Strings Around the World -- Folk Songs of Australia


Book Description

Strings Around the World, is designed for the student string orchestra, string quartet, or violin group. The arrangements often take the tunes a step further than their original musical intention but they are not technically difficult. Titles are: Barn Dance (Australian Folk Song) * The Black Velvet Band (Australian Folk Song) * Botany Bay (Australian Folk Song) * Brisbane Ladies (Australian Folk Song) * Click Go the Shears (Australian Folk Song) * Jim Jones at Botany Bay (Australian Folk Song) * Kookaburra (Sinclair) * Along the Road to Gundagai (O'Hagan) * A Thousand Miles Away (Australian Folk Song) * Waltzing Matilda (Cowan).




Waltzing Matilda


Book Description

An expose of two cover-ups: one the death of a swagman by a billabong; the other, a torrid affair between Banjo Paterson and his fiancee's best friend, and how the two events come together in Australia's best-loved national song. Australians know Waltzing Matilda, written by their most popular poet Banjo Paterson, as their most loved song and unofficial national anthem. What Australians don't know is that their song is embroiled in a web of secrecy, violence and a triangular love affair. Written at a pivotal time in Australia's history, Waltzing Matilda is as important to Australian culture as events like the Eureka Stockade and the story of Ned Kelly. One hundred and fifteen years after the writing of Waltzing Matilda, Australians continue to be fascinated with the song and sing it proudly wherever they meet to celebrate. Given the facts outlined in this story, they will be further captivated and embrace the song for decades to come.




The 100 Best Australian Albums


Book Description

Australian music has a proud, colourful and successful history. In 2008, Australian rock and roll turned 50. This book names the best Australian albums of the last 50 years. It places each album in order (from 1 u 100) and discusses why each album deserves its place. It tells the story behind the making of the album, where the album fits in the artist's career and the album's impact on the local and world stage etc. The entries will feature new interviews with the artists and the producers/managers involved in the recording and the release of the album. It wouldn't be a good list if it didn't polarise people and we hope that this list will. We also hope that it will get people sitting around comparing their favourites and discovering or re-discovering these great albums and others. With 70 years of loving and writing about Australian music between us, we shamelessly believe we've earned the right to write this book. And we think we've got it right. Let the debate begin.o u John O'Donnell, April 2010 Finally, here is a much-needed list of argument-starting top 100 seminal/ influential/essential Australian albums of all time. Let the fight begin!




Australian Folk Song


Book Description




Hey True Blue


Book Description

The long-awaited life story of John Williamson: an Australian icon, a much-loved legend of the music industry and man of the land. The joy after all is in the journey, or being what you really wanna be . . . The son of a wheat farmer, John Williamson grew up with an appreciation of the land and all things Australian. His career was kickstarted with a self-proclaimed silly song – 'Old Man Emu' – winning TV's New Faces in 1970, but it was a decade of hard slog before he forged his unique place in our musical history. From his love of the bush ('Mallee Boy') and his outrage at environmental destruction ('Rip Rip Woodchip'), to his pride in the Australian character and spirit ('True Blue'), Williamson has been chronicling the subjects and issues that are close to his heart for more than forty years. He has become the voice of Australia, performing his unofficial anthems at all the major events. In his distinctive Aussie style, John Williamson tells it like it is. He takes us behind the scenes on the road and at home, revealing the tough times, the great times, what drives him and what matters. His passion – for preserving our national character and landscape, and to remain true to himself – is as strong now as it has ever been. This is a journey into the heart and soul of Australia.




Australian Folk Songs and Bush Ballads


Book Description

A stirring, foot-stomping treasure-trove of more than 100 traditional songs that celebrate what it is to be Australian. Warren Fahey's AUStRALIAN FOLK SONGS AND BUSH BALLADS is a stirring, foot-stomping treasure-trove of more than 100 traditional songs that celebrate what it is to be Australian. these are not some dusty old songs to be thrown in a drawer and forgotten. they are songs to be sung with gusto whenever the spirit takes you - on holiday, at school, at a party, around the barbecue or kitchen table. You'll find the words and music for sing-along favourites such as 'Old Bullock Dray', 'Wild Colonial Boy', 'Stir the Wallaby Stew', 'the Old Bark Hut', 'Limejuice tub', 'Banks of the Condamine', 'Euabalong Ball', 'Augathella Station', 'Click Go the Shears', 'the Dying Stockman', 'the Overlanders' and 'Waltzing Matilda', plus the song we should all know the words to (but few of us do) - 'Advance Australia Fair'. there are also several bush songs published for the first time.Featuring fascinating background notes and liberally illustrated with rare images, this book is a must for anyone interested in Australia's musical and cultural history. And it has been collected by the one who knows them best: legendary folklorist and performer, Warren Fahey.




The Romance of the Swag


Book Description