Southern Songs by Allister Thompson

When I was a teen in late 80s/early 90s Southern Ontario, Canada, I started to learn guitar and became obsessed with music instead of typical Canadian boy pursuits like hockey. Seeking a "home", musically, I listened to music from everywhere, in every genre. Canadian music was fine, but it wasn't until I heard a band called The Church that something clicked. Not only this band's sound and vibe, but it also served as a gateway to the music of places far, far away yet somehow musical cultures where I felt right at home. The Church led to the Go-Betweens and more; my expanding worldview led me to Midnight Oil and Indigneous singer-songwriters like Roach and Carmody. My interest in folk-rock was sated by Weddings Parties Anything.

I can't say exactly what it was about the music of Australia and New Zealand, whether it's a toughness of mind and spirit or distinct sounds and approaches developed far from New York and London, but there's no question much of my favourite music is the product of these southern lands.

So I decided to pay homage to this music from my formative years that so inspired me by recording a selection of my favourites. If you are an admirer of one or more of these songs, I hope you find something to enjoy in these arrangements and performances.

VIDEO for "Like This Train"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ0BYJZbhzc

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Australia, New Zealand and Canada were founded on stolen land, one of the darker and more tragic things our countries have in common. This land has witnessed its own history of oppression; we have our own "Stolen Generations." I acknowledge "Southern Songs" was recorded on the territory of the Anishinaabeg peoples and within the lands protected by the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.

Tracklist

1.	Wide Open Road (originally by The Triffids, 1986)	3:59

2.	Great Southern Land (originally by Icehouse, 1982)	5:27

3.	Almost With You (originally by The Church, 1982)	5:10

4.	I've Got a Plan (originally by My Friend the Chocolate Cake, 1994)	3:15

5.	Afternoon in Bed (originally by The Bats, 1995)	3:55

6.	Pillars of Society (originally by Kev Carmody, 1988)	4:25

7.	Like This Train (originally by The Mutton Birds, 1996)	4:17

8.	Six Months in a Leaky Boat (originally by Split Enz, 1982)	4:53

9.	Holy Grail (originally by Hunters and Collectors, 1992)	3:35

10.	Spring Rain (originally by The Go-Betweens, 1986)	4:16

11.	Forgotten Years (originally by Midnight Oil, 1990)	4:50

12.	Away Away (originally by Weddings Parties Anything, 1987)	3:50

13.	Summer of My Life (originally by Archie Roach, 1990)	4:27

Credits

released August 2, 2022

Everything played and sung by Allister

See song pages for publishing info.
All songs have been licensed.

This album is dedicated to Archie Roach (1956-2022)

ARTISTS COVERED:
The Triffids/Icehouse/The Church/My Friend the Chocolate Cake/The Bats/Kev Carmody/The Mutton Birds/Split Enz/Hunters and Collectors/The Go-Betweens/Midnight Oil/Weddings Parties Anything/Archie Roach

License