Tales From The Sun

The Sun-Herald December 22, 1974
Grant Thompson

Sydney artist aidan nolan has gained the rather unusual prestige of world-wide release for his first album Tales From The Sun.

To date, aidan lists his chief musical achievements as composing the title song for the film No Roses For Michael, and working as a busker on the London tube.  He was arrested for the latter exploit.

The Sun-Herald December 29th, 1974
Gil Wahlquist

aidan nolan is an outstanding new solo performer who sings 12 of his own songs on the LP Tales From The Sun.  The disc was produced by John J Francis and the accompanying musicians who are heard on the Francis records – Doug Gallagher, George Ambrosio, Alan Luchetti, Ross Ward, John Bird and Roy Giles.

nolan deals with everyday emotions and aspirations and treats them in a way which would suit the more thoughtful end of the market.

Spaceman, which opens the album is a good song on a popular theme. One Out On A Limb has strong instrumental sounds matching the voice of nolan and the nonsense section of the lyric is very catchy. nolan’s reference to North Shore housewives in the opening to Till I Get Me Some Money is the only journalistic touch in the lyrics.  For his other songs nolan employs a loose imagery which allows the listener to fit to their own situation.

aidan nolan has worked as a guitarist and vocalist with a number of bands and he has actively composed during this time, it all flows very well.  The disc is an excellent production.

International Release For Unknown Songwriter – TV Week 1975
Martin King & Ian Dougall

Young Sydney singer-songwriter aidan nolan is to get overseas releases with his new album, Tales From The Sun.

The album is being released in the United Kingdom and Europe now and will be released in the United States in February.  All the songs are written by aidan and the album was produced by John J Francis.

The first single, Melanie Moonbeam, enjoyed success in most Australian states and a new single, Spaceman, has just been released.

Tales From The Sun is a first-rate production, without doubt one of the most original Australian albums released for many years.  Spaceman, One Out On A Limb, Wasting My Time, Can’t Go On Like This, Laughing and Sweet Soft Summer Sound stand out on the album.

aidan started writing songs when he was only five and has since composed more than 1200 songs.  Among his musical achievements is the composing of the music for the drug film documentary No Roses For Michael. 

Soon after recording this first album he left for England and worked as a busker on the London Tube system and Portobello Road, for which exploit he was arrested. Apart from busking he also worked in many of the leading sound studios in England.

aidan has begun work on his second album, which should be released in late Autumn.

If Tales From The Sun is any indication of his ability as a singer and songwriter, then aidan’s musical career is only beginning.  The fresh new style of his songs make him a singer with a difference, and if luck is on his side he should gain recognition on the international market.

The Busker Comes Up Roses – RAM (Rock Australia Magazine) 1975

If your memory is good enough to cast back to a television program some six years ago about drug addiction called “No Roses For Michael”, you might also remember the name of the man who wrote the music, being aidan nolan?  No takers?  Well anyway, after that brief flirtation with undying fame aidan nolan is alive and well, 24 years old and recording his second album.  You don’t even remember his first?  In that case, read on.

Aidan played with various Sydney rock bands during the late 1960’s including the now defunct Daisy Roots, handling the vocals and some guitar work where necessary.  In 1973 he began to lay down tracks for an album, Tales From The Sun, but with the album still not completed, he decided to travel to England. 

While in London aidan was offered a contract to record cover versions of American songs. Apparently he found great difficulty relating lyrically and, such musical honesty being financially unrewarding, he was down to the ancient art of busking, making use of the excellent acoustics of Green Park station in the London underground.

However, it was when John J Francis who produced and arranged Tales From The Sun took aidan's album to London, the former street busker was immediately signed to the British Sparks label. The album will be released in England and Europe in a few months and his second album, which will be completed shortly, will also be released overseas.

No Straight Lines

Well!  I guess we’ll see!