CD REVIEW
Graham McDonald, Canberra Times 
Collector – Coming in from the Old

This is the CD which sounds the final death knell of the “bush band”. 
Following hard on the heels of the wonderful Growling Dogs recording, this band takes a more adventurous approach to recreating traditional folk songs and dance tunes. Collector is a six-piece band from Bathurst, in central NSW where John Meredith and subsequent collectors found much of what is now considered the core of Australian folk-music heritage. 

They have recorded a mix of songs and instrumentals, including two of the great, rarely recorded, Ben Hall songs. The songs mostly have some connection to the Central-West and the dance tunes are from musicians who lived there, such as Joe Yates of Sofala and Ernie Goodman of Mudgee. 
What sets this CD apart is the manner in which the music is arranged and presented. There are obvious influences from the folk-rock bands of the last few decades, but the overall feel is acoustic, with lots of varied instrumentation. Vocals and instruments are brought in and out of the arrangements, creating a thick aural texture. 

The group also has the advantage of at least five good singers who share lead vocals and create some interesting harmonies, if occasionally a little rough around the edges. Still, it is only a minor criticism of what is an always interesting, and sometimes great, recording.

Please note that while the Collector recordings are still for sale, the band is no longer available for live performances.