Birthday Tribute to Ewan MacColl

Subject: Birthday Tribute to Ewan MacColl
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 02:25 PM

Ewan MacColl was born on 25 January 1915 at 4 Andrew Street, Salford where his parents were living in rented rooms. He died on 22 October 1989 in the Royal Brompton Hospital, London from a heart attack; Peggy Seeger and all his children were with him as he told them "the soldiers have come to the shore of my body."* Had Ewan lived he would have been 96 today.

From among the many songs which Ewan sang and wrote here are a few with a very personal touch.

Firstly, here is Ewan singing his moving song for his father:- My Old Man.

Secondly, here's Peggy singing the beautiful love song which he apparently improvised over a transatlantic telephone line for her, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.

Thidly, here is the only You Tube clip I can find featuring Ewan's song for the most important woman in his life, his mother Betsy:- Nobody Knew She Was There. Terry Whelan used to sing this, and I once heard Annie Dearman sing it in a way that found all the sweetness and sadness which Ewan had put into it. The words are in the DT here.

Finally, how better to celebrate Ewan's life than to join with him in The Joy of Living?

Happy Birthday Ewan.

Matthew

* As told to Ewan's biographer, Ben Harker, by Calum MacColl.

Subject: RE: Birthday Tribute to Ewan MacColl
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 02:35 PM

Massive character, massive talent, massive influence for good. Not an easy man and not popular with many of those who knew him.

Let's hope that people manage to be polite here-abouts

L in C#

Subject: RE: Birthday Tribute to Ewan MacColl
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 07:49 AM

Here's a glass to Ewan!

His songs and singing continue to be a reference point for me.


Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Birthday Tribute to Ewan MacColl
From: maeve
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 08:24 AM

Here's a charming fragment of "A Wee Drappie O't", sung by Ewan, Peggy, and Ewan's mother.

Subject: RE: Birthday Tribute to Ewan MacColl
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 11:02 AM

Maeve, what a great wee reminder of the joy of convivial singing -- and how family voices so often share rhythm and interpretation in an instinctive fashion.

Subject: RE: Birthday Tribute to Ewan MacColl
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 11:09 AM

Coincidentally, I got the anthology CD from Grainger Market, in Newcastle upon Tyne, just the day before, and have been reminded of what a great folk-voice he had.

Subject: RE: Birthday Tribute to Ewan MacColl
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 05:39 AM

When I was young I bought all of his records, that I could find, and listened to them over and over - particularly 'The Manchester Angel' and the records in 'The Long Harvest' set (many of which I received for my 21st birthday). I met him a few times and never heard him utter a cross word. I particularly treasure the memory of a weekend singers' workshop that he and Peggy Seeger ran in Huntingdon c. 1970 - a revelation!