Dublin-based trad duo Varo, released their debut self-titled album earlier in January of this year (reviewed here), now, they release a leading track from the record which we have the pleasure of premiering today.
We learned this Australian Folk song from June Tabor’s album ‘Ashes and Diamonds’ (Topic 12TS360). It tells the tragic story of Ben Hall, a farmer who was welcoming to bushrangers by providing them with food and a place to sleep when needed.
When the police heard of this, they arrested Ben Hall and while in jail, they burned his house down. When Ben got out of prison, he was made homeless. Left with nothing, he became one of the most well known and beloved Australian bushrangers of the 19th century, until he was shot dead by police in 1865. It is believed that the lyrics may have been written by Ben’s brother-in-law John McGuire, who witnessed Ben’s corpse being paraded by police through the Streets of Forbes.
When first hearing this song we were immediately struck by the vivid imagery portrayed by the lyrics.
We’re particularly interested in these traditional songs, denouncing injustices from centuries ago but still somehow relevant today.
We were very moved by what happens to this man, who’s home is being stolen and destroyed, as well as by the police brutality described in it, especially when looking at current stories and analogies that can be made throughout these events that happened 150 years ago and what you can see in the news today.
As the song is about the last few days of his life, telling how he was planning an escape to a better life but ends up going slowly towards his own death, when arranging it, we went for something quite atmospheric and slow to emphasize the dramatic journey of the story. We added an instrumental part with vocal hummings as he falls asleep thinking he’s about to sail away but wakes up to the guns of the police.
Credits
Arranged by Varo
Lucie Azconaga – vocals, fiddle
Consuelo Nerea Breschi – vocals, fiddle
Ultan O’Brien – fiddle
Recorded by Christopher Barry at Ailfionn Studio
Mixed by John ‘Spud’ Murphy at Guerrilla Sound Studios
Video filmed by Olga Kuzmenko
Last week, we shared news of Varo’s forthcoming ambitious collaborative project for which they have launched a fundraising campaign. It will culminate in a series of live music videos, and a new album, featuring 12 of Ireland’s most exciting and exceptionally talented traditional and folk musicians on the scene.
with Ian Lynch (Lankum), Anna Mieke, Junior Brother, Landless, John Francis Flynn, Niamh Bury, Branwen, Slow Moving Clouds, Inni-K, Alfi, Cormac Mac Diarmada (Lankum) & Ruth Clinton, Lemoncello.
If you would like to support Varo through their musical journey, you can click on ‘Donate’ on their website and give what you can, or click ‘Rewards’ and choose one of many of the rewards on offer, which include: Digital Albums, CDs, Vinyls, Artwork Prints, T-shirts, Gigs Tickets, Workshops, and Garden Concerts at home.
More here: https://www.varodublin.com/collaboration-project
Photo Credit: Adrian Crowley