Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By John Schumann & The Vagabond Crew, Universal Music 2018.
Former front-man from legendary Australian folk-rock band Redgum, John Schumann, is back with a new album to be released on 27 July.
Ghosts & Memories is a collection of 12 songs that continue his life-long exploration of what makes us Australian.
This Schumann delves into the life of explorer John McDouall Stuart in the songs Skinny Little Kid, Won’t Look Down, and Remember Me, as well as the complexities of being a fly-in-fly-out worker in FIFO Road, and climate change in Nobody’s Fault.
He revisits the topic of his most famous song, I Was Only 19, in the songs, Anzac Biscuits and On Every Anzac Day and discusses the state of the world in the songs Times Like These (with guest singer Shane Howard) and a great remix of his Redgum classic The Long Run.
Schumann’s examination of the Australian psychic naturally extends to the lives of those on the land in the songs Fade Away, Awesome Day, and What Did You Do Today (also a duet with Shane Howard).
Schumann is rightfully proud of this album.
He commented; “For me the sense of pride comes from having great musicians, who are most importantly mates, play on my songs: Rob Hirst, Shane Howard, Mal Logan and of course, the Vagabond crew.”
He started writing the songs with his mate and collaborator, Hugh McDonald, who died before the work was completed.
He wondered whether he should shelve the project but continued because he knew that’s what Hugh would want.
Despite it being sometimes hard listening to Hugh’s guitar playing and voice, John says; “We all pass, it’s the music that lives on.”
Few songwriters can match John Schumann for the quality of their lyrics and very few can claim that their lyrics are on reading lists in schools, colleges and universities throughout Australia.
Schumann has achieved considerable success over his lengthy career.
He is a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal and a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Flinders University.
But it is for his song I Was Only 19 that he will forever be known.
That song will surely live forever.
John Schumann is an Australian living legend and Ghosts & Memories is a true testament to his remarkable abilities.
