Eric Bogle & John Munro   •   Plain and Simple

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  • Plain and Simple
    • 1981 - Plant Life PLR 033 LP (UK)
  • Side One
    1. Lady from Bendigo (Eric Bogle)
    2. Dan (Eric Bogle)
    3. The Aussie Bar-B-Q (Eric Bogle)
    4. Glasgow Lullaby (Eric Bogle)
    5. Belle of Broughton (Eric Bogle)
    6. Mary and Me (Eric Bogle)
  • Side Two
    1. No Man's Land (Eric Bogle)
    2. Queensland Whalers (Harry Robertson)
    3. No Use for Him (Eric Bogle)
    4. Bloody Rotten Audience (Tony Miles)
    5. Gentle Annie (Trad. arr. Eric Bogle & John Munro)

  • Musicians
    • Eric Bogle: Guitar and vocals
    • John Munro: Guitar, mandolin and vocal harmonies
    • Brent Miller: Bass guitar and vocal harmonies
  • Credits
    • Cover design: Lyn Stocks
    • Produced by Dave Cook and Eric Bogle
    • Recorded at Plant Life Studios, Hitchin, Herts
    • Mastered at Quest Studios, Luton, Beds
    • We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Angela and Dave Varey for their faith and for their willingness to demonstrate this faith in practical terms.

Sleeve Notes

Although Scotsmen Eric Bogle and John Munro are both well known in Australia. it took a chance meeting in a British Folk Club to bring them together musically, resulting in a successful European tour. Before their paths diverted again, they were persuaded to make this record which stands as a unique tribute to two outstanding musicians.

LADY FROM BENDIGO
I had this nice tune running around in my head for quite some months. Bendigo is a very nice city in Australia and I've always found the name curiously evocative. So this song is for all those blokes who have a girlfriend, wife, mother, sweetheart or whatever who comes from Bendigo.

DAN
Like many industrial societies, Australia faces the 80's with uncomfortably high levels of those twin evils, unemployment and inflation. I wrote this song to illustrate the anger and despair of many working men in Australia who, after having worked all their lives to give their kids a good start in life, now find that most of their work has been in vain as many of their kids now can't find jobs and face an uncertain future on the dole.

AUSSIE BAR-B-Q SONG
The Aussie barbie is a much loved Pagan rite which takes place all over the country each summer. To those bewildered Pommies who just cannot grasp the subtle enjoyment of this cullinary extravaganza this song is humbly offered. "Snags" – sausages, "Dunny" – toilet, "Aerogard" – insect repellent, "Mozxies" – mosquitoes, "Bull ants" – a gigantic ant which bites big toes, "Esky" – Polystyrene container which keeps the beer cold and therefore ranks in Aust. as an invention equalling if not surpassing the electric light.

GLASGOW LULLABY
The not so funny side of drink and its consequences on family life. Written about Scotland, but unfortunately applicable to most countries in the world.

BELLE OF EROUGHTON
Written for my grandmother who came from a small village in Scotland called Broughton. When she was young she was the most beautiful girl in the village, and according to my grandfather the most beautiful girl in Scotland.

MARY AND ME
Simple little song I wrote to try to illustrate the vicious circle of poverty and ignorance. if you're born poor, the chances are that's the way you'll die.

NO MAN'S LAND
I've already recorded this song on my first two L.P.'s but make no excuses for doing so again as it is the song I most enjoy playing in company with John Munro. It is of course a song about the futility and waste of war and should be self-explanatory to anyone who listens to it.

QUEENSLAND WHALERS
Written by a Scotsman living in Australia named Harry Robertson who has written many fine songs about the sea. Harry was interested in the Queensland whalermen's typical Australian attitude to "have a go" at anything. They don't stick exclusively to chasing whales as do many whalermen in other countries. "Brumbies" – Horses, "Dug the ore at Isa" – Mt. Isa is a famous Aust. copper mining town.

NO USE FOR HIM
After working for thirty years for British Rail, my father was made redundant. In appreciation of his loyal service they gave him a redundancy pay of £700 and allowed him to keep his railway uniform. And people ask me why I'm a Socialist!

BLOODY ROTTEN AUDIENCE
Written by Tony Miles a Pommy of some wit, which makes him unusual for a start. A sideswipe at those performers who blame A – the audience, B – the lighting, C – the sound, 13 everything else to explain away their continuing failure to hit the "Big time". Of course they never blame themselves.

GENTLE ANNIE
A traditional Australian song which I first heard in Scotland in 1975 when over from Aust. on holiday. "Talk about coals to Newcastle". I think that its one of the nicest Australian songs I know and have been itching to record it since I first heard it. I have now scratched the itch.