Blue Sky Mining

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Blue Sky Mining is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band Midnight Oil, released on 9 February 1990 under the Columbia Records label.<ref name="ARDb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was the band's first studio album with bassist and backing vocalist Bones Hillman, who would remain in the group until his death in 2020. It peaked at number one on the ARIA albums chart.<ref name="AusCharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It stayed at number one for two weeks in Australia and had Top 5 chart success in Sweden, Switzerland and Norway.<ref name="BlueSkyA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200<ref name="BillA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and number 28 on the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A limited release of the album featured a clear, blue vinyl.

Background

Blue Sky Mining retains the alternative rock sound and Warne Livesey production of the band's previous album, Diesel and Dust, but is "more defiant and outspoken."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The single "Blue Sky Mine" describes asbestos exposure in the Wittenoom mine tragedy.<ref name="McF">Template:Cite book</ref> The lead single peaked at number eight on the ARIA singles charts,<ref name="AusCharts2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> top 15 in Norway and Switzerland,<ref name="BlueSkyS2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> number 47 on Billboard Hot 100 and number one on both their Mainstream and Modern Rock Tracks charts,<ref name="BillS2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and appeared on the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The second single, "Forgotten Years", was more moderately successful, reaching number 26 on the ARIA singles chart, number 97 in the UK, number 11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks, and number one on the Modern Rock Tracks.

Hirst later said, "Warne's whole thing was to get as close to aural perfection as you possibly could, or as close as we were ever going to get- and Rhino the sort of place to do it. It was indulgent, excessive, and it was the kind of luxury that's afforded to bands with a hit album, which we had." Moginie added, "I didn't realise that we were making a commercial record and we certainty never set out to. We ended up going for good songs and lots of acoustic guitars, and it worked."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Reception

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1991, Midnight Oil won 'Best Group' and an 'Outstanding Achievement Award', and were awarded 'Best Cover Art', 'Best Video' and 'Album of the Year' for Blue Sky Mining.<ref name=arialist>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name=aria1991>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Manager Gary Morris, accepting awards for Midnight Oil, was criticised for a speech lasting 20 minutes.<ref name=aria1991/><ref name="Jeff">Template:Cite book</ref>

Track listing

• • Some early Australian copies included the track "You May Not Be Released" - it was the B-side to a 12-inch issue of "Forgotten Years," and it is believed that this only appeared on the first 1,000 LP copies. It also appeared on early cassette copies<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Personal memory. I went to the record store on release day and bought a cassette copy which included this "bonus rough mix track"</ref> and CDs.<ref>Physical CD media from 1990 release</ref>

Charts

Weekly charts

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Chart (1990–1991)	Peak position

Year-end charts

Chart (1990)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	3
Canadian Albums (RPM)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	28
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	19
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	8
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	12
US Billboard 200<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	67

Personnel

Midnight Oil

• Peter Garrett - lead vocals, harmonica
• Bones Hillman - bass, vocals
• Robert Hirst - drums, vocals
• Jim Moginie - guitars, keyboards, vocals
• Martin Rotsey - guitars

Additional personnel

• Warne Livesey - additional keyboards
• Jeremy Smith - French horn
• Phillip Hartl - String Leader
• Glad and Carl - Horn Swells

External links

• Midnight Oil