April 30th, 2012: The dance club scene in Melbourne in 1969 was at its peak. Iconic venues such as Berties, Sebastian’s and Thumpin’ Tum thrived. Hard working bands like Max Merritt & The Meteors would often play multiple venues in one night. Spectra, in Melbourne’s southeast suburbs, was a biweekly dance created and promoted by teacher Martin Cook, that catered to high school age youth. The venue rotated between Waverley and Ashwood high schools. It was not uncommon for three or four bands to appear each night at Spectra. In addition to Max Merritt & The Meteors, top bands like Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, The Zoot & The Master’s Apprentices performed regularly before audiences upwards of 1,000. “Been Away Too Long” is from one of those nights late in 1969 at Ashwood High. The master tape was in storage for 42 years, and I thought it was about time that all Max Merritt & The Meteors fans had the opportunity to enjoy this great performance. The band’s unrelenting energy and superb execution will bring back a flood of memories for anyone who saw Max Merritt & The Meteors in the late 60s and early 70s. For all the new fans of the band, I hope you get a feel for the classic “live” Max Merritt & The Meteors. It didn’t get much better than this. - Brian Lewis, Producer, LosTraxx Records Max Merritt - Lead Vocals & Guitar; Bob Bertles - Saxophone, Flute & Vocals;Dave Russell - Bass; Stewie Speer - Drums Executive Producer: Brian Lewis; Recording Engineer: David Lewis; Digital Remaster: Greg Youngman Music Special Thanks to: Max Merritt, Bob Bertles, Dave Russell, Wal Bishop, Peter Williams, Peter Evans, Tim Dunn, Mike Rudd, John Durr, Glenn A. Baker, John Shand, Bonnie Redgrave-Lewis, Jo Tampas, Lloyd Mitchell, Gary Mitchell, Colin Smith, Play MPE, Tunecore, Limelight, Press Play Music, Replicat, Amazon.com, Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (Australia) Photos © David Porter Max Merritt & The Meteors "Been Away Too Long". Is the latest release from one of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest bands is not a compilation, nor a reissue. It is a rare event in the music industry. It is a new album of a live performance, recorded in Melbourne in late 1969, that has not previously been released. Only a handful of people even knew the recording existed until recently. This recording has not been mixed down or changed in any way. What you hear is exactly how the audience heard the band that night in late 1969, captured via multiple microphones and a reel-to-reel tape recorder. Every instrument is clear and naturally balanced. Superbly recorded, amazingly well preserved, and expertly digitally remastered, "Been Away Too Long" is NOT your father’s bootleg! The CD starts with two great numbers written by Max, followed by five proven crowd pleasers, and the band rounds out the set with a brilliant nine minute tribute medley to Otis Redding. There are so many numbers* the band never recorded elsewhere for an album, even life-long fans will be listening to plenty of “fresh” material. 1. I've Been Away Too Long 2:56 (Merritt) 2. I'm So Happy* 3:25 (Merritt) 3. Gonna Send You Back To Your Moma* 2:23 4. Kush* 9:55 5. Louisiana Ana 3:47 6. Western Union Man 4:34 7. The House Will Rock* 5:10 8. Otis Redding Medley* 9:47 You've Got Me Hummin' Fa, Fa, Fa, Fa, Fa (Sad Song) Try a Little Tenderness Satisfaction Max Merritt is one of Australia and New Zealand's most important and influential pioneering Rock & Roll, R&B and Soul artists, and has been tirelessly pleasing audiences for over 50 years. In 1969 and 1970, the band was at the top of their game and widely acknowledged as one of the most popular live acts on the Australian music scene. The album showcases some of the very best the Meteors had to offer. This particular band lineup produced a unique sound, a cross pollination of rock, jazz, soul and blues as Max puts it. "Been Away Too Long" has the unique ambience of a live performance that can never be matched by studio sessions. The sound quality is outstanding. The release includes a terrific drum solo by the late Stewie Speer in Kush. We brought it to Glenn A. Baker’s attention, and he believes it is Stewie’s only known recorded drum solo. Stewie was one of Australia's all-time great drummers. It is rumored that on more than one occasion, Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts was seen paying close attention to Stewie's technique when the band performed in London in the 70s." Bob Bertles, one of Australia's top jazz musicians and longtime Meteor sax and flute player (1967-1974) provides a memorable performance on the album including a number of solos. Dave Russell, guitarist and music producer, and Meteor bass player (1969-1973) performs superbly on the album, like he had been with Max for years, and not just the few months since signing on when the recording was made. The quartet's power and flawless execution makes for a great listening experience.