Lyr Req: Turning Steel / The Factory Lad (Dryden)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Turning Steel / The Factory Lad (Dryden)
From: Daniel Kelly
Date: 23 Feb 19 - 01:02 AM

Does anyone know if the CD project got off the ground? I've been looking for recordings of Colin's songs and they are sadly absent from iTunes and YouTube (except for Factory Lad).

It would be good to know if anyone has a contact for his estate.

I've just finished a short
playlist of his songs.

Would happily record them properly and add them so some other recordings to make a digital album.

I think it is tragic that Colin's music isn't better known.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Bruce D
Date: 04 Mar 16 - 04:32 AM

David Alexander sang a good version of the Factory Lad,

The first I heard this song, was when Vin Garbutt sang it at a concert for the old "Sydney Festival" around January 1980 or 1981, from memory he did "the Chemical Workers Song" in the same concert.


Bruce D

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 07:41 AM

sometime late last century, someone was going to put out an album of his work (was it his niece?) I think Folk fed was going to be involved, I wonder if Margaret remembers more than I do? I'll ask her.

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Hrothgar
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 05:05 AM

A favourite memory of Colin is the time he did "The Ryebuck Shearer" at a Numeralla Folk Festival - must have been 1978 or 1979, I think. He did it as a blues, and it lasted for nearly 20 minutes.

Nobody in the audience even thought of leaving.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Mar 16 - 06:32 PM

same here, because Sydney singers knew Colin & heard him sing it.

Margaret Walters, organiser of many Sydney singing sessions & concerts & other interesting musical events was a major source of info for Colin's niece.

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 Mar 16 - 05:11 PM

There are many threads here on Factory Lad and almost every version is full of Mondegreens or deliberate changes, some which make no sense - blueing steel? A chemical process in a welding shop??
Sandra's link to the article has Colin on soundcloud and that is the way we always sang it.

Robyn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: JHW
Date: 02 Mar 16 - 05:10 PM

My preference of those linked here is Colin himself on Soundcloud. I do like Robin Dale singing it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Mar 16 - 06:54 AM

Turning steel is a great song.

Loosely Woven has that name because performances depend on which singers & musicians are available for a production. They produce a number of concerts a year which they take to community venues around the metropolitan area & even around the state, & perform for charitable organisations. I'd attended several before I realised some old friends were part of the group!

Did I mention they are fully acoustic? No ampplification or sound for them.

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Mar 16 - 02:52 AM

Here's an Australian group called "Loosely Woven" singing the song, with a large chorus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkv8q7z0K_M
Great song, isn't it?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Mar 16 - 02:00 AM

Extradition

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Mar 16 - 01:50 AM

Gidday, Brian!

Colin Dryden - memoir by his niece with links to songs

article about Colin Dryden by the late Dermott Ryder

and I have a copy of that very rare LP Extradition & the re-release on CD 2003. Shayna Carlin who also appeared on Extradition will be at the 50th Australian National Folk Festival at Easter. It is always a pleasure listening to her beautiful voice.

article about Colin Dryden by the late Dermott Ryder

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 01 Mar 16 - 08:46 PM

There's a discussion of this song on another thread here, with a link to a recording of Colin Dryden singing it (but, Brian, the more, the merrier!).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 01 Mar 16 - 09:07 AM

Hi Brian
Your name sprang to mind when I saw the title of this thread
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: GUEST,Brian Grayson
Date: 01 Mar 16 - 08:31 AM

I have tapes of Colin singing 'Factory Lad' and others of his - now if only I can master the blue clicky-link thing I'll post them here!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: GUEST,Brian Grayson
Date: 01 Mar 16 - 08:31 AM

I have tapes of Colin singing 'Factory Lad' and others of his - now if only I can master the blue clicky-link thing I'll post them here!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 29 Feb 16 - 03:01 PM

Vin Garbutt sings a great version of this. I thought he wrote it but there you go. Wrong again Musket lad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: mg
Date: 29 Feb 16 - 02:41 PM

what a great voice....i just had to hear this song today. have not thought of it for years or heard it.   needs about 100 singing on chorus though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: song about turning steel or wheel
From: maeve
Date: 29 Feb 16 - 01:47 PM

Here it is sung by Barrie Davis.

Subject: Lyr Add: TURNING STEEL (THE FACTORY LAD)
From: mg
Date: 29 Feb 16 - 12:35 PM

can't come up with it. michael P. of BC CA sings it.

turning steel how do you feel as in the chuck you spin
if you felt like me you'd turn right out and never turn back in

OOPS I FOUND IT

GREAT SONG

Turning Steel (The Factory Lad)

A song by Colin Dryden ©Colin Dryden 1969

You wake up in the morning, the sky's as black as night,
Your mother's shouting up the stairs, you know she's winning the fight,
You hurry to the breakfast table and grab a bite to eat,
Then out the door and up the road, and through the factory gate.

Chorus:
Turning steel how do you feel, as in the chuck you spin.
If you felt like me you'd roll right out and never roll back in.

Cold and dark the morning as you squeeze in the gate.
As you clock in, the bell will ring - eight hours is your fate.
Off comes the coat and up go the sleeves and "right lads" is the cry.
With one eye on the clock, the other on your lathe, you wish that time could fly.

But time can't fly as fast as a lathe, and work you must -
The grinding, groaning spinning metal, the hot air and the dust.
And many's the time I'm with me girl and we're walking through the park,
While gazing down at the spinning steel or the welder's blinding spark.

Well, old Tom, he left last week - his final bell did ring.
His hair as white as the face beneath his oily sunken skin.
But he made a speech and he said "good-bye" to a life time working here,
As I shook his hand, I thought of hell - a lathe for forty years.

When my time comes, as come it must, why then I'll leave this place.
I'll walk right out past the chargehand's desk and never turn my face.
Out through the gates, into the sun, and I'll leave it all behind,
With but one regret for the lads I've left, to carry on the grind.