(Introducing) The Seekers
(WG-B-1655)
Recording Engineer: Russ
Thompson
Cover Design: Karen
Cover Photograph:
General Notes: As far as
Seekers albums go, this one is a gem and probably the hardest to find on vinyl!
Why? According to The Seekers, Keith Potger worked for the government-owned
radio station, the ABC in the early 1960s. He was in production. As such, he
wasn't allowed to have a second job and being in a professional band would be
considered as such.
When The Seekers produced
this, their first album, Keith was unable to appear on the cover. So, in his
place, Ken Ray stood in (L-R: Judith Durham, Ken Ray, Bruce Woodley and Athol
Guy). By the time the LP was released by Decca in the
Liner Notes: "There
are many songs to sing, about many things - ramblin'
men, wayward women, war and peace, true love, lost love and the good times and
the hard. We like these songs about life, about real people like you and us,
about fascinating times and places that come along alive in song.
We don't claim to be folk
singers in the true sense of the word. Then again, we don't regard ourselves as
being 'commercial'. Why? Because we sing the songs we like, the way we like and
the way we think people will ike
to hear them. No long-haired ethnic purity for us, it's more fun our way.
Sincerely, The Seekers"
Track Listing/Notes:
(SIDE ONE)
DESE
BONES G'WINE RISE AGAIN
(arr. Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray (Woomera) 3:30)
The negro slave could always see humour in any thing, even in
the stern religion of his masters. He humanized his religion by adoptioing Biblical characters as his personal friends and
confidants. This gospel song is a humorous version of Man's well-known fall in
the Garden of Eden.
WHEN
THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL
(arr. Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray(Woomera) 4:00)
This
spiritual is typical of those sung by negro slaves
about the 'Day of Reckoning' - the day when they would rise up and overthrow
their cruel white masters. "Seems to us that Day has
just about done come".
RUN
COME SEE
(arr Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray (Woomera) 3:30)
The story of the tragic sinking of the good ship
(arr Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray (Woomera) 3:00)
Traditional gospel song. This is our up-tempo version of the old time
favourite.
ALL MY
TRIALS
(arr Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray (Woomera) 3:30)
Judy
Durham sings a West Indian version of this beautiful spiritual, as a child's
lullaby.
THE
LIGHT FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE
(arr Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray (Woomera) 2:40)
"Let
It Shine On Me" Hallelujah! It's a real pleasure
to sing a foot-stomping, hand-clapping "hot gospel" like this one.
It's one of our favourites, we hope you like it too.
(SIDE TWO)
CHILLY
WINDS
(Potger (Woomera) 2:34)
Hear those
winds howl! Good enough reason for our hero to leave his true love for sunnier
climes.
(arr Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray (Woomera) 3:00)
(African pronunciation of "Come by here"). This beautiful and
simple spiritual is almost humn-like in its sound.
Judy Durham's superb voice rings pure and clear - "Oh Lord Kumbaya".
THE
HAMMER SONG
(Seeger-Hays (
A thought-provoking contemporary Ballad by Pete Seeger
and Lee Hays. Listen to the words, there's a message there for all of us.
WILD
ROVER
(arr Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray (Woomera) 2:20)
A delightful Australian folk song with a "prodigal son" theme. The moral hasn't
changed since Biblical times, only our Australian character. A
"black sheep" in the best tradition.
KATY
CLINE
(arr Guy-Woodley-Durham-Ray (Woomera) 2:20)
LONESOME
TRAVELLER
(arr Hays (
A hard
driving southern mountain song presumably sung by a ramblin'
man, although where he came from or where he's going, he doesn't say.
-oOo-