This is a look at Australian country music, from bush ballads and yodeling oldies to country-rock and outlaw twang, and even some more modern Top Forty artists. This includes artists from both Australian and New Zealand, though there's a separate Kiwi Country section which has a lot of overlap. There's a ton of twang Down Under, and I'm pretty sure I'm only scratching the surface, so I welcome any recommendations, additions or corrections.
This page covers the letter "W."
Bryan Watkins "Bryan Watkins " (Hadley Records, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by Eric W. Scott)
The first album by singer Bryan Watkins, who had a resolutely old-school approach, more rooted in the pre-honkytonk era a of the 1930s. The liner notes by country deejay Geoff Gregory recount Bryan Watkins's personal story of how played some gigs in Sydney in the 1950s, then tried his hand at a talent show in the 1950s and got clobbered by an Elvis Presley clone. Discouraged, he gave up on his musical career for a couple of decades before entering a few country music competitions in the late 'Seventies, which led to the Hadley label offering him a chance to record. In case you had any doubts as tho Bryan Watkins's musical loyalties, this includes a tribute song called, "Slim Dusty, I Salute You,"
Bryan Watkins "Cindy Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (Hadley Records, 1979) (LP)
(Produced by Eric W. Scott)
Remarkably old-fashioned stuff, sentimental tunes with a feel that's more from the 1930s than the outlaw-era '70s... The title track is a dead-child weeper, complete with a spoken recitation... and not the only one on the album! There's a similar vibe on most of this album, which is packed with material that could have easily come from the repertoires of old-timers like Gene Autry, Red Foley, or Bradley Kindcaid... I'm not condemning this album for being fusty, but it is a little surprising the strength that this sort of Depression-era sensibility retained in latter-day Aussie scene. Mr. Watkins is backed by the usual-suspects crew from Hadley Records: Norm Bodkin (pedal steel), Dave Byrnes (drums), Lindsay Butler (guitar), Bob Clark (guitar), Howard Smith (bass), and Greg Thomas on harmonica.
Bryan Watkins "My Sentimental Journey" (Hadley Records, 1979) (LP)
(Produced by Eric W. Scott)
Bryan Watkins "Huge Country And Western Hits" (Hadley Records, 1979) (LP)
Bryan Watkins "I'm Just Country!" (Hadley Records, 1984) (LP)
Les Watts "Driftin' With Les Watts" (Sounds Like Sounds Studio, 19--?) (LP)
Indie twang from the Australian city of Dubbo, New South Wales, with vocals and guitar by Les Watts, accompanied on all other instruments by Cass Gascoingne. The repertoire is a mix of cover songs and Aussie originals, with new tunes credited to Cass Gascoingne, Mike McClellan and John Snelling, and the cover songs including hits such as "Bed Of Roses," "Behind Closed Doors," "Good Hearted Woman" and a Buck Owens medley. The album's last track, "With The Ring," is a duet with Louise Zell. No date on the disc, but it kind of has an early 'Eighties vibe...
Les Watts "A Touch Of Country" (Hadley Records, 1985-?) (LP)
I'm not sure which of these albums came first, but am guessing this one was later, since here he's got a full band behind him...
The Wild Colonials "Euabalong Ball" (EMI Records, 1971)
The lone album by this "bush dance" folk band out of Sydney, which featured banjo whiz Chris Dufy, as well as Dave de Hugard on accordion and fiddle, Jacko Kevans (accordion), Tom Rummery (bass and concertina), Brad Tate (mandolin) and Sandra Tate on guitar.
Buddy Williams -- see artist profile
Buddy Williams/Harold Williams/ Kaye Williams "A Family Affair" (RCA Records, 19--?) (LP)
Not exactly sure what year this album came out, but it was probably sometime around 1970, if not a bit earlier. That's when country legend Buddy Williams helped launch his kids, Harold Williams and Kaye Williams, on their solo careers... Harold Williams did better than his sister, recording about a half dozen albums, including this one made with their pop, and a duet album with Kaye. She also recorded a solo album, though seems to have left show biz after a short stint on the RCA label.
Harold Williams "Harold Williams Sings Australian Country" (RCA Records, 197--?) (LP)
Harold Williams "Young Man About The Country" (RCA-Camden, 1970) (LP)
(Produced by Ron Wills)
Harold Williams "Heartline Special" (RCA Records, 1973) (LP)
(Produced by Ron Wills)
Harold Williams "Me And Cheryl McGraw" (Hadley Records, 1984-?) (LP)
Harold Williams & Kaye Williams "On Their Own" (RCA Records, 197--?) (LP)
Kaye Williams "Just Between The Two Of Us" (RCA-Camden Records, 1970) (LP)
(Produced by Ron Wills)
