You can find almost anything on the web, so I fully expected to be able to find something on Mike McClellan. However a search using Google came up with very little. Further I checked at my favourite record store in Devonport, Red Hot CD's, to see what was still available in recordings of Mike. If Andrew can't get hold of something then no-one can, but a search for Mike's recordings in the catalogues came up with nothing.
Mike McClellan is one of the best Australian singer-songwriters of the last 30 years and his music doesn't deserve to be neglected. This page I hope will help a little to correct this.
Although I am familiar with his music, having listened to and enjoyed it for many years, I don't know much about Mike himself. He trained as a teacher in Armidale in the 1960's and I believe taught in schools in New South Wales before recording his first album for Col Joye's ATA records in 1972. Col didn't like his new material so he left and recorded his next (and all subsequent albums) with EMI Australia. He worked in the advertising industry in the 1980's. I would appreciate any info on him since then, especially if he has recorded any more albums and whether he still preforms.
Brian Stewart, e-mail: bstewart@tassie.net.au
Mike McClellan (ATA records, 1972)
produced by Mike McClellan, executive producer Col Joye
Blues for Ginny
There is a Place
Love is a Lady
Country morning
Will She Come?
Lonely Man
Some Other Sunrise
The Fiddler
Playing it by Ear
Nursery Rhyme (to my small daughter)
Where will I be Tomorrow?
Susie Get me off This Train
A gem of an album, full of lovely melodies and fine lyrics. "Playing it by Ear" uses the same melody that was later used on "Traces" on the "Ask Any Dancer" album. The unusual track "Susie Get me off this Train" was the single and received a lot of airplay, but I don't think it charted.
Ask Any Dancer (EMI, 1974?)
produced by Rod Coe
Tracks
Song and Dance Man
Come On Up to my Room (Tonight)
Me and Petunia
Rock 'N' Roll Lady
Traces
One Man Band
Another Grey Day
Sinking Ships
Sweet Rollin' Man
One More Song
Saturday Dance
This is the sort of Album that deserves to be featured in the Culture Vulture column in the Weekend Australian Magazine. It is one of the best Australian Albums of the 70's containing 3 tracks that are possibly classics "Song and Dance Man", "Rock 'N' Roll Lady" and "Saturday Dance".
"Until the Song is Done" (EMI 1975)
produced by Rod Coe
Carry Me (Until the Song is Done)
The Gamble
Love Survives
Midnight Flight
Room Service
Now the Rodeo is Gone
Takin' the Tide
Lovers Never Wind up Friends
My Old Guitar and Me
I Had an Old Dog
Sail Tonight
This is the album that first made me a fan of Mike's music, it is possibly his best. "Carry Me" and "The Gamble" are personal favourites. The album was recorded at a time that Mike thought he was about to attempt to make it in America.
An Evening With Mike McClellan - Live (EMI 1977)
produced by Mike McClellan and Martin Benge
Jelly Roll Baker
Saturday Dance
Midnight Flight
The One I Love
Hight Flyin' Bird
Rock 'N' Roll Lady
California Cool
Hot Chilli
You're Gonna Need Someone on Your Bond
Mr. Bojangles
Song and Danceman
A lovely album with just Mike and guitar. It includes a couple of traditional pieces "Jelly Roll Baker" and "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond", some non originals "High Flyin' Bird" and "Mr Bojangles" and a couple of pieces which don't appear on any other albums (to my knowledge) "California Cool" and "Hot Chilli". "The One I Love" was later included on the "Laughing in the Dark" album and that version has become a regular on the Magic 693 (Melbourne) radio play list.
Laughing in the Dark (EMI 1980)
produced by Mike McClellan, executive producers Vanda and Young
Good Companions
Rock'n'roll Man
Lovers and Strangers
Laughing in the Dark
The One I Love
Burning Your Bridges
Hold Tight
I Got Over You (a long long time ago)
Sad Songs
All I've Got is Love
This was released at the time of his Good Companions Australian tour with Doug Ashdown. The only time I ever saw either Mike or Doug live was in the Spring of 1980 in the Great Hall of the University of New England, Armidale. This was a fantastic and memorable concert.
The Heartland (EMI 1989)
produced by Mike (I think)
Murmur of the Heart
The Heartland
Storm out on the Ocean
Sing Me Home Tonight
River of the Night
I Love that Old Rock 'N' Roll
Face to Face
A Fool Like That
Somebody Else
Sacred Ground
Oh Babe
As far as I know Mike's most recent album. Is it that long ago since we've heard from him? It includes that lovely track used as an Ansett Airways commercial "Face to Face"
I also have two singles that contain tracks unavailable on album, both released in 1975. "Change your Ways"/"Midnight Flight" and "California Cool"/"Another Night". The single version of "California Cool" is different to the one that appears on "An Evening With Mike McClellan". According to rock historian Noel McGrath there is another album called "Coming Up for Air" and a single called "Caddie" based on the movie of the same name (which I haven't seen), which came out in the mid 70's. If these actually exist I would love to get hold of a copy.
Brian Stewart, e-mail: bstewart@tassie.net.au