Chocolate
2014
Dedicated to the memory of Robbie 'The Harp' Phillips – thanks for the music mate. Recorded in Broome, Western Australia. Engineer and Production John Rodwell. Cover design by Russell Roberts.
- Label
- Independent
- Copyright
- © R. J. Roberts 2011 except A Love Of Me Loving You © R. J. Roberts & Lawrie Minson 2011 and Chocolate © R. J. Roberts & Kathryn Santospirito 2011
Listen
Tracklist
- 1 It Comes Between Us
Relationships with people who have drug addictions are extremely difficult, taxing, and can be physically, emotionally and psychologically abusive and damaging. I wrote this song for a friend of mine who descended into drug addiction. Being witness to this destructive process destroying a beautiful and talented person tore me apart. This song is from my musical play Savannah.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — lead guitar, drums · Tim Malone — flute
- 2 Wet Season Rain
Monsoonal rainy seasons bring huge deluges, floods and wild cyclonic winds. In northern Australia the impact is dramatic. Living in Kimberley townships like Broome, Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra, you can be cut off from the rest of the world for weeks. Not that long ago it could've been months. This song is from my musical play Savannah.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums · Phillip Cooke — lead guitar · Cody Robson — mandolin · Marianne Vandale — mandolin · John Rodwell — acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- 3 Sage
This is a song for young people encouraging them to stand up, dance in the light and claim their rights. Sage was an old timer who spoke with wisdom to the kids on the street, the homeless children, the children who suffered violence, abuse and neglect. In more recent times I've envisaged this song in a futuristic setting – it is included in my musical play Biosphere Nine.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — lead guitar, keyboards, bass, drums · Dan Guidera — lead guitar
- 4 Chocolate
Mmmm. Chocolate. Over a block of chocolate, in the company of friends, a discussion commenced on the wonders and delights of quality chocolate. I couldn't resist writing a song. This song is in my musical play Savannah.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums · Tim Malone — saxophone
- 5 Old Turks
Some old Turkish friends knew how to move with their music. In this song Old Turks refers to any mature aged dude who can still get down with a few moves. Dance is a joy celebrated by all cultures and people of all ages.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums · Tim Malone — saxophone
- 6 Broken Brumby
A song for freedom of the spirit. The wild horses of the Australian outback epitomise freedom. To see them rounded up, broken, their will tamed and their freedom gone is incredibly sad. They, like us, need to be free.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums, slide guitar
- 7 Walmadan (Our Country)
Walmadan, or James Price Point, north of Broome, is in the wild frontier Kimberley region of north-west Australia. In this pristine non-industrialized environment, oil and gas companies wanted to build a huge gas processing facility, along with a harbour to export their product. The indigenous people from this area have a strong, enduring culture, and this place is of particular importance culturally. Community protests prevented the development going ahead. This song is from my musical play Walmadan.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums · Wally Wiggan — backing vocals · Bruce Wiggan — backing vocals · Les Stumpygee — backing vocals
- 8 Singing On The Songlines
Indigenous Australians have used song to travel through and know the country for which they are responsible for more millennia than history can embrace. This is the oldest living culture in the world, with knowledge systems that are extraordinary. If you get a chance to walk with indigenous guides on a songline you can consider yourself truly blessed. This song is in my musical play Walmadan.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums
- 9 It's All Lies
Weary of the fake news and governments and businesses that continue to lie and cheat? This song is for the people who've been deceived and ripped off by these corrupt liars. The song is in my musical play Walmadan.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums · Dan Guidera — lead guitar, slide guitar · John Rodwell — acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- 10 A Love Of Me Loving You
A rock love song I wrote with my mate Lawrie Minson. We were discussing the virtues of a passionate and fiery romance.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums
- 11 My Heart Belongs To You
Love is ageless. The elderly know love that has been fine honed over the years, distilled into an essence only they can know. This song celebrates such love. Its gentle islander feel will, I hope, get those old enough to know how, up and dancing cheek to cheek.
Russell Roberts — vocals, guitar · Rob Pascoe — keyboards, bass, drums, slide guitar · Marianne Vandale — mandolin · Eryn Lynn — ukulele