This is an interview idea that started at Mudcat; another subscriber encouraged me to do it, having asked Mike Harding without result, and Ed was up for it.

It is a substantial piece and will take up three separate postings. The first is live now at


Salut! Live


Ed talks initially about his role in the North-eastern trio, the Northern Front' (and how it was once misprinted as The National Front) his much-covered songs about mines (The Workers' Song, Farewell Johnny Miner, Ah Could Hew etc) and the serious illness that inspired him to write as many songs as possible.

The next instalments will follow at short intervals, with everything posted by midweek.

Just don't tell Ed about the respective audience figures for Mike Hrding and Salut! Live.