Lament for the Modern World?

We're a bit naff at lament in this country sometimes. Perhaps that's why when I first listened to Lucinda Williams The Ghosts of Highway I was a bit taken aback thinking how miserable is this.

We listened to disc two of this double CD first and to say it made the Smiths seem happy is a bit of an understatement. However whilst not a happy album it is a moving set of songs several of them including Louisiana Story, Death Cake and Factory could be regarded as genuine songs of lament. If you like we could describe them as modern day Psalms which speak the truth of pain.

My own favourites on the album were Factory which has a real intensity to it and Doors of Heaven where the gloom lifts in the music at least (although the words are still deep and Psalm like).

If you want to read more of a review of the album feel free to flip over to my other blog where I have reviewed it more fully than here. I just wanted to flag it up on this site though as the lyrics do speak of death and faith, including the misuse of faith in a way which I think is quite deep and as I say almost Psalm like. This could be useful listening to some who want something that reflects how they are feeling.

New Labour, Songs of Praise and Will Varley

Will Varley is today’s new artist I’ve found, following a tweet from Frank Turner that Will is going to be supporting him on his forthcoming tour. Having had a listen to some of the stuff on his website I am impressed with his work.

Listening to his stripped down acoustic “We Don’t BelieveYou” I was struck by how deep the words were and how they might be used to explain a couple of recent controversies.

The first is the decision by BBC programme Songs ofPraise to include a segment filmed in the church at the migrant camp at Calais. This I know has been controversial and there have been those who have questioned it. I think that the reason it has made some uncomfortable is that it has shown that we have been previously shown a very one sided and distorted view of the migrants by the British media which has sought to vilify the desperate.

In showing these very moving interviews with both migrants and those from the UK who are supporting and helping them we could see that there is a large body of people, including Christians who were ready to say “we don’t believe you” to Cameron and co. The programme showed that the situation is complex and involves human beings whose humanity needs to be respected.

There are those who would argue this was political and goes against what is laid down by the BBC charter. I would argue back that everything we do or say is in one way political but this was not explicitly political. What Songs of Praise was doing was broadcasting about the religious belief of people in this country and beyond and reflecting the views and experiences of people of faith. There was something almost prophetic in that piece of broadcasting which did not seek to claim the situation was any less complicated than it is or seek to give answers. Rather it sought to simply show what is and let the questions that then arise be asked.  I want to thank the producers of Songs of Praise and Sally Magnuson together with those who filmed her and did the research.

The other thing which came to mind as I listened to “We don’t believe you” was the Labour Party leadership contest.

I will be honest here I have recently joined the party as a member, (like in the last week or so) but it is not because I automatically want to vote for Corbyn at the moment I am torn between him and Yvette Cooper. Rather why I finally joined was because the debates are taking us beyond the era of Blair, Mandelson and Liddle and showing why the Labour Party may be a credible alternative again.

The debate which Corbyn has opened up has shown that in a world where the Conservative Party is implementing the philosophy of Charles Murray and others in a way which is both scary and predictable there is a body of people who want an alternative. The neo-liberal consensus is not automatic and those of us who felt the Greens provided our only hope because we were “disillusioned Labour” or had come to know we could not believe in the hope given at points by the Lib Dems may have a place.

To explain why I have joined Labour now it is important to go back to why I lost faith in them initially. This goes back to reading TheBlair Revolution by Mandelson and Liddle. It was a justification of what Blair was to do, before he did it. Now don’t get me wrong I also recognise that the Labour government did some good things: breakfast clubs, civil partnerships and so on. However, this book clearly spelt out where New Labour disagreed with “Old Labour” politics and values. Reading it I saw the vision I had as a Christian Socialist was lost.

So what has changed?

Well, Jeremy Corbyn has spoken of hope and made me think about what I believe in and how that might be expressed. He has expressed many of the values which I believe in. He has caused a ground swell of people to stand up to New Labour and say “We Don’t Believe You”.

So why am I not automatically going to vote for him? Well, recently I read Blueprint for Revolution by Srdja Popovic and Matthew Miller and there was part of it which really struck me. It was in chapter 10 Finish What You Started that Popovic, a Serbian political activist, makes the point you need to be focused on what you want to achieve. Too many people are focusing on Corbyn becoming leader as their “goose egg” and the success they want to see. They have little vision of what comes next and what Corbyn might actually do next, particularly with the restricting forces of the Labour Party NEC and parliamentary party in place. Others are looking at the 2020 election as their “goose egg” and see victory there as the point of success.

For me my “goose egg” is something different. What I want to see is a leader who once they gain leadership will:

(i)            unite the party around a vision for the future which is based upon producing a new socialist approach to modern problems which does not throw the baby out with the bath water but does change the water

(ii)          works with those within and beyond parliament to better the lives of those in society. This will be through a mixture of opposing, rather than abstaining on some issues and putting forward alternative ideas on others

(iii)         not sacrifice their principles for election at any cost, yet will take seriously the concerns of those who chose at this election not to vote for them and will act to engage them in an alternative conversation understanding that gaining a majority is the best way to halt the rightwards move in this country

(iv)         will finance initiatives such as Sure Start properly and ensure the current cull of further education is halted as well as doing something to cap rents and deal with the housing crisis that currently exists where the renting sector has been allowed to get out of control

The issues are I would like to see movement on like the abolition of student fees and a commitment to not renew Trident are things which I view as important but know I am unlikely to see. Yes Corbyn is committed to these things but I think that unfortunately we will see the latter go through under this government and I think the latter is too embedded to be changed back.

These are the things I am looking for and express why I am currently torn between Corbyn and Cooper for leader. That said I am not naïve I have no doubt that I will end up feeling let down by whoever becomes leader and that Cooper in particular will trade off far more than I would hope her too. So we may still be left singing “We Don’t Believe You” along with Varley but we know we will not be singing alone. What ever happens now there is a chorus of hope in this country which will not be silenced.

The Young 'Uns....Another Man's Ground Review

If you are a folkie you are probably aware of The Young ‘Uns who were the winners of this years best group award at the Radio Two FolkAwards and this April released Another Man’s Ground their third album. I had a broad awareness of them but receiving the CD out of the blue as a surprise random gift from a friend bought them fully into my consciousness. It was a well chosen prezzie and as you read the review which follows bear in mind it was written by a totally unrepentant folkie.  

It is an album which mixes original material, with traditional tunes and more contemporary covers.

The first track is Jimmy Go Down to Your Uncles and it is a beautifully harmonised piece which has something of the Dubliners about it.

One of the two stand out songs is the second song You Won’t Find Me on Benefits Street. This combines left wing traditional folk with a contemporary theme. It is apparently inspired by a group of Stockton residents who chased off the makers of the reality TV show; a programme which has given rise to many complaints about the stigmatisation of the poor. As with the best folk songs it combines humour, politics and storytelling.

The Streets of Lahore is another lyrical tale but one with no humour just a stark message to those who believe that honour killing is ok. It tells the story of Farzeena Parvene who was killed on the streets of Pakistan in 2014 in an honour killing which took place on the streets of Lahore.

The tone is lifted by a wonderful version of Billy Bragg’s Between the Wars. This is clearly sing-a-long time and much of the album indeed sounds like it would work best with a bunch of friends listening together late in the evening with a few glasses of cider, wine or ale on the table.

The Drift From the Land tells the story of those who move from the rural countryside to the industrial town through rural necessity. It is in some ways a generic folk modern folk song theme and is probably the weakest song on this strong album. That said, it’s certainly not a chore to listen to with it’s clear vocals and harmonising. I’m sure it probably works really, really well live and loses something on a recording.

Private Hughes begins brings in piano and has a different sound to much of the material here. It is a gentle and lilting tune with a sweet but melancholy theme.

The slight drift into mediocrity which the previous two tracks give is well and truly broken with Tom Paine’s Bones which is an amazing tune. It is a great song with beautiful lyrics and more of a danceable beat. The lyrics of this song by Graham Moore are catchy and more Braggesque in style.

The Brisk Lad is a traditional tune which sounds really contemporary. It has a warm feel to it.

Waiting for the Ferry finds the piano back in the mix and again you find yourself feeling like you should be snuggled up in front of a fire or chilling outside of a tent as you listen. It’s the sort of track which gives you a hug as you listen.

Then it is on to School Days Over which is a Ewan McColl cover. It is another sing along tune which pays homage to the more modern tradition which they have come out of and really shows off their harmonising and strengths of their unaccompanied voices.

There is almost break as they go into Tenting Tonight, a strong peace song. This tune has that feel of folk which is almost like gospel and it almost sounds like a hymn being sung. This is not surprising as it has its roots in the American Civil War.

The peace theme and quasi religious feel is continued in Brewster and Wagner, although this is a darker song in tone. The album ends on a note which underlines what is so good about this group their ability to sing unsentimental lyrics in a way which is beautiful and touching.

Really glad I encountered this album which comes into the get it if you are a folkie and try it if you’re not category. Now just need to catch them live some time. I’m not going to make it to Folk East in Suffolk to see them….but if you can get along I highly recommend both the festival and the band to you. 

Matador - Gaz Coombes Reviewed

Wandering through HMV at the moment is very much a blast to the past and Matador by former Supergrass singer Gaz Coombes which was released at the end of January on Hot Fruit Recordings seems one of the more contemporary offerings available at present. This album is very much the artists own work being written and produced by Coombes.

It has a dark, you might say atmospheric, feel to it from the opening track Buffalo onwards although tracks like the second tune 20/20 are initially deceptive.

There is a mix of acoustic and electronica going on in this album making tunes such as The English Ruse danceable in a '80's indie kind of way. This was a striking tune which I really enjoyed.

As the album moves on to the more dreamy The Girl Who Fell to Earth the Coombes is working to his strengths. He is clearly a talented acoustic guitarist and vocalist who seems strongest on this type of track which relies mainly on the combination of the two without interference from technology.

Detroit is a pleasant enough track, another dreamy one, but in some ways feels like a bit of a filler with the humming and strumming dominating until the drums and electronica break in.

The electronica continues with the intro to Needles eye but then Coombes voice breaks through like a fountain of water which flows gently through your being. Lyrically and tunefully this is the love song but with the Buggles type electronic voice interrupting at intervals it avoids falling into the sickly or sentimental.

Seven Walls takes us back to the initial darkness but this time with a smoky jazz sound mixed in. It sums up the fact that this is the sort of album you can imagine listening to curled up on the sofa with a large glass of wine and a good book having a chilled out night with.

Oscillate begins sounding like it might be a dance tune with more electronica but it falls into the overarching darkness of this album. It is another tune which is almost haunting in tone. It works but is one of the weaker tracks in my opinion, but perhaps that's because I prefer the less arty tracks.

To the Wire takes the lyrics where the music has been leading with the opening words. This could be incredibly depressing, and perhaps to some it will be, but there is a depth and beauty to this tune which breaks through because it is the most poetic song on here.

Is it On? begins with a tinkling piano and then the question is repeated in an echo for a short moment before leading into Matador the final and title track. This short tune is another one of the float away tracks and raises the tone slightly from Oscillate and To the Wire.

To be honest the last two tracks are so short you wonder if the metre ran out or if he just couldn't be bothered to finish it off. Although I guess the answer is it is art and that's the point with this album you only get 38 minutes of music on here, but it is a quality set of music which shows Coombes off as a talented artist. Well worth a listen if you get the chance.

Another Day Festivating in MK

Jaipur Kawa Brass Band

This Indian Brass Band from Rajasthan were on as part of the free family section of the International Festival yesterday.  They are a troop of musicians, a juggler and a dancer - so not exactly the type of brass you find at the Miners Gala.

 

 

They started to wander around but as the crowd grew around them at their first stop on a grassy bank it was clear they were going to be performing in the one spot. It really worked as a performance space. The juggler was also an expert of the spinning top which was fun to watch.

If you want to catch them they're playing Festival Central at 12pm on Sunday and then are off to do a couple of performances at the World Picnic later in the day.

Alton Wahlberg

Alton, who is also known as The Bearded Busker and has an excellent You Tube channel was playing his humour filled set in The Stables acoustic tent, a beautiful Arabic influenced structure with a breathtaking interior.

He opened with The World Will Spin, a beautiful tune which gently flowed over you. This was followed by Questions which was inspired by the questions kids ask their parents. I loved this song, it was clever and funny as was Live for Today, (which was less kid friendly in places).

 

24 Years was a moving song which was really moving, describing an elderly marathon runner who had been running for charity since his wife had died.

He also did some comedy covers of Informer, Gangster Paradise and Prince of Bel Air theme tune which worked well and sounded great.

Afterwards the people I was chatting with all agreed he was absolutely excellent and we had loved this set. Another triumph in this tent which provides excellent music for free during the festival.

Seth Lakeman

Seth Lakeman was one of the festival sell out gigs and he and his band didn't disappoint. He was playing the Spiegeltent which is a beautiful structure on the outside and a bit like a village hall on the inside. Fold up wooden chairs, which are on occasion a bit wobbly surround trestle tables with thick cloths on them. This environment worked for him to a large extent, but it did restrict dancing.

I have to admit I have a certain indifference to some of Seth's music until he picks up the fiddle and something magical happens. Last night the first half of the set was dominated by the non-fiddle stuff but it was much stronger than when I'd heard him before. The reason for the improvement was the addition of Lisbee Stainton, who recently played a great solo gig The Stables. The two look and sound great together and working together seems to bring out the best in each performer, loved them as a duo.

The point the real magic started for me was when Seth played The Shores of Normandy, which for me was the highlight of the set. For anybody who didn't watch the coverage of the 70th anniversary of the D Day landings, Seth accompanied the veteran who wrote this song at the anniversary remembrance event. He was asked to carry on playing it and so has incorporated it into his set. It is an amazing song, a true lament which is spine tingling and tear jerking.....a modern Psalm.

From that point he worked up to the faster stuff, culminating the main part of the gig with Kitty Jay. I loved this faster stuff.....he and the band were excellent.