The Keil Isles – Early Rock & Roll From New Zealand - Vol. 1 & 2 @ 320

Original Line-Up:

    Olaf Keil (Lead Guitar)

    Herma Keil (Rhythm Guitar)

    Rudolph Keil (Bass Guitar)

    Klaus Keil (Drums)

    Freddie Keil (Vocals)

Members:

Alphonso Keil, Bill Fairs, Bill Kristian, Brian Henderson , Dody Potter, Doug Jerebine, Eliza Keil, Freddie Keil, George Barna, Heke Kewene, Herma Keil, John 'Yuk' Harrison, Johnny Walker (10), Klaus Keil, Louis Miller, Norman Akers, Olaf Keil, Peter Skerrett, Puni Soloman, Red Williamson

The Samoa Islands are a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean about 1750 miles north-east of New Zealand. The islands are volcanic or coral in origin and were frequently visited by earthquakes and hurricanes. The topography and climatic conditions are an apt description for the Keil Isles who catapulted onto the New Zealand musical scene in the exciting early days of rock and roll and left their mark.

Olaf Keil was born in 1934 in Apia, Western Samoa and developed a love for music at an early age like most of his fellow islanders. The enterprising Olaf was building his own ukuleles out of coconut shells at the age of 10. Olaf had an aptitude and interest in photography, electronics and woodworking. He left in 1951 for a six month course in photography in Fiji when he was 17 and landed in New Zealand the next year.

Olaf started playing guitar with his uncle's 14 piece band and young cousin Freddie Keil would approach Olaf to back him on some rock and roll songs which were becoming popular. The response was favourable and soon Olaf taught his brother Herma to play guitar and along with brothers Klaus on drums and Rudolph on bass, they formed the first incarnation of the Keil Isles in 1956. The musical family played at their Mormon church, but good response at a talent quest contest along with their ability and well rehearsed professional sound convinced them to branch out. A regular booking was at the Orange Dance Hall in 1958 before a tour of the North Island. On their return to Auckland, they secured regular bookings at the Jive Centre, replacing the Bob Paris Combo.

The group soon recruited pianist Heke Kewene to fill out their sound and they approached the owner of the Tanza record label who also owned a recording studio which was mainly used for cutting radio commercials. (Tanza stands for To Assist New Zealand Artists). The owner was not sure about recording rock and roll as he was more attuned to pop and jazz music, but he finally agreed. Pianist Norman Akers came into the group in place of Heke, but after a short while he was replaced by Brian Henderson.

The Keil Isles were keen to record Chuck Berry's "Johnny B Goode" which they had received from the US as it looked like the Berry version would not be released in New Zealand. With Joe Turner's "Flip Flop and Fly" on the reverse, the single was released at the end of 1958. The songs were recorded on a one track Ampex tape recorder with only one microphone placed strategically to capture the group. The record was a success and the label owner eventually released four more singles in their versions of "Crazy Dreams"/"I'm So In Love With You" and Gene Vincent's "Say Mama" coupled with Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart", two Bobby Darin rockers in "Splish Splash" and "Bullmoose", Buddy Knox's "C'mon Baby" and Frankie Ford's "Sea Cruise" as well as an EP called "The Keil Isles", all in 1959. Soon after the initial release,  Brian Edger was brought in on bass replacing Rudolph and sisters Eliza and occasionally Helga sang with the group. Freddie or Herma were the featured singers on many early sides until Tanza ceased operations in 1959. Brian Edger didn't stay long and was replaced by Lou Miller.

https://www.sergent.com.au/music/keilisles.html

The Keil Isles’ place in New Zealand’s music history has often been understated, even though they were a drawcard in Auckland playing rock and roll well before Johnny Devlin left Wanganui.

Why? Possibly because they were mostly an Auckland phenomenon, or that cover versions dominated their set lists, or just that New Zealand’s rock history needed an iconoclastic lone ranger like Devlin to be its first star.

More:  https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/the-keil-isles

=====================================================

The Keil Isles – Early Rock & Roll From New Zealand

CD 1

 1. The Keil Isles - Say Mama 

 2. The Keil Isles - Your Cheatin' Heart 

 3. The Keil Isles - C'mon Baby 

 4. The Keil Isles - Sea Cruise 

 5. The Keil Isles - Bullmoose 

 6. The Keil Isles - I'm so in Love with You 

 7. The Keil Isles - Splish Splash 

 8. The Keil Isles - Johnny B. Goode 

 9. The Keil Isles - Crazy Dreams 

 10. The Keil Isles - Flip Flop and Fly 

 11. The Keil Isles - Little Papoose 

 12. The Keil Isles - Twist and Freeze 

 13. The Keil Isles - Blue Moon 

 14. The Keil Isles - 'Til the End of the World 

 15. The Keil Isles - Staggar Lee 

 16. The Keil Isles - Ruby Ann 

 17. The Keil Isles - Be My Guest 

 18. The Keil Isles - What's Going On 

 19. The Keil Isles - Teddy Bear's Picknick 

 20. The Keil Isles - Don't Come Knockin' 

 21. The Keil Isles - I'm a Fool 

 22. The Keil Isles - When You're in Love 

 23. The Keil Isles - Quit a Party 

 24. The Keil Isles - Hush Somebody's Calling My Name 

 25. The Keil Isles - If the Man in the Moon 

 26. The Keil Isles - So in Love with You 

 27. The Keil Isles - Little Papose 

 28. The Keil Isles - Rehearsal Rock 

 29. The Keil Isles - Twist and Freeze (Version 2) 

 30. The Keil Isles - Bullmoose (Version 2) 

CD 2 

 31. The Keil Isles - Boogie Boy 

 32. The Keil Isles - Don't Come Knockin' (Version 2) 

 33. The Keil Isles - My Heart Cries for You 

 34. The Keil Isles - Poor Man's Riches 

 35. The Keil Isles - Country Boy 

 36. The Keil Isles - Shakey 

 37. The Keil Isles - Don't You Know 

 38. The Keil Isles - Come on & Get Me 

 39. The Keil Isles - Made to Be Loved 

 40. The Keil Isles - Yes Sir, That's My Baby 

 41. The Keil Isles - Little Too Much 

 42. The Keil Isles - Oasis 

 43. The Keil Isles - No Signs of Loneliness Here 

 44. The Keil Isles - Should I 

 45. The Keil Isles - Pretty Suzie Sunshine 

 46. The Keil Isles - Such a Night 

 47. The Keil Isles - Please Don't Tease 

 48. The Keil Isles - Swinging Away Time 

 49. The Keil Isles - Do You Miss Me 

 50. The Keil Isles - Cinnamon Cinder (Live) 

 51. The Keil Isles - The Twist (Live) 

 52. The Keil Isles - Tossin' & Turnin' (Live) 

 53. The Keil Isles - Guitar Boogie (Live) 

 54. The Keil Isles - Such a Night (Live) 

 55. The Keil Isles - Be My Guest (Live) 

 56. The Keil Isles - Cradle of Love (Live) 

 57. The Keil Isles - Say Yeah (Live) 

 58. The Keil Isles - In the Mood (Live) 

 59. The Keil Isles - Yes Sir, That's My Baby (Live) 

 60. The Keil Isles - Boogie Boy 

Backing Vocals – Helga Keil

Bass – Lou Miller, Puni Solomon, Rudolph Keil, Warren McMillan

Compilation Producer – Cees Klop

Drums – Klaus Keil, Red Williamson

Guitar – Johnny Walker (, Olaf Keil

Piano – Brian Henderson (3), Heke Kewene, Norman Akers

Saxophone – Bill Fairs, George Barna

Vocals – Freddie Keil, Herma Keil (tracks: 1-1 to 1-10, 1-14 to 1-18, 1-20 to 1-22, 1-26, 1-30 to 2-5, 2-7 to 2-11, 2-13 to 2-17, 2-19 to 2-22, 2-24 to 2-30)

Tracks 1-14, 1-15, 1-17, 1-19, 1-23, 1-28 to 2-1, 2-17, 2-18 previously unreleased. Tracks 2-21 to 2-29 live and previously unreleased.

***