By Various Artists, Universal Music 2018
Exile – Songs & Tales of Irish Australia tells the story of Irish immigration to Australia and is a showcase of beautifully captured recordings done by the ABC’s Radio National of Exile shows that took place at Melbourne’s Hammer Hall and Qpac in Brisbane in 2016.
An outstanding line-up of artists from Australia and Ireland, including Paul Kelly, Shane Howard, Pauline Scanlon, Leah Flanagan, Declan O’Rourke, John Spillane and more are included on the album.
Ireland’s greatest export has been its people and almost a third of all Australians claim some degree of Irish ancestry.
Many Aboriginal Australians are justifiably proud of their Irish descent.
There is no denying the contribution that the Irish have made in shaping modern Australia.
Through abundant literature, music, poetry and art as well as a love of sport and keen hunger for Justice, their desire for freedom and spirit of rebellion is part of the Australian psychology and spirit.
This is a lovely album.
Leah Flanagan does a beautiful version of Silvermines, her live rendition being as good as any studio version and her duet with Paul Kelly on Town by the Bay is wonderfully emotive.
Paul Kelly’s song Our Sunshine (Poor but Happy at 53) is outstanding, backed by a great band of Irish and Australian musicians, and his duet with Shane Howard on Farewell Dan and Edward Kelly rekindles the Irish fire of centuries old injustices, a theme carried forward by Shane Howard in Rebel Song and its story of the Eureka Stockade.
Pauline Scanlon’s unaccompanied rendition of Na Conneries is dripping with emotion while Sean & Aine Tyrrell sum up the plight of the exile with their song Cry of The Dreamer.
All the performances on the disc receive rapturous audience acclaim which they fully deserve.
The album comes with a bonus DVD of the live shows which makes the package a must have for anyone with a touch of the green in their blood.
