The Reformers perform The Hope of Something Better”. Presenting the poems of Australian iconic poet, Henry Lawson, as spoken word and songs, supported by Celtic tune compositions by internationally renowned Australian composers, including Murray Blair, Mark Saul.
Producer, Don Stewart believes that Lawson’s poems still have relevance to 21st century Australia” and so has presented the pieces in a contemporary and musically broad way, including touches of electronica and rap sprinkled throughout the tracks.
The performance of “The Hope of Something Better” fits very comfortably into the ethos of other Festivals that are playing a role critical in keeping alive, renewing and redefining our cultural heritage. The Reformers show is not a nostalgia piece. It attempts to contemporise and present Lawson’s poetry as relevant comments and observations of contemporary Australia and the many issues we are facing as a nation. The music of the show is dynamic, uplifting and accessible to a broad audience.
Online magazine “Listening through the Lens” had this to say about the album:
“The melding of words and composition, the strident narration, the elegance and dynamism and the contributions of Claire Patti, Pete Denahy and others are a heady folk delight.”
“The Reformers bring a wonderful collaborative musical and visual experience to the words of Henry Lawson. They allow the observations of Lawson to speak to the human experience in contemporary Australia, challenging every day social, economic and relational issues with deep compassion and integrity. A transformative experience, and a hope of something better...”
Uniting Queenscliff