Can I just clear up some of the questions that emerge from this thread, as the one who set the concert(s) up? The idea came when I realised that the launch of a re-edited version of his autobiography (by the unsung hero Ted Power)coincided with the 20th anniversary of Ewan's death on Oct 22, and that Peggy Seeger would be in the country at the time. Peggy was in favour, provided they could be fitted in the window Oct 23-7, between her arrival in the UK and a stint in Ireland with the Watersons. I tried London, but couldn't find a venue the right size in that window, but could get Salford and Glasgow. As well as the 27th's concert in Peel Hall at the university of Salford, we had one on the 24th under the auspices of Glasgow Caledonian University's Centre for Political Song - as I see Tattie Bogle has just mentioned in the latest post.

The shape of the show was really set by Peggy, who wanted 'songs that the Old Bugger would have admired', not just his own - she feared that she might wince at the way some of his songs might be sung. She was also adamant that we have no more than eight performers, remembering the celebrations for Ewan's 70th, which, in her words, 'went on for ever'.

The line-up was intended to include old friends and young admirers, and the result reflected that, plus who was available when. At both venues we had Peggy, plus John Faulkner, Bob Blair and Brian Pearson, all Critics Group members (and, before you ask, that hatchet is well and truly buried now). We would have had Sandra Kerr, but she was stricken and unable to come even just as accompanist. David Ferrard was also at both. In Glasgow were Jimmie MacGregor and Frankie Armstrong, in Salford Jez Lowe and Bob Fox, and in Glasgow the excellent local singers Anne Neilson and Gordeaana McCulloch replaced Sandra, and Finlay Allison provided accompaniment, as did Peggy.

Yes, Peel Hall is a bit cavernous, and somewhat austere compared to the usual intimate folk venue (in fact it had only just been restored, beautifully). It was about the fifth venue I tried, but some were unavailable and most were too small to house the audience that we needed to cover the hiring cost and pay the performers more than a pittance.

As for publicity, MUP posted flyers out to all the folk clubs on the Folk NW list, and I sent some more to those who'd bought my Radio Ballad book off its website. I'm in London, so not ideally placed. Undoubtedly we could have done better (and I'm a rank amateur at all this) but at least we were sold out in Glasgow and got close to it in Salford. The first arrivals there were the lad from Bordeaux who has posted a message on this thread, a couple over from Germany, and a folk specialist from Italy who recorded Ewan extensively in 1988 and is preparing a book on him.

As for the show... Well, it was bound to be pot luck, but for me, what was striking was how consistently good the performances were. Peggy is still tremendous at 74, of course, but so were the other folk pensioners - Jimmie MacGregor, 80 next Spring, was unwell but superbly witty - and the old CG members (John Faulkner, Bob Blair and John Pearson). That's despite only performing occasionally, unlike David Ferrard, Jez Lowe and Bob Fox, who are on the road constantly (Jez was between Switzerland and Holland).

So I guess it did what I wanted, to celebrate Ewan, and if it stirred up some late night on-line debate, so much the better.