Margaret Bradford
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MEDIA
  • Margaret's 2009 Overseas Trip:
    "Margaret's  performances of  mostly  Australian content have  had some wonderful responses  so far with many requests to return for further concerts." - see article
    Eksjo, Sweden

  • "... Songs send tributes to loved ones..gentle, satirical humour and concern for the downtrodden ... with a similar line to Judy Small"
    Folk Roots, UK

  • Margaret's song Alien Visit reveals shades of Leon Rosselson and I mean that as a compliment ... clubs and festival organisers should snap up her  diary dates ... an interesting lady and a fine singer..."
    Buzz, UK Folk

  • " a voice reminiscent to Malvina Reynolds, Margaret speaks loudly and boldly through her songs."
    Bluegrass by the Bay magazine, San Francisco

  • "Everyone who heard you, from children to adults were  delighted, enchanted and moved by your singing and your personality ..."
    Ian Harker, Director of Broadstairs Folk Week, UK

  • Wonderful variety & colour added by backing musicians on Margaret's CD "Freddie's Daughter" songs which obviously come right from the heart...mixed bag of goodies covering the range of life Downunder....some songs almost had me in tears.... "
    Folkwrite Musical Journal, UK

  • "...a  voice  distinctively warm and filled with  qualities of gentleness and sensitivity..issues treated with whimsy and satire in her songs,  which often reflect Margaret.s heightened sensitivity to  suffering and injustice ....genuine concern for the environment."
    • Cornstalk Gazette NSW Folk Federation, Australia
  • "Many of Margaret's songs tell of the loves of real people..and without ever being  patronising, Margaret explores issues with anger, sorrow, tenderness and compassion."
    Frankie Armstrong, Wales

  • Margaret's strong, clear voice heightens the impact and message of all the songs on her recording, A Conflict of Cultures ... a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the background to the issues of Aboriginal Australia ... highly recommended for use in all schools ..."
    Linda Burney, President of NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group

  • "Thank you for singing those magnificent songs at our Animal Aware Fair."
    Animal Liberation Katoomba NSW

  • "Margaret writes out of a deep sense of commitment to the Aboriginal struggle for justice."
    Community Arts News Sutherland

REVIEWS

TEN YEARS ON     [2007]
reviewed  by Margaret  Essex

If I could have had  a command performance in my living room of many  of the songs that Margaret  sings that I love,  I would have come up  with  a list very much like the  ones on this new CD of hers.

From  the hauntingly beautiful, Lullaby   and Woman Child  to the funny and enlightening  Toddler with Attitude  and  Willie's Ferrett, Margaret performs   with her usual  consummate ease and gentle professionalism.

The songs  are sung with deep commitment and love and have obviously chosen because they have  a real  significance for Margaret.

The tracks are well crafted with excellent backing and harmonies.
There is still however the feeling that  Margaret is there in the room with you and if you turn and ask her she will perform just the track you would like, but there is no need to disturb her as  they are all here on this great new CD.

 

SIMPLY PSALTRY   

  • A bowed psaltery can be delicate and ethereal.  Margaret's voice complements this well ... choice of material then is no surprise ... Linden Lea, The Cuckoo,  The Trout,  The ash Grove  etc.  The Japanese track, Kojo No Tsuki  fits in well to the psaltery sound.
    Cresby Brown in Folkwrite [UK  Sep 1997]


  • Margaret has breathed new life into  twelve classic old favourites  by combining the delicate beauty of the bowed psaltery with her equally gentle singing and guitar playing. The synthesized flute and strings on some tracks skillfully provide a foundation to balance the rather thin timbre of the psaltery.  Some clever arrangements Margaret.  Thoroughly recommended!
    Wayne Richmond in Cornstalk NSW Folk Federation Gazette [Australia]

 

BINDI-EYE BOP   

  • Margaret puts her considerable song-writing talents to use here in creating these up-beat, intelligent and thought provoking songs ... songs with lots of repetition, songs with lovely long words to get your tongue around ... songs about wind, dinosaurs, birds, bugs, trampolines etc.  in a variety of styles - blues, rap, pop which have an immediate appeal  for kids.  Punchy and enjoyable this collection  is not only  a good  listen, but also an excellent source of new material for singers keen to highlight   environmental issues  and for anyone who works with children.
    Jenny Coxson in Buzz [ Uk folk music journal - Oct 1997]


  • For parents of young children finding suitable entertainment and educational items can be difficult ... often "innocent" nursery rhymes and stories subtly reinforce the prejudices and oppression of the society in which we live. Margaret's Bindi-eye Bop is a tremendous antidote ... a collection of children's songs showing concern for the environment comes through particularly clearly ... water conservation, preservation of nature ... all with catchy tunes and sing-a-long words ... messages are clear and do not patronize young people in any way.
    Alex Bainbridge in Green Left [Australian newspaper - 1998]

MEMORIES OF GRAN   

  • ..a very clear and precise,  detailed delivery  imbued with the obvious pride of a grand- daughter ..punctuated with songs, poems, set to music, tunes and elf-penned fare .  It is captivating.  The clarity of Margaret's voice allows the cadences and pace of a well told story  to hold the listener;  we care about the problems, we await the next snippet ... not overt.  Rejoice in it!"
    Joan Syzmanowski in Folkwrite   [UK folk journal - Nov. 97]

  • " ... a celebration in song and story  of Margaret's mother and grand-mother..the trials of their trekking  and settlement in 1886 in the Upper Orara, near Coffs Harbour  Australia ... a fascinating piece of social history, well worth listening to  and an inspiration  to anyone involved in writers' workshops." 
    Janet McShane in Buzz  [Uk folk music journal -  Oct. 1997]

 

FREDDIE'S DAUGHTER   

  • "As most singer's accents don't show up much  when they sing it's a pleasant  exception to hear Margaret's perceptible Aussie twang. ... musicians provide some very sympathetic accompaniment throughout the CD ... some amusing, some serious songs  all delivered with  a  different message."
    Liz Law from  Lucky Bags in     Folk Roundabout  [Dorset UK Autumn 1997]

  • " ... The World at your Fingertips   is an amusing castigation of those couch potatoes  who take energy conservation to the extreme by lounging about half dressed in front of the box ... Song of the Shirt   a fine piece of writing  all round and contrasting  neatly with Who'd be  a Secretary  a jaunty tale of the 'hell on earth'  of an ambitious female  working for a stereotypical  male boss."
    Kevin Collier     in Tykes News [Dec. 1997]

  • "Dedicated to her late father, the first track is a  self-penned song portraying her father's character - someone from a bygone era - Margaret on guitar and some wonderful electronic  and saxophone backing ... has  a  jazzy swing ... a mixed bag of goodies  covering  a range of life Downunder ... I loved it, but then I'm biased.  For those not versed in the nuances of  the Australian language  this CD would improve with listening ... not least  the wonderful  variety and colour of the backing musicians." 
    John Shorter in Folkwrite   [Spring 1996  UK]