fredag 4 december 2015

STEN & STANLEY/STEN & STANLEY'S AUSTRALISKA SÅNGBOK SKL 4857-KM (-67) SWEDEN

Record probably only interesting to collectors of dance bands or Swedish sixties pop, but so odd and at the same time reflecting the level of domestic musical awareness in the sixties, I can't resist posting it. A local northern dance band, who never even been close to downunder, recording an "Australian Songbook" consisting of traditional tunes mostly from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Original lyrics about sheep farming, drovers and sailors, not seldom having rude messages concerning poverty, blood and death - i.e. "Captain Kidd", "The Convict's Lament On The Death Of Captain Logan", "In An Old Bark Hut" and of course - "Waltzing Matilda". So far so good, but the lyric translations are shortened and polished to fit a more innocent public and the music, though keeping the original melodies, is transmitted to dance friendly pop/rock. Two worlds clashing - original dark images of struggle and vain presented as smooth dance music. Whatever of those you're into it feels wrong. On the bright side - you get a few appealing pop pieces with lots of fetching organ and the audio is absolutely stunning. Don't know of any reissues. Pressed in Germany for the Swedish market with label as shown here and laminated fold/out cover. (SCÄ*) (GÖXÄ*) CCÖ*)

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