Digby Richards (1940-1983) certainly had one of the most colorful careers in international twang... Originally, he was one of Australia's trailblazing rockabilly/first generation rockers, credited with recording one of Australia's first full-length LPs, back in the late 1950s. At some point, he kind of dropped out of the OZ music scene, and reemerged as a country artist in the early '70s... Here's a quick look at some of his country stuff.
Digby Richards "Bad Boy" (Rex Records, 1960) (LP)
Digby Richards "Harlequin" (RCA Victor, 1972) (LP)
(Produced by Digby Richards, Peter Martin & Wahanui Wynyard)
Reissued in 1974 as A Little Piece Of Peace.
Digby Richards "Digby Richards" (RCA Victor, 1974) (LP)
(Produced by Larry Murray)
A really groovy, mellow yet earthy, countrypolitan/country-rock set, recorded in Los Angeles with an all-star cast. Richard Bennett anchors the band on lead guitar, with a country-rock A-list coming in, including John Beland and Thad Maxwell (from the band Swampwater), as well as Emory Gordy Jr. on bass, Jeff Gilkinson plunking banjo, Dick Rosmini on guitar and additional pedal steel from Ben Keith and Sneaky Pete Kleinow... Even Herb Pedersen is in the mix, singing backup on a few tunes. They deliver the best of the slick LA sound, backing a robust, soulful Richards, who gets into kind of a Glen Campbell-ish vibe, but the groovy Glen Campbell of the mid-'70s. Most of the songs are Richards originals, along with one tune by producer Larry Murray, and a fine version of fellow Australian twangster Kevin Johnson's "Rock & Roll, I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life," a song with particular resonance for Digby Richards, who really was a rock'n'roll true believer, way back when. A nice record... definitely recommended!
Digby Richards "Whiskey Sundown" (RCA Victor, 1978) (LP)
(Produced by Barrie Guard & David Mackay)
Digby Richards "The Thing Is...?" (RCA Victor, 1981) (LP)
(Produced by Barrie Guard)
Digby Richards "If You Could Read My Mind" (EMI/Axis Records, 1982) (LP)
(Produced by Roger Greenaway)
Digby Richards "Rock And Roll I Gave You All The Best Years Of My Life" (Starcall/Festival, 1984) (LP)
Digby Richards "Collection" (RCA Victor, 1975) (LP)
Digby Richards "The Best Of" (RCA Victor, 1977) (LP)
