2007 Ewan MacColl Bio - Class Act

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 05:51 PM

How to be a control freak!

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 04:23 PM

well he wasn't really left wing enough to join MI5 (most of whom were Colonels in the KGB). And as someone who'd spent most of his time poncing about onstage, he was hardly great material for the killing machine - so I suppose he started working towards creating a vision which became the English Folk Scene.

I doubt if it were time wasted, whatever he did. he wasn't that sort of bloke.

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Winger
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 04:16 PM

Well, some of us have discussed it, Jim but we're none the wiser. Those who claimed to have known him personally seem to prefer to draw a veil over MacColl's WWII service and chide the rest of us for "prying".

I was one of those who laid out the cash for "Journeyman" when it was published and was disappointed at how selective it was about certain periods of his life. Can you enlighten us, Jim?

Oh, and he was a great singer, too.

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Jim Carroll
Date: 07 Oct 07 - 03:01 PM

"Does it reveal, at last, what he did during W.W.II?"
Don't think Ben was in W.WII.
If you mean MacColl - Many of us know what he did during W.W.II; we've discussed it ad nauseum; however, I'm sure it will be a great excuse not to talk about him as the great singer he was.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Joe_F
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 11:21 PM

Does it reveal, at last, what he did during W.W.II?

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: stallion
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 10:00 AM

Ben is a lovely man, a very good guitarist and has toured, and possibly still is touring, the folk clubs with his wife Emily Weygang. I would like to think we are good friends and he and Emily are sorely missed since they moved to Manchester

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Folkiedave
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 09:52 AM

And tell me how do you know that?

Met him a lot of times did you?

Spend a lot of time in his company?

Or did someone tell you and you have repeated it?

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 09:50 AM

But he was a nasty little control freak, was he not?

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Folkiedave
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 09:32 AM

The last copy of Journeyman on Ebay went for £85.00 or thereabouts.

I reckon (speaking as a bookseller) that £35.00 - £50.00 depending upon condition would be a good price.

Speaking from memory the problem with it (as Peggy identifies right at the start) is that it misses out almost as much as it admits. Hardly anything about Jean Newlove for example, very little about any of his children.

Still, his autobiography he can write what he likes.

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Jim Carroll
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 08:52 AM

(Is he any relation to Dave Harker, by the way?)
God , don't think so and sincerely hope not - go and wash your mouth out!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 06:48 AM

What good luck I got it for 11 pounds in 1993! Still, there were questions it left unanswered, so I'll be looking forward to getting my copy of Harker's book. (Is he any relation to Dave Harker, by the way?)

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: curmudgeon
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 12:06 PM

"Journeyman," MacColl's autobiography can be had for between $67.00 and $307.00 US

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 11:12 AM

"I think for this reason the Christy Moore book is pretty amazing. Instead of a chronological blow by blow account - he tells his story song by song - all the songs that have graced his professional repertoire. How they cam to be there and what he thought that made him want to inhabit them. I think Christy must have put this book together when he was probably so ill that he thought his playing days were almost over - for some of the soul searching and truth telling has a real ring of honesty."

Could not agree more, weelittledrummer. A book like this is hard to beat... but also, a man like Christy is hard to beat. Lucky he was wrong about his touring days being over ! He's kicking as never !

Is the EM autobiography available still ? would be interesting to read both books together ...

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Folkiedave
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 07:58 AM

I do not know about his father but I seem to remember his mother was a good singer.

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 07:50 AM

The thing also to remember is that Ewan and Peggy were gigging musicians - a bit like a cottage industry.

I remember one night they were both somewhat dispirited because a record company (I can't remember if it were Argo or Decca) had refused to sell them their own records to sell at gigs. This record company had decided instead to pulp all their records, because 'it wasn't the company image they wanted to project'. Ewan and Peggy were like the rest of us - in competition with the big boys of the industry.


The point I'm trying to make is that when you are presenting your work to the world - you look for the most entertaining and engaging way to present yourself (well you do if you have a scintilla of sense!). Not necessarily the most factual.

I think for this reason the Christy Moore book is pretty amazing. Instead of a chronological blow by blow account - he tells his story song by song - all the songs that have graced his professional repertoire. How they cam to be there and what he thought that made him want to inhabit them. I think Christy must have put this book together when he was probably so ill that he thought his playing days were almost over - for some of the soul searching and truth telling has a real ring of honesty.

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 07:31 AM

Eric and WD40,
The friend was not Eddie Frow, but a young Jewish man whose name escapes me, but can be found on the obituary film (Ballad of Ewan MacColl).
Eddie however did tell me that he remembered MacColl's father as a fine singer - a claim which is often challenged.
Both Eddie and Ruth had/have an enormous respect and a pride in Ewan as "a Salford lad who never gave up the fight".
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 07:22 AM

If you are talking about Eddie Frow, he went on to say that in general Ewan MacColl was accurate but in the particular [ ie detail ] inaccurate.

eric

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 03:53 AM

well as one of his boyhood friends remarked in the tv documentaries about him wasn't totally to be trusted with the facts. In particular the friend said that EM had told a previous documentary maker that as a boy he had roamed around Manchester with a head ful of lyrical thoughts about Engels. the friend said this was in fact rubbish.

one of the main problems of the revival is that we haven't attracted critics of any great note. Literature had Leavis, Tillyard and Wilson Knight - we had Karl Dallas and Colin Irwin. Both nice guys apparently - but neither of them inclined to challenge whatever load of balls singers were talking that week - at least not in print.

Its okay, but there is no account - and it becomes very difficult in retrospect to understand just how some of these unique talents did develop.

Subject: RE: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 12:03 AM

It's odd to see this described as the first biography of MacColl - doesn't his autobiography count?

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 10:26 AM

I couldn't agree more, enough of this - I ask friends to refer to the earlier thread concerning the nature of Ewan's trousers. Search on Ewan McColl's Trousers or there abouts.The sooner we get to the bottom of this issue the better!

I am yours fraternally

Les, but sometimes moor

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 10:13 AM

well seriously, does it matter who could piss furthest up the wall: Ewan, Bobby, or Ronnie?

The post was intended as a biting satire on the naive empiricism that attempts to quantify and compare the merits of two great songwriters.

Okay?

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 07:01 AM

Probably not really intended to be read.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 06:43 AM

WLD - was your last post intended to be read as irony or sarcasm?

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Oct 07 - 05:07 AM

Then there's Ronnie Hazelhurst - Ewan MacColl's name stood for absolutely nothing in the world of Blankety Blank, and indeed the whole world of popular quiz games themes.

Can you imagine Terry Wogan trying to get a bit of atmosphere going for the Supermatch Game to the Thirty Foot Trailer or Shoals of Herring?

The whole history of the world might have been different without Ronnie and the light hearted magic and gentle comedy of his work.
Blanketty blank!
need I say more...?

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 05:47 PM

"I think Maccoll was a better songwriter than Dylan."

I thought that there was no answer to that, Cap'n - but 'curmudgeon' proved me wrong!

"But did you ever meet Robert Zimmerman?"

As it happens, Jim, no. But then if I'd had a choice (which I didn't have - but let's just imagine) I'd have chosen to meet Ewan - worked out quite well, really, didn't it?

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: curmudgeon
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 04:59 PM

Discussing Ewan MacColl and Bob Dylan in the same thread is akin to contemplating Thomas Jefferson and George W. Bush at the same time.

When I recived for my 15th birthday the LP "Bad Lads and Hard Cases" my life changed. I had, from my earliest years, an interest in British folk song, but had been completely unaware of the reality of that music. And the fact that I was also given "English Street Song" by Lloyd assured the transition.

I am eagerly awaiting this new tome - Tom Hall

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 04:42 PM

I think Maccoll was a better songwriter than Dylan.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:49 PM

Ah,
But did you ever meet Robert Zimmerman?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:32 PM

"I think his most important contribution was his songwriting.Ihave never seen any of his play so cant comment on that."

There is no doubt that MacColl was a great songwriter, Cap'n - no-one would dispute that. But, through his magnificent singing, he introduced me to the great ballad repertoire of these islands, and I am forever in his debt for that. He also made an LP called 'The Manchester Angel' which is my favourite recording of all time - and a wonderful 'showcase' of English traditional song.

Finally, nearly 40 years ago now, I attended one of the weekend singers' workshop sessions which he and Peggy Seeger used to run and that was a truly life-changing experience.

There are few artists who have had such a positive impact on my life as Ewan MacColl.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:31 PM

No, please no, irony, sarcasm,wit, clever understatement yes?

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 02:07 PM

Do you have to read it with your finger in yer ear?

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 01:37 PM

Shimrod.
I think his most important contribution was his songwriting.Ihave never seen any of his play so cant comment on that.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: greg stephens
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 11:20 AM

Nice one!

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 10:52 AM

The only thing is, you're only allowed to read the bits about where you come from.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 08:57 AM

I'll wait for the paperback.

eric

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 06:53 AM

Class Act: The Cultural and Political Life of Ewan MacColl         
        
Class Act: The Cultural and Political Life of Ewan MacColl by Ben Harker (Hardcover - 1 Aug 2007)
Buy new: £46.99    2 Used & new from £46.99
Usually dispatched within 4 to 6 weeks
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 06:52 AM

Just looked, it already is.

eric

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 06:49 AM

It will be on Amazon before the weeks out, new and used.

eric

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 05:53 AM

Comes to £18.95 including postage - for the paperback.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 05:31 AM

I've just rung Pluto Press, who tell me that the paperback and hardback editions are out now and can be ordered from their website at http://www.plutobooks.com/shtml/aboutpluto.shtml

Bibliographical/pricing info listed on the site is;

CLASS ACT. Ben Harker

Paperback. 9780745321653. £15.99. $24.95. €23.00
Hardback. 9780745321660. £55.00. $75.00. €80.00

I mentioned the fact that it is shown as not yet available on Amazon, and am told that delays of this kind are fairly normal normal with them.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 04:16 AM

Dick of CAMSCO - got a price yet? I'm sure you'll sell dozens!

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 03:46 AM

I had measureless respect for Ewan and Peggy, but I still want to buy it as cheap as possible.

I got the Bert Jansch book Dazzling stranger for about three quid on e-bay. I'd recommend that to anybody - a lot of chit chat about the early days of the great folk scare and all the personalities.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: curmudgeon
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 07:31 PM

The seller I ordered from still gives the release date as the end of October for the paperback. I hope I'm not paying five months in advance - Tom

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 07:23 PM

Juvenalia? Trivia possibly. Of interest? - possibly to some.

Sorry Fred, I will make sure everything I write is well-researched and full of interesting content in future. Just like you do.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: curmudgeon
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 04:18 PM

You were right, Jim.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 04:15 PM

Ch-ch-ch-changes, turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-ch-changes, pretty soon now you're gonna get a little older.
Time may change me, But I can't trace time

(David 'Bowie' Jones)

What's in a name?
Look at the content.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Jim Carroll
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 03:51 PM

Simros - did I type Simros - were's me pills, sorry Spindoc
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 03:43 PM

I heartily agree. Just for the record, I have been told that the hardback edition has been delayed until the end of October and the paperback will be issued at the end of February next year. I need to confirm these dates with Pluto. So if there's any change I'll report back.

In the meantime could people who feel like indulging in juvenalia, about Ewan MaColl's name, or any one else's, please confine their thoughts to another thread.

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Jim Carroll
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 03:38 PM

Simros,
Wanna bet
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: New Ewan MacColl Biography
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 03:33 PM

Right! That's got all the tiresome (and oh so boringly predictable) stuff about MacColl's name out of the way. Can we now have a discussion about his achievments as a playwright, songwriter, ballad singer etc., etc.? Pretty please!!