Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj

Post to this Thread - Printer Friendly - Home
Page: [1] [2]


Obit: Alistair Hulett (1951-2010)

Related threads:
Lyr ADD: By Ibrox Park (Alistair Hulett) (24)
Lyr Add: Siege of Union Street (Alistair Hulett) (5)
Lyr Add: My Old Man? / No Half Measures (A Hulett) (15)
Alistair Hulett zoom session tomorrow (1)
Lyr Req: Mrs Barbour's Army (Alistair Hulett) (7)
alastair hulet/ Alistair Hulett - info? (37)
Lyr Req: Blue Murder (Alistair Hulett) (17)
Alistair Hulett Memorial Songwriting Competition (12)
Alistair Hulett radio recordings now onl (1)
Alistair Hulett competition (Australia) (3)
Lyr Req: Don't Sign Up for War (Alistair Hulett) (15)
Alistair Hulett Tribute Night, Irvine, (1)
Review: Alistair Hulett Memorial Concert Radio (4)
Alistair Hulett Tribute Concert 28/1/11 (4)
BS: Repubs to Unemployed: Tough Sh*t??? (72)
Obit: Alistair Hulett Tribute in Glasgow (2)
alistair hulett at irvine (1)
Lyr Req: Among Proddy Dogs and Papes (A Hulett) (3)
review: Alistair Hulett and Jimmy Ross (2)
Lyr Req: He Fades Away (Alistair Hulett) (3)


Sandra in Sydney 29 Jan 10 - 09:24 PM
Bugsy 29 Jan 10 - 10:27 PM
Simmo 30 Jan 10 - 06:10 AM
Sandra in Sydney 30 Jan 10 - 06:34 AM
goatfell 30 Jan 10 - 07:22 AM
GUEST,Jackie Morrison 30 Jan 10 - 09:45 AM
Sheena Wellington 30 Jan 10 - 10:12 AM
GUEST,Graham Dixon 30 Jan 10 - 01:59 PM
GUEST,Graham in Ayr 30 Jan 10 - 03:42 PM
GUEST,John Flynn 30 Jan 10 - 09:19 PM
GUEST,Chris Church (formerly Cherry) 30 Jan 10 - 10:14 PM
nager 31 Jan 10 - 12:54 AM
GUEST,Jeanette Gillespie 31 Jan 10 - 05:41 AM
GUEST,Onny 31 Jan 10 - 08:58 AM
GUEST 31 Jan 10 - 05:45 PM
Effsee 31 Jan 10 - 10:35 PM
GUEST 31 Jan 10 - 11:25 PM
Little Robyn 01 Feb 10 - 04:01 AM
GUEST,John Hamill 01 Feb 10 - 04:50 AM
Sandra in Sydney 01 Feb 10 - 05:17 AM
rich-joy 02 Feb 10 - 06:52 AM
GUEST,Nandinium 02 Feb 10 - 04:51 PM
rich-joy 02 Feb 10 - 05:39 PM
Sandra in Sydney 03 Feb 10 - 06:14 PM
GUEST,emmie 03 Feb 10 - 06:32 PM
Susanne (skw) 04 Feb 10 - 04:31 PM
GUEST,JC 05 Feb 10 - 09:53 AM
GUEST,Arfrur Brain 10 Feb 10 - 12:16 PM
GUEST,Tom Bliss 10 Feb 10 - 02:00 PM
GUEST,Gerry 11 Feb 10 - 06:12 PM
Sandra in Sydney 18 Feb 10 - 01:53 AM
GUEST,Guest, Ken Lewis 21 Feb 11 - 09:25 PM
Sandra in Sydney 29 Nov 21 - 01:07 AM
Share Thread
more
Lyrics & Knowledge Search [Advanced]
DT  Forum Child
Sort (Forum) by:relevance date
DT Lyrics:













Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Jan 10 - 09:24 PM

lyrics to "He fades away"

Alistair singing "He fades away"


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Bugsy
Date: 29 Jan 10 - 10:27 PM

Very sad news.

I didn't know Alistair though I met him once, briefly and many years ago.

My condolences to his wife and family.

I'm sure that his music will live on.

Bugsy


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: AlThe Death of Musician Alistair Hulett
From: Simmo
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 06:10 AM

Very sad news of Alistair Hulett death.
He Fades Away.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 06:34 AM

Sydney, Australia -

PAY TRIBUTE TO AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE, SADLY PASSED, OF ALISTAIR HULETT, REVOLUTIONARY SONGWRITER AND PERFORMER

A memorial for Alistair Hulett will be held on Sunday February 14th
3.00-6.00pm at the Gaelic Club in Sydney.

Everyone is welcome, we will have video of Alistair's performances, photos,
posters from the struggles in which Alistair played a role fund raising and
immortalising them in his songs, etc. If you have any memorabilia, please
bring it, or contact Diane Fieldes or Sandra Bloodworth (details below) to
organise it to be added to any displays we are assembling.

Tim Anderson, about whom "Framed" was written, will be there to speak and
remember his times with Alistair and their struggle together, and we hope to
have speakers from unions Alistair did fundraisers for, etc. As the program
is put together, we will send out notices so everyone knows who is coming to
pay tribute and celebrate Alistair's life.


Sandra Bloodworth - sgbloodworth (at) gmail.com
Diane Fieldes - dfieldes (at) gmail.com


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: goatfell
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 07:22 AM

so sad RIP


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Jackie Morrison
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 09:45 AM

I only met Alistair a few times through mutual friends having seen him playing in the Star Folk club in Glasgow. I actually hired him to play after a formal dinner I was hosting and after a couple of his songs we nearly had a bunch of middle class people going to the picket at Calder Street baths Alistair was a founder of.

Terrible loss of a talented, compassionate and witty man.

If there is to be any events in his honour I would greatly appreciate being informed.

jackie.morrison1@btopenworld.com


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Sheena Wellington
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 10:12 AM

I still don't want to believe that this fine musician, singer and songwriter, this generous inspiring man of towering integrity and equally towering compassion has been torn from us so soon! Rest in peace, Ally, and love and support to Fatima.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Graham Dixon
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 01:59 PM

Thanks Alistair

For your wonderful songs, excellent company and the outstanding night that you gave us at Gregson Lane Folk Club where you will be truly missed by everyone involved.

God bless you

Graham & Bernadette Dixon


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Graham in Ayr
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 03:42 PM

all the above tributes tell their own story. . indeed a real loss, but for Ally's humanity not only the songs..

we should get the funeral supported and attended, first, but, yes, in response to one of the above posts, i would hope and expect that there will be a memorial concert of some kind organised in glasgow


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,John Flynn
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 09:19 PM

I knew Alistair when he was a wee lad in Christchurch and was at the Folk Club for his first ever gig. We re-acquainted after 35 years when he was in Perth a couple of years ago. In the interim I kept abreast with his music. A sad loss and so young. My thoughts with his family


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Chris Church (formerly Cherry)
Date: 30 Jan 10 - 10:14 PM

Waaa how I will miss you Ali. Our group Croodin Cant was a beginning of real good folkmusic times in New Zealand and loving friendships - wow 1967 it was. Still remember you and Alison and your mum and dad who were so warm and friendly. Really really sad you can't speak to us anymore. Love to you Fatima...xx


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: nager
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:54 AM

Very sad loss indeed. I met Alistair when he toured here in Australia not too long ago and did a concert in Newcastle NSW. Good man to talk to and a wonderful singer and songwriter. RIP


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Jeanette Gillespie
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 05:41 AM

It was so beautiful to catch up with Ali in November 2009 - my partner Duncan and I were priveleged to have been able to do the support bracket for his Melbourne (Australia) Folk Club concert on November 21st. Not sure whether or not this was his last Australian concert. We are gutted! I will never forget that last hug. What a sad loss - such strength and conviction yet such softness and caring. Our thoughts are with all family and loved ones.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Onny
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 08:58 AM

Alistair's funeral will be held at Glasgow's Linn Crematorium on Friday 5th February at 1.30pm.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 05:45 PM

Fatima

please accept our condolences. We loved the songs and the person.
So many favourite tunes / performances / conversations.
Seeing Alistair at the G8 stuff will stick in my mind.
Top fighter. Top person.

Regards and condolences

Des and Siobhan


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Effsee
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 10:35 PM

I hope no-one minds me copying this from Footstompin':-

Dear Friends,

It is with overwhelming sadness I write to report the death of Alistair Hulett – singer, songwriter, international socialist, revolutionary, ecologist, community activist and my partner and best friend of 17 years.

Alistair died on Thursday evening, January 28 at 6:30pm at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. Many friends have been shocked by the severity and speed of his deterioration, none more so than myself.

Alistair became ill very suddenly on New Year's Day and was hospitalised on January 5 with suspected food poisoning. Liver failure was later diagnosed and it was hoped that he could receive a liver transplant, but further investigation revealed a very aggressive form of cancer which had already spread from his liver to his lungs and stomach. Alistair died peacefully only days after the cancer was first detected.

His funeral will be held at Linn Crematorium in Lainshaw Drive on Friday 5 Feb at 1:30pm, ...
I would like to thank, with all my heart, the hundreds of people who wrote letters, sent emails, cards and left telephone messages of support during his short illness. They were a huge comfort to myself and his family.

A memorial will also be held in Sydney organised by his family and friends in the next couple of months.

Alistair was a kind, gentle man who was committed to fighting for a better world – a world based on the principles of justice, equality, love and respect for all of humanity. The world was a better place for knowing him and is a sadder place for his loss. He leaves a great legacy in his music that will continue to bring inspiration to many who, like him, believed a better world was possible.

Fatima


It seems so cruel that such a fine person can be taken from us, so quickly, so young, so talented.
RIP Ali...someone said previously "That was "our Ali"...sums it up! He'd a liked that.
Condolences to Fatima, and all friends.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 11:25 PM

Who now will carry the Flag?
Vale Alistair


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 04:01 AM

So very sorry to hear about this - it was announced during a concert at the Auckland Folk Festival on Saturday night.
I remember Alistair as a teenager, singing Huntingtower with his sister Alison, when the family first arrived in NZ and they were living in Weliington. After that he shifted to Christchurch where he joined Croodin Cant, with Chrissy and Bernie Cherry and a few others, and really introduced NZ to unaccompanied British Trad songs and traditions.
We were sorry when we lost him to Aus, but it was great hearing Kate and Gordon singing his songs.
We met him again last year when he toured with David Rovics and they did a concert in a small church in Pukehou, not too far from here.
It gave us a chance to catch up again but all too briefly.
He will be sadly missed.
Robyn


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,John Hamill
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 04:50 AM

I am one of Alistair's best friends, I just wanted to let you know that I will upload more video of Alistair to my Youtube site (sparky2086) very soon.
Heartbroken,
John.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 05:17 AM

John - thanks, I've been enjoying the videos you posted & bookmarked your site.

Robyn, I was talking to Kate (Delaney) this afternoon & have sent her this thread for when she get back on line later this week

sandra


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: rich-joy
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 06:52 AM

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Petran
To: 'Ausfolk@folkalliance.org.au'
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 2:16 PM
Subject: [Ausfolk] Music Deli


This week's Music Deli program is dedicated to Alistair Hulett.
The program will include a studio session recorded in 2001 in which Alistair talks about some of his songs; and then a performance from the
1992 Port Fairy Folk Festival.

Please note – a new time for Music Deli on Friday nights – 7.05pm
Repeated on Saturday mornings at 4.05am and then again on Sunday afternoon at 4.05pm.
Each week's program is available to listen to on the website for one month after the radio broadcast.
ABC Radio National around Australia and on the web at www.abc.net.au/rn/musicdeli

Paul Petran


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Nandinium
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 04:51 PM

I first met Alistair and his partner back in the 90's at Sidmouth
where he and Dave (the Swarb)were doing their "Saturday Johnny & Jimmy the Rat presentation. Throughout the week we bumped into each other at various venues, sharing stories and experiences. I was even that early impressed with his strength of character and resolve to right things for the underdog, his compassion always shone through in every discussion. Since that day I have met up with Alistair and his musical partners at various venues in the UK and once in Australia. I was lucky to see him at the Mad Nanny's folk club last year, I remember saying, see you next year, his comment was God willing Yes! Never did I imagine then that we would never meet again. He was so young compared to me, it has been such a shock for us all, and such a terrible loss to the folk music of the World, but the loss felt by Fatima must be far greater.

It is at this time that my deepest sympathies go out to Fatima and Ali's relatives, his fellow band members (Malkies) such a promising start for a new band, and so sad to lose your lead singer and guitarist just when it was all happening for you.

R.I.P Dear Alistair You will be much missed.

M.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: rich-joy
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 05:39 PM

from Margaret Walters on Ausfolk :

" Everyone I know in Sydney has been deeply saddened by Alistair's death and it has been soothing to read the many tributes people have made.


Chris Maltby gathered these websites together:


http://www.counterpunch.org/rovics01292010.html - David Rovics

http://links.org.au/node/1484 - Links International - Journal of Socialist Renewal

http://www.sa.org.au/topics/256-miscellaneous/2551-alistair-hulett - Diane Fieldes

http://www.folkicons.co.uk/alisbio.htm - Ally's bio page with earlier life info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alistair_Hulett - Wikipedia

http://hintadupfing.blogspot.com/2010/01/vale-alistair-hulett.html - Hintadupfing blog

http://www.folkradio.co.uk/2010/01/alastair-hulett-rip/ - Folk Radio UK








Robb Johnson in England wrote a poem the other day posted by Dave Rovics:



LYRIC FOR ALISTAIR



There are patterns in the woodwork
there are patterns on my thumb
there are patterns from the brickwork
to the rhythms of the drums
but don't talk to me of patterns
cos all that i can see
is a big hole in the universe
where you used to be

this is the sound of a broken heart
still beating

now we gather up the fragments
& we'll keep the pieces close
& you'll follow like my shadow
the best of friendly ghosts
cos we've got unfinished business
we'll move the wheel along
move it with your muscle
move it with your song

this is the sound of a broken heart
still beating

there are patterns in this chaos
there are patterns in these stars
like the patterns of the poetry
that you made with your guitar
there are patterns in the mystery
that i'll never understand
& there are patterns in the history
that we make here with our hands

this is the sound of a broken heart
still beating





and I'd like to share a song by John Warner in 1996 - written when Alistair and Fatima were leaving Sydney to go to Glasgow.



For Fatima and Alistair

tune: Among Proddy Dogs and Papes

It's a long, cold road from the Holy Isle way out in Lamlash Bay
To seagulls haggling hamburger scraps by a Newtown take-away.
Where you've watched the cops patrol like sharks, in a shop reflection screen
And told your truth in words that burn in our minds like Acetylene

But the bleeding hands are healed today, they're strong and close in yours,
So travel lightly, travel well the roads of Albion's shores.

You've led us down Destitution Road over Scotland's freezing moors,
Shed fiery light on "Divide and Rule" and a thousand years of wars.
We've felt our pride and our anger rise when the workers made their stands,
And wept with pain for a girl of ten and a pair of bleeding hands

The little girl of a Melbourne dawn in clothes she's ashamed to wear
Is the woman who loves the songs you love, and fights in the fight you share
Who speaks for the people of Bougainville, of the evil deeds of power;
For the hands that bled are militant red and today they've seized the hour

It's long we'll sing of a glint of light - down by a wintered weir,
And two old rogues with a new tickled trout making shift for another year;
And while we've voice and a set of strings, and a crowd can fill a room,
We'll tell of a bloodstained pillowcase, and the shame of Wittenoom.

So thanks for the gift of your hard-forged songs, for words with a tiger's bite,
Sydney's pubs will resound them long on many a Friday night,
And where we gather to stake our claims and resist the system's wrongs,
You will be there in the cause we share as the masses sing your songs.


John Warner 24 July 1996
with two-bob's worth from Margaret Walters "



and an addendum from Sandra Nixon :

" Video performances of Alistair posted by sparky 2086 - he's a friend of
Alistair & will be posting more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnn84PLTDSc

Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=126794&messages=70&page=1 "


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 06:14 PM

Celebration, Melbourne, Australia, Friday 5th February, 7pm onwards

You are invited to celebrate the life, politics and music of Alistair Hulett in the Socialist Alternative Centre at Trades Hall (enter via Victoria St)

Many have been saddened by the recent death of Alistair Hulett, revolutionary singer and activist. In honour of his life and his contribution to radical music and politics there is going to be a celebration this Friday evening at Trades Hall. The evening will feature some clips from Alistair's extensive body of work, a few tribute songs from English musician John McCullagh and an obituary by his friend and comrade Sandra Bloodworth.

(This event will be hosted by Socialist Alternative and will be followed by an event celebrating Socialist Alternative's new Centre in Trades Hall at the top of the stairs at the Victoria St entrance)


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,emmie
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 06:32 PM

Can't believe Dave Swarbrick has outlived him!


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 04:31 PM

I was shocked to find this on my return from a few days in hospital. Another great loss to humanity and to Scottish music. I was looking forward to hearing Ally again somewhere in Scotland or Germany this year. Never again! My sympathy goes to his family and close friends.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,JC
Date: 05 Feb 10 - 09:53 AM

RIP Ally


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Arfrur Brain
Date: 10 Feb 10 - 12:16 PM

Obituary in today's Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/09/alistair-hulett-obituary


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 10 Feb 10 - 02:00 PM

Here it is in full - a fine piece of writing for a mighty fine man.

Robin Denslow:

Alistair Hulett, who has died of cancer aged 58, was an outspoken, staunchly leftwing singer and songwriter who built up a dedicated following in his native Scotland and in New Zealand and Australia, where he spent much of his life. His colourful, wildly varied musical career included work with the Australian folk-punk group Roaring Jack and a series of albums recorded with Dave Swarbrick, Britain's finest fiddle-player. For Swarbrick, Hulett was "committed, uncompromising and passionate, and the best songwriter since Ewan MacColl. I've worked with wonderful songwriters like Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny, but Alistair was spectacular."

Born in Glasgow, where his father was an aircraft engineer, Hulett attended Ralston primary school and then the John Neilson institution in Paisley. He became fascinated by the folk scene while still a teenager and, his sister Alison recalls, would "climb out of his bedroom window at night when he was just 13 so he could go off to see the Incredible String Band". He was given a guitar by his uncle and studied the songs of Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan.

The following year he was horrified when his parents decided to move to New Zealand. He initially regarded Christchurch as a cultural backwater, and was furious at being forced to wear a uniform at Christchurch boys' high school, though he soon became something of a sensation at Christchurch folk club because of his interpretation of MacColl songs and knowledge of British traditional music.

After leaving school he studied at Canterbury School of Fine Arts and worked as a carpet designer. He was determined to return to Scotland, but after leaving home he travelled to Australia, where he met his first wife, Jane McDonald. They settled back in New Zealand (where Hulett formed the band Croodin Cant, which included his sister and specialised in British folk ballads) before moving to northern Australia and then, in 1977, to India, where they were based in the Himalayas.

Hulett's strong political commitment was formed, his sister believes, during the two years he spent in India, "where he saw the huge divide between the poor and the wealthy". Returning to Australia without his wife, he dramatically changed his image and musical style and formed the Sydney-based band Roaring Jack, who were seen as Australia's answer to the Pogues, with a line-up of electric guitar, drums and accordion.

They played at concerts, benefits and demonstrations, and Hulett's angry, highly political new songs included The Old Divide and Rule, Framed (a song about the activist Tim Anderson, who was wrongly accused of placing explosives outside the Sydney Hilton hotel), and The Swaggies Have All Waltzed Matilda Away, which includes the line "blood stained the soil of Australia". According to his sister, "Politics put him at odds with the authorities. I'm sure there's a big dossier on him in Australia."
hulett2 In 1992, Hulett, above, began a solo career exploring his early folk roots.

In 1992, Hulett changed musical direction yet again, moving from folk-punk to an exploration of his early folk roots with his first solo album, the acoustic Dance of the Underclass. But there was no change in his political stance, and the album included an angry lament for the suffering of Australia's asbestos miners, He Fades Away, which was covered in England by June Tabor.

His collaboration with Swarbrick began in 1995. The fiddle player, best-known for his work with Martin Carthy and Fairport Convention, was living in Australia at the time and was eager to meet Hulett after hearing The Swaggies, a song he describes as "a masterpiece". The duo recorded the album Saturday Johnny and Jimmy the Rat, which included traditional songs, political songs, and compositions based on stories of Glasgow that Hulett had been told by his grandfather. It was well received and the duo successfully toured Australia together. The following year they both decided it was time to return to the UK. Hulett was now remarried, to Fatima Uygun, and he and his wife stayed with Swarbrick in Herefordshire, where the album Cold Grey Light of Dawn was recorded.

In 1997, Hulett fulfilled his teenage ambition at last, and moved back to Glasgow. His collaborations with Swarbrick continued, but were curtailed when the fiddler became seriously ill in 1999, and in 2000 Hulett recorded another solo album, In Sleepy Scotland. In 2002 he was reunited with Swarbrick on the album Red Clydeside, which told the story of John Maclean – the Scottish revolutionary who campaigned against conscription during the first world war, called for a communist republic of Scotland and was imprisoned on several occasions.

In 2005, Hulett recorded a final solo album, Riches and Rags, which included his own political songs, traditional songs, and a reworking of The First Girl I Loved, by Robin Williamson, a song that appeared on the first album by Hulett's teenage heroes, the Incredible String Band. In partnership with the singer Jimmy Ross, he also gave historical word-and-song presentations on the lives of Seeger and MacColl, or the history of Irish political song, and in 2008 he recorded with the Yorkshire-based band the Malkies.

Although brought up in a strongly Protestant family, he was a staunch supporter of Celtic football team.

Hulett became ill on New Year's Day, and died only days after being diagnosed with cancer. He is survived by Fatima.

• Alistair Hulett, singer, songwriter and political activist, born 15 October 1951; died 28 January 2010

and with pictures


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 06:12 PM

Tomorrow's broadcast of Focus On Folk will be given over to Alistair's music.

Alistair, Fatima and I were among the group that put Radio Broadside to air on Sunday mornings in Sydney. Some years ago the program moved to a different station and a different timeslot and changed its name to Focus On Folk, but everyone involved with the current program was also involved with Radio Broadside.

The program is on Saturday 13 February on 2MBS-FM, 102.5, from 6 to 7 pm, Australian Eastern Daylight Time, and streaming on the web at http://www.2mbs.com/
Unfortunately there are no provisions for listening after the program is broadcast. 6pm Saturday in Sydney is 11pm Friday in California, 2am Saturday in New York, and 7am Saturday in London (I think).


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 01:53 AM

A musician of talent and conviction - Obit by Bruce Elder
Alistair Hulett, 1951-2010

There is something admirable about those people of deep political conviction who, in their youth, rail against the unfairness of the world and maintain that rage for the rest of their lives.

The great Scottish-Australian folk singer Alistair Hulett was a gentle man with a wonderful sense of humour who never deviated from his deeply held belief in the essential decency of the working class and the exploitation of those workers by capitalist elites.

So it was appropriate after his death in Glasgow from an aggressive cancer at the age of only 58, that his wife, Fatima Uygun, would describe Hulett as a "singer, songwriter, international socialist, revolutionary, ecologist, community activist". He was also a man who had and deserved the admiration of his fans. (MORE)


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (28 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,Guest, Ken Lewis
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 09:25 PM

Another big earthquake in Christchurch today. While searching the www for old friends Bernie and Chrissy, found to my immense shock found that Alistair had died a year ago. Far too young!
Alison if you, or any family members, read this please accept my heart felt condolences, and deepest sympathy. Sorry they are so belated, but time plays tricks on us all.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Obit: Alistair Hulett (1951-2010)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Nov 21 - 01:07 AM

Australia - Alistair Hulett's Final Public Performance

Renowned UK singer/songwriter Alistair Hulett performing at the Bald Faced Stag Pub in December, 2009. The second set of songs was with the Australian group 'Wheelers & Dealers'. This turned out to be Alistair's final public performance prior to his untimely death just 7 weeks later.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate
  Share Thread:
More...

Reply to Thread
Subject:  Help
From:
Preview   Automatic Linebreaks   Make a link ("blue clicky")


Mudcat time: 26 May 5:27 AM EDT

[ Home ]

All original material is copyright © 2022 by the Mudcat Café Music Foundation. All photos, music, images, etc. are copyright © by their rightful owners. Every effort is taken to attribute appropriate copyright to images, content, music, etc. We are not a copyright resource.