Bon Scott Complete Sessions (1970-73) CD - Import

Complete Sessions 1971-72 gathers together all of Fraternity's recordings, most of which feature Bon Scott, who would later gain fame as the lead singer of AC/DC. Fans of that hard-rocking group will be disappointed if looking to find kindred spirits here though, as Fraternity was a hippie band inspired by rock of the prog, country, and boogie variety. And while Scott's vocal is unmistakable, there is a vibrato present that was ultimately shaved off for the stripped-down AC/DC. Oftentimes Fraternity sounds like a group unable to decide if they wanted to be the next Procol Harum or Australia's version of the Band, resulting in an unusual hybrid of prog rock and country-rock. They would also delve into the blues on occasion, which is when the closest comparisons to AC/DC can be made. This double-disc collection also includes Fraternity's first single (recorded before Scott joined), previously unreleased tracks, and two excerpts from Bon Scott radio interviews conducted during the late '70s. ~ Bart Bealmear

Before he found his way into AC/DC in 1974, Bon had been the lead vocalist with two leading Australian bands. The first, dispensing crisp bubble-pop, was The Valentines. The second, turning out expansive, intriguing, underground 'head' music on one hand & hard-rockin' boogie on the other, was Fraternity. With Fraternity, Bon toured Australia & Britain, & recorded two albums & a handful of small-run indie label singles. He also went through the experiences which would shape his attitude & performances in AC/DC (and supply him with the content of a number of his early songwriting efforts for that band). His highly distinctive vocal approach set Fraternity apart as one of the most powerful & acclaimed musical units to emerge from the lower continent in the early 1970s. A handful of Fraternity tracks have been released on Scott history CDs but the bulk of the band's output has long been out of reach (the original vinyl albums - Livestock & Flaming Galah - fetch many hundreds of dollars).