Eric Bogle - Other People's Children

Other People's Children is another excellent CD from the antipodean Scot Eric Bogle. Mainly his own great compositions, plus a couple from writers he admires. Straight talking, deeply emotional and thoroughly honest.

Not a jolly folksy CD, but folk song back to its roots - incisive words about the hard times we all suffer, and rejoicing in the bright spots in between.

Tamborine Mountain; Hallowed Ground; True Believers; The Lst Of The Old Timers; The Promise; Tired; Other People's Children; A Good Man; The Demon; The Last Rodeo; Thou Shalt Not; To An Athlete Dying Young; While I Am Here.

First collection of new songs since 2002 from one of the best songwriters over the past three decades - and to prove the point, in a 'Celebrity Top Fifty Songs Poll' held in 2003 two of Eric's songs, "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" and "No Man's Land" ("Green Fields of France"), were placed at Nos. 1 and 5 respectively, above such international artists as Donovan, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Leonard Cohen, John Prine and many more. Other awards include an Australian "Gold Disc" in 1983 for "Now I'm Easy" and the Australian "Gold Award for Song of The Year" in 1986 for "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". Eric was also the recipient of the Australian Peace Medal from the Government in 1986 and the "Order of Australia" in 1987 for services to entertainment - and that only lists a few of the many awards bestowed on this remarkable character. The Melody Maker wrote of Eric "Most of the best contemporary songs of the seventies were written by Eric Bogle".

"Other People's Children" is another exceptional collection of songs from this prolific songwriter. In "Hallowed Ground" Eric re-visits "No Man's Land" and the World War 1 graveyards; he reflects on the elderly in "The Last of The Old Timers"; in "Other People's Children" he condemns the killing of defenceless, helpless civilians, mainly women and children in the many so-called 'little' wars, from Korea to Iraq; in "A Good Man" he takes a swipe at politicians; while manic depression and people's sometimes unhelpful attitude to this physical illness is the subject of "The Demon". The album includes two songs by other writers - "To An Athlete Dying Young", a poem by A. E. Houseman with music by Eric; and "While I am Here", by friend and long-time touring buddy John Munro - a 'be the best you can' type of song, which Eric describes as "...a positive way to end the album".

Eric enlists the help of several musicians, including the award-winning Australian band, Colcannon, featuring Kat Kraus (backing vocals); Emma Luker (fiddle); Jenna Bonavita (bass guitar); John Munro (guitars, mandolins and vocals); and Pete Titchener (guitar and vocals). In addition Kat Kraus takes lead vocal on "The Promise", about saying the final goodbye to someone you love. Eric felt this song was best sung by Kat.

This collection again emphasises Eric Bogle's fearless approach to subjects which many other songwriters are afraid to tackle.

Scots songs, traditional music, male folk singer.

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