Across two discs, In the Doorway of the Dawn presents
almost 40 years of previously unheard songwriting from Tully founder Richard
Lockwood.
Lockwood is renowned as the driving force behind early 70s Sydney
folk-psych icons Tully, and for his work with the similarly revered Extradition
and Tamam Shud.
In the process of working with Richard on the reissue of Tully’s
landmark recordings (second album Sea Of Joy was released in
2012 Chapter, third record Loving Is Hard in 2013 and first
album Tully in 2014), Chapter discovered that the very private songwriter had
never stopped recording after the end of his much-loved band – only that he had
lost interest in making his beautiful, transcendental music available to
others.
It took some persuading for Richard to agree to a solo compilation to
accompany the Tully reissues, but In the Doorway Of the
Dawn justifies the effort beyond measure. Mostly recorded to cassette four
track, and played impeccably on every imaginable instrument by Richard
himself, In the Doorway Of the Dawn reveals a singular songwriter
with an unswerving focus.
Of the 33 songs presented here, virtually all are written in tribute
to spiritual master Meher Baba, whom Richard disovered in the late 60s and
whose influence wholly transfigured the remainder of his life. Suffused in
equal parts with serenity and yearning, Richard’s songs have a grace that is
almost unequalled.
Of special note are the settings Richard recorded of works by
Australian poet Francis Brabazon, named “the poet of the age” by Meher Baba.
Over the course of decades, Richard interpreted many Brabazon poems, of which
five are presented here.
The span of these recordings begins with live solo performances
in 1972 (just after Tully had disbanded and Richard had joined fellow
adventurers Tamam Shud) and continues right up until late last decade, with
home recordings made by Richard in Melbourne. For 40 years, Richard wrote songs
that could have been classics.
But he was content merely to write them, sing
them, sometimes record them, offer them to his Beloved Meher and then put them
away in a box of cassettes in his cupboard. Complete with extensive liner
notes, lyrics and photos, In the Doorway Of the Dawn is a revelation,
the life’s work of a rare talent, even rarer for his lack of concern with
public recognition.
Sadly, Richard Lockwood passed away in September 2012.
Richard
Lockwood - In the Doorway Of the Dawn
Richard
Lockwood - My Song
Enjoy
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