Michael Atherton & Sirocco #1

The original, ground-breaking line-up that changed the Australian folk music scene in the 1980s: Michael Atherton, Bill O'Toole, Andrew de Teliga and Guy Madigan. Atherton produced the first two albums, Paths of the Wind, and Earthdance. Both recordings captured the energy and originality of eclectic instrumental colours, Bulgarian and Macedonian dances, and Celtic folk music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany. Atherton and de Teliga also contributed original collaborative works and individual items. The original Sirocco was an all acoustic group with the capacity to lead huge crowds in wild dances in outdoor venues, even when the PA failed! Two Breton bombardes (double reed shawms) and two side drums made enough sound to send dancers into a frenzy! In the early 80s, Sirocco often supported and toured with Redgum and the Bushwackers. Sirocco whipped up a storm on many occasions and developed a national profile in Australia as an original iconic group. While they never had the hit single airplay of a deserving Redgum, they were, nonetheless, a most versatile music group, which was equally at home in a pub, a park, a festival or a concert hall stage.