John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| alias =
| origin = Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| genre = Folk
| years_active = 2005–present
| label = ABC Music
| associated_acts = John Schumann, Hugh McDonald, Redgum, Goanna
| current_members = John Schumann
Enrico Mick Morena
Rohan Powell
Anthony Thyer
Jamie Harrison
Ioannis Politis
Julian Ferraretto
Mark Kraus
| past_members = Michael Atkinson
Shane Howard
Marcia Howard
Russell Morris
Rob Hirst
Mike Rudd
Broderick Smith
Dave Folley
Hugh McDonald
Kat Kraus
Alex Black
Sam Willoughby
Brian Czempinski
}}
John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew are an Australian folk group formed in Adelaide in 2005. The band's name is taken from a line in Henry Lawson's poem "Knocking Around". Since it was founded a number of Australian musicians have been involved. The formation of the group marked the return of John Schumann, former Redgum frontman to regular performances and recording.
Recordings
As of 2013, the band has released two albums. Both have consisted of either cover songs or poems set to music. The first, Lawson, was a collection of Henry Lawson poems put to music.Lawson website [http://www.henrylawson.com.au/index.html Home] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418064302/http://www.henrylawson.com.au/index.html |date=18 April 2010 }} This marked the first collaboration between John Schumann, Hugh McDonald, and Michael Atkinson since Schumann left Redgum back in 1986.
Their second album was Behind the Lines, an album based largely around the theme of Australians at war.John Schumann's website [http://www.schumann.com.au/john/portrait.html#behind Behind the Lines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118173023/http://www.schumann.com.au/john/portrait.html#behind |date=18 January 2010 }} It also featured Hugh McDonald, although Michael Atkinson did not participate.
Other activities
The band provided the music for "Lawson", a one-man stage show by Max Cullen based on the life of Henry Lawson.The Australian Literature Resource [http://www.austlit.edu.au/news/newsFebruaryMarch2007News February-March 2007] They played in Vietnam to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, the most famous engagement involving Australians during the Vietnam War.Radio National [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/features/longtan/ 40 Years On – Long Tan]
The group has played many concerts and festivals, especially around Anzac Day.
They have also played overseas for Australian forces several times. In December 2009 they visited East Timor to play for Australian and New Zealand troops stationed there,Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=179500&id=21370556006 Facebook album] in September–October 2011 they played for Australian troops in AfghanistanSoundcloud website [http://soundcloud.com/overheard-productions/john-schumann John Schumann talks about his November gig with the Vagabond Crew in Canberra] Retrieved on 5 January 2012 and in July 2013 they played for Australian troops and Australian Federal Police in the Solomon Islands.Department of Defense [http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2013/jul/0726.htm One last show before curtain draws on Operation ANODE 26 July 2013]
Discography
=Studio albums=
- Lawson (2005)
- Behind the Lines (August, 2008)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.hughmcdonald.com Hugh McDonald's web site]
- [http://www.schumann.com.au/john/john.html John Schumann's official site]
- [http://www.henrylawson.com.au/ The official site for the "Lawson" album] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328175952/http://henrylawson.com.au/ |date=28 March 2019 }}
- [http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Schumann-The-Vagabond-Crew/21370556006 The band's Facebook page]
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