The 1970s going into the early 1980s are generally regarded as a purple patch of Australian cinema – The Australian New Wave. Film makers had financial support. Audiences wanted to see their own backyard on the big screen (before bloody cultural cringe set in again). There were films that focused on T&A and machismo, there were a lot of period pieces, and there were tales of crime. The films weren't always successful, but there was a spirit about them that's still exciting. Audiences recognised themselves in film (although they denied it when Wake In Fright came out).
So, where does Oz: A Rock 'n; Roll Road Movie (aka 20th Century Oz) fit in? Where does an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz that sees Dorothy as a groupie who dreams she's on a highway headed for the big city to see a concert featuring The Wizard with a surfer, a mechanic and a biker as her company actually stand in the canon of local 70s cinema?
Welcome to Love That Album episode 149.
Why am I starting the blurb for a music discussion podcast with a description about movies? Especially in reference to a film that's already been discussed on the See Hear Podcast (episode 33...hint hint)
Well, the film has a soundtrack, you see......
Previous LTA interview subject Sarah Carroll and her son George Carroll Wilson are both huge fans of the film. I invited them onto the show to talk about the soundtrack. Of course, you can't really discuss a soundtrack without reference to the film itself. We also had a lengthy discussion about the Australian music scene of the period, the history behind the key players involved with the music and the film (Ross Wilson and Chris Lofven), and of course the music itself and how it worked in the context of the story.
BUT WAIT....THERE'S MORE.....
One of the exciting thing about the soundtrack of Oz is that it features the debut of a band that became very big in the late 70s, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons. This episode features an interview with ex-Falcon Wayne Burt who wrote their songs for this film. I was rapt to speak to someone in the thick of it from the period.
My huge gratitude to Sarah, George and Wayne for making this such a fun show to record.
You can find out more about Sarah at https://www.sarahcarrollstarparade.com/
George's music is available at Bandcamp https://pollyman.bandcamp.com/music
Until Umbrella chooses to re-release the film, it's on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATiiOGg_ZyQ
….and you can search out the See Hear episode with myself, Bernie, Tim and the Projection Booth's Mike White discussing Oz downloading from https://seehearpodcast.blogspot.com/2020/05/see-hear-podcast-episode-33-oz-rock-n.html
Download this episode of LTA from iTunes (search for “Love That Album podcast”)....or wherever you prefer getting your podcasts.
Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.
You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum
If you’d consider writing an iTunes review I’d be immensely grateful. However, it’d be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a barbecue, over coffee, on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.
Proudly Pantheon
Download episode 149 from here.
