Titles tagged with ‘Sounds of Australia’
63 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year prev 1 2 next
1890s
The Hen Convention music – 1897
The oldest surviving Australian sound recording is a novelty song featuring chicken impersonations.
The Cambridge Anthropological Expedition to the Torres Strait music – 1898
Yamaz Sibarud is a traditional song performed by ‘Maino of Yam’, recorded during an anthropological expedition to the Torres Strait in 1898.
Fanny Cochrane Smith’s Tasmanian Aboriginal Songs music – 1899
These are the earliest recordings of traditional Tasmanian Aboriginal songs and language.
1900s
Chant Vénitien music – 1904
This is an early surviving commercial recording made by international opera star Nellie Melba in her London home in 1904.
1910s
My South Polar Expedition spoken word – 1910
Sir Ernest Shackleton tells how the loss of a pony affected his attempt to reach the South Pole in 1908.
The Landing of the Australian Troops in Egypt historical – c1916
A short commercial recording dramatising the Australian troops arriving in Egypt, before Gallipoli.
Country Gardens music – 1919
A pianola version of Percy Grainger’s ‘Country Gardens’ performed by the composer.
1920s
The Sailors spoken word – 1927
A theatrical comedy routine by vaudeville performers Stiffy (Nat Phillips) and Mo (Roy Rene) recorded in 1927.
Hinkler’s Message to Australia; Incidents of My Flight spoken word – 1928
‘Now I want to tell you a few things about flying …’
1930s
The 1930 Australian XI: Winners of the Ashes spoken word – 1930
Members of the victorious 1930 Australian cricket team talk about the Ashes winning tour.
Along the Road to Gundagai music – 1931
This is a famous recording of one of Australia’s most popular songs.
Wrap Me Up With My Stockwhip and Blanket music – 1936
New Zealand-born Tex Morton created an awareness that country and western music could be an Australian form as much as it was an American form.
Dad and Dave from Snake Gully – Episode 1 radio – 1937
The first episode of the long-running Dad and Dave radio show from 1937.
Aeroplane Jelly Song advertisement – 1938
The most famous recording of the ‘I Like Aeroplane Jelly’ jingle.
Give a Little Credit to your Dad; Lonesome for You, Mother Dear music – 1939
Two songs by then unknown country singer Buddy Williams, recorded in 1939.
Menzies Speech: Declaration of War radio – 1939
The announcement by Prime Minister Menzies in 1939 that because Great Britain has declared war upon Germany, Australia is also at war.
1940s
Curtin Speech: Japan Enters Second World War radio – 1941
In a broadcast to the nation, Prime Minister John Curtin announces that Australia is now at war with Japan.
Ken Howard Calls the Melbourne Cup radio – 1941
A 1941 recording of famous sports broadcaster Ken Howard calling the Melbourne Cup.
Dame Enid Lyons: Maiden Speech radio – 1943
Enid Lyons, the first woman elected to the House of Representatives in Australia’s federal parliament, reads her maiden speech for radio broadcast.
Majestic Fanfare music – 1943
The original 1943 recording of the ABC’s much loved ‘Majestic Fanfare’, used in various forms since 1952 to introduce news broadcasts.
Senator Dorothy Tangney: Maiden Speech radio – 1944
A recording of the first woman elected to the Australian Senate reading her maiden speech.
Swanston St Shamble; Two Day Jag music – 1944
The first published recordings of Graeme Bell’s Dixieland Band made in Melbourne in 1944.
Theme From ‘Blue Hills’ radio – 1949
This is the theme from the long-running ABC radio serial Blue Hills (1949–76).
1950s
Corroboree music – 1950
Incorporating Indigenous themes, this Australian orchestral work achieved international recognition.
Maranoa Lullaby music – 1950
Harold Blair was the first Aboriginal Australian to achieve recognition as a classical singer.
Jack Luscombe music – 1953
An oral history containing the first recorded collection of Australian folk song.
Tribal Music of Australia music – 1953
These are the first commercially available recordings of Australian Aboriginal music.
Smoky Dawson and the Singing Bullet radio – 1955
Smoky Dawson rescues his young friend Billy from two villains in this classic episode of the Smoky Dawson radio show.
A Pub With No Beer music – 1957
Slim Dusty’s original recording from 1957 of one of his most famous songs.
My Country spoken word – 1958
Dorothea Mackellar, aged about 73, reads her most famous poem, 'My Country’.
Happy Little Vegemites advertisement – 1959
A radio jingle set to a marching tune promoting Vegemite, an Australian yeast spread.
1960s
Georgia Lee Sings the Blues Down Under music – 1962
Georgia Lee was the first Indigenous Australian female singer to release an album. This was also the first Australian album to be recorded in stereo.
Pick a Box – Episode 170 television program – 1963
An episode of the classic quiz show featuring celebrity contestant Barry Jones, who later became a state and federal member of parliament.
I’ll Never Find Another You music – 1964
A 1964 song by The Seekers, written and produced by Tom Springfield, which became the first million-selling record by an Australian band.
Friday on My Mind music – 1966
‘Friday on My Mind’ was the first international pop hit by an Australian band, and a landmark in the distinguished career of songwriting team Harry Vanda and George Young.
In the Head the Fire radio – 1966
This radiophonic piece written by composer Nigel Butterley in 1966 won the prestigious Prix Italia and set a benchmark for radio in Australia.
Irkanda IV music – 1967
This is a 1967 recording of the first major work by leading Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe.
Bird and Animal Calls of Australia environmental – 1968
Extraordinary sounds of Australian wildlife.
Lionel Rose Wins the World Title radio – 1968
In this radio broadcast from 1968, we hear Indigenous Australian boxer Lionel Rose declared a world champion.
1970s
Eagle Rock music – 1971
Dancing the Eagle Rock was one of Australia’s favourite pastimes in the early seventies and it still is today.
Just the Beginning music – 1971
'Just the Beginning’ was the first Australian jazz recording to earn a gold record for sales.
I Am Woman music – 1972
‘I am Woman’ by Helen Reddy was a worldwide hit and the first song by an Australian artist or composer to reach number one in America.
Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy) music – 1972
The song ‘Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy)’ saw the coming of age of Australian rock music.
The Loner music – 1973
‘The Loner’ by Vic Simms is regarded as Australia’s great lost classic album of Aboriginal protest songs.
Sydney Opera House Opening Concert music – 1973
A magical night in the history of Australian music: the first official concert in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.
Cyclone Tracy radio – 1974
Journalist Mike Hayes describes the trauma experienced by the people of Darwin post-Cyclone Tracy, 1974.
