Fresh recordings from the old man himself, Les Round. 96 years and still quality.
Toby Keith (RIP), the songwriter and original performer of “Don’t let the old man in“, took inspiration from a conversation with then 88 year old Clint Eatwood. Keith asked him what he did to keep going and keeping up an intense work ethic? Clint replied, “I just get up in the morning and go out, and I don’t let the old man in.”
An apt title that encapsulates all that can be found on my father, Les Round’s new album. At age 96 it may be expected that the body and mind would prefer to relax a fair bit. In this case? Well he does relax a fair bit more than he used to, but one thing that remains a constant in life is music.
After all, music is seriously glued into the DNA of his life from the earliest days of the 1930’s and a childhood in fruit pickers huts of Sandfly Tasmania. There was always someone pulling out a banjo, guitar, spoons or an accordion and plenty of volunteers for singing as there was little else in entertainment venues anywhere nearby.
Life realised being professionally taught the mandolin around the age of 13, with singing and playing music growing from there including partnering with Don Banks while still teenagers. Don on electric guitar, harmonies and the almost lost art of whistler with dad on lead vocals playing the mandolin and occasional banjo. They had a mighty partnership over many years as the “Harmony Two”, only to stop with Dad heading off to work overseas.
Later years Dad found a calling in Country Music and is still making live appearances including being part of the Country Music Club of Southern Tasmania House Band and doing solo spots from time to time to this day.
An idea was hatched about six months ago to get some fresh tunes down in the studio and a short while later Dad said he had learnt of a guy running a studio in Huonville that might work out. “Huonville?” I asked, slightly incredulous as it is a 45 -60 minute drive from home, mind you a lovely drive at that winding around the base of our local mountain range into the verdant Huon Valley.
A phone call was made, a time booked and the first of many journey’s commenced to the heart of Tasmania’s south to have some fun in the studio with the talented Mike Raine. Sometimes a few side trips were made as Dad’s home country was nearby. A story came out of those musical and family historical explorations and can be found here: Looking forward to looking back
The Songs
Talk about quality and quantity in one. Fifteen tracks of fresh takes on new and older classics. What I especially love is that Dad hasn’t rested on the laurels of his musical past in recording this. Eight tracks are from the 2000’s. He is still enthusiastically finding new gems and writing his own (Times I’ve moved along). I have friends that refuse to listen to any music more recent than 1975. Yet this 96 year old is still very much open to finding more.
Don’t let the old Man In
There is a recurring theme of aging with songs such as the title track Don’t let the old man in, The older I get, Looking forward Looking back, Old Bones, Stops along the way, When did I get old?, I remember everything and Wonderful future. All of them offer an insight into what life becomes as we age with stories and experience multiplying with each year. Is something to be celebrated and sung along to.
Old Bones
There are moments of poignancy and sadness with Flower on the Water originally a song created by John Williamson in memory of the Bali bombing victims which has morphed into one played at many memorials of all different persuasions.
Fun is had with “Cab Driver”, originally made famous by the Mills Brothers who were a huge influence on the harmony style adopted by Dad and his playing partner Don over the years. “Next time I’m in town”, a Mark Knopfler tune regularly used by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash as their concert closer. Dad has done the same here.
Bonus tracks are of Dad and Don Banks as the Harmony Two recorded late 1971 and early 1972 on a portable tape deck with stereo inbuilt mikes out front of stage in the Dr Syntax Hotel live on any Saturday night with MC work by the handsome Geoff Walkley. These recordings demonstrate what two people, a guitar, vocals harmonies and whistling can provide in a big sound which to this day is not like anything else I have ever heard. A uniquely original band.
My favourites? Is difficult to clearly say as there are sixty plus years of happy memories to draw on especially those of Wednesday night rehearsals in our lounge room. One stands out from the pack – Cool Water, in this recording the first two thirds of the song was freshly recorded at the recent session with yours truly on backing vocal of “water”. The track merges into the tail end of the 1972 live recording of Cool Water. Fabulous! Autumn Concerto runs a close second with Talk of the Town.
Cool Water
So people, please dive into this musical wonderland of Dad’s and find Les Round now streaming on sites including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. If mainly Country music isn’t your thing, then think again because the selection is certainly not typical of expectations. Note that there are not any special voice or instrument treatments. What you hear is what was lovingly sung and played with Dad on all lead vocals and rhythm acoustic guitar.
This recording is also in CD. Retailing at $20 we are happy to mail out to wherever you are in Australia at no additional cost. For overseas orders, $25 is the complete cost.
Contact me via email: Chriswillround@gmail.com Message on +61 427 466 248,
Les Round at Roundarnold@gmail.com Message on +61 439 435 207
Autumn Concerto
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