Recollections…Reflections… (A Journey)

With the possible exception of Archie Roach, no Aboriginal musician has had a stronger impact or influence than veteran Aussie singer-songwriter Kev Carmody. From his debut 1988 album Pillars of Society, with its pointed political statements and topical anthems, through to his more reflective current work, Carmody's insightful lyrics, folk-based vocal delivery and rural acoustic instrumentation have always had the ability to deeply touch minds and hearts. And at 70, Carmody may have saved his very best for near-last. This impressive four-CD box features 41 tracks culled from his backlog of previously unrecorded song ideas, demos, scrapbooks and scribbled notes. Some are decades old and some much more recent, but with his trademark humour, intelligence and honesty, these partly spoken-word stories and oral histories reveal an abundance of personal thoughts and life experiences.

With sometimes minimalist, sometimes rollicking folk-country musical backing, augmented by sound effects from his dog, chickens, local frogs, blowflies, his grandchildren and assorted found farm objects, we hear the emergence of a definitive archive of Carmody's extraordinary life. Warmly produced by Andy Wilmott, guests include Irish musician Ronan Browne and Midnight Oil guitarist Jim Moginie. But this release is very much Carmody's. As he himself says, ‘Ya can’t rush an ol’ rooster.’