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Sydney-based rockin’ soul and funky pop band, The Soul Movers, are readying the release of their new album, Bona Fide, out March 15 through ABC Music/Universal. Fans will get a taste of the new album with the first single ‘You Better Believe It!’ released this Friday-January 25. The Soul Movers features soul singer Lizzie Mack on lead vocals, ex-Red Wiggle and ARIA Hall of Famer Murray Cook on lead guitar, bass player Andy Newman (The Visitors), Marko Simec (Waiting For Guiness) on keys, and drummer Stuart Wilson (Loose Pills). Last year, the band traversed the US to record the tracks for Bona Fide at seven historic studios including FAME Studios, Royal Studios, Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and Sun Studio to name a few. Not only did they record in these hallowed studios, they were also lucky enough to play with some of the greatest session players. Bona Fidecrackles with the intensity of a band at the peak of their powers and is sure to wow audiences with its powerful, upbeatand memorable tracks. A highlight of their US recording odyssey was their two days at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio when The Soul Movers recorded with the legendary Swampers, Spooner Oldham and David Hood. The Swamperswere part of the in-house band playing on over 500 recordings. These include 75 gold and platinum worldwide hits like Mustang Sallyfor Wilson Pickett, Respect for Aretha Franklin, Mainstreetfor Bob Seger and Tell Mamafor Etta James, just to name a few. “For me, the most amazing and surreal moment was playing guitar on our song, If I Could Ever, looking over and seeing two giants of modern music, Spooner Oldham and David Hood grooving along”says Murray Cook. “Here were two men who have played on many ofmy favourite records and some of thegreatest music ever recorded -and they were playing keyboards and bass on OUR record!”Here’s a currentEPKof The Soul Movers live shows plus a peek behind the scenes while touring and recording in the US.Bona Fide is The Soul Movers’ third album. It exemplifies soul music as seen through the Australian experience. The remarkable collaborations they had with their American musicians and singers, the hallowed studios they recorded in are all powerfully present in the resulting musical experiment. Studio imagery and jovial banter from the recording process bring the experience to life for the listener -Bona Fide-listen for yourself -it’s the real deal.
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Renowned Brisbane mashup rock/electro/punk/poppin’ funtime outfit Regurgitator have cooked up a sugar-soaked record written especially for kids! Having performed at a number of children’s events in recent years, the inimitable band have developed the kids music project Regurgitator’s Pogogo Show - a typically manic playground that careers between punk, hiphop, funk, electro-pop and everything in between. The new collection of songs - The Really Really Really Really Boring Album - is about as silly and cheeky as a record can get, whilst still offering a G-rating suitable for the tiny folk. Featuring instant-ear wriggles such as ‘The Box’ and ‘Games On My Computer’, it’s sure to bring a smile to long-terms fans as well as the young ones in their life. The band have never been more excited: “We’ve got our tiny amplifiers warmed up, our teeny drum kits tuned and plenty of soap for our filthy little mouths. We’re ready to shout till our voices are wrecked, if you’re ready to scream till your parents are deaf!” Keep all eyes out for Regurgitator’s Pogogo Show kids concerts throughout 2019.
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Homegrown country songsmith, Felicity Urquhart, has announced the release of her first studio album, Frozen Rabbit, to be released on April 26, through ABC Music. The album will be her first solo release in over a decade and the lead single, Chain Of Joy, is available today. As any rabbit will tell you, a lot can happen in a decade. For Felicity, the past ten years have held all manner of changes: from marriage, to motherhood, to the increasing demands of a busy radio and television schedule. “The gathering and the song-collecting for this album has taken a few years,” says Felicity. “It comes with ten years of life experience. It’s about finding out that there needs to be truth in everything you do.” Frozen Rabbit reaffirms Felicity’s status as one of the nation’s best-loved and most respected singer-songwriters, showcasing her celebrated vocal poise, captivating lyricism, and reverence for country music tradition as never before. Produced by Felicity’s husband and long-time collaborator, Glen Hannah (Kasey Chambers), the album is one that radiates the warmth of family life.The lead single, Chain Of Joy, was co-written with Kim Richey and is an irresistible jaunt and a timely reminder to draw on our personal reserves of joy in the face of adversity. “There are many crazy things happening in the world and when you have little faces looking to you for guidance, I think it’s important to bring positivity and ideas they can understand. For them to know happiness and how to access that in their hearts when things aren’t so grand,” Felicity relates. Felicity, the host of ABC’s ‘Saturday Night Country’, has solidified herself as one of the most popular and recognisable country music artists in Australia. She has also accumulated an extensive list of accolades to her name. A seven-time Golden Guitar winner with seven studio albums behind her, she has also been nominated for an ARIA, won the CMA International Broadcaster award and performed for both the Pope and the President of the USA. Her 2018 album with Bennett and Bowtell, ‘Weeds’ is currently nominated for three Golden Guitars – with their first album winning two Golden Guitars. Recently signed to ABC Music, Felicity Urquhart’s back catalogue also finds a new home at the label; which is available today through all digital partners.
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Join Emma, Lachy, Simon and Anthony as they take us through the fun and excitement of a day out attending a ballet performance. Join them on their big ballet day as they figure out what you can wear to the ballet, get some tasty popcorn, discover ‘The Alphabet Ballet’, and even plan a trip to the toilet at the theatre as you sing ‘The Toilet Song!’ The album features beautiful new songs that offer children an unforgettable first foray into ballet. The wide variety of musical styles featured on the album reflect the diversity of the wonderful art form that ballet is. In an exciting development, The Wiggles’ Big Ballet Day! sees the introduction of a brand-new Wiggly character,‘Shirley Shawn the Unicorn’, who is sure to be a new favourite with young fans. Blue Wiggle Anthony Field remarks, “We hope this brand new and fun Wiggly music inspires the child listeners’ imagination to dress up like the characters in the songs and express themselves through their own form of ballet. We really enjoyed making this album and I think the joy shows through, so we hope the young and older listeners love it too”.
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Now in its 26th year, triple j’s Hottest 100 remains the most talked about and listened to radio event of the year, counting down the hottest songs of 2018.This year’s Hottest 100 Volume 26 will be jam packed with the year’s biggest and best songs and wrapping up another huge year in music on this awesome double album! Track Listing: CD 1: 01. Ocean Alley - Confidence02. FISHER - Losing It03. Amy Shark - I Said Hi04. Travis Scott - SICKO MODE05. Billie Eilish - when the party's over06. Skeggs - Up In The Clouds07. The Wombats - Turn08. Childish Gambino - This Is America09. Dean Lewis - Be Alright10. Mallrat - Groceries11. Hayden James - Just Friends (Ft. Boy Matthews)12. A$AP Rocky Ft. Skepta - Praise The Lord (Da Shine)13. Ruby Fields - Dinosaurs14. Hockey Dad - Join The Club15. Wafia - I'm Good16. KIAN - Waiting17. The Rubens - Never Ever (Ft. Sarah)18. RÜFÜS DU SOL - Underwater19. Broods - Peach20. Hilltop Hoods - Leave Me Lonely21. Ball Park Music - The Perfect Life Does Not Exist 22. Vera Blue - All The Pretty Girls CD 2: 01. Kendrick Lamar - All The Stars (with SZA)02. Cub Sport - Sometimes03. Ziggy Alberts - Love Me Now04. King Princess - 195005. Post Malone - Bettter Now06. Peking Duk - Fire07. DMA'S In The Air08. G Flip - About You09. Mac Miller - Ladders10. Bring Me The Horizon - MANTRA11. Angie McMahon - Missing Me12. Thundamentals - I Miss You13. Alison Wonderland - Church14. DZ Deathrays - Like People15. San Cisco - When I Dream16. BENE Soaked17. Baker Boy - Mr La Di Da Di18. Vance Joy - We're Going Home19. Khalid - Better20. The Presets - Martini21. Meg Mac - Give Me My Name Back 22. BROCKHAMPTON - BOOGIE
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Nigel Westlake: Spirit of the Wild Diana Doherty oboeSteve Reich: The Desert Music Synergy VocalsSydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nigel Westlake and David Robertson “Nigel Westlake’s brand new oboe concerto, Spirit of the Wild teems with untamed life.” - Angus McPherson, Limelight MagazineTwo thrilling contemporary works combine on this new recording by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, with the world premiere recording of Nigel Westlake’s Spirit of the Wild paired with the Australian premiere recording of Steve Reich’s legendary The Desert Music.Both works examine humanity’s relationship with the natural world, and our habit of destroying the wonders that have been gifted to us.Westlake’s concerto Spirit of the Wild was inspired by a trip to the pristine beauty of Tasmanian's Bathurst Harbour, which reminded the composer of “the preciousness of the wilderness, and of our human propensity to become subsumed by materialism, neglecting our connection to country and the wonders of the natural world.” Written for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Oboe Diana Doherty, and recorded here under the direction of the composer, Spirit of the Wild “teems with untamed life” (Limelight), a thrilling virtuoso work that is a major addition to Australian music.Reich’s The Desert Music features some of the finest examples of the composer’s trademark pulsating rhythmic energy, which serves as a setting for the poetry of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet William Carlos Williams. It is a meditation on the act of listening and the very purpose of music in a post-Hiroshima world where, as Williams writes: "Man has survived hitherto because he was too ignorant to know how to realize his wishes. Now that he can realize them, he must either change them or perish." Recorded live in concert at the Sydney Opera House, featuring internationally acclaimed ensemble Synergy Vocals, with SSO Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson conducting, this mesmerising performance is sure to be remembered for years to come. TRACKLISTING NIGEL WESTLAKE born 1958 Spirit of the Wild – Concerto for oboe1 I. = 96 – cadenza2 II. = 963 III. Tranquillo (= 48) – Liberamente – = 96 –4 IV. Agitato (= 96) Diana Doherty oboe Sydney Symphony OrchestraNigel Westlake conductorSTEVE REICH born 1936 The Desert Music5 I. [Fast] –6 II. [Moderate] –7 IIIa. [Slow] –8 IIIb. [Moderate] –9 IIIc. [Slow] –10 IV. [Moderate] –11 V. [Fast] Synergy Vocals Sydney Symphony Orchestra David Robertson conductor
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Matt Withers guitar | Acacia Quartet ABC Classic is proud to announce the release of Imaginations, an album of Australian compositions for guitar and string quartet – including eight world premiere recordings – performed by Matt Withers and Acacia Quartet. Imaginations features the winning works of the 2018 Matt Withers Australian Music Composition Competition – Wade Gregory’s Water Music, Rick Alexander’s Storming and Nava Ryan’s Solitude – coupled with new commissions and pre-existing favourites for the ensemble combination.Established works by Richard Charlton, Nick Wales and the late Phillip Houghton are featured alongside premiere recordings of Robert Davidson’s solo guitar work Forest, Gordon Kerry’s String Quartet No. 5 and Moya Henderson’s Kudikynah Cave.The competition called upon composers to submit an original composition inspired by the visual artwork of Queensland based artist, Sue Needham. As with Needham’s artwork, the works featured on Imaginations are rich in sonic colour and texture, conjuring visions of striking natural landscapes and seascapes.“Matt is an inspiration in his artistry and in his boundless enthusiasm for new Australian works, and he has exceptional collaborators in the brilliant Acacia Quartet”, says ABC Classic Label Manager Hugh Robertson. “Imaginationsis an album rich in colour and movement, and gives audiences their first opportunity to hear recordings of a number of exciting new pieces.”Matt Withers is an ambassador for Australian music, a well-established classical guitar pedagogue, performer and role model for musicians across the country. His career to date has seen him perform with highly esteemed artists of the likes of William Barton, Sally Whitwell, many national orchestras as well as maintaining strong commitments in the leading Australian chamber music group Guitar Trek alongside Timothy Kain.In just eight years of existence, Acacia Quartet have won great respect for their versatile and inventive programs. They have recorded six albums, with ‘Blue Silence’ earning a nomination for an APRA-AMCOS Art Music ‘Award for Excellence’. TRACKLISTING RICHARD CHARLTON Shorelines* 1 I. Dark Horizon 2 II. The Lonely Shore 3 III. Storm DanceWADE GREGORY Water Music* 4 I. Clouds 5 II. River 6 III. OceanMatt Withers & Acacia Quartet ROBERT DAVIDSON 7 Forest*Matt Withers MOYA HENDERSON 8 Kudikynah Cave*NICK WALES 9 Harbour LightAcacia Quartet NAVA RYAN 10 Solitude*ROBERT DAVIDSON 11 Landscape*PHILLIP HOUGHTON In Amber 12 I. Dance 13 II. Dream 14 III. InitiationMatt Withers & Acacia Quartet GORDON KERRY String Quartet No. 5* 15 I. Bright Summer 16 II. Seascape 17 III. Scherzo 18 IV. Fantasia on ‘Hyfrydol’Acacia Quartet RICK ALEXANDER 19 Storming*Matt Withers & Acacia Quartet *World Premiere Recordings Matt Withers guitarAcacia QuartetLisa Stewart violin Myee Clohessy violin Stefan Duwe viola Anna Martin-Scrase cello
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Asmira Woodward-Page violin | Scott Davie piano ABC Classic is proud to announce the release of The Australian Album by Asmira Woodward-Page and Scott Davie. Originally released on the Artworks label in 2001, these ten pieces are composed by some of the most important names in Australian music in the first half of the 20th century, including Dulcie Holland, Miriam Hyde, Alfred Hill, Arthur Benjamin and Frank Hutchens. Australian music in the early 20th century was a curious beast, stuck in a Romantic-Impressionist European compositional idiom of sonatas and folk songs, as yet untouched by later efforts to establish an authentically national identity. These pieces, all composed between 1924 and 1947, are undoubtedly part of that European heritage – but they offer the first glimpses of an emerging Australian sound, and display a sure sense of craftmanship, underpinned by solid harmonic language but leaving room for individual characteristics that identify each composer’s personality.Beautifully performed and enthusiastically championed by two fine Australian performers, it is only fitting that these landmark works are now finally added to the ABC’s catalogue. Praised for her ‘transforming intensity and beauty of tone’ (New York Times), Australian violinist Asmira Woodward-Page is recognised as a unique and passionate artist who ‘speaks directly to her listeners’ (Sydney Morning Herald).Scott Davie is known to audiences as a soloist and chamber musician, as well as for various cross-disciplinary collaborations. In addition to performing, Scott is increasingly known for his writing and public speaking. He teaches and lectures at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. TRACKLISTINGDULCIE HOLLAND 1 Cradle SongMIRIAM HYDE 2 Dryad’s DanceDULCIE HOLLAND Sonata 3 I. Quasi recitativo – Andante – Vivo 4 II. Slow and somewhat rubato 5 III. AllegroFRANK HUTCHENS 6 Always AfternoonALFRED HILL 7 MazurkaALFRED HILL 8 In Such a NightARTHUR BENJAMIN Sonatina 9 I. Tranquilly flowing 10 II. Scherzo di stile antico 11 III. Rondo: Con moto ma non allegroALFRED HILL 12 Blue Evening 13 Valse Lente 14 Waltz Caprice Asmira Woodward-PageviolinScott Davie piano
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Scott Davie presents a program of enchanting works for piano by Rachmaninoff - one of the world's favourite composers of works for piano. Sometimes playful, sometimes profound, his music always captures the imagination.The works in this recital traverse Rachmaninoff’s creative life, from the Six moments musicaux of his early maturity to the Variations on a theme of Corelli from his later years in exile. Performer Scott Davie has made an intensive study of Rachmaninoff’s music, including a PhD on the composer’s melodic language, and has travelled the world giving performances and lectures. In 2012 he gave the Australian premiere of the original version of Rachmaninoff’s Fourth Piano Concerto with Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.In addition to his thriving career as a soloist and chamber musician, Scott Davie is a Lecturer in Piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.TRACKLISTING SERGEI RACHMANINOFF 1 Daisies, Op. 38 No. 32 Lilacs, Op. 21 No. 53 Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42Six moments musicaux, Op. 164 No. 1 in B-flat minor (Andantino)5 No. 2 in E-flat minor (Allegretto)6 No. 3 in B minor (Andante cantabile)7 No. 4 in E minor (Presto)8 No. 5 in D-flat major (Adagio sostenuto)9 No. 6 in C major (Maestoso)MODEST MUSSORGSKY transcr. RACHMANINOFF10 Hopak from Sorochintsy FairPYOTR IL’YICH TCHAIKOVSKY transcr. RACHMANINOFF11 Lullaby, Op. 16 No. 1NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV transcr. RACHMANINOFF12 Flight of the Bumble Bee from The Tale of Tsar Saltan Scott Davie piano
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Take off with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as it returns to its iconic home on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle for The Sky’s the Limit!Taking inspiration from the centenary of the Royal Air Force and Scotland’s Year of Young People, the 2018 Tattoo celebrates unleashing the potential inside all of us.With over 1,200 performers, drawn from across the globe, the 100-minute spectacular takes the audience on an incredible journey following mankind’s obsession with flight.Our journey begins with the humble bumble bee and reflecting on our natural environment, with birds soaring through the skies, before taking off with hot air balloons and powered flight, heading upwards into the night’s sky and rocketing into outer space. Brought to life with stunning projections and new lighting technology, the Tattoo takes the audience on an incredible adventure, never before seen on the Esplanade.As always, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a truly global celebration, bringing together military and cultural performers from Oman, Malawi, Czech Republic, Belgium, United States of America, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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Hit Country is one of Australia’s leading country compilation series. This specially themed version celebrates all things Australia with all the big names and rising stars of Aussie country (and a few Kiwis as well). Released to coincide with the Tamworth Country Music Festival and Australia Day, it is the perfect soundtrack to your summer. Featured artists include Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, The Wolfe Brothers,, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Drew McAlister, Beccy Cole, Adam Brand, Travis Collins, Tori Forsyth, Troy Cassar-Daley and so much more!
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ABC Classics is thrilled to announce that its Discovery DVD, featuring Richard Gill and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, is back in print and available again for the first time in many years.Since Richard’s death in October, ABC Classics has been inundated by phone calls and emails from members of the public, wanting to know how they can access this DVD. That enthusiasm speaks to Richard’s ability to connect with people across genres and across ages – there aren’t many other people who were as popular on the ABC’s music quiz show Spicks & Specksas they were in the Sydney Opera House, conducting contemporary Australian operas.This DVD demonstrates perfectly Richard’s ability to reveal new information about even the best-known pieces of music, and to do so in a way that was approachable and understandable whether you were just discovering classical music or had devoted your life to it.“A composer could have three heads,” Richard once said; “what matters is that they wrote great music.” And it was always the music that counted for Richard. In Discovery he pulls these four great works apart with the enthusiasm of a curious child, and allows us to experience the sense of wonder that comes from discovering how something rich and complex works. “When music is introduced to us in the best possible circumstances, our world has the potential to become richer in any sense. Music evokes, stimulates, implies, suggests – playing upon the mind, the heart and the soul. Music has the capacity to change lives forever.” – Richard GillRichard Gill AO was one of Australia’s greatest musicians. His death in October 2018 prompted an outpouring of love and enthusiasm across the nation, and a resolve to continue his passionate advocacy for music education in schools. Richard never stopped teaching, and whether you were a novice or a virtuoso there was always something to be learned from his passion and tremendous depth of knowledge.‘Discovery’ was a series of concerts presented by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, combining exhilarating performances by the SSO and Richard’s trademark accessible commentary. Based on the series' principles of education through musical experiences, watch as Richard deconstructs the music and plays examples with the orchestra, explaining musical challenges and demystifying the classical repertoire.You always knew you loved the music. Now you can discover just how imaginative, miraculous and profound it really is. TRACKLISTINGIncludes full performances of each movement.BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5: Movement I, Allegro con brioHAYDN Symphony No. 94 (Surprise): Movement II, AndanteMOZART Symphony No. 35 (Haffner): Movement I, Allegro con spiritoBEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7: Movement II, Allegretto
