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Sounds of Australia 2007

Sounds of Australia 2007

Sounds of Australia began in 2007 to celebrate sound recordings with cultural, historical and aesthetic significance. 

This collection includes the initial foundation list of ten sounds plus an additional ten sounds added the same year. 

The foundation list features landmark recordings ('The Hen Convention', 'The Landing of the Australian Troops in Egypt', 'Tribal Music in Australia', 'Kerr's Cur speech'), famous performers (Dame Nellie Melba and Johnny O'Keefe), iconic songs ('Along the Road to Gundagai' and 'Down Under') and stand-out artists in the history of Australian country music (Buddy Williams) and jazz (Graeme Bell).

Other Sounds of Australia in this collection include: recordings of Tasmanian Aboriginal songs and language, the first rock song in an Aboriginal language and classic punk (The Saints) and pop music (The Easybeats).

Each year, the Australian public nominates new sounds to be added with final selections determined by a panel of industry experts.

See the Complete Sounds of Australia list.

The Hen Convention by Thomas Rome
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
452097
Year:
Year

Vocalist John James Villiers, with piano accompaniment, performs a song which features imitations of chooks. The Hen Convention was recorded in 1896 and is the earliest known Australian sound recording.

Summary by Maryanne Doyle

Fanny Cochrane Smith’s Tasmanian Aboriginal Songs
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
500445
Year:
Year

In this recording, Fanny Cochrane Smith talks about being the last of the Tasmanians. She then sings in both English and her own language. It is part of a series of recordings made between 1899 and 1903.

Summary by Sophia Sambono

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
The Landing of the Australian troops in Egypt
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
229758
Year:
Year

This is a 30-second clip from a simulated recording of Australian troops docking in Egypt after their voyage from Australia to take part in the First World War. They are greeted by jovial ‘Tommies’ and a band that plays 'Advance Australia Fair’.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Down Under by Men At Work
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
337398
Year:
Year

Men at Work sing about travelling the world and what it means to come 'from a land down under’.

Summary by Martin Ford

Chant Vénitien by Dame Nellie Melba
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
301462
Year:
Year

Dame Nellie Melba’s early recording of 'Chant Vénitien’, a song composed by Herman Bemberg, who accompanies her in this recording. It was made for the Gramophone Company in London on 20 October 1904.

Summary by Graham McDonald

She's My Baby by Johnny O'Keefe
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
291386
Year:
Year

Johnny O’Keefe first visited America in November 1959, convinced he could make it in the birthplace of rock 'n’ roll. Almost by chance, he managed to arrange a meeting at Liberty Records where he signed a five-year recording contract.

He recorded 'She’s My Baby’ in Los Angeles in late 1959 with producer Snuffy Garret and the best session musicians Liberty could find, including drummer Earl Palmer and guitarists Barney Kessel and Scotty Turner.

'She’s My Baby’ was released in Australia on 7 January 1960 and became his first number one record. The song has a slick and polished sound, because of the superior production facilities and experienced staff available in America at that time.

Friday On My Mind by The Easybeats
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
258900
Year:
Year

Friday on My Mind by the Easybeats was composed by Harry Vanda and George Young. Recorded in London in 1966, it was released as a single later that year. This clip includes the start of the song and first verse.

Summary by Thorsten Kaeding

'Kerr’s Cur’ speech - Gough Whitlam
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
554993
Courtesy:
7 Network Australia
Year:
Year

This clip directly follows David Smith, official secretary to the Governor-General, reading a proclamation dissolving both houses of Parliament on the steps of old Parliament House, Canberra, on 11 November 1975, a few hours after the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, had dismissed the government of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. Mr Whitlam follows Mr Smith’s proclamation with some famous words on what will befall the Governor-General.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Jailanguru Pakarnu by The Warumpi Band
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
244115
Year:
Year

This is the first verse of ‘Jailanguru Pakarnu’, a 12-bar rock and blues song performed in this clip by the Warumpi Band. It is the first rock song in an Aboriginal language to achieve widespread airplay and recognition.

Summary by Brenda Gifford

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
Along the Road to Gundagai
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
332353
Year:
Year

This 1931 version of ‘Along the Road to Gundagai’, composed by Jack O’Hagan in 1921, is performed by popular singer of the day Peter Dawson. This clip features the lesser known opening verse of the song.

Summary by Martin Ford

My South Polar Expedition – Ernest Shackleton
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
562537
Year:
Year

Sir Ernest Shackleton describes the loss of Socks the pony into the crevasse, and the accident which saved Frank Wild’s life – the broken ‘swingletree’ connecting horse and sledge.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

(I’m) Stranded by The Saints
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
322350
Year:
Year

This is a clip from (I’m) Stranded, performed by the Saints and written by Ed Kuepper and Chris Bailey. This song and the single’s B-side, No Time, were recorded at Bruce Windows Studios in Brisbane.

Summary Thorsten Kaeding

The Majestic Fanfare (ABC radio news theme) – Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, 1943
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
737182
Year:
Year

This audio clip is from the original recording, made in London by the Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, of Charles Williams’ 'Majestic Fanfare’.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Tribal Music of Australia – AP Elkin
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
242999
Year:
Year

Djedbang-ari is a three-part Indigenous manikay (song) and dance from the Yirrkala district in the far north-east of Arnhem Land.

Summary by Sophie Sambono

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
Dad and Dave from Snake Gully by the George Edwards Players
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
737158
Year:
Year

Dad (George Edwards) and Dave (John Saul) discuss Dave’s hope to marry Mabel, as Dad examines the farm’s finances. Money is too tight for Dad to offer his son a house, which would allow Dave to ask Mabel to marry him. Dave tries to fix the clock, with disastrous consequences.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Maranoa Lullaby by Harold Blair
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
245797
Year:
Year

Harold Blair sings 'Maranoa Lullaby’ on an unreleased recording from 1950.

Summary by Brenda Gifford

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
Corroboree by Sydney Symphony Orchestra
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
297286
Year:
Year

This is an excerpt from a recording of the ballet suite from 'Corroboree’, composed by John Antill. Performed in the Ashfield Town Hall on 5 December 1950 for capturing by His Master’s Voice, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Sir Eugene Goossens.

Summary by Vincent Plush

Sam Griffiths – by Jack Luscombe from the John Meredith Folklore Collection
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
737269
Year:
Year

As part of an oral history recorded by John Meredith, Jack Luscombe sings ‘Sam Griffiths’, a satirical political song about a Queensland politician of the late 19th century.

Summary by Graham McDonald

Swanston St Shamble by Graeme Bell
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
232811
Year:
Year

This excerpt from Swanston St Shamble is among the first jazz recording of Graeme Bell’s Dixieland Band, from a session in January 1944.

Summary by Ian Gilmour

Two Day Jag by Graeme Bell
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
232811
Year:
Year

This excerpt from Two Day Jag is among the first jazz recording of Graeme Bell’s Dixieland Band, from a session in January 1944.

Summary by Ian Gilmour

Give A Little Credit to Your Dad by Buddy Williams
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
190438
Year:
Year

Buddy Williams sings Give A Little Credit to Your Dad, urging sons to visit their fathers – including a monologue section and a yodelling finale. This excerpt is from the start of the song.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Lonesome For Your Mother Dear by Buddy Williams
NFSA-ID:
NFSA ID
190438
Year:
Year

Buddy Williams sings Lonesome For Your Mother Dear, a sad song about a man missing his dead mother. This clip is from the start of the song.

Summary by Paul Byrnes