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HEY RAIN - |
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Bill Scott was
born in Bundaberg in 1923 and is one of Australia's national treasures.
A noted folklorist, he has written novels, short stories, verse, anthologies
and songs.
(Some of his best loved songs include HEY RAIN! and the lovely WHERE THE CANE FIRES BURN, both sung by Penny Davies.)
He was awarded the O.A.M. for his services to folklore in 1992.
Bill served in the Navy during World War II, and worked as a seaman,
steam engine driver, prospector, miner, bookseller, editor and publisher.
For more information check out the Bill Scott website at www.billscott.com.au
Restless Music is proud to publish Hey Rain The Bill Scott Songbook.
Penny Davies & Roger Ilott (who have run Restless Music,
making over 100 albums of folk music since 1983) have been admirers of
Bills work since the night in 1985 when folksinger Dave de Hugard came
to their cottage/studio in Balmain, Sydney, and, sitting at the kitchen
table, sang Bill Scotts song Hey Rain!, as the Sydney rain played
percussion on the old tin roof. The next day Penny & Roger recorded their
own arrangement of Hey Rain! that began their long association
with the songs of Bill Scott. The song appeared on their third album,
Birchgrove Quay (RM012, 1986).
In 1986 Penny met Bill Scott for the first time, at a Folklore Conference
in Sydney, and in 1987, when Penny and Roger moved Restless Music moved
up to Stanthorpe in Queensland, Bill was one of their very first visitors.
Before the house and studio were in existence, Bill would share a billy
of tea, tell stories and sing songs around the Restless campfire. Bill
and his wife Mavis had recently moved to Warwick only 40 miles away.
Penny & Rogers version of Hey Rain! had, by then, appeared on the first
Australia All Over album and its acceptance and success encouraged Bill
to write more songs and to give poems to Roger so that tunes could emerge.
Bill recorded two albums of his songs and poems on the Restless Music
label. Hey Rain (RM026, 1990) and Songbird In Your Pocket
(RM040. 1993).
Assisted by a grant from Arts Queensland, Opal Miner The Songs Of
Bill Scott, performed by Penny Davies & Roger Ilott (RM075),
was released in 1999, and has been Restless Musics most successful album
to date.
Where The Cane Fires Burn from the album has become one
of Bills most loved songs.
The publication of the songbook was assisted by a grant from the Music
Board of the Australia Council.
The songs are notated with full lyrics and guitar chords perfect for
the beginning folk singer, as well as the seasoned performer. Bill Scotts
songs tell of working life, the landscape and climate, and the Australian
character; there is comedy and longing, irony and insight.
Hey Rain - The Bill Scott Songbook collects together 23 songs,
some of which appeared on Opal Miner, a few more that have emerged
since, and a couple of neglected classics from Bill Scotts considerable
treasure-trove of Australian song.
COMPLETE LIST OF SONGS: A Drovers Life, The Boundary Riders Tale,
Brisbane Girl, Bundaberg Rum, Caboolture Days, Cane Train, Coal Train
(Trust The Jesus Box), The Darling Bunyip, Hard On A Lass, Hey Rain! The
Lighthouse Keeper & Herring Gull, The Light Of The Star, The Long Haul
, The Monkeys Sing Soprano (Around Stanthorpe In July), Mt Tully Lullaby,
Mungindi Ball, Old Mans Song, On Top Of High Peak, Plastic Container
Of Plonk, Tales Of The Wind, Tanglefoot Harry, Trochus Boats, Where The
Cane Fires Burn.
TO ORDER YOUR COPY FOR ONLY $12 POST FREE (within Australia): click on the PAYPAL button below:
or go to our HOW TO ORDER PAGE, or simply email
us at restless_music@yahoo.com.au