The Songs of Don Henderson: Review by Lonnie Martin (February 2010)
Almost 3 years ago, the Don Henderson Project was launched at the National Festival with the mission to raise enough funds to produce a CD of Don’s songs. I have had the pleasure of listening to the result, a double CD of 40 songs. The first disc of Don himself and one disc of other artists singing his songs. The result is a treasure and a “must have” for any folkie.
The artists featured include Declan Affley, Alex Hood, Danny Spooner, Dave De Hugard, Mark Gregory, and our own Helen Rowe, Ann Bermingham, Griff Bignell, Geoff Wills, Tommy Leonard, and, of course, Sally Henderson.
The tracks have been collected from a variety of sources and the recordings span from 1965 to 2007. Studio, concert and home recordings, from reel to reel, cassette and LP, restored to the best quality without losing the original atmosphere.
The CD was released at Woodford at a special concert featuring Tommy Leonard, Noel Gardner, Bernard Carney, Martin Pearson, Liz Frencham, Jeannie Lewis, John Schumann and Hugh McDonald, Alex and Annette Hood, Tommy Leonard, John Thompson and Nicole Murray. The CD will also have a launch concert at the National this year.
I found the concert very moving, seeing such a collection of talent pay tribute to Hendo and had the CD in my hands with minutes of the concert finishing. I have no hesitation in recommending this recording, not simply because of its importance as a record of such an influential singer/songwriter, but because it is a wonderful compilation of songs that still resonate for me and are as topical today as when they were first written.
The CD was produced by Mark Gregory and Sally Henderson, under the auspices of the Queensland Folk Federation. It has been a long project, supported by folk clubs, festivals, unions and individuals. It is available from Trad & Now and check out www.donhenderson.com.au