Notes from the producer Marina Hurley...
Following on from the success of the festival folk sing Joni Mitchell I decided to keep going and to gather people together to record one of Australia’s finest, most prolific and uncompromising songwriters, Eric Bogle. To maintain the festival folk sing... theme, artists who regularly perform at Australia's acoustic and folk music festivals were invited to record their favourite song of Eric’s. The notable exception was the song Safe in the Harbour. As Eric Bogle wrote this song as a tribute to the Canadian song-writer Stan Rogers, it was only fitting that we have the deep rich tones of another well known Canadian song-writer James Keelaghan to return the tribute by singing this song. The only track not specifically recorded for this project was Martyn Wyndham-Read’s wonderful recording of Shelter. Although Martyn offered a new recording, I couldn’t imagine this CD without this song or this version. This compilation is not easy listening; the songs are compelling, thoughtful, soulful, and often confronting. They are tastefully arranged and expertly delivered by a very fine group of singers and musicians.
Again a huge thank you to Steve Vella for his engineering expertise that helped steer this project through to its conclusion; John Munro for answering all of my questions; Martin Pearson for support and advice; Andrew Pattison for having faith in this project and Heather McCormack for being Heather.
About Eric Bogle...
Eric Bogle is an amazing singer/songwriter. The breadth of subjects, emotions and issues that he covers in his songs is phenomenal. He is also a very funny man. If you want to know more about him, read the book written by John Munro, The Emigrant and the Exile (
www.rosedogbookstore.com) that chronicles Eric and John’s musical journey. Lyrics, recording info and the Bogleblurb are available at
www.ericbogle.net.
released April 20, 2020