Sunshine (Dragon album)

Sunshine
Original 1977 cover
Studio album by
Dragon
ReleasedFebruary 1977
1978 International release
GenrePop rock
Length38:32
LabelCBS
Portrait
ProducerPeter Dawkins
Dragon chronology
Scented Gardens for the Blind
(1975) 		Sunshine
(1977) 		Running Free
(1977)
Singles from Sunshine
  1. "This Time"
    Released: 1976
  2. "Get that Jive"
    Released: March 1977
  3. "Sunshine"
    Released: 18 July 1977
Sunshine
1978 International release

Sunshine is the third studio album by New Zealand[1] rock band Dragon, it was their first album after they had relocated to Sydney, Australia in May 1975.[2][3][4] Sunshine was released in February 1977 by CBS Records and peaked at #24 on the Australian national albums charts.[5] The album was certified gold.[6] The single "This Time" had been released in late June 1976, which peaked at #26 on the Australian national singles charts.[5] The second single "Get that Jive" was the best charting peaking at #13 and the third single "Sunshine" reached #36.[5] The album had US and International releases in 1978 on Portrait Records, with "This Time" called "In the Right Direction" and an alternative cover used (see infobox).

Dragon had released two progressive rock albums in New Zealand but in Sydney they were moving to a pop rock sound and sent for keyboardist Paul Hewson of rival kiwi group Mammal.[4] Hewson joined Dragon with Marc Hunter on vocals and his older brother Todd Hunter on bass guitar, Neil Storey on drums and Robert M. Taylor on lead guitar.[7] Storey died of heroin overdose in September 1976, aged 22.[8][9][10] Their debut single "This Time" had begun charting, they considered disbanding but continued with ex-Mammal drummer Kerry Jacobson to complete the album.[4] The album was dedicated to Neil Storey (1954–1976).

Background

After Dragon relocated to Sydney in May 1975 they landed a contract with CBS Records when record producer Peter Dawkins caught one of their performances.[3][4][8] Dragon co-founder Ray Goodwin left the group in 1975, so Dragon sent for keyboard player Paul Hewson who had a reputation, in New Zealand, as a pop songwriter.[4] Hewson, ex-Mammal, had been scouted by Dragon when they were still in New Zealand but had declined to join.[4] Often courting or creating controversy, the band was rocked by the heroin overdose death of drummer Neil Storey in September 1976, aged 22.[8][9][10] By then, their debut single "This Time" had begun charting.[8] After considering disbanding, Todd Hunter consulted with former manager Graeme Nesbitt (ex-Mammal) who advised him to continue and organised for Kerry Jacobson (ex-Mammal) to join on drums.[4]

Recording

Marc Hunter acknowledged the difference from the band's earlier prog-rock records. He said, "We used to have about ten styles, but we narrowed it down to about four of the album. We thought if we went out and did everything we could do it'd be confusing for anyone who was listening. The wonderful record company though it would be too."[11]

Reception

Rip It Up noted that the song-writing in the band had matured, saying, "A few might argue that Dragon, in adopting a more commercial format, have forsaken their Art: a few more may grumble about the weaker songs on side two, but I for one see their adoption of a tried and true style as good discipline."[12]

RAM said, "It's a refined set covering a multiplicity of styles, a fervent statement of life from a band who've most of their time in Oz teetering on the brink of oblivion."[11]

Track listing

Australian/New Zealand release

All songwriters according to Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).[13]

  1. "Same Old Blues" (Paul Hewson) - 4:54
  2. "Blacktown Boogie" (Marc Hunter, Robert M. Taylor, Todd Hunter) - 3:15
  3. "Sunshine" (Hewson) - 4:50
  4. "On the Beachead" (Taylor) - 3:59
  5. "This Time" (Hewson, M Hunter, Neil Storey, Taylor, T Hunter) - 3:07 ^^
  6. "Get that Jive" (Hewson) - 2:44
  7. "Street Between Your Feet" (M Hunter, Taylor) - 4:19
  8. "New Machine" (Hewson) - 3:47
  9. "MX" (M Hunter, Taylor) - 3:28
  10. "The Letter" (M Hunter, Taylor) - 4:09

International release

  1. "Same Old Blues" (Hewson) - 4:54
  2. "Blacktown Boogie" (M Hunter, Taylor, T Hunter) - 3:15
  3. "Sunshine" (Hewson) - 4:50
  4. "On the Beachead" (Taylor) - 3:59
  5. "In the Right Direction" (Hewson, M Hunter, Storey, Taylor, T Hunter) - 3:07 ^^
  6. "Get that Jive" (Hewson) - 2:44
  7. "Street Between Your Feet" (M Hunter, Taylor) - 4:19
  8. "New Machine" (Hewson) - 3:47
  9. "MX" (M Hunter, Taylor) - 3:28
  10. "The Letter" (M Hunter, Taylor) - 4:09

(^^) "This Time" was renamed "In the Right Direction" for International release but is otherwise the same.

Charts

Chart (1977) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[14] 24

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[15] Gold 20,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Credited to:[16]

Dragon

Additional musicians

Recording

  • Producer – Peter Dawkins
  • Engineer – Bruce Brown @ Albert Studio
    • Additional engineering – Wyn Wynard
  • Manager – Sebastian Chase

Artwork

  • Art Direction & Design – J. Peter Thoeming
    • International release, Illustrator – Julia van Henneside
    • International release, Design – Nancy Donald, Tim Stocke
    • International release, Inner sleeve logo – Andy Capel
  • Cover Photography – Carroll Holloway

References

  1. ^ "Dragon | NZ Music Hall of Fame". Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  2. ^ "ARIA Hall of Fame - Dragon". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 22 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Groups & Solo Artists - Ariel". Milesago. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Dragon". Bruce Sergent. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
  5. ^ a b c Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
  6. ^ "Dragon - Power Play (1979) + Bonus Single". Rock on Vinyl. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Dragon". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d Nimmervoll, Ed. "Dragon". Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Marc Hunter (1953-1998)". MILESAGO. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
  10. ^ a b "Dragon history". Dragon Online. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
  11. ^ a b "King Lizard reveals image problem". RAM. No. 57. 6 May 1977. p. 8.
  12. ^ Bruce Belsham (1 August 1977). "Records". Rip It Up. No. 3.
  13. ^ "APRA search engine". APRA. Archived from the original on 24 January 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2008. Note: requires user to input song title e.g. SAME OLD BLUES
  14. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives: Australian Chart Book. p. 94. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and 19 June 1988.
  15. ^ "Dragon - Power Play (1979) + Bonus Single". Rock on Vinyl. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Images for Dragon (5) - Dragon". Discogs. Retrieved 23 August 2008. Note: some details also taken from Sunshine album cover notes