Paradise (Stars album)

Paradise is the debut studio album by Australian country rock music group, Stars, released in December 1977 via Mushroom Records, which peaked at number 14 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart, remaining in the chart for 20 weeks.[1] The line-up was Glyn Dowding on drums (ex-Astra Kahn, Flash), Andrew Durant on lead vocals and guitar (ex-Astra Kahn), Malcolm Eastick on lead guitar (ex-Astra Kahn, Flash), Roger McLachlan on bass guitar (ex-Little River Band) and Mick Pealing on lead vocals (ex-Flight, Nantucket, Flash).[2][3][4]

Paradise
An outdoor rural scene at twilight shows a cloudy sky overhead and a large tree at left. In the background are more trees with a lake or river in middle distance. In the foreground are five men. The first at left is sitting with his right side showing while leaning forward and facing slightly toward the viewer. His hair is dark and over shoulder length, he has a dark moustache and he wears a denim jacket, dark pants and dark shoes. The second man is the only one standing, he faces the viewer and has his thumbs tucked into the top of his denim jeans. His hair is also over shoulder length and is swept over his left, he wears a tropical-themed shirt, dark jacket and runners. The third man is sitting facing forward, his hair is shoulder length and he has a beard. He wears a denim shirt and denim jeans with brown shoes. The fourth man is sitting facing forward and his hair is just over his shoulders. He wears a dark jacket and dark pants. The fifth man is wearing a red shirt and dark pants with brown boots. His hair is shoulder length and he has a moustache. At the top is the group's name and just below is the album title.
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 1977 (1977-12)
RecordedApril–September 1977
VenuePalais Theatre, Melbourne
StudioArmstrongs, Melbourne
Genre
Length47:17
LabelMushroom
ProducerBeeb Birtles, Ric Formosa
Stars chronology
Paradise
(1977)
Land of Fortune
(1979)
Singles from Paradise
  1. "Mighty Rock"
    Released: June 1977
  2. "Look After Yourself"
    Released: November 1977
  3. "Back Again"
    Released: March 1978
  4. "West is the Way"
    Released: June 1978

The lead single from the album, "Mighty Rock", appeared in June 1977 while the group toured Australia supporting Joe Cocker.[2] It was produced by Beeb Birtles (of Little River Band) and reached the Kent Music Report Singles Chart top 50.[1][3] In August McLachlan replaced bass guitarist, Michael Hegerty who was recorded on the single's two tracks (ex-Richard Clapton Band).[2][3][4] "Look After Yourself", followed in November, which peaked at No. 30 – their highest charting single.[1] A third single, "Back Again", appeared in March 1978 with the fourth single, "West Is the Way", released in June of that year.[1] The album includes a live cover version of Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way", which was recorded on 22 September 1977 at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne.[5]

Track listing

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Vinyl/cassette (L 36470)
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Back Again"Andrew Durant4:13
2."Let's Get Moving"Durant4:08
3."Paradise"Durant3:26
4."Jupiter Creek"Durant, Malcolm Eastick3:33
5."Mighty Rock"Durant3:08
6."West is the Way"Durant5:01
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Song for the Road"Durant4:15
2."No Time for Crying"Eastick4:49
3."Look After Yourself"Durant3:42
4."Rocky Mountain Way"Joe Walsh, Joe Vitale, Rocke Grace, Kenny Passarelli11:02

Charts

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Chart (1978) Peak
position
Australian Kent Music Report[1] 14

Release history

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Country Date Format Label Catalogue
Australia December 1977 LP Mushroom Records L 36470
Australia 1992 Compact disc, cassette Mushroom Records D19533
Australia 19 August 2011 [6][7] Compact disc, digital download Warner Music Australia 5249876742

Personnel

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Stars
  • Glyn Dowding – drums
  • Andrew Durant – backing vocals, lead vocals ("West Is the Way"), guitars (acoustic, electric)
  • Malcolm Eastick – guitars (lead, talkbox, slide, acoustic)
  • Roger McLachlan – bass guitar (except "Mighty Rock", "Jupiter Creek")
  • Mick Pealing – lead vocals (except "West Is the Way")
  • Michael Hegerty – bass guitar ("Mighty Rock", "Jupiter Creek")
Recording details

Credits.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 291. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
  2. ^ a b c McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Stars'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 9 August 2004.
  3. ^ a b c d Holmgren, Magnus. "Stars". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Stars (1977), Paradise, Mushroom Records, retrieved 30 March 2018
  5. ^ Stars; Walsh, Joe; Durant, Andy; Eastick, Mal (1977), Paradise, Mushroom Records, retrieved 30 March 2018
  6. ^ "Paradise". JB HiFi. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Paradise by Stars". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 10 October 2017.