Show Notes
You’re The Voice remains a favourite for generations of Australians and the album it's on, Whispering Jack, has sold more than 1.5 million copies. But John Farnham was 37 by the time he recorded that album and the music industry wasn’t all that interested in a new direction from a 60s pop star - until word of mouth began spreading that this was something special. In some ways it’s that background that makes the result so remarkable. Andrew Ford charts the story behind Farnham's biggest hit and explores why Farnham's voice has earned him such admiration. Featuring interviews with David Hirschfelder, Gaynor Wheatley, Michael Paynter, and Poppy Stockell. The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend, The Celebration Concert is on September 20. The Sydney Theatre Company’s musical, Whispering Jack, begins on November 15. Music heard in this program: Title: Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My HeadArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Burt Bacharach & Hal DavidAlbum: Looking Through A TearLabel: Columbia Title: Sadie The Cleaning LadyArtist: John FarnhamComposer: David White, John Madara, Ray GilmoreAlbum: SadieLabel: Columbia Title: Playing To WinArtist: Little River BandComposer: John Farnham, Graham GobleAlbum: Playing To WinLabel: Capitol Records Title: The TempleArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim RiceAlbum: Jesus Christ Superstar - 1992 Australian Cast Label: Polydor Title: Age of ReasonArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Johanna Pigott, Todd HunterAlbum: Age of ReasonLabel: Wheatley Records Title: That's FreedomArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Jean Anne Chapman, Tom KimmelAlbum: Chain ReactionLabel: Wheatley Records Title: You're The VoiceArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid, Maggie RyderAlbum: Whispering JackLabel: Wheatley Records Title: Blind EyesArtist: Little River BandComposer: John Farnham, David Hirschfelder, Ray ChapmanAlbum: Playing To WinLabel: Capitol Records Title: It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)Artist: John FarnhamComposer: Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Bon ScottAlbum: Age of ReasonLabel: Wheatley Records Title: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)Artist: John FarnhamComposer: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim RiceAlbum: Jesus Christ Superstar - 1992 Australian Cast Label: Polydor Title: Pressure DownArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Harry BogdanovsAlbum: Whispering JackLabel: Wheatley Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci
More from The Music Show
Composer and pianist Elena Kats-Chernin and pianist and ABC Classic presenter Tamara-Anna Cislowska share stories from a friendship and collaboration that's lasted decades, including how Tamara-Anna convinced Elena to perform with her, by sharing a single piano. Elena's concerto, Ancient Letters, was recorded by Tamara with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and that album is nominated for an ARIA Award. The collaboration between experimental saxophonist Colin Stetson and piper Brìghde Chaimbeul is comparatively recent, but looks set to continue for a long time. Colin talks to Andy about hearing Brighde's music for the first time and why he’s so interested in capturing the sort of sounds from his instrument that most sax players work very hard to remove from a recording. Join us at Fillmore’s in Kiama on Thursday 29th October for a conversation with Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller before their Resonance performance with Michelle Nicolle and Jenny Barnes. Elena and Tamara-Anna are performing in Maitland on Sunday Oct 25. Music heard in this program: Title: Dirt DanceArtist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records Title: Ancient Letters, i. Tiger CubArtist: Tamara-Anna Cislowska & Tasmanian Symphony OrchestraComposer: Elena Kats-CherninAlbum: Elena Kats-Chernin: Ancient LettersLabel: ABC Classics Title: All the light in the world Artist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records Title: Sorrow: II - Lento E Largo — TranquillissimoArtist: Colin StetsonComposer: Henryk Górecki & Colin StetsonAlbum: Sorrow (A Reimagining Of Gorecki's 3rd Symphony)Label: 52Hz Title: Even though the frost is harsh Artist: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulComposer: Colin Stetson & Brìghde ChaimbeulAlbum: All the light in the world Label: Envision Records Title: Andrea’s Special DaysArtist: Andrea Keller & Sandy EvansComposer: Sandy EvansAlbum: ResonanceLabel: Independent release The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Gumbaynggirr Country Technical production by Timothy Jenkins
Loudon Wainwright III is a songwriter who falls somewhere between Woody Guthrie and Tom Lehrer. As well as being a storyteller and comedian, he's the father of a brood of musical children including Rufus and Martha Wainwright. He's 80 now and planning his first Australian tour in over twenty years. And from The Music Show's archives, another chance to hear Andy's favourite of a few interviews with Canadian singer k.d. lang, who spoke to him about creating a great Canadian songbook with her album Hymns of the 49th Parallel. Join us at Fillmore’s in Kiama on Thursday 29th October for a conversation with Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller before their Resonance performance with Michelle Nicolle and Jenny Barnes. Music heard in the show: Title: Bird on a WireArtist: k.d. langComposer: Cohen, LeonardAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch Title: Lifetime Achievement, White Winos, I Remember Sex Artist: Loudon Wainwright IIIComposer: Wainwright, LoudonAlbum: Loudon Live in LondonLabel: The Last Music Company Title: A Case of YouArtist: k.d. langComposer: Mitchell, JoniAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch Title: HelplessArtist: k.d. langComposer: Young, NeilAlbum: Hymns of the 49th ParallelLabel: Nonesuch Title: By the RiverArtist: Fanny Lumsden feat. Paul KellyComposer: Lumsden, Edwina MargaretAlbum: TraditionsLabel: Red Dirt Road Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Gumbaynggirr and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Isabella Tropiano and Timothy Jenkins
Listening to the new album by The Avalanches is like being on the dancefloor and then getting hit in the head with a whole desktop computer. Electronic, nostalgic, sample-laden and manic, their latest record is called No Bad Memories. The band - Robbie Chater, Toni Di Blasi, and Andy Szekeres - join Andy to unpack the record. Patti Smith was Andy's guest on stage at the Melbourne International Festival's Spiegeltent back in 2008, where she performed live and talked about her relationship with poetry and opera. It's one of Andy's favourite interviews in his 32 years on the show. Plus a new version of a very old song from Lotte Betts-Dean and Joseph Havlat, and solo jazz piano inspired by the Blue Mountains from Matt McMahon. Music heard in the show: Title: GloriaArtist: Patti SmithComposer: Smith, PattiAlbum: HorsesLabel: Arista Title: Superfun TV SpotArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Patton, Mike Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor Title: No Bad MemoriesArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Spencer, Jim; Tossing, Ed Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor Title: HighfieldArtist: The AvalanchesComposer: Chater, Robert; Di Blasi, Anthony; Szekeres, Andrew; Lennox, Noah; Reilly, Vini Album: No Bad MemoriesLabel: Polydor Title: My Lagan LoveArtist: Lotte Betts-Dean, Joseph HavlatComposer: trad., arr. Havlat, JosephAlbum: KinLabel: Delphian Title: Wing, GratefulArtist: Patti SmithComposer: Smith, PattiRecorded live at Melbourne International Festival, 2008 Title: CascadeArtist: Matt McMahonComposer: McMahon, MattAlbum: Burra KorainLabel: ABC Jazz The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Ann-Marie Debettencor
The musical voice behind Australian classics like Two Hands and Red Dog, Cezary Skubiszewski is being honoured at the 2026 Screen Music Awards for Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen. In an extended conversation with Andy, Cezary explores building tension in bank robberies, writing music based on the time signature of a pigeon’s coo, and bringing children to tears. Music heard in this program: Music from Two Hands, composed by Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan Skubiszewski - Love Theme, The Station, The Robbery, Fletcher's House Title: Love ThemeArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands SoundtrackLabel: Festival Records Title: The StationArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands Original ScoreLabel: C-ZEE Title: The RobberyArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands Original ScoreLabel: C-ZEE Title: On The BeachComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Lilian's Story - Music From The Motion PictureLabel: Columbia Title: Betty Et ZorgComposer: Gabriel YaredAlbum: Betty Blue SoundtrackLabel: Virgin Movie Music Title: The Godfather WaltzComposer: Nino RotaAlbum: The Godfather SoundtrackLabel: Paramount Records Title: The SearchComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Red DogLabel: Roadshow Music Title: High Country creditsComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski & Jan Skubiszewski Title: PolymorphiaArtist: Aukso OrchestraComposer: Krzysztof PendereckiAlbum: Threnody for the Victims of HiroshimaLabel: Nonesuch Title: What's Happening Out There?Artist: Eric SerraComposer: Eric SerraAlbum: Leon The Professional soundtrackLabel: Waxwork Records Title: Fletcher's HouseArtist: Steven Hadley, Peter Jones, Barry Palmer, Shane O'Mara, Tony HicksComposer: Cezary SkubiszewskiAlbum: Two Hands SoundtrackLabel: Festival Records Title: Bande Originale Du Film "Pickpocket"Composer: Jean-Baptiste LullyAlbum: Bande Originale Du Film La Verte Moisson / Bande Originale Du Film PickpocketLabel: Polydor Title: Machine Gun LullabyComposer: Ennio MorriconeAlbum: The Untouchables SoundtrackLabel: A&M Records Title: The Music BoxArtist: Cezary Skubiszewski Composer: Cezary Skubiszewski Album: The Sound of One Hand Clapping SoundtrackLabel: EMI Title: Let There Be LightArtist: Polish National Symphony OrchestraComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski Album: Night SountrackLabel: Origin Title: Mosquito State TitlesComposer: Cezary Skubiszewski The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country Technical production by Ann-Marie de Bettencor
Cellist and composer Freya Schack-Arnott divides her time between classical and experimental music, exploring all of the possibilities of her instrument. Her latest project, Nornir - which premieres at the Melbourne Fringe Festival - is something different again: a mixture of movement and composition that breaks down the very idea of the cello. The line between foley (cinematic sound effects) and percussion can be a blurry one, and The Music Show loves a blurry line. Andy talks to foley artist John Simpson, who has recently performed as the foley soloist in Thomas Meadowcroft's Hollywood Parsifals, a concerto for Percussion, Foley, and Orchestra; and Gabriel Fischer, a foley artist and percussionist who has taken his foley skills into his work with a piece for alfoil, snare drums and speakers called Makronomaly II. Nornir is at Melbourne Fringe 15-17 October. Listen to Hollywood Parsifals on ABC Classic’s Evening Concert program, Wednesday 14 October at 8pm. Music heard in the show: Title: Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ughetti, John Simpson, Benjamin NortheyComposer: Meadowcroft, ThomasRecorded for broadcast by ABC Classic Title: CirklerArtist: Freya Schack-Arnott and Benjamin WardComposer: Schack-Arnott, Freya; Ward, BenjaminAlbum: MalleeLabel: Independent Title: Finnish MarchArtist: Runa CaraComposer: trad.Album: Runa CaraLabel: Independent Title: Makronomaly IIArtist: Gabriel FischerComposer: Fischer, GabrielCourtesy of Phoenix Central Park Title: Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ughetti, John Simpson, Benjamin NortheyComposer: Meadowcroft, ThomasRecorded for broadcast by ABC Classic The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna Country Technical production by Tom Henry and Simon Branthwaite