TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Diamantina Cocktail" - Little River Band (1977)

"Diamantina Cocktail" - Little River Band (1977)

     This was a bit of a nostalgic pick-up.  A good one, however, and a cheap one.  I readily admit I am not a serious Little River Band connoisseur.  I'm mostly just a cherry-picker of their singles. However, "Diamantina Cocktail" has staked out a piece of shelf at my abode.  The album strikes an emotional chord for me that continues to satisfy.  My Dad used to play this in his car aplenty, and he especially liked the song "Days On The Road."  He liked'em all, but that was the one.  That song meant something to him.  I'd ask him about the song, and he'd give the smallest of smiles and shake his head.  The song got to him.  And he kept it close.  And, of course,  the song has since gotten to me.  But all the songs here play nicely together.  The better-known songs with the lesser-known.  And though the American tracklist for this album features a few peaches picked from the band's earlier albums, "Diamantina..." still plays with connection.  And as I said, it satisfies the Jones.

     "Diamantina Cocktail" can be found in record bins for under a five-spot and is a cheap little gem that rewards big.  If you're unfamiliar with the band at all, this would be a fine place to dive in.  Either way, you'll be content with this beautiful square.  The Australian harmonies are tight and all these guys could play, but my gosh, the bassist, George McArdle, has the walking pneumonia.  Good stuff.

"Diamantina Cocktail" - Little River Band (back)

"Diamantina Cocktail" - Little River Band
(record sleeves front & back)

Favorites include:
"Days On The Road"
"Home On Monday"
"Happy Anniversary"

     This was a two-dollar holler at The Record Ship.  It came with the original glossy inner sleeve, which included lyrics, credits, and a band picture.  It is a Jacksonville pressing denoted by "0" stamped in the runouts, and the lacquer cut was by Wally Traugott.  Wally was as nearly regarded as Robert Ludwig.  Really good.  This was LRB's third studio album.

Harvest label

Cat #
SW-11645
SIDE A  DEADWAX
ST-1-11645 F8 #1  MASTERED BY CAPITOL  KP  0  
SIDE B  DEADWAX
SW  S̶T̶-2-11645  F-1  #5  Wly  MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0

"Days On The Road" - Little River Band / "Diamantina Cocktail" (1977)

TRACKS:
A1  "Help Is On Its Way" 4:04
A2  "Days On The Road" 4:55
A3  "Happy Anniversary" 4:03
A4  "Another Runaway" 6:38
B1  "Everyday Of My Life" 3:51
B2  "Home On Monday" 3:53 
B3  "The Inner Light" 3:30 
B4  "Broke Again" 3:27
B5  "Take Me Home" 3:49

PERSONNEL: 
Glenn Shorrock - vocals, piano
Graham Goble - guitars, vocals
Beeb Birtles - guitars, vocals
David Briggs - guitars
George McArdle - bass
Derek Pellicci - drums, percussion
ADDITIONAL:
Ric Formosa - guitar (A2, A4, B1)
Eddy Denton - cor anglais (English horn)
Peter Sullivan - piano (A1, B2, B3)
Ian Mason - piano (A2, A4, B1, B4)
Tony Buchanan - saxophones
Graeme Lyall - flute

Good stuff.

Follow me on FACEBOOK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview:-- Joan Staley (Actress - Classic Movies & Television)

Image
  "Elvis,  do you really want me to slap you?"  ~ Joan Staley ~     So my friends and I were talking about first crushes. First tv and movie crushes.  For me, it was easy.  It was Alma. (Joan Staley)   I broke into the double-digit age of 10 in 1993.  That was the summer I discovered my favorite Don Knotts movie while flipping thru cable one Saturday morning... "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." Everyone has seen it.  It was a funny haunted house story similar to an episode on Andy G. with a cast of familiar characters, trippy organ music, and the prettiest girl I had ever seen...Alma. She was beautiful alright.  I was love-stung so bad, I swear I could smell flowers coming out of the TV set.  And best of all, she was nice.  She didn't like the smart alec, the wise guy, or the show-off.  Alma was digging Luther (Don Knotts) and that just made her that much prettier.  And from then on... But unfortu...
Read more

Interview -- Henry Lee Summer (Singer/Songwriter)

Image
"I just always have played music.  For better   or worse, I banked my whole life on it." ~ Henry Lee Summer ~     It's strange how music lets you travel through time as if there truly was no time.  I played the shit out of this album growing up.  Nothing deep or complicated.  Nothing outta bounds.  Nothing to get hung about.  It's deceptively simple.  But here's the thing... Henry Lee Summer  is serving aces all over this heartland square. This is the 35th anniversary of Henry Lee Summer's self-titled album and this one falls under that sweet spot between raucous and chill.  It's a large cup of iced coffee with a nice soulful blend.  Not usually my type of go-to and yet this album easily fills a void I didn't know I had.  Let this spin be your own private Idaho.  " Check it out, Leroy!"   Henry Lee Summer... Go get you some. Henry Lee Summer Interview -- August 2023 Henry Lee Summer Casey Cha...
Read more

Interview -- Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass)

Image
"...Your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea." ~ Looking Glass ~ Elliot Lurie was a singer/songwriter for the 70s band Looking Glass . The band recorded two albums and had a couple of hits along with a handful of deep-track FM cuts.  And as many bands are wont to do... Looking Glass called it a day and handed over the keys.  However, before cutting out, Looking Glass did leave us with the #1 hit song... "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)."   Now there have been plenty of #1 songs that have climbed to the top spot faster.  And plenty of #1 songs that have stayed at the top spot longer.  But the list begins to thin when it comes to #1 songs that have had some real staying power years and years after their run.  And as the 50th anniversary draws to a close, the song  "Brandy..." still remains an ageless and endearing wonder. A song of unrequited love without all the drippy, maudlin sadness that often stains so many other attempts.  Every boy dreams ...
Read more