Customer Reviews

Redgum Anthology 1976-1986

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Watching Countdown on television in my late teens it was apparent that Molly Meldrum could not stand Redgum, but he admitted that they wrote one good song, I was only 19, a song about returned soldiers from the vietnam war. Perhaps if nothing else this is a good reason to take a closer look at this group.

John Schumann the lead singer was another political redneck in the same mold as Peter Garret from Midnight Oil, but singing country rather than rock. John like Peter went on to have a crack at politics when he contested the seat of Heysen, in my electorate in the Adelaide Hills, almost unsettling our Foreign Affairs minister Alexander Downer. John would have a crack at all of the institutions and assumptions of our society writing songs that side with the disenfanchised and alienated. His songs are littered with referrences to my home town of Adelaide, Hindley street, Anzac highway, Beaumont etc.

Redgum arise in an era where Australia is aligning itself with America on the international scene, having just extricated itself from the Vietnam war, trying to make an influence in Asia, coping with a growing migrant population and a growing fear of Nuclear war as the cold war intensifies. On the domestic front there is a growing separation between the affluent and the poor in our society. John Shumann seems to have a knack at taking off the pretentions and aspirations of the upper middle class in songs like Beamont Rag (not included in this collection).

This collection displays nicely the range of material the group has produced, with biting social commentry like, where you gonna run to, Ballads about the tribulations of Australian characters, the killing floor, the diamantina drover, down right subversive songs like brown rice and kerosene, caught in the act (not included) and humerous songs like I've been to Bali too and Fabulon. My favourite Redgum album is Midnight Sun (after John left the group) which is sadly unrepresented in this collection.

As an Australian Redgum is part of the social and political commentry that I grew up with during my University days. Redgum follows in a tradition of folk protest songs that in America spawned the likes of Bob Dylan, Art Guthrie etc...For an overseas consumer I would recommend this collection as an insight into Australia, a collection of powerful protest songs and a decade that is sadly slipping away.

In the current climate of war in the middle east, the threat of global terrorism and domestic agendas that disenfranchise individuals in favour of powerful corporations I wish that we had more Redgums, Midnight Oils etc to give our society a much needed conscience.

Redgum were unabashedly, unrelentingly Australian in their outlook, their playing, everything. Even Midnight Oil made a few (VERY few) concessions towards wider world audiences beyond Down Under, but not Redgum. If you're not from there, particularly if you're from the U.S., it's a little unsettling. But listen to the songs--there's a heart and soul and, yes, righteous rage at the despoiling of the land, the caving-in to ouside interests and the exploitation of the poor, the immigrants and the indigenous people in Australia--and see if they don't move you in the way any music that calls to your conscience should. It's strong stuff, but Redgum is worth listening to, even if you're not from Australia.

This is a compilation of the best of a group that was active in the 70s and 80s singing what were mostly protest songs. Some of them are funny, some of them sad, and " A Walk in the Light Green" is simply the best anti-war song ever written anywhere. This group never got the acclamation it deserved outside of Australia and New Zealand, and my only criticism is that as a compilation it has missed out one or two of my favourites, which is why I give it four stars instead of five.

Now THAT is THE THING. The so long awaited-for anthology we had been desperately missing for years. Each song is a gem that crowns this Best Of. I hope this is just a step towards the re-edition on CDs of ALL the albums of that magnificent Aussie band my kids are now really fans of. "The Diamantina Drover" is now a must in English classes in many schools here in France (a nice change from 'The Beatles') and the texts about the Australian young cannon fodders (I was only 19 and such) are also 'rhymy' complements to the study of that country/continent so many History teachers don't even mention when tackling the Viet-Nam war they were ALSO involved in...
Unforgettable songs that should be aired more often or just aired (at least in the States and the UK who have little or no clue about anything that doesn't concern their own little navel...)
If you don't have this anthology, please just give it a chance and listen to it in any good music shop: you'll buy it!

This record combines most of the classic Redgum songs--all worth the listening and some classics of music and thoughtful words. I used to have the tapes when they came out so it is great to be able to play the CD now.

So wonderful to find this cd and be able to buy it through Amazon. It evokes in me memories of life and former living in Australia, as well as gives my pacifist side a portrayal of personalities, values and even global concerns. A great listen whilst providing a litany of messages within the lyrics.

This is the Australian folk tradition with some rock sensibilities made flesh. Classically Australian in almost every way, Redgum delivered a narrative for their times, blending a proud and literate political stance with strong yet often funny lyrics and a competent musical backing. I don't think Redgum contained outstanding musicians but you didn't listen to Redgum just for the music - it was the whole package. They entertained while pricking your conscience and bending your heart. A milder political version of the likes of Roaring Jack with less overt unionism and class warfare.
History long past (Poor Ned - about bushranger Ned Kelly)and more recent (Only 19 - Americans may forget that Australia fought in Vietnam too), Aussie -tourist-mocking (Bali too), going bush (Last Frontier),consumerism (Fabulon), outback life (Diamantina drover), social breakdown (Gladstone Pier) are some of the subjects covered in this mixed collection strewn with Australian references.
A twenties promenade (Brown rice and kerosene), Beach-boys pastiche (Servin' USA), piano-driven folk-ballad (Drover), folk jaunt (Poor Ned), pop-reggae (Bali), AOR (ASIO)are some of the musical styles offered up here alongside the general folk-rock-country with sometime multi-part harmonies that make up the very mixed bag that is Redgum.
The live album, Caught in the Act, is a better and more even collection with the bonus of a live crowd and banter and as I said earlier, with Redgum it's the whole package. If you can get a copy of that it would serve as a better introduction to this fine band.
Five stars because they merit it overall and because when I first moved to Australia in the late 80s this band helped me understand the country I now call home.

This Is Great Australian Music Disc ! If You Like This Band Check Out "The Bushwackers" And "Bullamakanka" Both Also Great Australian Bands !!