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Steve Tallis
I've been familiar with Tallis' work over a couple of decades, so to me the main interest is the first two CDs of early recordings, which include tapes of live gigs - Steve taped almost every gig - which have not been released for general release or issued in such small numbers they never were sighted on the east coast. Thus these early recordings are eminently collectible. In terms of music, Tallis' music has been drenched in blues and blues-rock related genres. His early bands were traditional blues bands but as he grew older, Steve has incorporated blues into his own recordings and compositions to such an extent his music, while still having a blues base, has extended into different directions, without losing sight of his early influences. Today his music is less easily describable, with Tallis using unusual rhythms and instruments to become more well known among world music enthusiasts, rather than just blues' fans. I had the opportunity to interview Steve about the process of putting the project together.
The 8 CD set is housed in two double jewel cases holding 4 cds each, encased in a heavy card box. Accompanying the set are extensive notes in a 48 page booklet which includes colour photographs. The liner notes were compiled by Steve and many musicians were asked to make a few comments about working and playing with Tallis in many of the bands he has formed since 1962. These provide a fascinating insight in the world of Steve Tallis and give the reader a wonderful sense of the project. With my interest in family history, it's inspiring to see such a detailed account documented for future research - therešs photos of various incarnations of Tallis' bands during the past four decades. Thus for the collector this project is an obvious item to be collected, given the nature of the product and the unusualness of the presentation. Be quick for there are only 100 manufactured! Contact Steve at PO Box 8327 PBC, 6849, mobile 0411 559264, email to reserve your copy: s.tallis@cowan.edu.au or visit his website: www.stevetallis.com. Price $99 inc postage. Also for the first 25 purchasers there are some freebies: copies (vinyl) of the 7 inch - ALEXANDER MONKEY / CINEMA MASQUERADE, 7 inch - A WOMAN IS A SECRET / DRUNK, 12 inch - SCARECROW / DESIRE / 3 TIMES 100 DOZEN MOONS. Previous
columns Chris Spencer is author of the "Who's Who of Australian Rock'. He can be contacted through Moonlight Publishing. |
This
month I'm going to focus on one of the most ambitious CD box sets
ever undertaken by an Australian musician, Steve Tallis' 8 CD box
set, The Sacred Path of the Fried Egg - Anthology Volume One. Initially
I would have got a chuckle out of Tallis' humour in describing it
as volume 1, but after checking out the goods, I sincerely believe
he will produce a 2nd box set before the end of his lifetime! Box
sets in Australia are a rare item. Few bands have had the longevity
or extent of work to be afforded a box set of re-issues, either
for the collector market or for the consummate fan who must collect
everything a band issues. So for company Tallis has AC/DC, Skyhooks,
The Angels, INXS, Split Enz, Johnny OšKeefe and The Birthday Party
- all household names. Tallis is not in the same league as those
bands but given the preparation, thought and dedication that Tallis
has put into this project - without the aid of supportive record
company - he deserves to be.
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