Listen & tracks

12 works · 32:56

1 Rush George Dreyfus 2:47
2 Sebastian's Theme Song George Dreyfus :50
3 Marion George Dreyfus 1:17
4 Ballad for a Dead Guerrilla Leader George Dreyfus 4:16
5 Break of Day George Dreyfus 2:06
6 Deep Throat George Dreyfus 4:56
7 Let the Balloon Go George Dreyfus 3:06
8 Das Knie George Dreyfus :44
9 Power without Glory George Dreyfus 1:57
10 Song of the Standard Lamp George Dreyfus 3:14
11 Peace George Dreyfus 1:10
Three Ned Kelly BalladsGeorge Dreyfus 3 movements6:33
1. 12 Man of Iron 1:34
2. 13 Greta Lovesong 2:41
3. 14 The Kellys, Byrne and Hart 2:18

George Dreyfus plays bassoon, sings and adds percussion. Paul Grabowsky accompanies him on electric piano and ARP synthesiser.

The programme draws on themes and songs from television, film and stage: Rush, Sebastian the Fox, Marion, Break of Day, Let the Balloon Go, Power Without Glory, and the unfilmed Ned Kelly ballads, with the satirical Deep Throat and the Morgenstern setting Das Knie.

In the artist’s words

If you have really lived in Melbourne, and not merely existed there from day to day, you will have come to know the various characters who, over the years, have given this city an eccentric stamp.

Enter George Dreyfus. Eccentric, but in deadly earnest. In his own words, he “works hard at being interesting”, and succeeds so well in this that he brings a fresh air of the ridiculous to any proceedings. There is no option but to like the man. I do, he has become part of my Melbourne, and I commend his delicious nonsense to you. When you have absorbed it, perhaps you will find time to consider his music!

The instrumental items provide an excellent vehicle for the sensual and demanding tones of the bassoon. They range from George’s ‘hit’ single Rush, from the ABC television series, through music from the films Break of Day and Let the Balloon Go to the theme from Power Without Glory. George writes well for the bassoon, exploiting the full range. The songs, on the other hand, are delivered in heroic style by an amazing voice.

Paul Grabowsky is a young man seated at an electric piano somewhere near George. As a person he spends his time working as a jazz musician, composer and keyboard foil for George. They have a rapport which is a pleasure to witness. I insist that you will enjoy this record!

— Bill Hawtin

Reviews

he dives head-over-heels into a rigmarole

— Fred Blanks, The Sydney Morning Herald

Varies from the elegant and sophisticated through satire to the theatre of the absurd.

— Al Watson, The Age

humility is not one of his strengths.

— Mark Lawrence, The Age

if he had no musical ability, (he) could easily have made a living as a stand-up comic.

— Ian Robinson, The National Times

does a few neat pirouettes and tells the story of his life.

— Margaret Geddes, The Age

George Dreyfus has become an after dinner attraction.

— Carol George, Progress Press

Artists

George Dreyfus

bassoon, vocals, percussion

One of Australia's best-known composers, especially for the theme from the television series Rush, George Dreyfus was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany at Victorian Parliament House for services to music.

Tim Burstall

composer

Tim Burstall (1927–2004) was an English-born Australian film director, writer and producer. He also wrote the words for the ABC children’s puppet series The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox.