Volume 2 Artists Click on a artist name to learn more.
Click here for Volume 1 artist information. 1. Eagle Over Pulpit Rock - Peter McVie & Gary Stowe
2. Thinking of You (Australian Lullaby) - Fiona Joy Hawkins
3. Water Nymphs Dell - Murray Hinder
4. I Like To Tinkle - Steve Stockton & Steve Mann
5. Please Come Back - Robyne Dunn
6. The Judgement of the Trees - Michael Norton
7. Fertile Ground - Matt Lyon & Greg McCauley
8. Winterman - Leaf
9. Under The Mist - John May
10. Creeper - Glyph
11. Slide - Lenny Marks
12. Flash Flood - James Barrett
13. Goodbye - Jillian Talbot Track 1: Eagle Over Pulpit Rock – Peter McVie & Gary Stowe
(McVie/Stowe)
Keyboards and all programming – Peter McVie; Guitar - Gary Stowe.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Peter McVie. Wedge-tailed eagles usually inhabit the western slopes and are only occasional visitors to the eastern parts of the mountains. When they arrive they spiral up and out of the valleys to slide past the sheer cliffs, then climb almost beyond sight above the ridges before gliding back to earth. They fill the air with majesty, the heart with longing and the soul with joy. Peter McVie and Gary Stowe worked together for many years as travelling musicians and now collaborate on special projects. This piece comes from yet another moment of their musical symbiosis. Gary went to Peter with a chord pattern and the outline of a melody. Peter took it on – and then made it fly. Track 2: Thinking of You (An Australian Lullaby) – Fiona Joy Hawkins 
(F. Hawkins)
Piano – Fiona Joy Hawkins. Produced by Bruce Wheatley at Take Note Studios, Warrimoo, NSW. From the album “Angel Above My Piano”. Fiona Joy Hawkins lives in beautiful Little Hartley where she writes music inspired by the landscape, places she has been or just to communicate thoughts and emotions. Fiona won the International NAR Lifestyle Music Award for Best Piano Album for “Angel Above my Piano” and has just released her third album, titled "Blue Dream", produced by 5-time Grammy winner Will Ackerman (founder of Windham Hill Records). www.fionajoyhawkins.com BACK TO TOP Track 3: Water Nymphs Dell - Murray Hinder
(M. Hinder)
Guitars and programming – Murray Hinder. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Murray Hinder. “If I cross the road in front of my house I can walk down to the Dell in minutes, one of the many special places in the Blue Mountains, this is my home”. Guitar tragic since age 13, Murray enjoys bringing to listeners unique soundscapes influenced by the environment in which he lives. Discography:
Franz Scheurer and Murray Hinder:
“From A Distance” Olive Records MF10164
“Now and Then” FS Productions
Murray Hinder:
“Above the Snowline” - Blue Mountains Music Vol. 1. Contact: Phone (02) 4757 4433 BACK TO TOP Track 4: I Like to Tinkle – Steve Stockton & Steve Mann
(S. Stockton)
Guitars and percussion – Steve Stockton & Steve Mann. Steve Stockton gained a huge appreciation of folk music when, at an early age, he saw Leo Kotke play twelve string guitar. Inspired, he could not believe how one man could sound like several musicians at the same time, and the 12-string became his passion. It was a huge time for bands like Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, Jimi Hendrix, Steel Eye Span and The Doors, and Steve absorbed it all like a sponge. With a love of melody and a mind for Twilight-Zone-like patterns, his original style simply embraces the listener's imagination. Steve Mann kicked off his musical journey with a motorcycle accident 30 years ago. "Perhaps something a bit more creative.." he thought while recuperating. So, he picked up the guitar at a time when bands like Yes, Genesis, Frank Zappa, King Crimson and Jethro Tull were stretching Rock's musical frontiers. Steve has taken these influences and mixed in some blues, jazz, funk, folk and country guitar, creating his own unique style. He has composed and performed music for theatre, television and dance companies, as well as being a session musician, producer and guitar teacher. He recently played with The Blue Swimmers, and 70's acoustic guitar legend, Al Ward. Steve and Steve
Currently, both musicians play in the band "Reluctant Friends of Steve", however it was decided they would record Steve Stockton's instrumental "I Like to Tinkle" for Blue Mountain's Music Volume 2 as a duo effort. "I Like to Tinkle" is a great tune with a silly name...' said Stockton. 'It was titled when people would ask me while I was playing the guitar, “What's that?!!” “Tinkling of course!” www.therels.com BACK TO TOP Track 5. Please Come Back – Robyne Dunn
(R. Dunn)
Programmed and produced by Robyne. Technical support by John Kelly. Singer-songwriter Robyne Dunn moved to the Blue Mountains in 1998 originally in the hope of solving the mystery of her missing voice. Her four octave range had been reduced to six gravelly old notes and no-one seemed to know why. Six months later and quite by accident she discovered her problem was coffee - all she had to do was quit her six-espresso-strong daily habit and she could return to Sydney for good! Only life in the mountains was just too darn gorgeous. Eight years later she is still here. Replete with husband and son, she continues to write and record music and to perform with her band of hand-picked local legends. Her career has seen the release of five albums including her most recent Songs from the Belfry (Laughing Outlaw Records) and the jazz-tinged 2002 release Live at the Basement (Laughing Outlaw Records). Her debut album Labour of Liberty (Mushroom Records) was nominated for an ARIA award and in 1991 she appeared on Andrew Denton’s notorious Stairways to Heaven compilation, singing the ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ version. This was her most famous moment so far, though she’s hoping to surpass that with her inclusion on Blue Mountains Music Volume II. Her contribution ‘Please Come Back’ was composed between bouts of gazing out onto the bushland vista of her Blackheath home. www.robynedunn.com.au BACK TO TOP Track 6.: The Judgement of the Trees – Michael Norton
(M. Norton)
Performed and produced by Michael Norton.
Michael Norton was born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, to parents who were both classically trained musicians. His father worked for the Texaco oil company, the source of the 44-gallon oil drums that were taken by the locals and beaten into shape to make the steel drums that were the unique musical flavour of the islands. In stark contrast he spent the later part of his childhood in the English city of Liverpool at the height of the Beatles era. Addicted to the power of the popular song, he absorbed music from all points of the compass. After moving to Australia he studied classical guitar and joined the Jazz Studies program at the Sydney Conservatorium. He has worked in the mainstream media in various roles and has composed and produced music for feature films, television drama, and radio and TV documentary productions. He has been coming to the Blue Mountains for over thirty years and moved here with his family in 1999. He can also be seen singing his songs in various venues around the Mountains. BACK TO TOP Track 7: Fertile Ground – Matt Lyon & Greg McCauley
(Lyon/McCauley)
Keyboards and programming by Matt Lyon, Greg McCauley & Llew Kiek. Produced by Llew Kiek. Greg and Matt are long-time musical collaborators. They performed as guitar/vocal duo “The Q-Stix” for many years, but more recently have been composing instrumental music, inspired by the Blue Mountains. The genesis of “Fertile Ground” was a melodic idea from Greg, developed by Matt, and produced by Llew Kiek, with some additional technical assistance by Greg Seiler and Andy Busuttil at Blue Mountain Sound. email: qstix1@ozemail.com.au BACK TO TOP Track 8: Winterman – Leaf
(R. Menon)
All guitars - Raman Menon. Produced and mixed by Raman Menon.
Raman Menon is an Australian-born songwriter of Indian and Irish parentage.
As lead guitarist with psychedelic punk/metal band Julius Sideburn, he performed all over Sydney and toured to Victoria and South Australia. Frustrated at not being the principal songwriter, he started his own band called Leaf.
He has written over one hundred songs, and will soon be releasing an album entitled "Earprojector".
In his music, Raman tries to stay as open-minded as he can, whilst still retaining a strong pop sensibility. His music is wide-ranging - from soft and ethereal, to the aggressiveness of punk, to the groove of hip-hop. To hear more, go to www.myspace.com/leafwall BACK TO TOP Track 9: Under The Mist – John May
(J. May)
Guitar, bass and percussion – John May. Recorded and mixed by Peter Kennard. John May has lived in the Blue Mountains all his life. He has been deeply touched by the Spirit of the Blue Mountains, and also by the community that lives in them. John is predominantly a percussionist, having extensively studied West African Drum and Dance. In this particular track, John has explored a different sound to what he is well known for in his community. This is his sharing of the music he creates in the quiet of his bush-hut home. John has traveled, lived and worked in several countries - gathering rhythms, stories, dances and experiences. He draws upon the richness and diversity of his journeys to create unique, heart-moving music. Creator of the well-known local percussion and dance troupe Hands, Heart & Feet, John performs regularly at a range of different events, both locally and internationally. BACK TO TOP Track 10: Creeper – Glyph
(Beaver/Karageorgio)
All instruments and programming - Neil Beaver. Vocals – Stacey Karageorgio.
Recorded and mixed by Neil Beaver. www.glyph.com.au BACK TO TOP Track 11: Slide – Lenny Marks
(L. Marks)
Guitars - Lenny Marks. Recorded by John Kelly.
Lenny Marks has been doing stuff to guitars for quite a while now. Some of which has boosted his standing amongst those who go in for this kind of stuff.
Lenny has worked as a grave-digger, a glass-blower, managed a therapeutic community for addicts and done his fair share of washing dishes.
He is a musician, however, by natural selection, so he really can't help it.
His major influences are as splendid as his collection of ocarinas and kalimbas. They include Scrapper Blackwell, Gorecki, Roger Ramjet, Zappa, Sid Rumpo and Vrag. And Zappa.
He has played with many outstanding artists, including Inga Liljestrom, The Spooky Men's Chorale, The Red Hot Mumblers, Iota, Peter Northcote, Janet Swain, Rachel Hore, Stephen Taberner, Julliett Obsessed and some other well known people whose names he can't remember right now. And a few bloody dills.
Lenny currently performs regularly in a killer duo with Richard Delaney, which is sometimes a killer duo of three with John Kelly on drums.
He has been spotted recently playing with awesome musician and singer/songwriter Robyne Dunn.
'Slide' is a new song from his upcoming CD. Captured on tapeless machine and lovingly enhanced by John Kelly. Many thanks.
Photo by Sarah Delaney.
http://www.myspace.com/sleepyfinger
BACK TO TOP Track 12: Flash Flood - James Barrett
(J. Barrett)
Performed by Neil Beaver and James Barrett.
Recorded and programmed by Neil Beaver and Adam Barns. Mixed by Adam Barns.  James Barrett has played bass in local and Sydney bands for 20 years. He recently started a project with Blue Mountains musicians (and some sea refugees) called The Sweet Nothings, and has been concentrating on songwriting, producing and recording. He produced "Flash Flood" with Neil Beaver and Adam Barns.
"'Flash Flood' was written during an afternoon summer storm at Woodford. Thanks to all involved. Thanks for listening. For Wendy."
- James
 
BACK TO TOP
Track 13: Goodbye – Jillian Talbot 
(J. Talbot)
Piano – Jillian Talbot. Produced by Brendan Smyly.
Born and raised in the Blue Mountains, Jillian Talbot has been playing the piano since she was four years old. A classically trained pianist, she discovered a talent for composition and has published a number of CDs of her works including “Interlude” (2001) and “Elements” (2004).
Jillian is passionate about music in all its forms, from classical to jazz, and from 20th century neo-classical to the amazing diversity of world music. She is also an enthusiastic collector of indigenous musical instruments and art. Her unique compositions reflect the sounds and beauty of the world heritage Blue Mountains and her life experiences. As is typical with the Blue Mountains, Jillian lit the fire within herself and let the images dancing around the embers come to mind.  Jillian has her own teaching and independent music production studio Birdsong Productions, and is actively involved in the Blue Mountains community. She teaches at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, and has composed theme music for local musical productions such as "Peter Pan” staged by the Brook Community Theatre.
“Goodbye” was recorded at the University of Western Sydney with Jillian on a Kawai Concert Grand piano, and produced by Brendan Smyly. Contact:
Phone (02) 4739 2773
Email: jtalbot@bigpond.net.au
www.birdsongproductions.com.au Illustration by Ulf Kaiser - ulfkaiser@bigpond.com BACK TO TOP
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