BOB CAMPBELL . Australian Folk Musician

The most recent CD from Bob Campbell, and most interesting, is now available.

The CD was recorded, produced, mixed, mastered and graphically designed in Newcastle with Matt Gaudry and Rob Long.

The CD has its genesis in the 90s when they played in Bob's band, Home Rule, for a year or two.  These two virtuoso musicians brought a professional approach to the music when Matt and Rob recorded, produced and played on the best Home Rule CD so far - THE JOINERS' ARMS.

Matt and Bob spent a considerable amount of time touring and playing in Germany where Matt's keyboard skills gave the Australian Celtic roots music a unique sound.   A decade later, the three have come together to give voice to a collection of original songs; seven written by Bob and three by other writers, including the great John Dengate.   
..

CLICK arrow to play - I Sat on Giant's Leap
CLICK ||  to stop

CLICK mid-screen to play video                             YouTube Link    



.

A Radio Play around the story of Aboriginal man Jimmy Governor, who in 1900, with his brother Joe and others killed nine people, including Alexander McKay at Sportsman’s Hollow, where Bob has lived for the past twenty five years.  

This story of Jimmy Governor is the result of many year’s study, research and involvement in Aboriginal Education.  Available on CD. 

A COMPILATON OF 20 YEARS RECORDING - 1987 to 2007

This CD contains fourteen songs and tune sets that have appeared on Home Rule's ten previous albums since their first vinyl recording in 1987.  Home Rule was founded in 1984 when Bob Campbell, Sharon Frost, Andy Mortimer and Bob Burns got together in Mudgee where they began twenty two years of more or less regular sessions at Roth’s Wine Bar. 

Since then the band has appeared on many TV and radio programs, at festivals and numerous major venues including the Opera House in Sydney and the Gulgong Opera House on hundreds of occasions. They have taken their music overseas, particularly Germany and Ireland and have maintained a cultural presence throughout Central Western NSW from their base in Gulgong where they continue to perform regularly.

Sharon Frost and Bob Campbell are the only remaining original members of the band. During its existence, dozens of musicians from around Australia and overseas have played live and on recordings with the band. 

A fortunate development for the band was coming together with two thoroughly professional musicians, Matt Gaudry and Rob Long, who continue to have an input into the music.  It is no accident that their imprint is on the majority of this selection.  Bob Campbell completed a solo CD with Matt and Rob which was released before the Gulgong Folk Festival at the end of 2008.

.

CLICK arrow to play - THE OLD PUBS by Johnny Handle

CLICK arrow to play - PEMULWUY

This CD was made by Bob after the success of a series of reading and performances by him on Radio 2MG Mudgee to promote the tourist value of the heritage town of Gulgong. It continues to sell well.

Henry Lawson, Australia’s best known and loved poet and short story writer, resided in Gulgong during the 1870s Gold rush and drew on the area for many of his stories and poems in later life. A tragic romantic, he died far too early after losing a battle with alcohol and serving time in jail because he could not pay his debts. Ironically, his face appeared on the first ten dollar note along with Gulgong street scenes.

The CD contains nine poems, one story and four songs with musical arrangements by Bob on most tracks. The Lawson works, with two exceptions, were written between 1889 and 1900 when Henry Lawson was at his revolutionary best and fired by sympathy for working class people around the time of the 1891 Shearers Strike that played such an influential role in the consciousness of that period.  Local musicians, Dennis Ryan and Ross Kurtz also played on several tracks.

Dennis Ryan is a local farmer who has been a lifelong exponent of the Scottish bagpipes and a latter day convert to the haunting, evocative Irish pipes which he plays to great effect on two tracks. In recent times Dennis has spent extended periods each year improving his techniques in Ireland. Ross Kurtz, well known and respected painter and member of the famous Stringybark Band plays tin whistle.

The CD was mainly recorded, mixed and mastered by local musician and highly qualified audio technician, Brett Kenny at his Fauxbia Studios. One track was recorded and engineered at Golden Gong Studios in Gulgong.

The pencil drawings of Henry Lawson and Bob Campbell on the CD label were drawn by Gulgong artist, Steve Mountford whose drawings can be viewed around many Gulgong establishments. Steve won first prize at the 2006 Gulgong Show for his Bob Campbell drawing.  The cover  (and Running on the Great Divide cover) were designed by Amanda Pahl.

The CD can be purchased online (click on the Buy Now Button above) or at various outlets in Mudgee and Gulgong including both Tourist Offices and the Henry Lawson Centre, Gulgong.


CLICK arrow to play - Outback
CLICK ||  to stop
.