David Rovics: Halliburton Boardroom Massacre

This may be David Rovics’ 14th album, but you’d be mistaken to think that the American protest singer and anti-war activist has lost any of his passion or fight. Following in the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs and more recently the “Baird of Barking” Billy Bragg, Rovics wreaths his astute political and social commentary in a fine mix of acoustic folk, catchy rock and Appalachia inspired banjo picking courtesy of Eric Royer. And with a percentage of the sales from each CD going to the anti-war coalition United For Peace and Justice, it’s not surprising that the dominant issue on Halliburton Boardroom Massacre is the ongoing “war on terror”. Listen to the heart-rending ballad “Song for Cindy Sheehan” vividly detailing the death of the “Peace Mom’s” son Casey in Iraq, or, “Waiting for the Fall”, an account of the everyday horror experienced by soldiers and citizens alike on the streets of that desolate country and you will realise why Pete Seeger has beseeched the people to “listen to David Rovics”.