Tallulah (1987) was the band’s fifth album, on which they added multi-instrumentalist Amanda Brown, and she broadened their sound and gave it more drama. The album is a pivotal one in their discography and sits as a stepping-stone between their early era, and their more richly textured later work. Paste Magazine included it in their list of the best new-wave albums and said that it features “several signature works by the group’s chief writers, most notably McLennan’s infectiously chorused shoulda-been-hits “Right Here” and “Bye Bye Pride,” as well as such characteristically edgy Forster compositions as the undertowing “House That Jack Kerouac Built” and “The Clarke Sisters,” a haunting character study of spinsters that perfectly captures its author’s eye for detail.”
The Go-Betweens are one of the most beloved and influential Australian groups of all-time and were the quintessential cult band. Throughout their hugely acclaimed career they sustained an unparalleled artistic consistency which year by year matched the very best of their contemporaries.
We are pleased announce that their three Beggars Banquet albums will be made available individually on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years. The records were remastered in 2019 for the second volume of Domino’s G Stands For Go-Betweens Anthology, and will also be available on CD.
The albums were recorded in what could be called the band's ‘London Years' - when they lived and recorded in the city. Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express (1986) and Tallulah (1987) are studio albums, while Fountains Of Youth, catches the group in imperious form at the Town and Country Club in May 1987. Many of the songs for 16 Lovers Lane (1988) were written at this time, before the band returned to Sydney to record the album. The majestic sun-filled “Streets Of Your Town” was the first single off the record.
Formed in Brisbane in 1978, Grant McLennan and Robert Forster were two Queensland University students with a passion for films, mid-Sixties Bob Dylan and the New York punk scene. They both sang, played guitar, and wrote songs. The set up of the band with two independent singer-songwriters at the helm was an unusual one, but in this case, it worked beautifully. Robert's edgy, dark romantic compositions were perfectly balanced by Grant's highly melodic, pop poetic contributions.
Through a set of very strong singles, beginning in 1978 with John Peel favorite, Lee Remick/Karen”, the band were signed to Rough Trade, beginning their London period with the post-punk opus Before Hollywood (1983). Lindy Morrison had joined the group on drums, and shortly after came Robert Vickers (bass) and Amanda Brown (violin, oboe, vocals) - creating a band that sounded and looked like no other on the planet. John Willsteed (bass, guitar) joined the band in 1988 for 16 Lovers Lane.
The Go-Betweens existed in and out of time - widespread fame may have alluded them, but the ability to make great records didn't. Their sound, songs, and image, have been a huge inspiration to generations of bands and fans alike. The Beggars Banquet albums lie at the heart of this appreciation.
