Fagans, The – Milk and Honey Land

The Fagans – Milk & Honey Land
CD review by Ian Dearden
I have no doubt, having heard this album, that the future of Australian music is in safe hands. For many years, The Fagans (Margaret & Bob Fagan, with children James & Kate) have been standard bearers for contemporary folk music in Australia. This CD, with The Fagans now further expanded to include James’ wife Nancy Kerr on vocals and fiddle, illustrates clearly that Bob & Margaret have successfully passed the baton onto the next generation! I’ve been lucky enough, over the years, to have seen James and Kate grow (musically and personally) from gawky teenagers into prodigiously talented singers, instrumentalists, performers and songwriters. I have no doubt that Margaret & Bob are enormously proud of their talented offspring and the joy of singing and performing as a family permeates this whole album. The Fagans have long been noted for their exquisite a-capella harmony singing, shown off to perfection here on Pilgrimage (the Available from Trad&Now TN1433-80 – $25.00 Available from Trad&Now TN1177-19 – $20.00 album’s opener) and Prospect Providence (the album’s closer). The Silver Shore and Greenswell highlight the song writing and vocal talents of Kate and Nancy (respectively), although all members of the band shine both individually and collectively. The repertoire ranges from the Woody Guthrie dust bowl ballad, Pastures of Plenty, through Redgum’s Long Run, John Warner’s mining song Winding Gear and John Tams’ salute to travelling fairs, Pulling Down Song. As always on a Fagans album, there is something for all tastes, with the myriad talents of this most democratic of family bands on clear display throughout the twelve songs on the CD. Superbly recorded by Jeff McCormack at the Music Cellar and featuring James Fagan’s striking and evocative photographs in the album’s artwork, this is a delightful and enjoyable album. With James and Nancy having recently produced their first offspring, it’s only a matter of time before there’s another generation in this fabulous family band!!