Ewan MacColl died on this day 22.10.1989

Subject: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: GUEST,Guest - Bob Blair
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 04:11 AM

Ewan’s contribution to folk music was immense.

Thanks for everything

Bob Blair

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 05:26 AM

Wikipedia; James Henry Miller (25 January 1915 – 22 October 1989), better known by his stage name Ewan MacColl.

Well spotted, Bob. But we will have to celebrate at home. The pandemic would be a good subject for a Radio Ballad.

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 06:42 AM

To henryp

It certainly would have been interesting if the radio ballad triumvirate {Ewan, Peggy and Charles Parker) could have covered the present pandemic.

I’m sure that lessons would have been learned from the 1962 Radio Ballad “The Body Blow” which dealt with polio, which was a major health problem at that time.

I recall that a song to the rhythm and sound of an iron lung was a bit creepy.

Ewan readily acknowledged that it was not to the same standard as most of the other Radio Ballads

Bob Blair

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 06:48 AM

Thanks, Bob. I remember that we queued for lunch together at the Street Choirs Festival in Hebden Bridge. Keep safe in these difficult times.

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 07:09 AM

Henryp - or on the post WW1 Spanish flue pandemic in contrast with the current pandemic.

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 02:54 PM

I agree with Bob, his song writing, the time and effort he spent assisting others, his professional approach to performing were all huge positives.I thought he sang his own songs better than some of the trad songs, but that of course is debatable and only opinion
- However Peggy Seegers contributions to the musicansship of their perfomances as a duo and in the radio ballads, plus her own excellent songwriting abilty and good singing and instrumental performance tends to be overlooked

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Oct 20 - 03:04 PM

His first song Manhester Rambler and his last song joy of living, both dwelled[to a greater and lesser extent on outdoor rambling,and were in my opinion two of his finest songs

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 23 Oct 20 - 01:59 AM

My brother in law used to sing a version of Manchester Rambler where the "spot welder by trade" had huge drooping eyelids, must dig out the recording of it!

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died 0n this day 22.10.1989
From: Brian Peters
Date: 23 Oct 20 - 09:57 AM

'The Joy of Living' is a magnificent song. Both it and 'Manchester Rambler' mention Bleaklow, which was one of Ewan's favourite spots, and is a an hour or so's walk from my front door if you don't mind a bit of a climb. I always think of 'Rambler' when I 'see the white hare in the gully, and the curlew fly high over head', both of which are frequent occurrences up there.

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died on this day 22.10.1989
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 03:45 PM

I have just been listening to John Axon, it stands the test of time

Subject: RE: Ewan MacColl died on this day 22.10.1989
From: Elmore
Date: 24 Oct 20 - 11:08 PM

I guess it takes about 30 years to have been the late Ewan MacColl and have people say nice things about you. If you've read earlier posts, many people have portrayed him as a real sunnava b..... All I know is that he wrote some wonderful songs. introduced many of us to traditional ballads, and that he and Peggy gave some memorable concerts when they played at Harvard.