Review Text
Exemplary British Invasion-inspired sounds from Australia's Steve & the Board, led by future super songwriter Steve Kipner. Though unjustly somewhat ignored by the history books today (probably due to their short life span), Steve & the Board were one of Australia's premier outfits of the 1960's. Establishing a fan base across the nation; their melodic blend of British Invasion-inspired Beat and Rhythm N Blues rave-ups garnered the band several regional charters before the band's too-soon demise.This archival release gathers together the entirely of Steve & the Board's all-too-brief recording career; across 16 killer 2-and-a-half-minute top-shelf hard pop gemsUnlike many other outfits of the day, the band comprised of genuine musicians who would also provide backing on recordings by many of the top Australian artists of the era. The band's sole LP - included here in it's entirety - was not a hastily assembled set of covers and half-baked throwaways (in contrast to many LP releases of the era), but a cohesive and fully realized album. Rounding out the collection are four non-album single sides; included are the Australian chart hits "The Giggle-Eyed Goo" and "Rosalyn", and garage-punk classic "I Want" (as featured on the Down Under Nuggets and Hot Generation compilations)Officially licensed and mastered from the original tapes; this release includes a deluxe 32-page booklet features a definitive essay detailing the band's history; plus rarely-seen photos!Board member Carl Keats would later author singles for Status Quo and Ringo Starr; while other members would go on to play with The Bee Gees, The Groove and Goanna. Lead singer Steve Kipner would found cult band Tin Tin ("Toast And Marmalade For Tea") before establishing himself as a big-name songwriter, and penning hits for Olivia Newton-John and Christina Aguilera - but don't hold that against him!
