Bill Berry interviewed by Alex and Annette Hood in the Alex Hood folklore collection [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3101883
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Berry, Bill, 1934-, interviewer
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research & personal copies; written permission required for public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 2004 Apr. 19
- 2 digital audio tapes (ca. 124 min.)
- Series:
- Alex Hood folklore collection.
- Summary:
-
Folkloric recording. Bill Berry born in Redcliffe, Qld. in 1934 talks about his family background and how his grandmother was half French and half African; his sister Marie who was a singer in National Opera Company for 15 years; his ability to sing at an early age; his schooling; Herb McClintock and his marriage to sister Marie; the Eureka Youth League; living in Sydney and working; joining the New Theatre and the Unity Singers; meeting Chris Kempster and John Meredith; living with John Meredith for a time, at Heathcote and Meredith's interest in Aboriginal rock art and reptiles; the singing sessions at Heathcote; Brian Loughlin and Jack Barry; the "Ballad of 1891" and songs about bushrangers; 'Reedy River', New Theatre Production; the formation of The West Sydney Singers, under Ken Hanson and their repertoire; forming the 'Granville Rouseabouts' with Jamie Carlin; Cecil Grivas; The Rambleers; Bush Music Club; leaving Sydney for Queensland; 'The Moreton Bay Bushwhackers'; the 'Cavalcade', protesting against the testing of atomic weapons.
Berry speaks about meeting Claire Rudkin, his future wife in the Eureka Youth League; Don Henderson and his inspiration for songs, 'Fivepence a Bottle"; his marriage, children and divorce; his later marriage to artist Hilary Burn; learning songs; Shayna Carlin; Stan Arthur; Roger Holmes; becoming a busker around the Blue Mountains; busking and its problems; meeting Charlie Batchelor at the Bush Music Festival in Sydney; Jacko Kevans; Dave De Hugard and Chris Sullivan; singing in authentic Australian style; Jodie Stecher (an American singer); Chris Kempster and his legacy; Mark Gregory; 'Partisans Song'; the Brisbane Folk Festival; Harry Robertson; Brian Mooney; recording at Albert's Music; Marian Henderson; Maleny Folk Festival; Alex Hood asks about "Beaudesert Train"; Gary Tooth; Evan and Lyn Matheson and their programme at the National Folk Festival; playing a tune in the film "Sirens" and this experience.
- Partial contents:
-
- Bill Berry sings, plays songs and tunes on the harmonica and guitar: Tunes by Charlie Batchelor (unidentified)
- Oratoba waltz
- Waltz of Vienna
- A hut in my own native land
- Tomahawking Fred
- All for me grog
- One of the has beens
- Brisbane ladies. Hilary Berry sings: Mustering day
- Queensland Railway lines. Bill Berry plays an unidentified tune on the mouth organ and concertina: A Charlie Batchelor tune (unidentified)
- Tell your Ma when you get home.
- Biography/History:
-
Bill Berry was an important figure in the folk song revival movement which began in the early 1950's. He was part of the Communist Party-led cultural movement and was an associate of John Meredith and the Heathcote Bushwhackers. He later joined New Theatre and sang with the 'Unity Singers' and other left-wing singing groups. After moving to Brisbane in the mid 1950's he helped to establish the folk song movement there, becoming a popular solo performer. He now lives with his artist wife, Hilary, in N.S.W.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on April 19, 2004 at Lithgow, N.S.W.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (10 p.)
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Alex Hood folklore collection.
This collection contains 186 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2074 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2004
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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