Hailing from a farming community in Northern Victorian, Maurice Frawley ventured down to Melbourne in the late 1970s and became a guitarist in Paul Kelly's early band the Dots. He helped write "Look So Fine, Feel So Low" before moving on to the legendary Olympic Sideburns. In the early 1990s he formed Maurice Frawley & Working Class Ringos with double bass player Shane Walsh. The Ringos band members all had fine musical pedigree - dobro player Charlie Owen played with Tex, Don & Charlie and the Beasts of Bourbon, Shane Walsh with Red Rivers and drummer Des Hefner did a stint with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
The release of the Ringos third album 'Triple Skin Marquee' in 2000 lead to the inclusion of the track "Harness Down" on the ABC 'Airplay Vol. 3' compilation. Featured on ABC local radio, "Harness Down" proved one of the favourites of its vast listening audience and resulted in several tours through the east coast of Australia and up to Far North Queensland. Maurice Frawley and his band performed live sessions in 2000 on the ABC TV's national music program 'Studio 22' and in 2001 on the cable channel Country Music Television.
In 2003 Maurice Frawley embarked on a special family musical project Frawleys & Friends that culminated in the critically acclaimed 2003 release 'Queen of Runnymede'.
In 2005 Maurice invited Garrett Costigan (pedal steel), Alan Brooker (bass guitar), Jimmy Williams (electric guitars) and Craig Williamson (drums) to join his new band Maurice Frawley & The Yard Hands, in doing so recording the excellent album 'Good Things' at Atlantis Studios and playing live gigs around Melbourne.
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OBITUARY
A few years ago, I bumped into Maurice Frawley on the train. I got on at Richmond station, Maurice spied me and came walking down the aisle towards me. It was early morning, and, as the track is raised above the road on that part of the line, the windows of the carriage were filled with the smoky blue autumn sky.
The train began the slow curve out of Richmond. Even though Maurice was carrying a guitar and a bag, he walked without trouble towards me. He had been a decent footballer in his youth. I’d heard stories that he’d played under 19s for St Kilda, or maybe it was Collingwood…whatever VFL team’s draft zone had included Mt Pleasant in central Victoria, where Maurice had played. After all these years he still had the grace and balance of an athlete.
Our conversation was easy and familiar, although Maurice, as usual, got a few things out of me…where I’d been playing gigs, what I’d been writing. We talked about the possibility of touring together up the East Coast. He told me, as he usually did, whether as a jibe, or a prod I’m not sure, that he’d had a bit of a purple patch and that he’d been writing some songs. Maurice was old-school show biz. He’d seen a fair bit and he knew a thing or two. He always assembled great musicians around him: Garrett Costigan, Charlie Owen, Shane Walsh, Alan Brooker, Michael Barclay. His records always sounded great, as did his gigs. But, most of all, for Maurice it was about the writing. That day on the train, early in the morning, that’s what I mainly remember…that Maurice was happy that he’d been writing some good songs.
I got off one stop before him. As I stood up, Maurice nudged me, cracked a joke and burst out laughing. I took one last look at him as I went out the door. He was still smiling mischievously, like a young boy out of an old face. He was a bit like that, Maurice…hard to pin down…a bit rough around the edges, but also stylish, and well put together. Like his music. He was still laughing as I stepped onto the platform.
About a year later I heard Maurice’s new record, Good Things. I wondered if these songs were the ones he’d talked about on the train. If so, he was right, all the songs were good.
The title track is a cracker. Over the last few days, a few lines from that song have been playing over and over in my head:
‘Like those old mountain songs, ringing through the valley,
Those old mountain songs just keep on ringing in my belly’
We’re lucky we’ll always have Maurice’s songs: rough around the edges, but also stylish, and well put together.
Ringing in our guts.
Dan Warner
Maurice Frawley & The Yard Hands's Friend Space (Top 12)
Dearest Maurice, you know you were one of my faves. Your music was fantastic. I am so sad. But I send love to you, and many thanks for all the great times your old buddy, Debbie XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Maurice, I just got the very sad news that you've checked out, i'm in Dublin tonight and will raise a glass to all your great music and fine sense of humour over the years... Julien
Maurice, I was so sad to hear you're gone, mate, you really knew how to put some fine tunes together... I'm so glad I got to see you again in Elmore 6 mths ago - my kids still have the drawing you did for them... I'm playing Whoop Whoop tonight in memory of you. Rest easy, mate. Mary
.. Hey folks, we're playing The Tote this Thurs 4th Sept. Why not kick start your weekend early and get down for the 8pm B.B.Q. Love to see ya. X THE MERCY KILLS
Deb from Canberra here..noted you on line...are you doing any gigs toward the end of this month or early next month or in March....I'm south of the Murray Dixon Line for a while.
Stay lovely and amazing [y'all]...haven't see y'all play in about a year
Greensborough House concert, 10/2/07
Two couples, four musicians, the strumming of acoustic guitars, gentle harmonica and voices joined in sweet harmony. The "Bless This House" tour, featuring The Yearlings and Suzannah Espie with Ian Collard, cherishes the warmth and intimacy of homegrown music. Come and visit our home and enjoy music in this most intimate way. Contact us at our Myspace, or on (03) 9434 6676 for your invitation.
Hello dear Maurice Frawley & The Yard Hands,
In the spirit of the free independent organic myspace revolution, I'm offering 4 tracks from the new single to all my dear myspace friends to be downloaded for FREE from now and for the entire month of November....dear old November and all the joy it brings.
Hope you're well and happy. Feel FREE to go and get these FREE songs any time you like.
And much love.
Justin
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