Seekers Golden Collection
(AUS: SRA 295096 and numerous others…!)
General Notes: The Seekers Golden Collection was a real treasure trove of goodies. The story behind this album is rather interesting and the person who tells it best is Graham Simpson, author of Judith Durham's definitive biography, Colours Of My Life (Random House, 1994/97):
"Keith Potger's job as a radio producer with the ABC meant he had access to a recording studio and facilities, even though he wasn't allowed to appear on television with The Seekers because ABC employees weren't permitted to hold second jobs. During lunch hours and weekends, the group got together in an ABC studio and recorded some of their folk songs, including 'This Train', 'Children Go Where I Send You', 'Kumbaya', 'South Australia' and 'This Land Is Your land'. Judy also sang solo on 'All My Trials' and 'Little Moses'. The tape was essentially made so they could hear how they sounded and they also hoped it might come in handy in securing them further booking. Years later, Keith Potger would strike a deal with the Philips label and those demo tapes would be released as The Seekers Golden Collection, much to the surprise of the rest of the group": (page, 43).
Special Note: Demo versions of these songs can be found on 'The Seekers Complete' CD set. The versions on this LP had extra instumentation added by Keith in 1969 and were mastered in Stereo.
Liner Notes:
"You know - the thing that people seemed to really appreciate about The Seekers was that we always had a happy enthusiasm for our work, our concerts, our recordings.
And nowhere is this exuberance more evident than in this collection of songs, some of which have never before been released.
They're all examples of the style that made it a bit easier for us to become a part of your past.
In the time since these recordings were made, I guess we lost a little spontaneity and gained a lot of professionalism, but during the years we were together, whenever we needed to open any doors, they key was definitely - vitality.
Keith Potger"
Track Listing/Notes:
This Train (Trad. arr. Guy/Woodley/Durham/Potger)
Kumbaya (Trad. arr. Guy/Woodley/Durham/Potger)
Chilly winds (Potger)
Myra (Guy/Woodley/Durham/Potger)
All my trials (Trad. arr. Guy/Woodley/Durham/Ray)
Children go where I send you (Trad. arr. Potger)
Dese bones (Trad. arr. Guy/Woodley/Durham/Ray)
Little Moses (Trad. arr. Guy/Woodley/Durham/Potger)
South Australia (Trad. arr. Guy/Woodley/Durham/Potger)
This land is your land (Guthrie)
-oOo-