock dances and on the rock & roll revival circuit. They also appeared in a TV advertisement for a Melbourne furniture store in 1996. Their last performance together was at the Moorabbin Town Hall in early June 2002. They were scheduled to appear as part of the 'Long Way To The Top' concert tour (thanks to their 1964 #1 hit, "I Belong With You") but this was never came to pass due to Laurie's sudden death from a heart attack on 13 June 2002.

Discography

Singles

Laurie Allen & The Revue: 1967

"Beautiful Brown Eyes" / "Saved" (Festival FK 1807)

1968

"Any Little Bit" / "Cool Jerk" (Festival FK 2257)

1968

"As Long As I Got You" / "Not Born To A Follow" (Festival FK 2421)

Laurie Allen solo:

1972

"Sunshine In Your Face" / "(High) On A Ferris Wheel" (ATA ATAK-4734)

1975

"I Belong With You" / "Little Country Church" (ATA K-5991)

EPs

Laurie Allen & The Revue:

1968

Any Little Bit (Festival FX 11533)

"Any Little Bit" / "Cool Jerk" // "As Long As I Got You" / "Not Born To A Follow"

"Any Little Bit" was also included on the 1968 Festival compilation Australian Show Case 68

References / Links

Ian McFarlane

Encyclopedia of Australian Rock & Pop (Allen & Unwin, 1999)

Noel McGrath

Australian Encyclopedia of Rock (Outback Press, 1978)

Vernon Joyson

Dreams, Fantasies & Nightmares: Australia (Borderline Books)

.....................

Ozzie Music Man

By early 1967 The Aztecs had broken up. Billy kept busy during 1967, but only issued one single on Festival, a cover of Roy Orbison's "Dream Baby" which reached #36 in October. The single was a flop. In January 1968, he formed a new backing band with Johnny Dick, Mick Liber (guitar ex-Python Lee Jackson) and Dave McTaggert (bass) who was soon replaced by Paul Wheeler (ex-Affair). Billy began the process of breaking the shackles of his 60s Mk I pop persona, to re-emerge shortly thereafter with the template of his sensational 70s Mk II as the bearded, long-haired, blues wailing rocker we have come to love. Here is that single for Festival that was largely ignored out of 1967 "Dream Baby" b/w "You Don't Live Twice" (FK - 2015)

Edited May 16, 2009 by Godzilla

[Suinoz]

The power of google...

LAURIE ALLEN / LAURIE ALLEN & THE REVUE

Melbourne, 1967-68

John Adolphus (guitar)

Laurie Allen (vocals, guitar, organ)

Lawrie Byrnes (drums)

Ron Cameron (drums

Harry Herni (guitar)

Colleen Hewett (vocals)

Glenys Hewett (vocals)

Michelle Kennedy (vocals)

Barry Rogers (bass) 1967

Manfred Shane (guitar)

Gary Young (drums) 1968

Wayne Duncan (bass) 1968

Phil Manning (guitar) 1967

History

Vocalist, guitarist and organist Laurie Allen's is best known for his chart-topping partnegsubip with Bobby Bright in the mid-1960s, but Laurie was a veteran of the Austraian rock and pop scene. His first outfit was The Roulettes (1958-59), followed by Malcom Arthur & The Knights (1959-61), The Blue Jays (1962) and then Bobby and Laurie (1965-66), whose story is included in our MILESAGO Bobby & Laurie article.

Laurie's first solo project after Bobby & Laurie's heyday was Dice formed in 1967 and soon renamed Laurie Allen and The Revue. It was modelled on the American soul revues of the early to mid-Sixties (e.g. the famous Stax Revues ca. that were backed by Booker T. & The M.G.s and the Memphis Horns) although Laurie's band evidently had no horn section.

The datings in Who's Who suggests that the group went through a couple of distinct rhythm-section changes. The earlier lineup (ca. 1967) may have been Lawrie Byrnes (drums, ex-Little Gulliver & The Children, Ram Jam Big Band), Barry Rogers (ex-Rondells, bass) and Phil Manning (ex Blue Jays, Bay City Union, guitar). The later (1968?) backline may have been Gary Young (ex-Rondells, drums) and Wayne Duncan (ex-Rondells, bass); another notable player who passed through was guitarist John Adolphus (later of the Hot City Bump Band).

The band gigged mainly around Melbourne and recorded three Singles for Festival during 1967-68. The Revue included some notable members, not least the long-serving Young and Duncan (who had been in Bobby & Laurie's backing group, The Rondells) and it's also notable for being the first major professional outing for sister vocalists Glenys and Colleen Hewett.

After the Revue ended Bobby and Laurie reunited for about two years, until their final split in 1971, after which Laurie joined the short-lived Nite Train in 1971. He continued to write and release country music in the early 70s. He toured as guitarist for boxer-turned-country singer Lionel Rose and released a solo album and single in 1972 on on Col Joye's ATA label. He toured with country legend Slim Whitman in 1973, regularly worked with other artists including Col Joye, wrote songs for Col and other ATA artists, and released a new version of "I Belong With You" on ATA in 1975. In 1976 he wrote the song "Motivatin' Day" for 'Cowboy' Bob Purtell, which earned him a Golden Guitar at the Tamworth Country Music festival.

In 1980 Laurie was seriously injured in a car accident and was hospitalised for several months. Friends and colleagues including Johnny Ashcroft and Mick Hamilton rallied round him and organised a sucessful benefit concert in Sydney. He later joined the country rock / rockabilly Silver Wings Band. Bobby & Laurie reunited in the 1990s and performed at rock dances and on the rock & roll revival circuit. They also appeared in a TV advertisement for a Melbourne furniture store in 1996. Their last performance together was at the Moorabbin Town Hall in early June 2002. They were scheduled to appear as part of the 'Long Way To The Top' concert tour (thanks to their 1964 #1 hit, "I Belong With You") but this was never came to pass due to Laurie's sudden death from a heart attack on 13 June 2002.

Discography

Singles

Laurie Allen & The Revue: 1967

"Beautiful Brown Eyes" / "Saved" (Festival FK 1807)

1968

"Any Little Bit" / "Cool Jerk" (Festival FK 2257)

1968

"As Long As I Got You" / "Not Born To A Follow" (Festival FK 2421)

Laurie Allen solo:

1972

"Sunshine In Your Face" / "(High) On A Ferris Wheel" (ATA ATAK-4734)

1975

"I Belong With You" / "Little Country Church" (ATA K-5991)

EPs

Laurie Allen & The Revue:

1968

Any Little Bit (Festival FX 11533)

"Any Little Bit" / "Cool Jerk" // "As Long As I Got You" / "Not Born To A Follow"

"Any Little Bit" was also included on the 1968 Festival compilation Australian Show Case 68

References / Links

Ian McFarlane

Encyclopedia of Australian Rock & Pop (Allen & Unwin, 1999)

Noel McGrath

Australian Encyclopedia of Rock (Outback Press, 1978)

Vernon Joyson

Dreams, Fantasies & Nightmares: Australia (Borderline Books)

.....................

Ozzie Music Man

By early 1967 The Aztecs had broken up. Billy kept busy during 1967, but only issued one single on Festival, a cover of Roy Orbison's "Dream Baby" which reached #36 in October. The single was a flop. In January 1968, he formed a new backing band with Johnny Dick, Mick Liber (guitar ex-Python Lee Jackson) and Dave McTaggert (bass) who was soon replaced by Paul Wheeler (ex-Affair). Billy began the process of breaking the shackles of his 60s Mk I pop persona, to re-emerge shortly thereafter with the template of his sensational 70s Mk II as the bearded, long-haired, blues wailing rocker we have come to love. Here is that single for Festival that was largely ignored out of 1967 "Dream Baby" b/w "You Don't Live Twice" (FK - 2015)

Wow ! Godzilla thanks for that. Still reckon Dream Baby fits into the ' northern' category. Do you think they are now hard to find being over 30 years old ?? Like your opinion please. Regards Sue. K.T.F.

[Suinoz]

Probably Aussie versions - does it say on the label they were licensed from the US companies? Billy Thorpe had one single in the UK by the looks of it but it wasn't this one.

Hiya Pete, No mate no mention of U.S. anywhere on the label. I think Godzilla has probably answered the question regarding year etc. They both sound great and would be brilliant dancers. Funny what you turn up when your not really looking eh?? I would still like to know how hard they are to find after 30 odd years. Might give em a spin at our next soul night. Have a good weekend, stay soulful. Sue. OZ. K.T.F.

[Guest]

Hiya Pete, No mate no mention of U.S. anywhere on the label. I think Godzilla has probably answered the question regarding year etc. They both sound great and would be brilliant dancers. Funny what you turn up when your not really looking eh?? I would still like to know how hard they are to find after 30 odd years. Might give em a spin at our next soul night. Have a good weekend, stay soulful. Sue. OZ. K.T.F.

Allright askin' us how would we know,try askin' a ausie site for collectors ausie record collectors maybe.

[Godzilla]

Allright askin' us how would we know,try askin' a ausie site for collectors ausie record collectors maybe.

Dunno about that Ken. I thought dodgy foreign cover versions was quite a speciality of yours

[Suinoz]

Allright askin' us how would we know,try askin' a ausie site for collectors ausie record collectors maybe.

Nice bit of input Ken thanks, but i have'nt found anything about them here as soul record were not popular. The question i asked related to possible British releases of both plus i wondered if anyone on the scene there had heard them before. Could i have possibly stumbled across a couple of unknowns to the northern scene ?? Hope so then i can spin em both when i come over in September. Stay soulful. Sue. OZ. K.T.F.

[Sunnysoul]

Nice bit of input Ken thanks, but i have'nt found anything about them here as soul record were not popular. The question i asked related to possible British releases of both plus i wondered if anyone on the scene there had heard them before. Could i have possibly stumbled across a couple of unknowns to the northern scene ?? Hope so then i can spin em both when i come over in September. Stay soulful. Sue. OZ. K.T.F.

Hi Sue, both are Australian artists of course, as Godz showed above, both only released in Australia, never in the UK.

I've found copies of both records quite regularly over the last 30 years. They're of more interest to Aussie beat collectors really and not really worth much either because they're relatively common. I remember I played the Laurie Allen disc a couple of times at the first Sydney northern soul nights back in 1981 but it cleared the floor. No surprise really, it isn't very good ! There are plenty of other superior versions of Cool Jerk floating around ...

Cheers !