This is a welcome re-issue by Rouseabout Records in their Warren Fahey Presents Yesterday's Australia CD collection. Bob Dyer is mostly remembered by Australians as the very popular compere of the highly successful radio and television programme Pick-A-Box in the 1950's and 1960's. With wife Dolly he visited Australian homes weekly with this appealing quiz show. His jovial greeting "Howdy, customers, howdy", the regular catch-cries "The money or the box?" and "Tell them Bob sent you" are still familiar reminders of this American-born showman.
As a child during the fifties, it was only this side of Dyer that I knew. I was aware of his passion for deep-sea fishing. I can remember being told that he had been a singer of "hillbilly" songs but I do not remember hearing any of these songs as a child.
A few years ago I came across a book of sheet music containing some of Bob Dyer's Hillbilly Songs. I started realising that there was another side to Dyer which I found quite fascinating – "the last of the hillbillies". It was therefore a real thrill to purchase a copy of this CD when it was originally released by Larrikin.
The CD contains eleven songs recorded by Dyer in Sydney and London during 1939 and 1940. The selection features good time, comedy songs with lively musical backings and an American context. Things are spiced up by Dyer's jovial sense of humour, somewhat old fashioned by today's standards but still appealing. As well as this there is a rare broadcast made in Sydney around 1940 containing examples of Dyer's comedic talents and two "silly little songs".
The listener is also treated to early episodes of Pick-A-Box and Cop The Lot. These radio gems provide us with a small sample of attitudes of the day as well as some interesting Aussie accents. Dyer's genuine warmth towards his contestants and his ability to milk a situation for its entertainment and comic potential are evident throughout these broadcasts. I was delighted that the well remembered "soundproof room" of these types of radio shows received a mention too.
Despite most of the recordings included on the CD being over sixty years old, they have come up well, thanks to the restoration and remixing of Rex McLean. The CD booklet includes a very informative article on Bob Dyer, written by Peter Burgis and Warren Fahey.
Great listening value.
Bob Dyer - Hillbilly Heaven is available from Rouseabout Records by email
TRACKS
- The Death Of Willie
- The Martins And The Coys
- Way Far Down In The Hollow
- The Pants That My Pappy Gave Me
- The Newtons Are Feudin' Again
- The Young 'Uns Of The Martins And The Coys
- She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain
- The Ediket Song
- The Coat And The Pants Do All The Work
- I Never See Maggie Alone
- Shut The Door
- Bob Dyer Radio Programme
- It Pays To Be Funny
- Cop The Lot
- Pick A Box
