During the 70s my music was arranged and produced by my dear friend Michael Harvey. I was not the only one to reap the rewards of his talent: Mike produced the songs of all the APRA Silver Scroll winners between 1973-77 and won two Silver Scrolls himself. Unsurprisingly, during this period he won a bagful of record Producer and Arranger of the Year awards, some for work on my records.
Mike remains the only person I have ever co-written songs with. KNOWING, our first joint effort was originally recorded by the late Steve Gilpin (of Misex) before I croaked out a version of my own on the album GARDEN FRESH.
This week I’m featuring two Hanlon/Harvey songs.
The first ROMANTICALLY INCLINED is included in the AFTER THE DAM BROKE compilation. It was recorded in the early 80s as a demo we hoped to get to Rod Stewart. However, we never got close to Rod and instead my version was released as a single on Polydor in New Zealand.
Sadly, it failed to impress radio programmers so no one heard it, which disappointed me because I really liked the song. The lyrics had been inspired by a recent trip to Singapore where I’d lived as boy during the 50s when the spirit of Somerset Maugham was still alive.
To my knowledge the only person who ever played this song on air was the late Peter Sinclair, who rang me in the middle of the night in Australia to tell me how much he loved it.
The second song CAT RAMBLE, a rather ambitious production with multi-tracked harmonies, was included on my largely unheard 1976 album, USE YOUR EYES.
I apologise for the sound quality of this track. It has not been re-mastered. However, while it doesn’t feature in my retrospective — hence falls outside the parameters of my stated aim to let you hear some of what’s included in the 40 song retrospective AFTER THE DAM BROKE —it is a Hanlon/Harvey composition and I thought you’d enjoy hearing Mike’s piano, Martin Winch’s guitar and the rock solid core of Chris Gunn on Bass and Vic Williams on drums.
The cat referred to in the lyrics was called Midnight and can be seen in the photo that was taken at the time.
Please share with anyone you think may be interested. I’ll be back next week with more songs from AFTER THE DAM BROKE.
Ciao for now.
Greetings to you John. Just listened to the “Romantically inclined” track and feel you do yourself a disservice. Although written with Rod Stewart in mind, I find your interpretation and emotional bond to it makes it uniquely Yours. Thanks.
Thanks George. I’m flattered. However, if Rod had recorded the song it may have actually gotten some airplay. Ho hum .. it’s ancient history now. Take care, John
Beautiful song John. Unfortunately I have discovered that many radio stations won’t play too many of these songs as they want more up-tempo songs(for the younger generation of dancers and the toe tappers). I have written a few slower ones, and plan to sneak a couple onto my EPs as I release my songs. I have long been a fan of your songs! Well done, and I get the cruisey vibe!
Thank you, Janne. My aim now is simple to let people know what’s on my retrospective. I’ve long since given up hope of getting airplay for things recorded so long ago. Good luck with your EPs. Take care, John
Hey John – what a nice surprise on a beautiful day up on the Mid NorthCoast, to get your post. Great to hear the songs again – and I still love your gravelly voice!! If I’m not mistaken that’s young Jilli (aka Mrs Harvey) singing backing vocals on Romantically Inclined.
Brilliant to hear our good friends Vic, Chris and Martin playing their hearts out. Thank you mate for the opportunity to work with you through all those years – we all had a ball doing it.
“Romantically Inclined” what a beautiful song I had not heard it before and it certainly sounds like it should have had much more airplay. I love the tune.
“Use your eyes” on this track it was great to hear the Salty Dogg crew playing so well.
It was also really good that Mike was able to listen to the tracks again, that man is such a huge talent.
I didn’t listen to a wide range of music back in the day but now with more “life” under the belt I can really appreciate what you did and how well you did it.
You made some fantastic music that will endure.
John,i have loved your “lovely lady” since I first heard it many years ago and my kids enjoyed it as well.i am in my 80s and still love playing it. I received a text from one of my daughters today from Brisbane. She was quite excited to hear it being played on her car radio on her way to work.naturally I then had to play it a couple times again. Great to know that one of our best has returned home. Cheers John.