Transcript 08/07/1999 Musical resurrection for Australia's first indigenous pop star MAXINE MCKEW: In an industry more noted for hype than modesty, veteran singer Jimmy Little is indeed a breath of fresh air. His gentle nature is only matched by an equally gentle voice -- an elegant and understated instrument that stamps his songs with a rare intimacy. In 1963, he became Australia's first Aboriginal pop star when 'Royal Telephone' soared to the top of the charts. It was an achievement which helped, to some extent, break down many of the racial barriers of that era. Unfortunately, Jimmy Little couldn't capitalise on that initial success. But he's back with a vengeance after more than 30 years in the musical wilderness. Lindy Kerin reports: JIMMY LITTLE: Some of you know my face, some of you know my name and most of you couldn't care less. Thank you very much. * I think about this loveless fascination * under the Milky Way tonight.* JIMMY LITTLE: I'm the first indigenous country artist in the world, not just Australia, in the world. JIMMY LITTLE: (Sings) * Might have known what you would find under the Milky Way tonight.* BRUCE ELDER, MUSIC CRITIC: I think that Australia as a whole has an enormous affection for Jimmy Little. It is a triumph of the spirit, it is a triumph of somebody against quite extraordinary odds. JIMMY LITTLE: (Sings) * I never wanted to be in Quasimodo's dream.* LINDY KERIN: After 35 years Jimmy Little, the singer whose voice has been likened to velvet is back. ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: What a pleasure it is to welcome back to Bandstand Jimmy Little. This is his new one for Festival. JIMMY LITTLE: (Sings) * Telephone to glory, oh what joy divine.* LINDY KERIN: Back in 1963, 'Royal Telephone' propelled the young man from a mission on the Murray River into the spotlight and to the top five of the charts for 18 weeks. JIMMY LITTLE: * This Royal Telephone * LINDY KERIN: He was the country's first indigenous pop star before he was even counted as an Australian citizen. But Jimmy Little says he never let the racial divisions hold him back. JIMMY LITTLE: I never felt the real harsh brunt of total racism. It may have been on the sideline of my path, but never in front of me to obstruct my view or my intention to go forward. ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: The song's a smash and earns Jimmy two gold records. LINDY KERIN: While he continued recording, Jimmy Little's days at the top didn't last. Over the years he survived by touring the country music circuit, singing in clubs and pubs and taking roles in a number of independent films. MOVIE FOOTAGE: Here I have everything. Solitude. LINDY KERIN: But he never saw any of this as a step backwards. JIMMY LITTLE: It takes an attitude to either go through the door, around it, over the top or underneath it and I've never seen barriers strong enough to hold me back. I knew he was there somewhere. LINDY KERIN: After 17 years without a recording contract Jimmy Little's music career had stalled. Then three years ago, musician and producer Brendan Gallagher saw him perform at a Sydney pub and was overwhelmed. BRENDAN GALLAGHER, PRODUCER: And when I walked in there was Jimmy Little, sitting on a stool in a red jacket with a guitar playing and I knew pretty much instantaneously who it was because I remember him from when I was a kid and I heard the voice, saw the face, and I thought "That's Jimmy Little" LINDY KERIN: Brendan Gallagher felt that songs by a new generation of Australian songwriters, like Paul Kelly, Neil Finn and Nick Cave, could help reignite Jimmy Little's career. BRENDAN GALLAGHER: I didn't want to introduce Jimmy to an audience that had never heard him. The other thing was if you're going to get the attention of the X-Generation you give them an X-Generation song book. JIMMY LITTLE: (Sings) * Blow away, blow away down below away.* LINDY KERIN: Jimmy Little has put his own stamp on the song book in a new album 'The Messenger'. JIMMY LITTLE: (Sings) *.until you fall apart.* BRUCE ELDER: Hey, this is a really extraordinary album. This man has always had this talent and suddenly or once again we focus our attention on somebody who really is a significant part of our musical cultural landscape. LINDY KERIN: Paul Kelly, acclaimed as one of Australia's greatest singers and songwriters, says Jimmy Little has given a new life to one of his early songs 'Randwick Bells'. PAUL KELLY, SINGER/SONGWRITER: (Sings) * 'Randwick Bells' are ringing , must be Saturday.* PAUL KELLY: He's added a real sweet soulfulness to it, I think, and he's kind of somehow he's held the song back, like he holds this word in the chorus back which just actually makes the song sing a bit more. He's made the song sing. JIMMY LITTLE: (Sings) *'Randwick Bells' are ringing, must be Saturday.* JIMMY LITTLE: There's different factors in a song that are little hooks, they get under your skin. Oh, gee that's good, it gives you goosebumps. So in a way I look for goosebumps in a song. JIMMY LITTLE: (Sings) * Going to rise up singing, going to rise up singing, Randwick Bells'.* LINDY KERIN: The new album may give Jimmy Little the recognition so many say he deserves. I just want to enjoy every moment of what I get an opportunity to do, but for the moment I'm on the crest of a wave called Messenger and I want to ride it right to the shore. ------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/
