Mark Davidson – Laughter in the Clay

CD REVIEW – Mark Davidson – Laughter in the Clay
by Ian Dearden

I am constantly, and delightfully, surprised with the talent pool in Brisbane.
I am even more delighted that an increasing number of Brisbane folk performers have been releasing albums, so the rest of the country gets to hear the talent we have here in Brisvegas.
One of the latest, sensitively recorded by the hardworking Mark Smith, is Laughter in the Clay by Mark Davidson.

The CD features eleven original songs from Mark, and includes songs inspired by his cousin’s daughter (“Little Girl Dancer”), his mother (“June’s Gift”), two great aunts (“Laughter in the Clay” and “Jean d’Lyons”) and an uncle (“Apple Cake Rag”).
I was particularly taken by the song “Mr Arthur”, inspired by the late, great Stan Arthur, stalwart of the Brisbane folk scene, a longtime member of The Wayfarers, and the proprietor for many years of The Folk Centre, where I (and many other folk neophytes) received our first introduction into the honoured movement.

The album features the cream of Brisbane’s folk scene including Rose Broe on accordion, keyboards and vocals, the rocksteady bass of Michael Tully, the fiddle of Steven Lake and the sympathetic backing vocals of Ross Roache.

Together this crew have helped Mark realise the dream of every performer, to leave a mark worth leaving (please forgive the pun!)

Special mention to Mary Brettell for the great album design.