ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Was great to hear noted lyricist, storyteller and musician Kev Carmody won the Don Banks Award last night for his services to music.

I heard an interview on the radio this morning where he touched on the economy of words. He cited as an example how Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath - as wonderful as it was, said in 500 odd pages what Woody Guthrie managed to say in 29 verses.

Marty

Great to hear of some recognition of Kev Carmody. I think he is one of Australia's most brilliant songwriters - he's a bit like Woody Guthrie himself.

The relationship between Steinbeck and Guthrie has always fascinated me. I don't think they ever met, but they did seem to be saying so much of the same thing, each in their own way. Steinbeck seemed to be part of the cultural mainstream, while Guthrie seemed an eternal outsider - but perhaps that says more about their genres - the novelist versus the songwriter - than them as individuals.

Carmody has received very little recognition in Australia - partly because he is black, I suppose, and partly because he is so uncompromising politically. I think the tide might be starting to turn. I remember there was a Carmody tribute album released a couple of years ago. Always nice if artists like this can live long enough to hear the plaudits that will eventually come their way.

From little things big things grow - he is a marvellous lyricist and his songs beyond compare with their message to the bone. My favourite is On the wire - he did a duet with Troy Cassar Daley, absolute magic.

Sorry Zondrae, "Bird on the Wire" was written by Leonard Coen (A Canadian) and was 'covered' by Troy Cassar Daly and Jimmy Barnes. ... (

Manfred, Carmody wrote a song 'On the Wire' - it's on his 'Bloodlines' album. Quite different to Cohen's song.

My favourite is 'Living South of the Freeway'. It's set in Logan City, named after our good friend Captain Logan, him of 'Moreton Bay'.

Welcome back boss . . . but ay you bin spendin' too much time in the sun in dat Todd River bed - Maureen is correct, Kev Carmody did write a song "On the Wire".

And I think it was "Cohen" who wrote "Bird on the Wire".

Welcome back

Marty

ps. been enjoying your travelling updates and pics on FB

see we're lining up to correct him, Stephen

How did I get involved.?

by proxy Zondrae - perhaps

... Oooopth ... clearly a case of, "Read the bloody thing properly before engaging the fingers ... "