ALBUM REVIEW – VOYAGE: THE GOOD GIRL SONG PROJECT  

(Yarrabin Records)

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“Among Australian history’s neglected stories, are accounts of the daunting ‘sea change’ embarked upon by young women immigrants from the UK. Thousands set sail in the 1830s to escape the workhouses or worse. Many a desperate dream faded on arrival. Helen Begley’s songs are based on research by Liz Rushen(others include Robert Hughes and Dickens). The associated theatre piece has gained high praise on the festivalcircuit but this recording succeeds on its own merits. Gorgeous vocals by Penny Larkins bring the tales to life. A daughter pines for the father she’ll leave behind, while packing her meagre possessions. Vignettes across the voyage range from melancholy to darkly humourous. Rollicking reel ‘A Saucy Song Sung By Loose Women’ heaves with fiddles, whistles and double entrendres. Mick Gribben provides a male voice. The bodhran steers‘Lifeboat’s’ course. “The wind sounds like a mother’s wail” sings the “English daughter you’ll forget” on ‘1833’. A touching and danceable delight. ”

                        

Chris Lambie – Rhythms Magazine