BRIGADER JOHN LONGSTAFF AND SPANISH CIVIL WAR MUSIC
My father was Johnny Longstaff who was the runner for No2 Company of the British Battalion of the 15th International Brigade, He had 3 records of the Spanish Civil war Songs these were the two Folkways Lp's which include some songs in English and the Ian Campbell Ep Songs of Protest which included "Viva La Quince Brigada" sung in Spanish.
My father told me that Alan Bush the Marxist composer thought that my father would have a fine voice when he heard his deep north east accent, how wrong, he was affectionately known by the family as "foghorn" when he tried to sing.
I see there is a thread regarding Miles Tomalin and the photograph of the Anti Tank Battery taken in late 1937, I have a copy of this photo' my father has indicated some of those present, left to right in backgound 1)Allan Gilchrist,2)Chris Smith 3,4,5,6,7,)? 8) Miles Tomalin with recorder 9)? in foreground 10)? 11) Johnny Longstaff 12) Otto Estenson. Remainder unknown.
From my dads unpublished memoirs he records just before the battle of the Ebro "Folk singing was also appreciated by all present, this was sometimes organised by Miles Tomalin who served in the Brigades Anti Tank Battery, and his playing of the penny whistle was legendary".unfortunately does not mention which songs these were.
From: GeoffLawes - PM
Date: 09 May 10 - 09:39 AM
Duncan Longstaff: thank you for your post about your father's SCW records. If anyone is interested in seeing the songs included on these records the following links will give track lists.
SONGS OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR VOLUME 1 FOLKWAYS RECORDS
SONGS OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR VOLUME 2 FOLKWAYS RECORDS,1966
SONGS OF PROTEST EP - Ian Campbell Folk Group Topic Records, 1962
Your information about Miles Tomalin and the musicians in the anti-tank battery was interesting - I have not seen such a complete list of the men's names before. By chance the photo you refer to is on the cover of the new book Antifascistas, and Amazon have a picture of the cover which you can see using the following link:
PHOTO OF THE ANTI -TANK MUSICIANS OF THE 15th BRIGADE
It is not the clearest reproduction of the photo but it is the best I found available - if anyone can give a link to a better image then please do.
Regards, Geoff
From: mikesamwild - PM
Date: 13 May 10 - 09:54 AM
hi Duncan. my dad talked about yours. A runner was a tough job and he admired their guts! Terry Ward was one who lost a leg aged about 18 and he lived with us in Manchester for quite a while afterwards. People were very supportive of each other after Spain.
Thanks for info on that picture it's more names I didn't have too. I just read Antifascistas - it came out to accompany a very good travelling exibition put together by IBMT members.
sj