The album contained a number of hit songs for Dragon, most notably ‘Are You Old Enough’ and the catchy ‘I’m Still In Love With You’. These two songs were all over the radio during 1978, but this was no ‘two song’ album, as there were other choice cuts as well.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Dragon
ALBUM: O Zambezi
LABEL: Portrait
SERIAL: PR 33010
YEAR: 1978
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Australia
LINEUP: Marc Hunter – vocals * Todd Hunter – bass * Robert Taylor – guitars * Paul Hewson – keyboards * Kerry Jacobson – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 O Zambezi * 02 Still In Love With You * 03 Are You Old Enough * 04 Politics * 05 Reach The Top * 06 Civilization * 07 Midnight Groovies * 08 One Look Across The Water * 09 Company * 10 Burn Down The Bridges
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Australasian outfit Dragon are a big name band down under, having been in operation since 1972. Formed in New Zealand, the band released a couple of non-descript ‘progressive’ albums: ‘Universal Radio’ in 1974 and ‘Scented Gardens For The Blind’ in 1975′.
During May 1975, the band decided to try their hand across the Tasman Sea, moving to Sydney Australia. During the 1975-1977 period, Dragon went through a period of peaks and troughs.
They had signed with CBS Records after being mentored/discovered by Kiwi/Aussie recording legend Peter Dawkins, they lost drummer Neil Storey to a drug overdose, and released two albums: ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Running Free’.
By this stage, the band were in the same esteemed company as Sherbet, Little River Band, John Paul Young and Air Supply, and this was confirmed with their 1978 album ‘O Zambezi’.
The Songs
The album contained a number of hit songs for Dragon, most notably ‘Are You Old Enough’ and the catchy ‘I’m Still In Love With You’. These two songs were all over the radio during 1978, but this was no ‘two song’ album, as there were other choice cuts as well.
The fast paced ‘Company’ has a slight new-wave style, which would be taken an extra step by the NZ band Misex in the following couple of years. ‘Politics’ is similar too, with a revved up attitude and aggression.
Marc Hunter was always known to be pointed with his lyrics, perhaps Australian Politicians were a victim of his poison pen at the time. ‘Civilization’ is another notable tune, with a funk/pop rock sound not unlike early Little River Band, while ‘Midnight Groovies’ and ‘One Look Across The Water’ are equally laid back.
In Summary
Dragon attempted a push into the North American market, which proved to be disastrous. The band went up there in November 1978 in support of Johnny Winter, and during a show in Dallas TX, Marc Hunter riled the audience by calling all Texans a bunch of faggots. That did not go down too well, with the band and stage bombarded with flying glass, beer bottles and chairs.
One can only assume that Hunter was as ‘high as a kite’, the remaining band members and crew none too impressed. Needless to say, that was the end of their tour to the USA. Things had gotten out of control, and Marc was fired from the band.
Two new members came onboard for 1979’s ‘Powerplay’ album (singer Billy Rogers and violinist Richard Lee), but by December 1979, it was all over for this version of Dragon too. In 1984, the next incarnation of the band would begin, with new members and a different sound/approach.
Dragon on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
