Where the Wattles Bloom
RRR131
Bandcamp link available here.
To the Far Tatiara and Back
RRR132
Bandcamp link available here.
Folk songs often reveal a great deal about the emotional history of a country and, in many ways, are good signposts of our journey through the years. Some are poems turned into songs, some are adaptations of older songs, some can be attributed to specific writers, and most are anonymous creations that were circulated orally among singers. Whatever their credentials, the majority of folk songs in the Australian context tell about life’s aspirations, frustrations, pains and pleasures. The songs in this collection come from various directions and have been strongly influenced by Dave de Hugard’s lifelong association with Australian storytelling and music-making. Dave is a natural singer and musician. He sings from the heart. This is not your usual collection of bush songs, for these songs and tunes have travelled down the years and have been re-fashioned in Dave’s unique and sympathetic style. They have also been influenced by some of the people he recorded for his oral history collection at the National Library of Australia. Above all, these long-awaited recordings set a new benchmark in how we perceive the role of old bush songs and dance tunes, as they provide evidence that everything old is new again, and folk music creativity knows no boundaries.
(Warren Fahey, Rouseabout Records)
More Information: Artist Page
Mulga Maxims & Other Bush Songs
RRR128
Declan loved the old bush songs, especially when he could link them to the Irish experience in Australia. He appeared in numerous ABC radio programs, including The Australian Legend, where he was called upon to render little-known ballads and folksongs. Never shy of a musical challenge, he would study the song and return with a brilliant arrangement. He also had a knack for reciting poetry, and this album features one of his recitations of convict poet Frank McNamara’s works. MacNamara, often called ‘Frank the Poet’, is also attributed with writing the ballad ‘Moreton Bay’.
Bandcamp link available here.
More Information: Artist Page
A Fine Song For Singing
RRR127
What a strange place the Australian bush must have seemed like for the early settlers. Its remoteness and harshness were so different from ‘back home’. This selection of songs covers a wide spectrum, including shearing songs, songs of struggles and desperation, pioneering settlement, boozing and two Kelly Ballads. There’s also an evocative reading of Ned Kelly’s famous yet little-heard The Jerilderie Letter.
Bandcamp link available here.
More Information: Artist Page
A Jug of This
RRR129
There’s little doubt that the songs about drinking are amongst the best of all folk songs. Declan was probably too fond of the drink and, sadly, paid the price of too many heavy sessions. He sang the songs with particular relish, yet remorseful songs like Carrickfergus touched many listeners and became closely associated with the singer’s own story.
Bandcamp link available here.
More Information: Artist Page
Whether or No
RRR130
Although armed with a deep swag of traditional songs, Declan always had room for newer songs, especially those biting back at superficial society and greed. He championed the keen-edged political songs of Don Henderson and John Dengate – both represented in this compilation and storytelling songs like Harry Robertson’s Queensland Whalers.
Bandcamp link available here.
More Information: Artist Page
Catch A Falling Star
RRR125
CATCH A FALLING STAR is a collection of original and traditional songs, including Colin’s compositions Factory Lad’, ‘Sitha’ and his evocative interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s ‘Ballad of Reading Gaol’. There are also some classic folk songs, including ‘’Scarborough Fair’ and a haunting song about the disappearance of Lord Franklin, ex-Governor of Tasmania, whose expedition disappeared in the Arctic in 1845. One of the standout contemporary songs is Sydney Carter’s ‘Silver in the Stubble’. On the album, Colin plays guitar, fiddle and concertina and is joined on several tracks by Dave Brannigan.
Digital release links available here.
More Information: Artist Page
One Too Many Mornings
RRR126
ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS is a collection of blues, rags, gospel and jazz songs – all given the special treatment Colin was renowned for delivering. There are also two songs by Bob Dylan. As a bonus, there is another version of ‘Lord Franklin’. Colin was an exceptionally talented guitar player and his versions of blues and jazz standards are riveting. ‘Down by the Riverside’, ‘Candyman’, ‘Dink’s Song’ and ‘St James Infirmary Blues’ all offer that special ‘live’ magic. Dave Brannigan also appears on several of the tracks.
Digital release links available here.
More Information: Artist Page
The Source of Light
RRR123
The Source of Light
RRR123
Recorded in late 2021, Eric Bogle surrounded himself in the studio with some amazing talent: Emma Luker (fiddle, cello, viola, harmony vocals) arranged vocals, wrote a tune in memory of the late John Munro and designed the artwork; Peter Titchener (guitar, vocals) contributed two songs, recorded and produced the album; Damien Steele Scott (acoustic guitar, bass); Jon James (percussion); Richard Cotes (accordion, keyboards); The Sherrahs (harmony vocals); Anthony Stewart (mandolin, electric guitar) and Anthony O’Neill (tenor banjo).
On The Girl in The Photo: Peter Franche (accordion); Gina Jeffreys (vocals); Rod McCormack (acoustic guitar) and Mike Haynes (bass).
On Catching The Wave: guest English artists Chris While (vocals) and Julie Mathews (keyboards).
On A Cottage in The Country: The Bogle Pub Choir.
This is a remarkable collection and was recorded at a time when Eric was not in the best of health. We are very pleased to report that he is now on the mend and still performing.
Rouseabout Records is very proud of our long association with Eric (which includes the 5 album box set Singing The Spirit Home ) and always welcomes a new album.
The Source of Light (RRR123) is available to download on iTunes or stream on Apple Music and Spotify and on CD through MGM Distribution or directly from Undercover Music via mail order.
Digital release links available here.
More Information: Artist Page
Fifteen tracks:
Empowering Change Through Progressive Musical Expression
