About the CD Seasons
The title reflects the content of the songs - seasonal songs. The traditional Earth seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Seasons of weather: of drought and flood. Seasons of the heart: of love and loss. Seasons of human growth: of babyhood, a young girl's dreams, of growing old and patiently awaiting the final season of death.
Seasons was launched on Sunday March 30th 2003. See the photo in Anne's Diary.
Seasons Song Titles descriptions
Liverpool Nights
My mother was born in Liverpool. Her memories are of cold, grey and wet. However, I’m sure Liverpool must have some pleasant, sunny days.Striped Jacket Girl
Once landed in Australia, convict women were issued with government clothes that reflected the colonial attitude of promoting and maintaining morality, social stability and marriage among transports to create worthy citizens. An attitude of modest behaviour and domesticity was encouraged.To this end the convict women’s dress was in three levels or classes.
1st class: recent arrivals with sentences for minimal crimes: drab serge dress and jackets.
2nd class: on good behaviour bonds: blue gurrah (coarse cotton) dresses and jackets and calico caps.
3rd class: the most violent or unreformed ‘bad’ women: striped linen-wool blend dresses and jackets.Women were issued with two sets of clothing a year and were not permitted to wear other than the government provided. Thus the bureaucratic mind! It occurred to me that to dress someone in a uniform which branded her as a bad and unreformed person, would be more likely to compound her anger and sense of isolation than to inspire her to reform.
The Gentle Thyme
I am very fond of ‘thyme’ songs and the whole delicate ‘language of flowers’ that they embody. I wrote this on the principle that the world can’t have to many ‘thyme’ songs. Thyme stands for chastity and this is a cautionary tale for young maidens to be wary of young men who try to steal their ‘thyme’.Bush Lullaby
A song about the crushing loneliness experienced by our largely forgotten female pioneers.Balmy, Balmy April
The myriad pleasures of English rural life in April.July Afternoon
Incredible as it may seem in these days of heartbreaking drought, in the winter of 1999 it rained solidly through 12 of the 14 weekends. We thought it would never stop. And youngsters were surfing on the creek at the bottom of our street.The Fine Young Chandler
I was singing a ‘thyme’ song. Afterwards the late Stan Arthur complained that so many songs were written about thyme, although there were many other herbs as deserving – coriander, for example. In a fit of insanity, I wrote him a ‘coriander’ song.Bob Mackenzie
A rollicking song of a girl swept off her feet by an amiable rogue and how her heart rules her head.My Bonny
In contrast to the many ‘love gone wrong’ songs where the girl falls into an inevitable decline, my heroine is feistier and is out to prove that success is the best way to get even - maybe.Hanging On
A tribute to our battling farmers. Just before Christmas 2002 some farmers were interviewed about their situation in Australia’s worst drought for decades. Their comments inspired this song. Traditionally, in times of drought, drovers take cattle along the stock routes, known as ‘the long paddock’, for the grass by the roadside. In 2002 Queensland shires were forced to close the routes and turn away thousands of head of cattle. All the grass had been eaten out.Tired of the Struggle
A modern spiritual. A woman longs for her hard life to be over and to join the angels on ‘that radiant shore’.John Barleycorn
The birth and death of the corn god is an ancient theme. As with The Gentle Thyme, I wrote this on the understanding that you can’t have too many John Barleycorn songs.
Praise for Seasons
'I was interested in the songs on your album from the very first one - they tell stories, they involve the listener, the melodies are interesting, the backing is accomplished but unobtrusive - and so far I haven't found a song that I haven't liked.'
'Your music sounds genuine, it has character and integrity; it has substance.'
Arthur Elliott - 'Sidestream' Radio 99.7 FM'Anne Infante writes songs you think you've known all your life.'
'She has a fine way with words backed by an extensive repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs.'
The Folk Rag - June 2003
From Anne Infante
Tel: 61 7 3366 2248
Email: anne.infante@bigpond.com
Cost $25.00 (Outside Australia $30.00)
Includes postage/handling
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