“Drovers, Stockmen and Bullockies” is his fifth release. His previous albums have included a tribute to the Australian poet Henry Lawson, a national literary icon. This release is also deeply tied to the history and lore of Australia, and features an extensive track list of eighteen songs, which includes literary ballads by highly respected Australian poets such as Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson, as well as many traditional songs.
Despite the adversity of the times , there’s room for some lighter, more humorous songs too. But why have these particular songs and poems been chosen ? Firstly, because the works of this period have a genuine directness and lyrical charm : many of the stories are down to earth, and come from the heart. Secondly, because they best depict the hard lives of rural workers in the century when Australia was still considered a new frontier: a difficult land that offered many challenges to people, some from the other side of the world, who were looking to build new lives. What followed were new generations, born into this tough environment, which fostered distinctive Australian traditions. This album can feel like a musical time capsule that takes the audience back to the 19th century : one can easily imagine the lives of these stockmen, drovers and (often forgotten) bullockies.
This artist puts a lot of passion and resources into a project, creating an album that encapsulates the
spirit of folk music while presenting a fresh approach. He sets the mood with clear vocals and immersive
keyboards, using lengthy bridges. In these bridges, and throughout the songs, a diverse range of talented
musicians provide engaging breaks and supporting lines, broadening the sound. These include :
international cellist Natasha Jaffe ; the delightful, brilliant young fiddler, Jessie Morgan ; violinist John Joe
Murray ; violist Mikhail Bugaev ; and the lyrical multi instrumentalist, Lillian Penner.
The album has many highlights : one is the opening track, “Travelling Down the Castlereagh” , a political poem by Banjo Paterson. This musical rendition offers a sparse yet interesting piano arrangement. The lead vocal is backed up on the chorus by Lillian Penner, who also plays some wonderful strings linking the verses.
“Andy’s Gone with Cattle” is another notable moment. The track features words by Henry Lawson
paired with a great tune by the late Hugh McDonald. John Joe Murray provides a stunning violin track,
which brings the emotion of the song sharply into focus, enabling the audience to immerse themselves in
the story and listen to the moving words of this famous poem, one of three of Lawson’s on the album.
Transforming poems into music presents a unique set of challenges for musicians and songwriters.
One of the primary difficulties lies in maintaining the essence and emotional depth of the original poem,
while fitting this into the constraints of melody, rhythm, and verse structure. The Queensland Tiger’s
arrangements stay true to the spirit of the original work, and in most cases, he sings the entire poem.
About half the melodies are traditional, while others were written by Australian folk artists like Mike (and
Michelle) Jackson, Hugh McDonald, and Graham Jenkin. It was Graham Jenkin who wrote the tunes for
the three “Breaker” Morant poems on the album.
This production isn’t just entertaining and relatable, it’s also educational and thought-provoking. It shines a light on Australia’s rich history, focusing on one of the country’s most colourful eras.
The Queensland Tiger manages to go beyond mere historical facts, offering listeners a profound glimpse
into the humanity of the period, delving into the depths of people’s experiences and capturing the struggles, triumphs, and nuances of colonial times, breathing new life into history.
“Drovers, Stockmen and Bullockies” belongs to a series of traditional folk albums from this artist
which explore different aspects of Australia’s colonial history. It is the aim of The Queensland Tiger to
keep these important musical and literary traditions alive.
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- Travelling Down the Castlereagh (words by ”Banjo” Paterson, tune : Traditional,
violin, cello and backing vocals by Lillian Penner) 5.32 - Clancy of the Overflow (words by ”Banjo” Paterson, tune by Albert Arlen,
cello and flute by Lillian Penner) 5.50 - Andy’s Gone with Cattle (words by Henry Lawson, tune by Hugh McDonald,
violin by John Joe Murray) 3.22 - The Man from Snowy River (words by ”Banjo” Paterson, tune by The Queensland Tiger,
violin by Jessie Morgan, cello by Natasha Jaffe) 12.20 - Where the Dead Men Lie (words by Barcroft Boake, tune by Doug Owen,
cello by Lillian Penner) 6.27 - Paddy Magee (words by “Breaker” Morant, tune by Graham Jenkin,
violin by Jessie Morgan, cello by Natasha Jaffe) 2.57 - West by North Again (words by “Breaker” Morant , tune by Graham Jenkin,
cello and flute by Lillian Penner) 4.30 - The Brigalow Brigade (words by “Breaker” Morant, tune by Graham Jenkin,
violin by Jessie Morgan, cello by Natasha Jaffe) 2.38 - The Broken-Down Squatter (words by Charles Augustus Flower, tune Traditional,
violin by Mikhail Bugaev) 5.46 - The Dying Stockman (words by Horace Flower, tune Traditional, cello by Natasha Jaffe) 5.18
- The Overlanders (words and tune : Traditional, violin by Jessie Morgan) 7.11
- Brisbane Ladies (words by Saul Mendelsohn, tune : Traditional (Spanish Ladies),
cello by Natasha Jaffe) 6.12 - The Maranoa Drovers (words by A.W. Davis, tune : Traditional,
flute and cello by Lillian Penner ) 3.50 - The Stockman’s Last Bed (words by Elizabeth and Maria Gray. tune : Traditional,
flute by Lillian Penner, cello by Natasha Jaffe) 3.40 - The Diamantina Drover (words and tune by Hugh McDonald,
backing vocals and violin by Jessie Morgan, cello by Natasha Jaffe) 4.24 - The Teams (words by Henry Lawson, tune by Mike Jackson, cello by Natasha Jaffe ) 5.37
- Nine Miles from Gundagai (words by Jack Moses, tune : Traditional,
flute and cello by Lillian Penner) 3.17 - Song of the Old Bullock Driver ( words by Henry Lawson,
tune by Mike and Michelle Jackson, cello by Natasha Jaffe) 6.05
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