A World Of Our Own

(Aus: 33O2X 7753/UK: 33JSX1722/US: JSX 1722)

Recorded in England and released in Australia/UK by Columbia/EMI

Peter Kington’s Notes: This album is curious. In the UK and US it was released as "The Seekers: A World of our Own", while this track (the group's second hit) was omitted on the Australian press of the album. The Seekers' first big hit, I'll Never Find Another You, never found its way onto an album. In Australia, this album was released soley as The Seekers, with A World of Our Own being replaced with We Shall Not Be Moved. The album includes a mix of trad jazz/blues, some more Dylan and Bruce Woodley launches himself as a composer. Track notes are provided for all the songs, except for the first song on side one - each, regardless of the origins of the album, rate only a mere mention and nothing else.

Liner Notes: "When The Seekers asked me to write some notes for the LP, I said I'd be very glad to, but when I sat down to do it, I couldn't think of any way of starting off, apart from saying the usual thing about what nice people they are, and what a pleasure they are to work with. So I'll just say what nice people they (sic) (are - included on UK press) and what a pleasure they are to work with, because it's true. Anyway, here are some notes I wrote about this very talented foursome and the songs they sing on this LP.

JUDITH DURHAM: The girl with the fine blues-tinged voice once sang with a trad.band back in Australia and plays swinging ratime piano. Has a sunny and generous nature but can be dangerous with a tambourine.

BRUCE WOODLEY: Has a grave expression which hides a goonish sense of humour. Apart from playing guitar and banjo, he sings quite a few solos on this LP, and the group also feature two of his compositions.

KEITH POTGER: The one with the grin. Excels on 12-string guitar, in which he specialises, but can also be heard on mandolin here and there. Sings lead voice on "This Land".

ATHOL GUY: Facially, has been compared to Peter Sellers, Groucho Marx, Sophia Loren, etc. Plays the bass and has proved himself an all-round entertainer by playing an entire number without his glasses.

The group kick off with a rousing version of the well-known We Shall Not Be Moved/ The group kick off with their second big hit (UK press), followed by:-

Track Listing/Notes:

Side One

  1. WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED/A WORLD OF OUR OWN
  2. (Trad. Arr. The Seekers (Chappell)/Springfield (Springfield Music))
  3. DON'T THINK TWICE, IT'S ALL RIGHT
  4. (Dylan (Allan))

The Bob Dylan number, already becoming a classic of its kind, with Bruce leading the group in a simple and effective arrangement.

  1. THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL
  2. (Adpt. And arranged Clancy Bros. (Essex))

A beautiful and apparently very old ballad of Irish or Scottish origin, depending on whether you're Irish or Scottish.

  1. THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
  2. (Guthrie (Essex))

One of the best-known songs by the much-imitated Woody Guthrie. There's no real reason why an Australian group should sing this very American song, except that it sounds so good when they do.

  1. TWO SUMMERS
  2. (Woodley (Chappell))

Judith leads the boys in this haunting song composed by Bruce with some very effective Latin-style guitar playing in the background.

  1. THE TIMES THEY ARE A'CHANGIN'

(Dylan (Allan))

A rousing version of the Bob Dylan hit. The Seekers sound as though they've been singing it for years but in fact they worked out the arrangement only a few minutes before they recorded it, which must prove something.

Side Two

  1. JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
  2. (Traditional, arr. The Seekers (Chappell))

A showcase for Judith, with the boys providing a trad-style backing. The last time I saw them perform it live, it stopped the show, and is one of (sic) (my-UK) personal favourites.

  1. DON'T TELL ME MY MIND
  2. (Woodley (Chappell))

The second of Bruce's songs, it's a lively travelling type number with a strong Nashville atmosphere about it.

  1. ALLENTOWN JAIL
  2. (Gordon (Allan))

This was originally a pop hit in the early 'fifties by Jo Stafford, but is sounds so like a folk-song that it fits the group like a glove.

  1. FOUR STRONG WINDS
  2. (Tyson (Allan))

Written fairly recently by Canadian Ian Tyson (it has a very moving quality and is fast becoming a favourite recording piece for albums).

  1. YOU CAN TELL THE WORLD
  2. (Gibson-Camp (Essex))

This is one from The Seekers' large collection of gospel-type songs, which they sing with such infectious vitality.

  1. WHISTLING RUFUS

(Mills-Kennedy (Albert))

We hope this will silence those purists who have suggested that The Seekers don't take their folk-music seriously enough. To hear their version of this lovely old melody is an emotional experience.

TOM SPRINGFIELD

-oOo-

Back to Seekers Discography

The World of The Seekers