Critical discussion of Ewan MacColl's singing

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 May 20 - 07:10 AM

By the way, what biases me slightly in his favour is that all my mum's side are Salfordian, and he has that unmistakable Salfordian twang in his accent that takes me back... Forcing yourself to be objective-only in music robs it of its soul...

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: GUEST,Derrick
Date: 18 May 20 - 07:10 AM

I agree with DtG and gillymor not the best accompaniment to that song I've heard, the vocals were good,in that particular case the song would have been improved by dropping the instruments.

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 May 20 - 07:06 AM

There's a richness and mellowness in his voice that I like. He was capable of turning on a harsher edge if the words needed it. His diction was excellent and, for me, overrode a slight sensation of affectation. Sort of agreeing with Jim, I hear that waver that sometimes sounds inauthentic. It's interesting to hear that it was something he worked on. When I want to do the audiological version of visualising his voice (is there such a word as audiolising?), as I do now, I think of songs like My Old Man and Joy Of Living.

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: gillymor
Date: 18 May 20 - 06:52 AM

btw, I like the accompaniment to the Dirty Old Town version that DtG linked above but it sounds like it's in the wrong song.

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: gillymor
Date: 18 May 20 - 06:43 AM

I prefer hearing his wonderful songs sung by someone other than the man himself. He had a quaver in his voice that sounds affected. I could be wrong, maybe it's something he acquired naturally, buy either way it's off-putting to me. I still admire the man's musical output though.

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 18 May 20 - 06:37 AM

Ewan MacColl wrote some absolutely outstanding songs and nobody can deny that they had impact, have stood the test of time and no doubt will continue to do so far into the future. While saying that I must admit that I do not enjoy his singing, others do his material much, much better. That in no way detracts from his dedication and contribution to folk music and the enormous debt and respect that he is due.

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 18 May 20 - 06:29 AM

Jeannie's version is sublime, never heard it better, incidently I have always been a fan of Ewan, I saw him and Peggy at the Singing Jenny Folk Club in Huddersfield seems like a lifetime ago.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 May 20 - 06:16 AM

jeasnnie roberston does a more narrative style version than ewan, peggys accopniment is ok, but there is none of the passion in the MacCOLL VERSION COMPARED TO jEANNIES

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 May 20 - 06:12 AM

but it is the singer who can bring the song to life an example is thishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NJaXI0A28I and ewans versionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW28RL_-ux0

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 May 20 - 06:05 AM

Ewan's singing was an acquired taste - he had the same problems every singer had, especially in the early days - he once told me his early recordings made him cringe so much he couldn't bear to listen to them
He had problems with natural vibrato which he worked at and encouraged others to do the same - he devised exercises to tackle such problems
One time in London Singers Workshop, we agreed to listen critically to recordings of singers we know wouldn't mind our doing so
Pat brought in a recording of Ewan at his 4-square worst (a syllable per note) for discussion
That was, in my opinion, a perennial fault which varied throughout his life but never quite went away

Having said that, the litmus test for any singer is what you remember after each song - if it's the singing, then it has fallen short - if it's the song then the singer has succeeded
I now have all but one/two (?) of Ewan's albums - there isn't one I can't listen to over and over again ('Two-Way Trip marginal) - the 'Blood and Roses' set remain top of the list
I don't know how I will feel about the 78s as I haven't managed to get them yet
This is because I want to listen to the songs and not the singer
That's how I judge any singer
Jim

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 May 20 - 05:47 AM

yes,it is you, distracting ha ha, good try again gnome, i know what you are up to
the accompaniment and the singing of this song is one of the best versions i have heard , this is not a narrative story ballad such as raggle taggle gypsies or willy of the winesbury ,but his own ocomposotion . his singing her in my opinion is one of his best

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 May 20 - 05:16 AM

Maybe the exception that proves the rule but I find the accompaniment in this version of Dirty Old Town a bit distracting. Probably just me though.

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 18 May 20 - 05:07 AM

AS far as I can remember he let the song tell the story and didn't indulge in any dramatic effects or affectations other than what his life as an actor dictated. There was something of a nasal twang but once you get into the song that becomes irrelevant. When accompanied he never allowed the accompaniment to dominate the song which some of our younger singers would do well to take note of. He was never my favourite singer but I am still in awe of what he accomplished.

Song writing: I have known and know many songwriters. Some have come close but I know of none that have surpassed his material. When I think about it I have unconsciously followed many of his methods.

Subject: RE: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: Joe G
Date: 18 May 20 - 04:37 AM

Who? ;-)

Subject: Critical discussion of Ewan's singing
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 May 20 - 04:23 AM

It has been mentioned on another thread that a critical discussion of Ewan MacColl's singing would be of great benefit. Not his politics. Not his name. Not his other works. His singing. I would personally expand that to his performance and song writing as, to me, that is as much a part of the enjoyment as his voice.

I think he has a good voice and no one can dispute his song writing abilities. I was not lucky enough to see him live.

Over to you and please feel free to link any performances that you find online to illustrate your points.