Customer Reviews

Something of Value

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I bought this c.d. used, as part of a group of folk c.d.s, knowing nothing about Eric Bogle. What a great surprise to find such a wonderful singer with equally wonderful songs. I think my favorite is probably "Rosie," which is just plain beautiful and made me cry the first time I listened to it (and subsequent times, too). I also love the Scottish accent, which is something I don't get to hear very often. Overall, this is just a well-rounded c.d., with something for everyone.

Eric Bogle captures many questions of life in a well-rounded presentation of his fine voice. The song "Rosie" is one of the prettiest songs I know--one that sticks easily in your memory. His good sense of humor is a bonus. "Poor Bugger Charlie" is the filler song - the rest is first rate!!

I must confess I am a fan of Eric Bogle since I first picked up an album of "Scraps of Paper" many years ago. "Something of Value" continues this melding of words and music to provide great story telling songs that can open the eyes and minds of those who listen. The title track sums up lost opportunities to build a great and just society and gives lessons for us in the States, "Old Bugger Charlie" is on a similar theme. Probably the most moving track for descendents of immigrants in the new worlds is "Two Strong Arms". It tells a familiar story really well. I laugh and sing along to "Harry's Wife" - another familiar story. Musically it's well done, alternating pace and using tempo and melody to tell the stories of ordinary lives in an extraordinary and entertaining fashion. Although he seems to me as much poet as musician, the music is enjoyable even if you don't listen to the words. A great CD.

I first heard Eric Bogle singing "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" and never forgot that song. A friend introduced me to Willie McBride (Green Fields of France) and I cried listening to that antiwar song. Bogle does that again with his wonderful heartbreaking tribute to Kate Wolf in "Katie and the Dreamtime Land," which just breaks my heart and speaks loudly about his friendship with this wonderful American singer/songwriter who died too young.

His other songs on this album are equally fine: his wonderful song about bigotry and mistreatment of immigrants ("Poor Bugger Charlie") which is relevant today in the States. One of my favorites is "Harry's Wife," about a woman left to fend with her husband's departure for a younger model. And of course Rosie about a friend's child with cerebral palsey.

This is one fine singer/songwriter and one fine human being. I cannot stop playing this cd.

If I had to choose just one CD to listen to for the rest of my life, this would be it. The signature song "Something of Value", while written about Australia, has a message universal to all countries and people. Music critics have described Eric Bogle as the most important singer/songwriter of our generation, with his finger on the pulse of humanity. Every word on this CD is pure gold. Buy it now, along with everything else of Eric's you can get your hands on. There's not a single song on this CD you'll ever fast forward!