Ruby and Archie sing with an Orchestra
Jon M. Willis | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia | 04/18/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Anyone familiar with the extraordinary music of Archie Roach and his wife Ruby Hunter will be fascinated by this collaboration with the Australian Art Orchestra, who provide the instrumental backing as Ruby and Archie take turns interpreting some of their best known songs, and some not so well known. The backing gives these often simple country folk songs the status of art song, which is entirely appropriate given the emotional intensity of the lyrics. Ruby's songs and her voice particularly benefit from the settings provided by the Australia Art Orchesta, although Archie often sounds less secure and this would have been a better idea a few years ago when his gorgeous tenor voice had less of a beat in it. However, some of the songs like Wash My Soul in the River's Flow are wonderful. The whole collection really brings a slice of Australia's Aboriginal history to life - life in the mission days, life in old Fitzroy. Ruby's take on Down City Streets is a lot more edgy than Archie's joyful version from a few years ago, and I love her Held me up to the Moon (in my Grandfather's Hands) and its image of the newborn baby being kept warm in the ashes of a campfire. Well worth a listen"