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The Wayside Ballads Vol 1 (2015)

by Bill Jackson

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Bill Jackson has firmly established himself over the past few years as one of Australia’s finest Singer/Songwriters. His last record ‘Jerilderie’ was enthusiastically received in the marketplace, so much so that the song ‘Something in Blue’ was covered and released on legendary Americana songwriter David Olney’s most recent album ‘When the Deal Goes Down’.
    The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘Wayside’ as the edge of the road, figuratively meaning to be set aside or discarded. The Jackson brothers songs have been described as topical, historical and most things in between, populated by characters outside of the mainstream – in many ways somewhat extraordinarily ordinary but always real. Rather than have them fall off the edge they wrote these Ballads to give them a voice and a history.
    The songs making up The Wayside Ballads Vol 1 were handed over to Melbourne musician and producer, Shannon Bourne early in 2014 with a view to making a record that was more electric, eclectic and rocking than Bill Jackson's previous outings. He last worked with Shannon on ‘Diggin’ the Roots’ (2006) and had great respect for him not only as a musician but also as a person who listened widely and who had an instinctive appreciation for the lyric in a song. Shannon continually challenged his pre-conceptions of the songs on this record. As a consequence they were essentially recorded ‘live’ over two days to capture ten performances from a band that had never rehearsed or played together before.
    The other common link on this record was Pete Fidler, Jackson's constant musical companion since 2008. A beautiful musician, Fidler showcased his electric roots and brilliance in a side of him that people rarely get to see. The rhythm section of Dean Addison and Roger Bergodaz was recommended by Bourne and proved to be the perfect foil for this group of songs, both being brilliant and creative musicians in their own right

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Wayside Ballads Vol 1 (2015) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 11 Bill Jackson releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of 1965, The Kelly Songs (Bill Jackson - 2023), The Wayside Ballads Vol 3 (2021), The Wayside Ballads Vol 2 (2016), The Wayside Ballads Vol 1 (2015), Try / Somebody's Darlin' - (Single from 'The Wayside Ballads Vol 1' - Bill Jackson), Jerilderie (2011), The Nashville Session (2010), and 3 more. , and , .

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1.
Try 04:10
Try The gas hub in the Kimberley, dead whales in the Southern Seas Blood on the Gaza strip, Refugees and one-up-man ship Razor wire detention Indigi interventions Baby seals and coral reefs banning bombs and cigarettes Children in custody shame on my country Oil spewing out of broken ships lies spewing over leaders lips The planets getting warmer and we just keep on warring The Daily News has got us confused We’re drowning in lies truth and surmise Because it all comes down to dollars and cents And of the ninety-nine percent who struggle for rent They try and they try and they try Lost touch politicians making’ piss poor decisions Africa’s still got nothing’ to eat war rages in the desert heat For the cost of one missile they’d be full bellies and wide smiles The Evening News is just a dose of the blues We’re drowning in lies truth and surmise Because it all comes down to dollars and cents And of the ninety-nine percent who struggle for rent They try and they try and they try Tsunamis and earthquakes gun laws forsaken Species disappearing genetic engineering Rorting by banker’s celebrity wankers If I’m sounding confused its because I’m confused We’re drowning in lies truth and surmise Because it all comes down to dollars and cents And of the ninety-nine percent who struggle for rent They try and they try and they try
2.
Wattle On The Wind There comes a time in every man’s life When nothing comes easy and nothing feels right You call on your strength but it isn’t enough You start to sink the weather’s too rough But you hold on tight lean on who you can Battle it through till you’re strong again Then the springtime comes like an old friend Warmth of the sunshine and Wattle on the Wind There comes a day or maybe a night You know it’s wrong when it all seems so right You take a chance and pray you won’t fall It ends up all broken at the risk of it all You sit down in wonder try to work it all through Come up with the deal the problem was you Gippsland blue sky sun’s shining again With the sweet smell of Wattle on the Wind There came a letter from across the sea He knew by the hand just who it would be It said she loved him she needed to know Before she packed up and got ready to go If he felt the same way send the news by mail She’d be on the next ship ready to sail She missed the sun and she missed him She missed the sweet smell of Wattle on the Wind
3.
Somebody’s Darlin’ I’ve spent a lifetime watchin’ out for most things I couldn’t see Spent my whole life tryin’ to be somethin’ and not me It’s a simple revelation that I’m free to be myself Than to be Somebody’s Darlin’ tryin’ to be somebody else It’s a sharp left at the back road down my lonely highway Where I’ve squandered and wandered long nights and days Lookin’ at that misty rainbow wonderin’ where it hides it’s gold Where you’re Somebody’s Darlin’ Somebody’s Darlin’ And love ain’t bought and sold Pull back on this chestnut mare let her rest in a cloud of dust We’re all cowboys in a playground shootin’ straight for love and trust If you’ll only take a moment to look inside my soul I’m still tryin’ to be Somebody’s Darlin Somebody’s Darlin’ Somebody’s Darlin’ and that’s the way I roll…
4.
Lucky When I Left Well people often ask me what makes my heart rock I don’t have to answer…I just pick up this ‘racket box’ And I think about the hunger I think about the pain I think about the melting’ snow I think about acid rain And oh I think about Mona and how she stepped that step I got lucky when I found her she got lucky when I left Lately I been feelin’ like I’m ridin’ on a train Speedin’ through the darkness…tied to a ball and chain So I look for consolation and lessons I have learned Try and keep it simple Keep from getting burned Oh and I think about Bobby and how he talked that talk I got lucky when I found him he changed the way I walk It’s a drag to be in prison walkin’ down the street Heading North, feeling South shufflin’ to some beat I got snare drums to the left of me I got cymbals to the right I got Karma crashin’ in my head and Mona’s gone tonight And oh I think about Mona and how she stepped that step I got lucky when I found her she got lucky when I left
5.
Kate’s Pretty Green Dress You wore that black that sad sad black To remind you of what you cant get back Days and nights in that mourning dress For those who died by the Glenrowan track Fall to those knees those pretty knees Dan is dead so beg pretty please You put on that dress that pretty green dress To plead for the life of your brother Ned Your brother Ned your brother Ned To plead for the life of your brother Ned She’s there and gone she’s all on her own With her heart in pieces and a cold wind moan In a Wild West show she’ll ride tomorrow Far from Greta where the bitterness still grows So close those eyes those pretty blue eyes No more tomorrows no more disguise Dress her in that dress that pretty green dress And drown her sorrow in that river of lies River of lies cold lies Drown her sorrow in that river of lies
6.
Silver Bullet He did not see it comin’ lord it shot out of the blue That old silver bullet travelled straight and true He did not see the signposts lord it skidded out of control That old silver bullet it just dropped him cold But I guess that’s what happens in the dimness of the dawn Tippin’ back the bottle ‘til all the whisky is gone He did not see the sorrow it was written all over her face That old silver bullet rarely leaves any trace But I guess that’s what happens in the eye of the storm When you’re blinded by love spent till it’s all gone He did not hear the whistle or the bomb drop yesterday That old silver bullet don’t give you time to pray But he did not see it comin’ lord it shot out of the blue That old silver bullet and the bullseye was you But I guess that’s what happens in the dimness of the dawn Tippin’ back the bottle ‘til all the whisky is gone Yeah I guess that’s what happens in the dimness of the dawn Tippin’ back the bottle ‘til all the whisky is gone
7.
They Were Never Here When the pipes droned down Maggie’s Glen Decent folk never spoke of such things All was quite and hush about the killing raids Carried out by the Highland Brigade They were never here they were never here By the grace of God they disappeared The ghost gums stand still in the Haunted Hills And it’s as if they were never here Out at Bushy Park in the Laird’s homestead Angus McMillan never mourned the black dead Down at Maffra and by Butcher’s Creek Around Bony Point their spirits still speak They were never here they were never here By the grace of God they disappeared Like saying there’s no sing in a cruel October wind And it’s as if they were never here In the Gippsland winter of eighteen forty three They rode for revenge on a murderous spree Infants and women the wild and the meek Made the water run red at Warrigal Creek They were never here they were never here By the grace of God they disappeared We struck their head in bold on the two-dollar gold And it’s as if they were never here
8.
9.
The Last Buccaneer The storm wind sings in the riggin’ so shorten sail and run for the coast We need to find shelter before everything is lost Hang it high on the mainstay there’s a pirate and rascal around Try and stay out of his way cause he’ll just try to bring us aground He’s running rifles and rum - Queensland sugar cane slaves The Southern Seas aren’t safe from that Yankee Bully Hayes Talkin’ about a real bastard here - Bully Hayes, the last Buccaneer In New Zealand and Australia he’s a wanted man amongst men And in the ports of Oceania he’s wanted all over again ‘Cause Bully loves the women and then he sails away Gives them treasures and freedom once he’s had his way He needs swingin' off a yard arm after the cat has cut it’s stripes For all of the pain and the harm and all the sin that’s stained his nights Talkin’ about a real bastard here - Bully Hayes, the last Buccaneer Instrumental He’s runnin’ rifles and rum - Queensland sugar cane slaves The Southern Seas aren’t safe from that Yankee Bully Hayes Talkin’ about a real bastard here - Bully Hayes, the last Buccaneer Don’t ever imagine him lonesomei n the hearts of men he strikes fear He’s callous, polite and loathsome - Bully Hayes the last buccaneer Talkin’ about a real bastard here - Bully Hayes, the last Buccaneer
10.
When the Whisky Runs Out The news came on down through word of mouth She was headin’ up North he was stayin’ down South Listen outside to the hard wind cry And the wild dogs howlin’ at the cold slate sky The cruel winter wind cut through the plains Swept down from the hills with howlin’ rain Cried around the house lashed the window frames Squeezed through the joints like a dull achin’ pain Cuddle me closer tell me some lies Fuel up the fire and watch the old flame die The old hound dog shivered and there seemed no doubt Of bleak days ahead when the whisky runs out The news came down through words that hung Like posters on trees of the gossips tongue Spread by the magpie who gargled the sun In the early mornin’ before the day had begun The cruel winter wind tore through my clothes Lashed at my face till the river froze The ghost gums stood in a silent pose At the frozen sunset as the cold moon rose Cuddle me closer tell me some lies Fuel up the fire and watch the old flame die The old hound dog shivered and there seemed no doubt Of bleak days ahead when the whisky runs out

about

SONG NOTES - ‘The Wayside Ballads Vol 1’

TRY
Information travels fast these days. So much is going on and so many good, hardworking people are trying to stem the tide of so many things that are at risk. The party goes on against a backdrop of confusion. This was written against the backdrop of the ‘Occupy’ movement.

WATTLE ON THE WIND
A tale of love, change and redemption set against the changing Australian landscape. We figured it was time that the wattle made its way into our musical psyche. It is pretty brilliant when it reappears – like someone you love.

SOMEBODY”S DARLIN’
I guess everybody wants to be ‘Somebody’s Darlin’ – we live in insecure times and more than ever people are lost in a search for self-worth, where self-image is challenged at every turn – ‘ …lookin’ at that misty rainbow wonderin’ where it hides it’s soul’.

LUCKY WHEN I LEFT
Recorded for ‘Diggin’ the Roots’ (2006) I have always wanted to reprise this tale of mistaken love set against the angst and paranoia of life in the modern world as we know it. It also gave me a chance to reference and give a nod to Bob.

KATE’S PRETTY GREEN DRESS
Following Ned Kelly’s arrest, his younger sister Kate would often attempt to visit him in prison, as well as raising money for legal fees. She joined the Society for the Abolition of Capital Punishment, which campaigned for Ned's death sentence to be changed. Too much to write about here but it was an interesting life she had post Glenrowan – read about it!

SILVER BULLET
Definition of SILVER BULLET: Something that acts as a magical weapon, especially one that instantly solves a long-standing problem. But hey for The Lone Ranger it got the bad guys as it does the protagonist in this love gone wrong song.

THEY WERE NEVER HERE
I spent a lot of time around the Angus McMillan homestead at Bushy Park when I was a teenager. McMillan (1810 – 1865) was an explorer and pioneer pastoralist in Gippsland, Victoria. History has shown him in a different light and is he is now often referred to as the ‘Butcher of Gippsland’, due to his involvement in massacres of the local indigenous population.

JUDGEMENT DAY
A tale of love and revenge. It’s how you think when you feel you have been ‘done wrong’. ‘I’m a Witness for the Crown come Judgement Day / You’ll be taken on Down on Judgement Day / In your river of sin you’ll drown come Judgement Day…’

THE LAST BUCCANEER
Throughout his restless voyages for a quarter of a century in the South Seas, William Henry (‘Bully’) Hayes was constantly "exposed" in newspapers on every Pacific shore as a rogue, villain, cheat, swindler, barrater, buccaneer, bilker, bigamist, freebooter, polygamist, seducer, murderer, pirate, slave-trader, robber, rapist, hooligan and bully – Say no more…

WHEN THE WHISKY RUNS OUT
A series of images around the Australian landscape that reflect the coldness of personal betrayal. Winter is never a good time to fall out of love but then again – there is always whisky.

credits

released June 1, 2015

The Wayside Ballads Vol 1 – The Band

Bill Jackson (Vocals/Acoustic Guitar)
Pete Fidler (Lap Steel/Electric Guitar/Dobro/Mandolin)
Shannon Bourne (Electric Guitars/Acoustic Guitar/Piano/ Bass/Backing Vocals)
Dean Addison (Upright Bass)
Roger Bergodaz (Drums)

*Special Thanks to Ruth Hazleton for Accordion on ‘Kate’s Pretty Green Dress’

The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘Wayside’ as the edge of the road, figuratively meaning to be set aside or discarded. Well our songs have been described as topical, historical and most things in between, populated by characters outside of the mainstream – in many ways somewhat extraordinarily ordinary but always real. Rather than have them fall off the edge we wrote these Ballads to give them a voice and a history.
My brother Ross and I have been writing a lot since ‘Jerilderie’ (2011), as well as before and during that recording. Volumes 2 and 3 shall surface in due course to represent a body of work that we feel compelled to release somewhat as a ‘whole’. We have succumbed to a never-ending love for the process and Ross is a constant source of inspiration to me. The songs on this record were handed over to Melbourne musician/producer, Shannon Bourne early in 2014 with a view to making a record that was more electric, eclectic and rocking than the previous few. I had last worked with Shannon on ‘Diggin’ the Roots’ (2006) and had great respect for him not only as a musician with an eclectic taste but also as someone who had an instinctive appreciation for the lyric and feel in a song. He continually challenged my pre-conceptions of the songs on this record during ‘around the table’ acoustic sessions and conversation. As a consequence they were essentially recorded ‘live’ over two days to capture ten performances from a band that had never rehearsed or played together before. The other common link on this record was Pete Fidler, my constant musical companion since 2006. We have travelled a long road together. A musician’s musician, Pete got to showcase his electric roots and brilliance in a side of him that people rarely get to see. The rhythm section of Dean Addison and Roger Bergodaz was recommended by Shannon and proved to be the perfect foil for this group of songs, both being brilliant and creative musicians in their own right. To all of our families and friends - thank you, enjoy and turn it up! - In so many ways ‘The Wayside Ballads Vol 1’ is a defining intersection between what I have been and who I am - B.J. 2015
Engineered and Mixed by Roger Bergodaz at Tendertrap Studios (Melbourne, Australia) July/November 2014
Mastered by Adam Dempsey at Deluxe Mastering (Melbourne, Australia)
Cover Drawing: ‘Adam and Eve on Tour’ by Peter Cole
Photography: Deb Le Cerf
Design: Deb Le Cerf / Colin Suggett

Produced by Shannon Bourne
All Songs by Bill Jackson/Ross Jackson except ‘Try’ (Bill Jackson/Ross Jackson/Ruth Hazleton), ‘Lucky When I Left’ (Bill Jackson/Ross Jackson/Andrew Denholm) and ‘Judgement Day’ (Bill Jackson/Ross Jackson/Nick Charles).

© billjacksonmusic 2015

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Bill Jackson Melbourne, Australia

'His songs are gritty and real and come at you like a hammer, ringin' in the mornin'. Take it or leave it, he's telling it straight up' (Shane Howard)

' Take a chance and listen to some Roots Music that cuts across Borders...' (Keith Glass)

‘We heard Bill Jackson for the first time at the Unpaved Sessions earlier in the year and he’s up there with Paul Kelly’ (The Melbourne Folk Club)
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