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02 Jul 13 - 06:32 PM (#3533008) Subject: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: JennieG The news has come through that Gary Shearston has died. He passed away in Armidale (NSW) hospital from a heart condition. Gary was an Australian singer, songwriter - he wrote "Sometime Lovin'" which was recorded in the 60s by Peter, Paul and Mary. He was also, in later years, an ordained priest; in fact, he conducted my uncle's funeral service several years ago. He will be sadly missed. |
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02 Jul 13 - 06:43 PM (#3533016) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Bob Bolton Mark Gregory, on Ausfolk wrote: In an interview with Jim Low Gary Shearston summed up his views about song writing: "lt is the best of all trades, to make songs that inspire hearts, minds and souls to make the world a better place for every single human being inhabiting it, and the second best to sing them and hear others singing them." That's probably a bit long-winded, but you may get my general drift. Songs born of struggle invariably inspire ways of resolving the struggle that gave them birth. 'Songs of protest' can reveal hidden agendas, stamp them clearly in the' consciousness of people from all walks of life, and lead them to consider, or re-consider, all sorts of ideological positions adopted by one crew or another. The truth will always out and, more often than not, the truth rings truest when carried on the wings of song. ..... We will all miss Gary ... who did much to raise the profile of Australian folk / Bush Music. BobB _______________________________________________ |
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03 Jul 13 - 05:41 AM (#3533156) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Sir Roger de Beverley How spooky! Just last Tuesday someone at our weekly session sang "I get a kick out of you" and we had a bit of as discussion about the hit version here about 30 years ago and who sang it. I was able to remember that it was by Gary Shearston. R |
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03 Jul 13 - 06:51 AM (#3533180) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Sandra in Sydney Gary Shearston interviewed by folklorist Jim Low Mark Gregory referred to this interview in his post above. Several years ago he popped into a small festival I was attending (he was in the same town) & sang us a few songs. It was the highlight of the gathering. Gary Shearston website Gary Shearston, Australian singer and songwriter, was a leading figure of the folk music revival of the 1960s, especially remembered for his authentic versions of old 'bush' songs (folk songs). Gary achieved international success as a songwriter (e.g. Sometime Lovin' performed by Peter, Paul and Mary) and as a recording artist (his distinctive version of Cole Porter's I Get A Kick Out Of You was a hit in 1974). Over the years his music has absorbed and adapted a diverse range of elements including Australian aboriginal and West Indian reggae (before either was popular with mainstream western audiences). In 1990 Gary Shearston was recognised in Australian country music with the Tamworth Songwriters' Association's award for Bush Ballad of the Year. Over his active recording life of some 50 years he wrote, sang and recorded wonderfully evocative and distinctively Australian original songs. Much of Gary's songwriting has reflected a 'spiritual' thread and many more recent songs reflect on his interesting life as part of the arts, folk, and social activist movements since the 1960s. Gary's songs from 1964 to 2013 are available on CD and reissued 'archive CD' (CD-R). Videos of Gary Shearston singing Gary Shearston recordings by Undercover Music |
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04 Jul 13 - 01:30 AM (#3533586) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: GUEST,Allen in Oz He was a wonderful inspiration for us all. I met him at a gathering in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales , Australia, some time ago. We had a yarn about a fine harmonica player, who had passed away and who had accompanied him on an ABC television show in the early 1960s. We will so miss that delightful unmistakable flat Aussie accent and sweet singing of the boy from the bush. AD |
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24 Jul 13 - 08:11 PM (#3541391) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Bob Bolton G'day Allen in Oz, Presumably, that was Richard Brooks ... a skilled player of chromatic 'harmonica' who appears from around Gary's sixth LP" Garry Shearston Sings His Songs", ~ mid 1960s ... where Gary also plays harmonica on his "Duke's Song" track! Richard Brooks was noted as a very skilled Chromatic mouthorgan player ... able to sight-read and play flawlessly from almost any music script. (I must check back into the LP pile, at home, and see if that "Duke's Song" is from ... or about ... 'Duke' Tritton: a major 'Bush' (... Aussie folk ...) songs source, singer and - on occasions - writer. Regards, BobB |
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24 Jul 13 - 10:09 PM (#3541414) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Joybell I still have an early record of his from the 60s. Fine voice and straight-forward style. We were all so young. Joy |
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24 Jul 13 - 11:30 PM (#3541422) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: GUEST,Allen in Oz Bob It was Richard Brooks I am sure . I actually met Richard in the late 1960s when he was a labels salesman of all things. We talked about Gary Shearston and the TV show. He asked me what I was doing at the Celco Revelair Fan Company and I told him I was the Accountant. He said stick to that ...there is no money in the music business. Sound advice indeed but very sad really ...AD |
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25 Jul 13 - 04:17 AM (#3541463) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Sandra in Sydney first Tribute, Thursday 1st August, 7pm, at his home town Tenterfield TRIBUTE TO GARY SHEARSTON www.garyshearston.com. A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF THE AUSTRALIAN FOLKSINGER "The word 'legend' is used freely in the music world, but few could be more entitled to its use than Gary Shearston." (Ian Dearden, Trad & Now). "...songs that feed the soul, challenge the mind and do the heart all power of good" (Anna Rose, Northern Daily Leader). For more than 50 years, GARY SHEARSTON sang songs of peace, social justice and love, with a background of the Australian landscape he loved. A celebration of the life and music of the iconic Australian folksinger will be held in his home town, Tenterfield, at the Tenterfield School of Arts on Thursday, August 1, at 7pm. Many of Gary's songs - including his worldwide 1974 hit, I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU - will be performed by LUKE SHEARSTON, BONNIE SHEARSTON, with The RING-INS' ROGER ILOTT, LEE WILLIAMS, JORDY DAVIES-ILOTT, plus TERI WELLES, CLARA BARRS, and DAVID & SARAH HUME. The musical tribute starts at 7pm. There will be drinks and nibblies served throughout the evening. For more information or photos contact: email: restless@halenet.com.au Phone: 0746837184 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/PENNY-DAVIES-ROGER-ILOTT/113044381232 PENNY DAVIES & ROGER ILOTT RESTLESS MUSIC |
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25 Jul 13 - 04:38 AM (#3541466) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Sandra in Sydney Sydney tribute, Sunday 18th August, 2pm PETERSHAM BOWLING CLUB, 77 Brighton St, Petersham. ph.9816 5822 ROUSEABOUT RECORDS & THE BUSH MUSIC CLUB PRESENT A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSICAL LIFE OF GARY SHEARSTON A casual afternoon/evening where fans, friends and family are invited to come along with a song and/or a memory and join us as we celebrate Australian folk legend Gary Shearston's extraordinary contribution to the Australian music story. With special guests Karen & Luke Shearston, Gary's widow & son. Featuring Warren Fahey, Pat Drummond, Mic Conway, Jim Low, and many more ....................... "In the late 1950s ... Gary pioneered a style that somehow managed to drag the Australian Accent, kicking and screaming, into the light of popular music. It is no exaggeration to say that without his influence the musical culture which spawned and supported the rise of The Bushwackers, Redgum and John Williamson would probably never have existed. (Pat Drummond) "Shearston is unashamedly Australian. He is a modern Henry Lawson whose music is infused with a "love of country" that makes it unique to this continent. He has felt the rhythms rising from the land and has turned them into timeless music." (Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald) "The word 'legend' is used freely in the music world, but few could be more entitled to its use than Gary Shearston." (Ian Dearden, Trad & Now) Gary Shearston "...occupies a singular place in Australian music history" (Keith Glass, The Australian). "… songs that feed the soul, challenge the mind and do the heart all power of good." (Anna Rose, Northern Daily Leader) Bush Music Club Undercover Music & Rouseabout Records/Gary Shearston Gary Shearston website |
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25 Jul 13 - 04:41 AM (#3541467) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: GUEST An wonderful performer |
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29 Jul 13 - 02:53 AM (#3542997) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: GUEST Gary was a unique Australian singer and songwriter. I was privileged to see his unforgettable performances at the Troubadour and later at the folk festivals after his return from the UK. Most recently we saw him at the Harp, still as good as ever. He was able to hold an audience spellbound with his stories and songs of peace and love. Gary captured the true spirit of the bush in his songs reflected by his upbringing in Tenterfield. Farewell to a legend, we sure will miss him. Paul Jensen |
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27 Aug 13 - 01:30 PM (#3553416) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: GUEST,Guest I love Gary's voice and songs. His first hit in England, Cole Porter's 'I get a kick out of you,' was produced by an old friend of mine, Hugh Murphy. I'd never met Gary, but exchanged a few e mails with him over the past months, talking of books and music. I sent him a book he'd wanted to read when it was published in the 1970's but had never got round to it. The last time I heard from him was just a few days before he died. He was such a talented, and really nice guy. My condolences to his family. Dawn |
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28 Aug 13 - 09:22 AM (#3553725) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: GUEST "I was first attracted to Gary Shearston because of his song, "Sometime Lovin'" the lyrics of which were, he said, misheard by PP&M. See discussion Since then I have acquired quite a collection of his bush ballads and other recordings. I am proud to have them and admire him deeply for having recorded them. |
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28 Aug 13 - 11:40 AM (#3553777) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Sandra in Sydney Obit in The Guardian In the 1960s, the Australian singer-songwriter Gary Shearston, who has died after a stroke aged 74, recorded a run of highly regarded and influential albums mixing his original compositions and Australian folk tunes, and became known as the "Aussie Dylan". One of his songs, Sometime Lovin', became a hit for Peter, Paul and Mary; and in 1974 Gary had a worldwide hit with his cover version of Cole Porter's I Get a Kick Out of You (arranged by Jim Parker). Gary was born in Inverell, New South Wales. When his father was away serving in the second world war, he lived for a while with his mother and grandparents in Tenterfield, in a house that Gary later bought and lived in until his death. After stints as a journalist, a puppeteer and a kids' TV presenter, he began writing and singing songs on the Sydney folk scene in the early 60s. He signed a contract with Warners in 1968, at exactly the same time as Van Morrison; recently, Gary contributed to my book on Morrison, Hymns to the Silence (2010), discussing life, music and matters arising, and it was my good luck to remain in regular contact with him. A move to New York at the end of the 60s was marred for Gary when US immigration refused him a work permit because of his anti-Vietnam and pro-Aboriginal activities in Australia; and although he recorded an album for Warners, it was never issued. He relocated to London and was signed to Charisma Records by Tony Stratton-Smith, recording his best-known album, Dingo (1974), which included I Get a Kick Out of You, a No 7 hit in the UK. Diminishing commercial returns saw him back in Australia by the mid-80s, recording songs such as the cherishable, cinematic memoir of a bush childhood Shopping on a Saturday, and writing an Aussie epic novel, Balkenna (1989). He was still in demand on the folk circuit and combined playing and recording with duties as an Anglican minister in the area where he grew up, having been ordained in 1992. After he retired from the church in 2007, there came a late rush of writing, and he issued more than 100 songs in the last five years of his life, his final album (of 14) being The Great Australian Groove (2012). Gary believed in the social and redemptive power of song, and he also knew a good tune when he heard it. His lyrics were literate, sometimes didactic but more often witty and wise, and his vocal was characterised by warm, unmistakably Aussie vowels. The DJ John Peel, a fan, noted that he could "sense the heat and wild friendliness of Australia" in Gary's voice. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and children, Bonnie and Luke, all of whom he celebrated in song. |
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05 Sep 13 - 04:32 AM (#3556221) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: GUEST,Ann Oh R.i.p.Gary. Such a horrid shock to hear of the death of Gary Shearston. I loved his music at the old Troubador in Edgecliff in the sixties and remember many wonderful nights there. Gary was such a beautiful young man and I had such a huge crush on him at the time. Thinking particularly at this time of the lyrics of 'It's on' - Elections should be - the best of ten rounds' but, hang on The Boxer would always win! Will always remember Gary Shearston, Troubador. |
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05 Sep 13 - 06:48 AM (#3556246) Subject: RE: Obit: Gary Shearston (1939-2013) From: Pete Jennings I had never heard of Gary Shearston, but watching the TOPPOP video of "I Get A Kick Out Of You" (see Sandra's first post above). I can certainly see why he was so liked. Well worth a look for anyone. |
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05 Sep 13 - 07:53 AM (#3556252) Subject: RE: LYR ADD - 'It's on' by Don Henderson From: Sandra in Sydney Don Henderson's 'It's On' Don Henderson having nothing better to do (except create a set of minutes urgently & ... & ... &) I transcribed the lyrics from Don Henderson's "A quiet Century - 100 songs & poems" Edited by Sally Henderson & Edgar Waters. Queensland Folk federation, undated, maybe 1994. Gary Shearston also wrote a memorial song to Don, but I'm not transcribing that! (well, not tonight, gotta get those minutes done!) 'It's on' by Don Henderson A sad story you'll hear if you listen to me, about two men who could never agree, what one said was white, the other called black, they'd argue a while and then step out the back and it's on! Chorus All reason and logic is gone. Winning the fight won't prove that you're right. It's sad, it's true but it's on! When it was over they'd come back and then the argument would become heated again. Who'd won the last round they couldn't decide, till one asked the other, would he step outside, and it's on! Chorus They'd been fighting so long that could neither recall what in the first place had started it all. But they kept at it day in and day out; now they're fighting to see what they are fighting about and it's on! Chorus Now just you imagine if teachers in schools taught mathematics by Queensbury's rules. It could easily be the square root of four was fifteen less three, plus a smack in the jaw and it's on! Chorus And when governments think that it makes better sense to save on education and spend on defence, it could be easily argued, on the same grounds, elections should be the best of ten rounds and it's on! Chorus |