Fortune’s Wheel is the long-awaited new release from all-female trio Honeyfields. After a 16 year hiatus from recording, and a name change (the trio were formerly known as The Beenies), Honeyfields are delighted to share this new work with the world.
The album is a collection of traditional and self-penned songs from a range of folk genres and features the sublime three-part harmonies and multi-instrumental talent of Cat Moser, Corinn Strating, and Nicola Strating.
Engineered and Mastered by the inimitable Luke Plumb, the album is full with rich sounds and arrangements reminiscent of the folk traditions the trio are borne of.
Honeyfields play hand crafted instruments including a Peter Daffy Guitar and Bouzouki, Joe Gallagher Guitar, Mike Grinter Flute, Jackson Cunningham Fiddle and Ben Stewart Whistles.


FORTUNES WHEEL LINER NOTES

Lover’s Lane - Corinn Strating
One day Corinn and Nicola’s grandad, Alan, was reminiscing about his hometown in South Gippsland and how the Esplanade used to be ‘so narrow only a horse and gib could fit down it, with tea tree growing up on either side’. This was too romantic an image to just leave in the nostalgia of Alan’s memories, so Corinn wrote a song about it. The narrative is loosely based on the story of Alan’s older brother, Bill, who was engaged to Nancy, but tragically died following an accident in the mine before they could get married. Aunty Nance remained connected to the family and made the best toffee we’ve ever eaten!

The L&N Don’t Stop Here Anymore - Jean Ritchie
Cat relearnt this old favourite after touring in Kentucky and hearing numerous stories from local coal mining townsfolk. Jean Ritchie wrote this song about the demise of the coal industry, and subsequent impoverishment of her family and community in Viper, Kentucky. The Louisville and Nashville (L&N) passenger train stopped passing through when the mines were shut down, cutting off whole communities. Jean Ritchie continued throughout her life to fight against mountaintop removal mining.

The Rose of Allendale - Charles Jeffreys and Sidney Nelson
Nicola learnt this lovely ballad-like version of The Rose of Allendale from the singing of Nic Jones. We love the beautiful romantic imagery in this song. The album title ‘Fortune’s Wheel’ is also taken from a line in the last verse.

The Auchengiech Disaster - Norman Buchan
A powerful song learnt from the singing of Dick Gaughan which tells the story of a 1959 mining disaster in which 47 miners lost their lives due to an underground fire.

Come All You Fair and Tender Ladies - Trad.
We learnt our version of this popular American folk song from a Pete Seeger songbook many years ago and it has remained a firm favourite.

Hickory Wind - Gram Parsons
A much loved song of longing for home, and the times that have passed.

The Fatal Rose of Red - J. Fred Helf and Ed Gardenier
We first came across this song in a collection of Australian folk songs. After some research we discovered that it was originally a dance hall favourite, first published in New York around 1900. We’ve made some melodic alterations, particularly in the bridge, but the bittersweet story was always the aspect of this song that drew us in.

Beware, Oh Take Care / The Old Schoolmaster - Trad / Trad
Cat learnt this traditional American song from the singing of Mike Seeger and The New Lost City Ramblers. A cautionary tale, warning young ladies against unsavoury men.
The Old Schoolmaster is a traditional tune collected from Tom Walsh of Trentham, Vic. Tom came from a long line of great Irish musicians. His legacy lives on in his children, and grandchildren who also receive music lessons from Cat.

Which Way Will We Fall/Uncle Peda’s Waltz - N. Strating/C. Strating
Nicola wrote Which Way Will We Fall some years ago whilst thinking about the impending environmental crisis the planet appeared to be heading for, as well the seeming apathy and inaction of so many in regards to it, and other crucial social issues. Unfortunately it remains as relevant (perhaps even moreso!) today as it was then and we continue sing it as a call to action to anyone who cares about a hopeful future.
The tune written by Corinn is dedicated to our Uncle Peda who was an environmental and political campaigner as well as an inspiring songwriter and story teller.

Lonely the Moon - Corinn Strating
A song exploring the nuances and challenges of love and commitment.

Wheels Of Love - Marjy Plant
Cat first heard this song sung by Emmylou Harris, Iris DeMent and Mary Black, as part of The Transatlantic Sessions. It was written by Marjy Plant, a great singer songwriter from Nashville.