Goodwills (The) – The Last Waterhole

This new album from The Goodwills (Bob and Laurel Wilson), their first studio project for 12 years, brings to life a variety of songs from the pen of Bob Wilson. The styles are varied and so is the subject material, although much of it is imbued with Bob’s trademark drollery. There is a distinctly Australian feel about the album, with its stories about ore trains, feral cats and watching footie on a Sunday afternoon.

The CD has 14 tracks – beginning with the title track, an apocalyptic ballad about climate change, and then swings into a trad jazz style story about Buddy, a sweet old horse who got moved on when his paddock was claimed for housing. ‘Burning Father’s Letters’ is a heartfelt ballad about the dilemma faced by adult children left with their parents’ private correspondence. The song is reprised at the end of the CD with a spoken word narrative about Charles Dickens and his “bonfire of the vanities” in 1860 when, despite protests from family and colleagues, Dickens set fire to all of his personal correspondence.

Review by Graham Blackley

Queensland-based folkies Bob and Laurel Wilson, known as The Goodwills, are joined on this beautifully produced album by a gaggle of talented guest musicians such as the delightfully eccentric Mal Webb who contributes lively brass to Buddy’s Gone To Conondale. The album is characterised by a rich and robust sound, thoughtful and evocative lyrics and a playful eclecticism that grabs and maintains the listener’s attention. It’s evident that Bob and Laurel have sung together for many years as their voices are wonderfully aligned and there is an ease to their harmonising which proves to be a treat for the listener. The Goodwills show that they know how to rock out on Dead Man’s Shirt which would be great to hear being pumped out live and loud in a suitably beer-drenched bar. In the current political climate it is refreshing to hear the inclusive, humanitarian and decidedly rational message that is delivered with subtlety and an admirable lightness of touch on the melodic and moving Rangitiki. It is at moments like these that we are reminded of the important role that folk music can play in activating our conscience and stirring our slumbering minds.