The Emigrant & The Exile Eric Bogle and John Munro
Greentrax CDTRAX121 1996 Eric Bogle This is a CD with an unusual history. Bogle and Munro are both resident in Australia – hence the title from these
ex-patriates. The main recording was done in the Antipodes and the tracks transported back to Scotland – a new twist on transportation. Extra backing and production was done there and the result is magic. The duo share song
writing credits and together they manage to bring us a Scottish folk gem from under a southern star. Munro has written a short history of Scottish folk in his song 'Were You There?' He recreates an era of folk clubs and "looking
back to when Ewan wrote the songs we sang and Hamish played the blues". But this is not just a bout of nostalgia. It also tells us on the record company deals and ends on an optimistic note recalling that Bogle, Gaughan and the
like are still writing and performing and as you read this – the audience still loves good folk. Although this CD dates back a few years, a number of the tracks have not had the exposure that they deserve. One such
song is by John Munro. It is called 'The Ballad of Charles Davenport' and it should be a folk classic. Like the best of folk it recounts a real story. The subject was a real person. It tells us that bad as Ireland was in the middle
of the last century – the 20th
– it was not alone. Other countries threw the children of single mothers into orphanages and then sent them to distant lands "for their own good". Charles was one of them. By the time he traced his mother all he could speak to was a grave.
Bogle asks the question we all think at times in his song 'Progress'. He talks of the modernisation of Glasgow and sings, "if you think we're making progress you are blind". 'Marking Time' is for anyone wondering where to
turn, how to proceed. They advise "listen to your heart, it's the only road to follow". The liner notes tell us that 'Campbell's Daughter' is a modern, instant folk song. It certainly has the ingredients, unrequited love, deceit,
injustice and a bit of murder. Listen without knowing when it was written and I bet you could not date it. I have always loved Eric Bogle's song 'One Small Star' but it was only when reading the liner notes on this CD did I
realise that it was written for the parents of the children murdered in the school in Dunblane. It adds a new poignancy to a fantastic song. The whole CD is a joy to listen to. We are familiar with Bogle but this album gives
voice to John Munro. Here are heartfelt songs, funny songs and most important, songs that make us think. Well worth the effort of seeking out.
Free to Run Mick Hanly Am Cheoil ACCD015 2004
I have seen this man live in Whites and in a small setting in Finnegan's and he is
magic. He is one of our greatest songwriters and performers but you could pass him on any street in Ireland and not realise it. He has written million selling songs and performed with the best in Ireland. On this ten-track
album he packs in more sounds, sentiments and class observation than any other artiste. Opening in country style with 'Still Haven't Managed' he will get your toes tapping and you mind alert to the lyrics. I personally loved
'Birthmark', a song about growing up, friendship and nostalgia. Listen to it and relive your youth if you are the wrong side of forty. His classic 'Past the point of Rescue' is here too for those who like to trace a hit back to
its roots and writer. This is truly a CD to bring you back to the past and bring the past to 2004. Remember the Moving Hearts song 'All I Remember'? It was another classic from Hanly's pen and he reworks it here to perfection.
Opening with a choir of children singing one of the old school songs he tells it as it was in Ireland of the Christian Brothers and life in the dance halls, Morris Minors and the like. Did you stand like John Wayne by the wall at
Dun Mhuire, Adamstown or The Barrowland? Go on if you have a past relive it with Mick.
Nicky Rossiter
icky Rossiter