Words by Cosmic Staff
Graphic by Glitter Records

A remarkable lost Australian blues song has been brought back into the light. The discovery comes thanks to Glitter Records, who uncovered a long‑forgotten acetate by early Brisbane blues‑rock outfit Gentle Art. The lost 45 was found in the Byron Bay region, buried in a box of old records moments away from becoming landfill — a lucky save that underscores Glitter Records’ growing role in archival recovery and preservation.

Glitter Records’ Riley Fitzgerald on Rediscovering a Lost Australian Blues Song

Gentle Art were active from the late 1960s through to the mid‑1970. A standout moment for the group came in 1971, when they appeared at Brisbane’s Festival Hall to support Elton John on October 26. Only one commercial release has ever been widely known. This being their 1975 Polydor single “When The Sun Goes Down” backed with “The Beggar’s Song.” 

Founded in 1930, 4BC is a long-running a commercial AM radio station in Brisbane. Throughout the mid‑20th century, stations like 4BC regularly commissioned or received one‑off transcription discs and acetates for airplay. These were ephemeral recordings often discarded once their broadcast purpose was complete.

The Gentle Art – “I Wish You Luck” / “Three’s A Crowd” acetate is one of those rare survivors. The unique 7‑inch disc cut specifically for 4BC. It contains two songs that have never been released, digitised, archived, or heard outside the physical record itself. With no studio master and no collector transfer known to exist, the acetate remains the only source for these lost Australian recordings.

Glitter Records owner Riley Fitzgerald says the find sits comfortably alongside the store’s most prized archival pieces. “I’d place this right next to our first pressing of The Saints’ ‘I’m Stranded’,” Riley says. “But what makes this one truly different is that you can’t hear it anywhere else. The music only exists on this disc.”

A Brisbane Blues Treasure Returned to Circulation

For Glitter Records, the discovery reinforces their commitment to preserving Queensland’s musical heritage. Rescuing forgotten recordings, documenting regional history, and ensuring rare artefacts aren’t lost forever is part of the job. As Riley puts it, “This is an exciting part of what we do.”

With renewed interest in lost Australian blues, this Gentle Art acetate stands as a genuine Brisbane treasure. One saved, restored, and now once again in circulation thanks to Glitter Records.