Folk that gives hope

Folk that gives hope

Freddie's Daughter
Margaret Bradford
Send $20 (CD) or $10 (cassette) to 12 Naranga Ave, Engadine NSW 2233
Ph (02) 9520 6180

Review by Barry Healy

Plain speaking can often be the best way of communicating your thoughts and feelings about the world. It certainly was the strength of the folk-protest boom that hit the world in the early 1960s. This recording by Sydney singer/songwriter Margaret Bradford is a reminder that the genre put down very deep roots.

Bradford writes and sings about all manner of things that are of importance to her: family memories (the CD's title refers to her father) work and environmental issues and social justice.

Sincerity, humour and compassion are mixed with heartfelt indignation as she sings such songs as "Who'd be a Secretary?" (about working women), "The Last Man Hanged" (a commentary on the execution of Ronald Ryan in Victoria) and "World at Your Fingertips" (a dig at the fast food industry).

It is heartening still to hear someone sing lines like "Laws for the rich are fine, but the poor lose out each time".

Half the songs on Freddie's Daughter are originals; the others are drawn from Judy Small and other top folkies, as well as Henry Lawson. Backing music comes from a gang of talented friends she gathered from the Sydney folk scene.

While there are people like Margaret Bradford around to articulate our indignation against capitalism, there will always be hope.

From GLW issue 322