Billy Thorpe Pick Me Up and Play Me Loud (Vinyl, Infinity Records, 1976) ***
Billy Thorpe Children of the Sun (Vinyl, Capricorn Records, 1979) ***
Billy Thorpe 21st Century Man (Vinyl, Mushroom Records, 1981) **
Billy Thorpe Stimulation (Vinyl, Mushroom Records, 1981) ***
Billy Thorpe East of Eden's Gate (Vinyl, Pasha Records, 1982) ***
Billy Thorpe Solo - The Last Recordings (CD, Liberation Records, 2007) ****
They loom large in his legend (The Album Collection playlists): Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6; Part 7
Active compensatory factors: Billy's solo debut, Million Dollar Bill, was a new look in some ways with horns, strings as well as the usual pop smart hooks getting a look in. It was also the old Aztecs in disguise - with Gil Matthews, Warren Morgan, and Billy Kristian all appearing. The album under his own name was a statement of intent, Billy was back and doing it his way.
It's a bit inconsistent as Billy tries out a variety of styles, which generally sound sharp and in the pocket thanks to the production by Peter Dawkins (NZ's finest). Billy also includes a Beatles' cover (Drive My Car) and tries out a theme song (Theme from Million Dollar Billy). So, although commercially successful, it's a transitional album in some ways as Billy looks for a way forward as a solo artist via some funk/ rock music.
It's similar to Million Dollar Billy in that he goes for a funk rock approach and even re-records Most People I Know (not sure why). The highlights are Bassballs and Long Live Rock'n'Roll.
Billy had indulged in lengthy tracks in The Aztecs years, fueled by acid trips, but I'm not sure whether Children of the Sun was similarly inspired. Whatever the case it's quite good as it happens, at least musically speaking. As with many concept albums the storyline makes my eyes glaze over.
Stimulation was a second album from 1981. On side one he moves away from the proggy psych rock of the previous two albums and returns to a more stripped back rock sound, which suits him a lot more. Gil provides the solid base and the drums at least sound like he's playing them again, while Billy rediscovers his guitar prowess at long last.
The same dualism works for East of Eden's Gate. Some songs have the more synth driven approach, while others feature Billy showing again why he matters as a guitarist. If all of the tracks were as strong as I Can't Stand It this album would have been a monster.
Genre: Rock
Places I remember: Record shop in Melbourne, Slow Boat Records, Real Groovy Records.
Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Girls of Summer (Solo), I Really Miss You on YouTube (Million Dollar Bill)
Gear costume: It's Almost Summer (Million Dollar Bill), I Can't Stand It on YouTube (East of Eden's Gate), Since You Been Gone (Solo - on YouTube)
Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Girls of Summer (Solo), I Really Miss You on YouTube (Million Dollar Bill)
Gear costume: It's Almost Summer (Million Dollar Bill), I Can't Stand It on YouTube (East of Eden's Gate), Since You Been Gone (Solo - on YouTube)
Active compensatory factors: Billy's solo debut, Million Dollar Bill, was a new look in some ways with horns, strings as well as the usual pop smart hooks getting a look in. It was also the old Aztecs in disguise - with Gil Matthews, Warren Morgan, and Billy Kristian all appearing. The album under his own name was a statement of intent, Billy was back and doing it his way.
Pick Me Up and Play Me Loud came next in 1976, with the same lineup as Million Dollar Billy. It's a Billy Thorpe album, even if it's confusingly got 'Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs' on the cover!
The third album, Children of the Sun saw a few massive changes as Billy settled in America and used a few American session vets on the album (Leland Sklar on bass and Alvin Taylor on drums). The first side was a set of basic rock songs while side 2 features a full-blown nutso concept piece about the massive transportation of humans to a new world in outer space somewhere. Okaaaay.
The eighties dealt to many a seventies rocker and Billy is no exception. His first album of that synth led decade was 21st Century Man. Gil Matthews returns on drums, Leland Sklar on bass and Billy the rest. It's pretty meh but okay if you'd never heard him at Sunbury.
Side two is largely back to eighties synths/beats and it doesn't work as well to my ears. Not terrible, but I prefer side one.
The final album in my collection is Solo: The Last Recordings (although he was working on a studio album when he died called Tangier - which I'd love a copy of at some stage).
Solo is just Billy on guitar and voice - doing it his way, as he lived his life. The liner notes mention that he lived a thousand lifetimes in one, and that sums it up nicely, as does this double CD. It's superb and Billy's stories are a hoot!
Where do they all belong? That's it for Billy Thorpe for the moment. He's a crucial guy in Aussie rock and his early death was a cruel blow for this larger-than-life rocker. His two autobiographies are awesome as well and work checking out.
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