Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression

Subject: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: Ragamuffin
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 04:59 AM

Looking for audio tracks/albums/Performers for radio program research which feature:-

1) songs of the Welsh Mining depression: Merthyr Tydfil in 1935, thousands of men and women, like many other thousands across the South Wales coalfield seized power to demonstrate against the decade or more of poverty that had destroyed their lives and their livelihoods. We already have some beautiful Male Choir choral music, but could use some guitar accompanied material: has Hew Williams written anything about this era?

2) Songs of the North West from around the Burnley area particularly audio tracks/albums featuring Loom Weaving and other songs of local industries (shoe manufacturing, clay pipe etc)Serious or humorous content would be of interest.Material which highlights living and work conditions.

3) Would also be interested in receiving audio/album material from individual performers/singer/songwriters for future program inclusion on virtually any subject matter at:-

www.ragamuffin.biz

mail to: [e-mail]

Thanks folks for your valued assistance, and helping us give our music another appreciated platform!

Ragamuffin Brian

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 03:30 PM

Try "Skewen Main 1925" by Huw Pudner. He performed this song in a recent show called SONGS OF THE EARTH which is about life and work in the South Wales valleys.The show was put together by members of the Pontneddfechan Acoustic Club and Huw ,himself was raised only a few yards from the Skewen Main mine near Neath in South Wales.

albert

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: GUEST,Bill the sound
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 08:02 PM

Dave Burns who plays with the Hennessys did a very good CD called
Last Pit in the Rhondda. If you look on the Hennessy's web site there is a contact address where you could propably get one

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 08:22 PM

Ralph MacTell also did a track about Mining called 'The Enemy Within'. I don't know if it was referring to the period you want though.

CC

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: Betsy
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 10:05 PM

Hiya Ragamuffin , I hope by the helpful replies (above ) that you find what you are looking for.
As I understand , the Welsh ,(a hundred years ago)being a Protestant/ Calvinistic / Methodist , sang songs of of a religious nature in a Choral setting.
Certainly not a place to have a sing-song even in the 1960's even with the advent of Tom Jones
Songs for entertainment or relating to work or everyday things / music hall , did not come into the equation and so they are devoid of traditional song.
I wish you luck, but when I sang Ewan McColls - School days in Margam near Port Talbot in the 70's the song was greeted by derision .
Wales is a complicated place - only combined by Rugby Football and divided by almost everything else.
Best of luck in your search
Betsy

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: Ragamuffin
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 03:34 AM

Thank you everyone for your input comments, and research: very much appreciated.

As a small token of that appreciation: www.ragamuffin.biz
Where you will find 40-60 hrs. of free to listen, pre-recorded acoustic music programs covering a multitude of subjects and performers from The Music of The Titanic Disaster through to The Isle Of Wight Pop Festivals 1968 - 70.
The popular Live "Sunday In The Shires" is recorded every second Sunday.

Again, thank you for your input: suggestions for Program Titles, individual track submissions, self recorded material etc. always welcome. If you have a song with a Story To Tell then we would like to hear about it: so don't be shy!
Thank you so very much.

Ragamuffin Brian

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: henryclem
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 07:13 AM

I have a song which might be of interest, about the end of mining - "Pitworld". Here's the link :   

http://myspace.com/henryclements

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: Ragamuffin
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 09:09 AM

Thank you Henry!

Already taken a recording of your version on MySpace. I'll be working on a radio program episode edit over the next two week featuring the decline of the Welsh mining industry, and will advise when it is completed.

Again thanks for your interest chum.

Ragamuffin Brian

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: GUEST,Guest: oddjob
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 12:42 PM

What about Jon Heslop's song "Old Soldiers"? The anthem for the 1984/85 strike but timeless in its sentiments. One of the greatest songs ever written about mining in Wales.

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 01:15 PM

There is, of course, FAREWELL TO THE RHONDDA which has been discussed several times in the Mudcat.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 03:26 PM

FAREWELL TO THE RHONDDA sums up the carefree days of "You've never had it so good" in the 1950s and 60s, when lots of jobs were available elsewhere (i.e. England).

Max Boyce's DUW, IT'S HARD is a more reflective, wistful view of the effects of the 1970s closures.

The bitterness of the last-ditch fights of the 1980s is brilliantly encapsulated in Dave Rogers' MAERDY (The Last Pit in the Rhondda).

But for the sheer destruction and desolation of the Depression it has to be Idris Davies' BELLS OF RHYMNEY, written around 1927, published in 1938, but not set to music until Pete Seeger did it in 1959.

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: sian, west wales
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 08:33 AM

Betsy said, "Songs for entertainment or relating to work or everyday things / music hall , did not come into the equation and so they are devoid of traditional song."

Oh, lord. Sometimes things come up on the 'Cat that are so completely and depressingly wrong, you just want to shoot yourself.

Give me strength ...

I do not have the time to respond to that kind of rubbish today ...

sian

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: Ragamuffin
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 02:31 PM

Snuffy & everyone else who have taken the trouble to add to the "song suggestion pot".Thank you so much for your contribution on this thread: appreciated!

Any idea where I can purchase a CD. album with the track Dave Rogers' MAERDY (The Last Pit in the Rhondda) in the Play list? I think Dave Burns produced a second CD in 2006, but I've been unable to find a web site or an email addy from where I could order copy from him: any suggestions appreciated folks

Take care now

Ragamuffin Brian

Subject: RE: Songs of the Welsh Mining Depression
From: GUEST,Bill the sound
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 09:52 PM

If you go to the Hennessy's web site you will get an E mail address
probably Iolo Jones (A brilliant musician and a very good chap).I am sure he will pass the message on to Dave.If you have no luck I will see Dave next month and tell him you are interested.