John Williamson is without question, an Australian icon. His voice and sound are as recognisable and important to Australia, as the Southern Cross is to the flag. How do you sum up an artist who has captured a country in song, released 48 albums and earned the longevity of such a career as Williamson?
A Hell Of A Career, featuring 44 songs over two CD’s will be released on Friday 19 July to celebrate his illustrious career. A true statement of Williamson’s love of Australia, the collection will feature fan favourites including Old Man Emu, True Blue, Mallee Boy, Galleries of Pink Galahs, Raining on the Rock, Rip Rip Woodchip, Papa Whisky November, Three Sons, Salisbury Street, Flower on the Water and The Big Red.
The double CD will also include a never-released before studio version of Island of Oceans plus live recordings of Hang My Hat In Queensland, Prairie Hotel Parachilna and Rescue Me all of which were recorded with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House in 2010.
To coincide with the release, Warner Music Australia will digitally re-release Williams’ studio albums including Mallee Boy, Boomerang Café, Warragul, JW’s Family Album, Waratah St, Mulga to Mangoes, Family Album No.2, Pipe Dream, The Way it Is, Gunyah, Chandelier of Stars, Hillbilly Road plus the stunning In Symphony live album with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. These will also be available physically in stores over the next three months.
An ARIA Hall Of Fame member, Williamson has sold more than four million albums in Australia alone, won three ARIA awards, four APRA awards and a staggering 24 Golden Guitar Awards. On Australia Day in 1992, Williamson was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) "for service to Australian country music and in stimulating awareness of conservation issues".
After forty-three years in the music industry, touring continuously, Williamson’s career is stronger than ever and he is still writing and recording new songs. But during this time he has shunned celebrity and resisted offers to take his music to the international stage, preferring to stay true to his passion: Australia.
Williamson is not only an artist of unbelievable musical poetry, but a man of integrity. He has always stood firm to his own beliefs and his courage of conviction, regardless of the outcome and without regrets. He is truly proud of his country and stands and sings tall with each note.
This is John Williamson, with A Hell Of A Career!
Sample Tune Hawkesbury River Lovin' : [MP3]http://itscountry.com.au/music/John Williamson 'Hawkesbury River Lovin'.mp3 [/MP3]
A Hell Of A Career track listing:
DISC 1
Old Man Emu
True Blue - 21st Anniversary Version
Hawkesbury River Lovin'
Diggers of the Anzac (This is Gallipoli)
Wrinkles
Queen in the Sport of Kings (Live)
I Can’t Feel Those Chains Any Longer (Live)
Mallee Boy
The Budgie Song
Galleries of Pink Galahs
Raining on the Rock (Live with Warren H Williams)
Cootamundra Wattle
Sail the Nullarbor
Westown
Boomerang Café
Amazing Day
Boogie with M' Baby (Live)
Ancient Mountains
Bill the Cat
Dingo
Goodbye Blinky Bill
DISC 2
Island of Oceans
Rip Rip Woodchip
A Flag of Our Own
A Bushman Can't Survive (Live Orchestra Version)
Wintergreen
Papa Whisky November
Prettiest Girl in the Kimberley (Live Orchestra Version)
Sir Don
Three Sons
A Thousand Feet (with Warren H Williams)
The Baggy Green
Sing You the Outback
Salisbury Street
Glory to Australia (Live)
Chandelier of Stars
Flower on the Water
The Joy Is in the Journey
Hillbilly Road
Cydi
The Big Red
Hang My Hat in Queensland (Live Orchestra Version)
Prairie Hotel Parachilna (Live Orchestra Version)
Rescue Me (Live Orchestra Version)
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