ROCK & ROLL SCARS 2 (dbl CD)

Rock & Roll Scars 2 - Ariel - Aztec Records AVSCD069
(Not to be confused with the single CD available below). This has been a pet project for Aztec Records supremo and Oz music afficienado, Gil Matthews and he's done a brilliant job of remastering and packaging this outing by the bass, guitar and drums version of Ariel. Throw in the demos of The Jellabad Mutant, which hints at what might've been, plus some live recordings of the expanded version of the band with Glyn Mason and Nigel Macara and you've got a rich account of the latter career of Ariel. A perfect Christmas gift for that grumpy old bugger getting drunk at Christmas dinner.. $30.00 + postage

ARIEL ALOHA - ARIEL LIVE!!

Ariel Aloha - More From Before - Ariel - Sandman Records SAND443
People have been pestering me for years about these hard to get albums - and at last Ted Lethborg at Sandman Records has digitally remastered them in a fine looking package with illuminating liner notes by Ian McFarlane. I haven't heard the More From Before album for years - we made it a project to write songs about our trip to Keppel Island (it's a long story) and so there are songs from everybody (apart from Bill) in the Island Fantasia Suite with titles like Coral Queen, The Dark Side of Yeppoon, Party Reprise and It's Time We Said Our Goodbyes. There are all the other Ariel standards too so this a steal at $30.00 + postage

BREATHING SPACE AS WELL

Breathing Space As Well - Spectrum - Volcano Records VR005
This is the third in the Breathing Space series of EPs, and its release was held up so we could add two songs in particular; Soul Man, and his refugee bro' Limbo Man. Soul Man was a project dear to my heart and is dedicated to one of the true legends of Oz (and Kiwi) soul music, Max Merritt. While it's true I've only come to know Max lately, our paths have intersected at pivotal times in my so-called career and I thought it fitting to pay homage to The Man while he's still around to enjoy it. Helping out on the stunning horn arrangement is Jimmie Sloggett who appears on Limbo Man - as well.. $15.00 + postage track list

BREATHING SPACE TOO

Breathing Space Too - Spectrum - Volcano Records VR004
This is the second in the Breathing Space series of EPs, and its release was held up so we could add our most recent song, Xavier Rudd Is Not My Son, which answers the most frequent question I'm asked these days. Of the other six tracks, Gee Whiz and Hotels, Motels both feature the swinging sax stylings of Jimmy Sloggett, Sensible Shoes, one of two songs retrieved from the WHY catalogue, is enhanced by a psychedelic fiddle solo from the Malmsbury wizard, Nicolas Lyon, as well as an unexpected rap from Mike, rather reminiscent of the Beastie Boys - or is that Archie Bunker? $15.00 + postage track list

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MILESAGO

Milesago - Spectrum - Aztec Music AVSCD033
Well, after all the huffing and puffing, the (double) album that everybody has been saying they're waiting for is finally here! And I can testify that Gil Matthews and Ted Lethborg have done another exquisite job in bringing this baby home. To say the packaging is lavish is an understatement, and, if anything, it underlines the visionary artwork done by Ian McCausland all those years ago. I won't attempt to explain the music, suffice to say that it goes places where few bands were even contemplating and remains a unique testament to the times. Check the track list. and the odd review. An extremely reasonable $30.00 + postage

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SPECTRUM PART ONE

Spectrum Part One - Spectrum - Aztec Music AVSCD026
Something new at last! Well, maybe not new new, but Aztec Music's Ted Lethborg and Gil Matthews have done their label's usual spiffy job re-presenting Spectrum's very first album with luxurious packaging and copious notes by Ian McFarlane, and more bonus tracks than there were tracks on the original vinyl version. A great commercial injustice has been righted with the inclusion of I'll Be Gone and Launching Place Parts One and Two. Gil Matthews has done marvels resurrecting the harmonica-less demo version of I'll Be Gone b/w You Just Can't Win from the original ancient acetate.track list read reviews $25.00 + postage

ROCK & ROLL SCARS

Rock & Roll Scars - Ariel - Rare Vision - RVSN-003
Again lovingly re-mastered Ariel album produced by Mike & Bill before the recent Gil Matthews' double album of the same name. Dedicated to the memory of the late Ariel drummer John Lee, with the sole bonus inclusion of the single Yeah Tonight and I am the Laughing Man. Some people think this is the definitive guitar band that Rudd and Putt had to this point - which is not saying much as it was the only guitar band they had to this point. It is true to say that the re-interpretations of the Spectrum /Murtceps material compare favourably with the originals, and the superb Abbey Road / Air Studios sound fairly leaps out of the speakers. $20.00 + postage

Ghosts: Post- Terminal Reflection - Spectrum / The Indelible Murtceps - Raven Records RVCD-18
A Raven compilation of early Spectrum and Murtceps material including two versions of I’ll Be Gone, as well as Murtceps' Esmeralda, We are Indelible and Some Good Advice, and Spectrum's Make Your Stash, Fly Without Its Wings, But That's Alright from Part One and Milesago. The vinyl versions are selling for inordinate money - when you can find them - and this is not a bad selection, with comprehensive cover notes by the effusive Glenn A. Baker. $25.00 + postage

This month's feature CDs (see previous months)
While I seem to be having a bit of a block about even addressing Spectrum's It's a Lottery blues CD I thought I should bring 3MDR's A Mountain of Sound 2014 to your attention as being the only way of previewing any of the potential tracks.
Recorded at at the 3MDR blues fund-raiser, one of Spectrum's very first appearances after Bill's death, this is a live version of the John Mayall / Eric Clapton single I'm Your Witchdoctor. It's live but hardly wild - in fact it's barely mild - and it's only one of a thousand tracks from a multitude of acts on this commendable double album. Worth listening to once at least, if only for the diversity on show.