Search - Seekers :: Seekers Complete

Simply said - A superb and essential recording

mark eastman | Chapel Hill, NC USA | 02/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Seekers were without a doubt one of the greatest folk (and pop) groups ever to record. While often thought of as British, they actually were from Australia but after arriving in England in 1964 they became so popular that they based themselves in the U.K. for 4 years before ending the act in 1968. However, with some notable exceptions, their music is deeply rooted in all forms of the American folk tradition. This collection illustrates their wonderful recordings of all forms of folk music: traditional (This Land); contemporary (Blowin' in the Wind, The Last Thing on My Mind); country (Wreck of the Old '97); island (Run Come See); calypso (Myra); traditional jazz (We Shall Not Be Moved); African (Kumbaya); negro slave (Dese Bones); spiritual (When the Stars Begin to Fall); bluegrass (Katy Cline); religious (Just a Closer Walk With Thee). The three guys in the group, Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley (who is an excellent pop songwriter) more than hold their own but the driving force behind the Seekers' greatness is the wonderful Judith Durham who was blessed with perfect pitch, timing and phrasing. Her voice is a clear as a mountain stream and can be powerful and moving as on 'When the Stars Begin to Fall'; tender and lovely as on 'Morningtown Ride'; loving as on 'The Leaving of Liverpool'; or forlorn and lonely as on '500 Miles'. She is magnificent on so many songs - to mention a few Kumbaya, When the Stars Begin to Fall, Just a Closer Walk With Thee and the live version (from the 'Talk of the Town' album) of 'The Carnival is Over'. Of course, their hits are here too such as 'I'll Never Find Another You', 'Georgy Girl' and 'A World of Our Own'. They do excellent versions of Red Rubber Ball (co-written by Woodley), California Dreaming, Allentown Jail, Turn Turn Turn and This Little Light of Mine. Other highlights are Come the Day and the sweet Island of Dreams. One of the best songs is a superb version of Tom Paxton's The Last Thing on My Mind. However, it's all great and the more you listen, the more you appreciate these songs. The instrumentation is excellent too, the combination of two guitars (including 12 string and banjo) and bass while some of the songs are backed by orchestration. But nothing can compare to Durham's vocals both as lead and weaving in and out of the guy's voices. Are 5 discs of The Seekers too much? A group that only recorded 7 albums in 4 years. Not at all. Although there's some excellent early material on disc 1 (some culled from their rare Australian/New Zealand debut 'Introducing the Seekers'), almost all of the essential recordings are on discs 2,3 and 4. Disc 5 is mainly for completists (rarities, outtakes, jingles, etc.) so you're basically getting a 4 disc set and it's well worth the price. Judith Durham has recorded some excellent solo albums. They're hard to find but her 2 Hot Jazz albums, her Christmas album from 1968 and her 1997 album Mona Lisa's are all well worth seeking out."

Golden Memories from a Golden Age

Steve Rawlings | Denver, CO USA | 01/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Seekers possess a rare talent to perform pop, folk, and gospel music in their own distinctive and inimitable style. From their pop classics "Georgy Girl" and "A World of Our Own," to folk legends "Waltzing Matilda" and "This Train," to the gospel "Sinner Man," this 5-CD set provides a comprehensive collection of their finest works. Judith Durham is one of a kind. She combines the torch-like passion of a jazz singer, with the clarity and beauty of a folk balladeer, and the rousing persuasion of a gospel singer. The harmonies are carefully overlayed and accompanied by a bass and 12-string guitar. You can't help but find yourself singing along with these golden memories."