Sunday 20 May 2012

The best Australian version...



Years ago, Scrobs' car didn't have a radio - they were 'opshunall eckstras' back then...

So, there was a small transistor machine sellotaped to the dashboard, and occasionally, some sounds came out from it, often changing channels from going round bends in the road, but not working that often.

The Scrobs family all lived in a small farm cottage back then, miles from anywhere, and as it was one of a pair of delightful houses, there was always some interest as to who might be living next door.

The best neighbours back then, were Lea-Pea and Frank, with Eileen as their chum. They were all from Geraldton, near Perth, Australia, and were making a few bob from winding fleeces on the local farmer's woollery.

I would drive home from London, with the sellotaped radio working every now and then, and one of the songs which popped up during the occasional straight bit of road was this classic!

One night, back in 1974, with the home-made wine on full tap, we sat with our good friends, and I mentioned this song to them...

'"Aw, noooo, really...., doncha just looooove 'im..."

Lovely people, lovely song, younger then, lovely recall...




7 comments:

rvi said...

G'day Bruce.

Never heard that version before - and never heard of the singer either! But as I was buried deep in the Arabian sands when it was released perhaps that is no surprise. Bit different from Ol' Blue Eye's version though, innit?

Now you mention it, I was in Geraldton in November. That south western corner of Oz is one of my favourite haunts, so my better half and I go that way fairly often for a VB and a bagga chips.

May the sun continue to shine on your kangaroo.

rvi said...

oops! Eyes' (of course).

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

He's mentioned here Reevers: -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Shearston

It's a great song, and I'd forgotten how much I liked it - especially the fiddle middle bit...

They were from a sea-fishing family, and I reckon, from Frank's roots, that he probably still is!

Philipa said...

Plea from the cheap seats - can you mention the title of the song as clicking on a Youtube link is my daily net allowance :(

I have invested in some headphones though and can go down the library when not at work :)

Hasn't it been a gorgeous day? Love your stories. I wish I was living in a little cottage miles from anywhere, listening to 'I get a kick from champagne'... *sigh*

Philipa said...

PS: he looks like Richard Hammond a bit, IMHO.

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Pips, sorry about the daily allowance - the song is called 'I get a kick out of you', (a Cole Porter song), but this version is by an Australian singer - now Preacher, named Gary Shearston, and is a thousand times better than the 'standard' ones by crooners and sharp suited ones...

The fiddle solo just melts...

Electro-Kevin said...

A nice version.