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02 May 08 - 09:25 AM (#2331245) Subject: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Azizi Has there been any mention of this song on Mudcat? "From Little Things Big Things Grow" [is] a "song about racial reconciliation with the Aboriginal minority has become the fourth-biggest-selling recording in Australia, even though it is available only as a download from the Web. The song, "From Little Things Big Things Grow," begins with a recording of the words of Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd, from his February apology for the country's history of mistreatment of its indigenous peoples. "As prime minister, I am sorry," Mr. Rudd says on the recording. "On behalf of the government, I am sorry." From Mr. Rudd's words the song later moves on to these lyrics: "There are moments in the lives of nations where hope and history rhyme. Now's one of those times. Let's close the gap, and if we truly mean it, we can stare down our future and find we can see through those eyes. Let us not stand with those who deny." The song, which also takes lines from comments made by indigenous leaders after Mr. Rudd's apology, combines hip-hop rhythms with more conventional instrumentation. It is a remake and rewording of a song written about 20 years ago to celebrate one of the most famous of Australia's campaigns for racial equality, the drive for equal pay for indigenous farm workers."... The New York Times (4/29/2008) "In Australia, From Apology, a Hit Song Grows" -snip- Here's a link to a website that contains a video of that song. That website also contains quotes from additional newspaper reviews: http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/MakeThisAHit&id=339 GetUp! Action for Australia {I've read that GetUp! is similar to the USA's MoveOn organization] I'd love to hear what our Mudcat members & guests from down under think about the "Little Things Big Things Grow" song and the public's reaction to this song. Thanks, in advance, for your participation in this thread. |
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02 May 08 - 09:32 AM (#2331256) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: The Fooles Troupe Well, actually, he has been singing that song for years (long before even Little Fascist Johnny refused to apologise) - it must be a new recording with the PM's words on the start.... Of course - it's The New York Times... wouldn't expect The Bloody Yanks to get anything right.... :-P |
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02 May 08 - 12:59 PM (#2331305) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Azizi Thanks for your comment, Foolstroope. This article from theage.com.au mentions that "From Little Things Big Things Grow" is a remix of the 1988 song of the same name and by the same artists: " 'AS PRIME Minister of Australia, I am sorry. On behalf of the Government of Australia, I am sorry. On behalf of the Parliament of Australia, I am sorry.' ...when I heard those historic words from Rudd's landmark sorry speech again this week — as part of a re-recording of an anthemic song about Aboriginal land rights due for release on Monday — few things could have convinced me more of the magnitude and significance of the metamorphosis this country is experiencing on a daily basis. I had the privilege of standing on the lawns outside Old Parliament House in Canberra on February 13 but I will never be able to fully explain the experience of watching — and feeling — a sea of grief collide with a wave of hope. If anything was going to come close, it was hearing Rudd's "sorry" words in the preface of a version of the Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly song From Little Things Big Things Grow, which I've been listening to on high rotation in the past few days. When Carmody invited Kelly on a camping trip to his country, the Murri, in Queensland in 1988, it's doubtful either man could have imagined the journey they would embark on together — and individually... Duelling guitars carried a melody and a message that would resonate long after that night... What started as a heartfelt campfire singalong ignited a musical spark that refused to go out. And last year, when Kelly collated an album of Carmody songs performed by a who's who of Australian musicians, many of us who'd watched that spark flicker and falter in trying times gave quiet thanks for the songwriting gifts and inspired sensibilities of the Kelly-Carmody campfire connection. We felt a resurgent hope that the power of music could transcend the most challenging circumstances. Twenty years after those seeds of musical change were sown, a big thing is materialising in a new version of From Little Things — featuring Carmody, Kelly, Missy Higgins and others — with excerpts of Rudd's "sorry" speech and Paul Keating's Redfern speech in 1992. It's released on Monday courtesy of the Get Up Mob — the online activists who've campaigned to free David Hicks, support asylum seekers and, now, to bridge the 17-year life expectancy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. This is a critical and long-overdue campaign. Yet it doesn't seem long ago that the idea of this song forming the soundtrack to what is ultimately a test of the nation's maturity would have been considered fanciful. I feel sure I am not taking a liberty in suggesting that even at its campfire conception, neither of its creators would have dared to imagine this song might one day grow such determined wings. A little thing is growing. We have a chance to sing from the same songbook. And we can dare to be hopeful again." The Age Tracee Hutchison, writer; 4/26/2008 |
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02 May 08 - 01:01 PM (#2331309) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Azizi Btw, in my first post to this thread I wrote "I'd love to hear what our Mudcat members & guests from down under think about the "Little Things Big Things Grow" song and the public's reaction to this song". I meant to also write that I'd love to "hear" what any Mudcat member or guest who lives anywhere, including Australia, thinks of this song. |
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02 May 08 - 10:17 PM (#2331728) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: quokka Azizi,that's some powerful imagery there - sea of grief,wave of hope. It's hard to pick a favourite Kev Carmody song, he is such an amazing songwriter, but 'On the Wire' is on high rotation for me at the moment, check out the album 'Cannot Buy My Soul', double CD with originals by Kev, and the cream of Oz musicians covering Kev's songs on the other CD.There is also a live recording of a tribute concert featuring all these singers and bands (Triple J)which has the 'sorry' version of 'From Little Things...'It is amazing. I managed to tape half of the concert when JJJ played it on their 'Live at the Wireless' a couple of weeks ago. |
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02 May 08 - 11:39 PM (#2331764) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Joybell This song has good and worthy thoughts, but it has no imagery as far as I can tell. I could not in all honesty comment on this song as a singer and be nice. I agree wholeheartedly with it's message is all I will say. Cheers, Joy |
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03 May 08 - 12:28 AM (#2331777) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Andrez The comments above are forgivable in so far as as someone who is not Australian is unlikely to have a sense of the context of the song, the people whom it concerns, the events that the song retells or the symbolism to indigenous and non indigenous Australians of the acts depicted. The information is out there on the net if you want to check it out. Cheers, Andrez |
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03 May 08 - 12:33 AM (#2331778) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Joybell I am Australian. Have been for 63 years. My comments are purely personal. Cheers, Joy |
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03 May 08 - 01:01 AM (#2331786) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Joybell Also I repeat that I agree wholeheartedly with the message conveyed by this song. I understand the context and as an Australian I'm one of the players -- as it were. Azzizi asked what we thought about the song and I gave a personal opinion of it -- as a song. Cheers, Joy |
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03 May 08 - 08:06 AM (#2331911) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: GUEST,Gerry The original song was terrific. The remake stinks. My opinion - worth what you're paying for it. |
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03 May 08 - 08:20 AM (#2331919) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Azizi Thanks to all who have posted on this thread thus far. ** Would folks who've heard them both please share their opinion on the difference/s between the first recording of this song and the newly released song. That first version didn't have the Prime Minister's words, right? Did it have any other spoken words mixed in with the lyrics? And was the first version made in a hip-hop style? For that matter, do both of these songs have the same title? Also, are either version of these songs made for dancing? And if so, which at type of dancing? And if so, what type of dancing? Furthermore, isn't it true that sometimes a listener doesn't consider a song to be aesthetically pleasing, but still recognizes and heartily applauds the message and the impact of the song? Couldn't this be the case with the remade version of this song? |
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03 May 08 - 08:29 AM (#2331922) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: quokka Azizi, the original was sung as a folk ballad, whereas the new one samples the original and is geared towards appealing to the youth market, as well as making a musical statement on the 'Sorry' speech/issue, that's my take on it anyway. Any other ideas? Comments? Opinions? Love to hear your points of view. Quokka |
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03 May 08 - 06:58 PM (#2332291) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Joybell I haven't heard the remake, but my take on it is that maybe it's an attempt to keep the song current. I'd be all for that if it helps to spread the word , raise awareness. People like it -- except for me and I do agree with the message. The idea is worthy. There was scope for hand waving and swaying when I heard it sung but it's not a dance tune. Songs of this type are usually sung to the converted -- in my experience -- and I've had a bit. They have their uses. I believe their value is to unify people and help them stay strong. I'm basing that idea on experience. I've stood in front of a few bulldozers, in my time, leading singing. However -- and this is again a personal comment -- in a concert venue the song has to be good -- as a song -- if I'm going to stick around. It's like, "everyone hug each other" and I'm quietly off, and out the back, hugging the few people who have got out before me. Cheers, Joy |
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04 May 08 - 04:44 AM (#2332447) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: The Fooles Troupe I've been a big fan of Kev for many years. I haven't heard the remake - but if it is based on the US Cultural takeover of Australian Culture based on 'Rap & foul language', I don't wanna! Sadly, he is now suffering age - he himself says that nowadays that he can sometimes not feel his fingers on the strings. The song was a long time big hit - not commercially - among 'the converted' as Joybell puts it. It has had a fair bit of airplay on "The National" Radio & TV services. Some documentaries around this have been aired on both Radio & TV. Dance - only the 'Political Dance'... :-P It is based on real events - thus it is a genuine Folk Song! |
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04 May 08 - 04:51 AM (#2332453) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: The Fooles Troupe Thought I HAD posted previously on this song... Folklore: From little things big things(K Carmody) |
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04 May 08 - 07:50 AM (#2332537) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: quokka For those who don't know Paul Kelly (co-writer with Kev Carmody of 'From Little Things...'), he is the nearest thing Australia has got to a (folk/rock/bluegrass version of a)poet laureate. He writes songs about issues and people of national and international importance, as well as many other songs of political and social conscience. He has written songs about Don Bradman, Ned Kelly, Aboriginal deaths in custody, Brendan Behan(!),and is a damn fine musician to boot.He is also very supportive of new music/musicians. Any Paul Kelly fans out there - love to hear what you think. Quokka |
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04 May 08 - 08:35 AM (#2332559) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: GUEST,Gerry I think quokka's description of new and old versions is quite accurate. As I've already expressed my opinion on the relative merits, I'll leave it at that. |
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04 May 08 - 09:16 AM (#2332570) Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow song From: Azizi Oops! I missed seeing that first thread on this song. I'm sorry about that. I'm all for the two threads merging into one. If not, I'll just have to read them both. :o) |