October Moon by John Rasmussen

October Moon by John Rasmussen

The recording of this collection of songs began almost two years before John died in 2009. John had finished one round of chemotherapy and was coerced into recording his own songs for posterity - with a few familiar favourites thrown in. Not for profit (though the odd quid is always handy), but for the joy.

John and Charlie boarded Tram 274 at the Bend of Isles, Melbourne, for what was to be a crazy journey of songs, tales, banter and debate, spanning many Sunday afternoons and snatches of weekdays. With Charlie at the recording desk, John laid down all lead vocals and primary guitar tracks. With John's passing, his musical family and friends continued to record additional backing vocal and instrumental parts, guided by the production notes John made before he died. The 2-disc CD, 'October Moon', was released and launched posthumously at Montsalvat, Eltham, in March 2010.

This selection of songs from over thirty-five years hails from riversides, kitchens, old folks' homes and the streets of the world that John travelled. There are many more, some recorded, some performed, some still in dusty folders or cracked cassettes.

For John there was no such thing as a wrong note. He was a musical democrat. He believed that everyone had a story to tell and a song to sing. His own songs are of drifters, dreamers, hobos and gamblers, but most of all they are about those who have taken chances - the bravest ones. Although John shied clear of labels, he was a folk singer in the truest sense. He wove stories of Australian city and bush into his own experience as a world-wanderer and into the experiences of many others. John sings the stories of his heroes, be they soldier or sixteen-year-old girl, as if they are his own.

Traces of the bush poets haunt his lyrics, and a deep love of the land - its people, its birds, rivers and moons - resonates through the melodies. These songs capture the good ol' boy from Cheltenham, who dreamt of the worlds that coffee houses, Russian novels and dark cinemas and songs painted, only to discover, as travellers do, that home is where we return. Whether strumming beneath a palm tree or a gum, John spins a web of melody that connects us all, in a world where October can mean spring or sometimes fall, but where the waxing and waning moon is constant.

Most of us do not have the chance, or take the chance, to say what we want to say. John did. He lived his life as he chose - and that is what we celebrate here.

~ Maureen, Jesse, Kristian, Kate and Matthew (March 2010, edited 2025)

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This album only came about because of hundreds of hours in what was a labour of love. Special thanks to Charlie, whose zeal, humour and dedication ensured John would have an album, an album that would surprise and delight, one he would be proud to call his own. Thanks also to Rod, Robbie and Rayner for their patient and critical ears and of course the wondrous circle of musicians who returned to the tram time and again to play their instruments and sing their harmonies. Kate, Jesse and Kristian mounted a Herculean effort collaborating their diverse talents to create a cover and booklet that captures their father's spirit and art (original CD booklet available in PDF format with audio download from Bandcamp).

We know that John's music touched so many lives near and far. This album ensures his voice, his songs will never be too far away from any of us. It is also important to acknowledge the many people who knowingly or not inspired, encouraged and believed in that musical web that connects us all. The audiences, the musicians, the children, the performers, the oldies, the family and the friends, here and there. Thank you all.

John Rasmussen was an Australian singer songwriter who died in December 2009 at age 63. ‘October Moon’ features a selection of his songs produced posthumously in 2010. Many dedicated singers and musicians recorded additional tracks guided by John’s production notes. This recording pays tribute to a lifetime of music-making and a true Australian voice who loved nothing more than sharing a song.