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“Hail to the Thief! Songs for the Bush Years”, produced by George Mann and
Julius Margolin, songs performed by various artists, 2001.
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    I have a confession to make. I know most of the performers on this CD— all labor activists and members of the America Federation of Musicians. But this aside, it’s a wonderful album or I wouldn’t dare review it. From the first notes of the prelude to the last chords of the final cut, the album is chock full of pithy and pointed humor.
    Where humor is not called for, the drama, pathos and anger at a government that fails to look after its poor, its aged and its youth take over. The prelude— aptly named “Hail to the Thief”— sets the tone with the drunken whine of a musical saw in tandem with the irascible kazoo.
    Singer-songwriter George Mann does himself proud on cuts two, eight and 12 with a song parody (“I’m George W.”), “It’s Hard to Put Food on Your Family,” a song in which he uses many of Dubya’s earlier speech groaners, and “The Whitewash.”
    Only hellraiser Anne Feeney would define AFDC as aid to dependent corporations like she does in her new song “The Corporate Welfare Song.” She’s always been a songwriter who pulls off a high ratio of rhythm and rhyme per note. She really outshines herself on this cut.
    Bernard Gilbert’s writing on cuts two (with Francisco Herrera), and on the “W. Medley,” is clever and catchy. The CD features coast-to-coast labor choruses— the Labor Heritage/Rockin’ Solidarity Chorus in San Francisco and the New York City Labor Chorus. Thief rocks and moves.
    The music is eclectic. Saw player Chris Bricker swings and swoops on “First Interlude” and “Second Interlude,” giving listeners a chance to catch their breath. But if I had to pick favorites, which I don’t so I won’t, I’d tell you that I like the 85-year-old Julius Margolin’s two songs best. Margolin knows how to write for his voice. The tunes are plain and very hummable. His lyrics are deep and simple. His writing and singing on “The Supreme Court Stole the Election” and “We’re AFL-CIO” take the cake!
    At first listen, the New York City labor Chorus soloist Percy McRae’s “Go Down Moses” is a misfit. But then, we’re all being held hostage by the Bush Administration. His strong and silky voice on this old spiritual brought tears to my eyes.
    Chris Chandler and Anne Feeney chose “Carnivals” for their cut on the album. Their “folken word” creates a visual songs that will dance through your head and phrases that will haunt you. Californians Jon Fromer and Francisco Herrera revive a wonderful Malvina Reynolds ballad, “I Cannot Sleep,” about hungry children. Fromer and Herrera weave the English and Spanish words together into a fine tapestry. “Sleep” is the final cut. It will bring tears to your eyes.
    Visit George Mann and Julius Margolin’s website
(http://www.georgeandjulius.com)
for song samples and ordering information or send $14 (includes postage)
in check or money order to: George Mann, P.O. Box 560, Stony Brook, NY 11790.