Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Bev Harrell [Australian Artist] - Discography

Bev Harrell 


Petite (4'9") blonde pop vocalist Bev Harrell was one of the most popular female solo singers in Australia in the late 1960s. Bev began her career on radio, starting out when she was just six in the children's radio talent series Kangaroos on Parade in her hometown of Adelaide, South Australia.

She started performing as a pop vocalist as a hobby in 1965 while she was still at school. She appeared as a guest singer at Adelaide suburban dances with local bands such as The Harts and The Vibrants. In 1966 she joined Barrie McAskill as co-lead singer of the reformed The Clefs, which was led by Tweed Harris (who subsequerntly founded Groove) but when The Clefs relocated to Melbourne later in the year Bev decided to stay in Adelaide. Eventually she was spotted by promoter Ron Tremaine who offered to become her manager. Under his guidance she began to attract more bookings and soon turned professional.

In the mid-'60s Bev moved to Australia's pop mecca, Melbourne, with her new manager and boyfriend, Adelaide accountant Daryl Sambell, and she soon became a regular on television pop shows including Bandstand and Kommotion. After signing with EMI Bev recorded eight Singles for their HMV label and five for their Columbia label. Many of Bev's EMI releases were produced by David Mackay, who also produced Johnny Farnham and The Twilights.

Her debut single was a cover of "What Am I Doing Here with You?" (b/w "You Really Didn't Mean It"). The A-side, originally a hit for Johnny Rivers, was written by singer-songwriter-producer P.F. Sloan; his pop career went back to the late 1950s and he also scored major hits as a writer (with partner Steve Barri) including Barry McGuire's "Eve Of Destruction" and Rivers' "Secret Agent Man" (which was also inimitably covered by DEVO). Many of Sloan's songs have been widely covered, including some done by Australian acts -- "Anywhere The Girls Are" was covered by Ol' 55, Surfin' Craze was covered by The Silhouettes and "These Are Bad Times (For Me And My Baby)" was covered by The Groop.

Bev's debut was released in late 1966, and it became a national Top Ten hit, charting in most cities in January 1967, reaching #6 in Sydney, #10 in Melbourne, #5 in Brisbane and #1 in Bev's hometown of Adelaide. It also earned her the prestigious "Best Australian Female Vocal" award in the 1966 Australian Record Awards.

6 comments:

Chocoreve said...

Never heard of this artist, seems pretty interesting, thanks for sharing !

Ozzieguy said...

Hi Chocoreve
Bev certainly was a great singer and entertainer.

PB said...

"This is Bev" is a great little forgotten album (except around here of course). Another of those lost gems.

Ozzieguy said...

Hi PB,
Yes it was a forgotten album I agree, I have also found more of my Aust albums yesterday in my studio, I shall share when I get a chance. Next up will be Lana Cantrell.
Best Wishes
Ozziegut.

PB said...

Just got around to the "I believe in music" album. If that's a real live album, and doesn't have the applause just dubbed in, then she acquits herself awfully well.

Ozzieguy said...

Hi PB,
You are are probably right mate.