Do-Re-Mi

Country of origin:

Australia

Type of music generally:

Beautiful & fierce alternative pop/mainstream pop

Status:

Band is no longer recording. Lead vocalist Deborah Conway has continued on with a solo career. Final release, The Happiest Place in Town (1998)

See also:

The Utterly Unofficial Deborah Conway page

The Ectophiles' Guide entry for Deborah Conway

Comparisons:

Obviously similar to Deborah Conway's solo work, although more mainstream. Other comparisons include The Pretenders or Midnight Oil. (colford@chlotrudis.org)

Covers/own material:

Write own lyrics and music.

General comments:

Lively, alternative pop-rock with strong vocals and socially conscious message in lyrics. (colford@chlotrudis.org)

Recommended first album:

The Happiest Place in Town. (colford@chlotrudis.org)

Recordings:

• Domestic Harmony (1985)
• The Happiest Place in Town (1998)

Domestic Harmony

Release info:

1985—Virgin Records—CDV2367

Availability:

Available online and in Australia

Ecto priority:

Recommended for lovers of female-led pop-rock.

Group members:

Dorland Bray—drums, percussion, vocals
Helen Carter—bass guitar, vocals
Deborah Conway—lead vocals
Stephen Philip—guitars

Guest artists:

Steve Hogarth—keyboards
Roger Freeman—trombone

Produced by:

Gavin McKillop

Comments:

All-out pop rock with an edge. High energy, quirky sense of humor, underlying politically minded lyrics. (colford@chlotrudis.org)

The Happiest Place in Town

Release info:

1988—Virgin Records—CDV 2467

Availability:

Available online and in Australia

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended for fans of strong, female-led pop-rock

Group members:

Donald Bray—drums, percussion, backing vocals
Helen Carter—bass, backing vocals
Deborah Conway—lead and backing vocals
Stephen Philip—guitar

Guest artists:

Johnny Mars—harmonica
Bob Noble—Hammond organ, piano, keyboards
Philip Todd—tenor saxophone
John Thirkell—trumpet
Frank Ricotti—congas, tambourine, percussion
Alan Dunn—piano accordion
Steve Sidwell—piccolo trumpet on 'Adultery'

Produced by:

Martin Rushent

Comments:

Terrific album. Blends the anger and power of Ms. Conway with great pop melodies and powerful full throttle arrangements. Filled with irony and wit, the album reaches its pinnacle with its closing track, the gently moving title track. The powerful single, 'Adultery' was a hit in Australia and received attention in other countries as well. (colford@chlotrudis.org)

Further info:

Complete discography including EPs and singles available at The Utterly Unofficial Deborah Conway page.

Thanks to Michael Colford for work on this entry.