My name is Martin Scholes. I like writing reviews on Ciao. I am married, we have a cockatiel and a c...
My name is Martin Scholes. I like writing reviews on Ciao. I am married, we have a cockatiel and a cat. And a growing African Grey. Who orders the cat around!
Member since:06.12.2003
Reviews:334
Members who trust:65
A mate of mine who is a radio presenter first introduced me to the music of John Williamson. At first, his CDs were only available through Reddington's Rare Records in Birmingham as special imports.
But as the influence of the radio programme they were played on spread (the Ed Doolan Show on BBC Radio WM) John Williamson began doing tours of the Midlands and them of the UK and his CDs became more widely available.
"The Way It Is" is a wonderful introduction to the works of John Williamson who is, in my opinion, probably the best poet musician singer and humorist that Australia has produced in many years. Think of an Australian Max Boyce and you are probably part way to understanding the vibrant and lively appeal of John Williamson.
The first song on the CD is Campfire on the Road. Is a wonderful love song with multiple purposes. It is a love song to not only his beloved Australia and the ancient ways of life of the Aborigines, of the cattle drovers and also to his wife, or his darlin' as he calls her. Although I have never had the pleasure of visiting Australia, the song is so well performed that you find yourself sat at a flickering campfire, listening to John Williamson playing. The song is so hauntingly beautiful that I am not ashamed to say that it brings tears to my eyes. It makes me realise why Australians are so fiercely proud of Australia and of their heritage. They do, truly, have so much to be proud of.
The next song, A thousand feet, is a duet with Warren H. Williams. It puts right the misconceptions people have about Australia. "It's not a hard place, it's a soft and gentle land Gonna lay my bed on the soft and gentle sand Hera old man time whisper in my ear A thousand feet have been through here"
Three Sons is a semi-autobiographical song, telling the story of a family of cattle farmers, and, of course, John's family are farmers. And, as the farmers in the song, his family have suffered terribly through the recent drought years.
I don't propose to list all the songs on this wonderful CD. Why? Because I really would like you to find them out for yourself as you listen to the CD or catch John Williamson in concert. The remaining tracks are Queensland Bungalow, Wonthaggi, Mountain Hideaway, Singing in the Rain, Would I be the One, We're still here, Happy Birthday My Old Friend, Railwayman, Great Ocean Road, Purple Roses, Do I Love You? Thargomindah the Way it is) and The Land of the Truly Free.
John has a website at www.malleeboy.com
I received the CD as a free gift (I was fortunate enough to interview John. By the way he's a great bloke.
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