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Parsley sage and politics : the lives and music of Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl

By: Contributor(s): Material type: MusicMusicPublication details: 1985.Description: 3 audiocassettes : analog
Contents:
Cassette 1 side 1: Part 1 the making of a folksinger: Growing up in the Seeger family exposed Peggy to the music and ideas of her father Charles, her mother, avant garde composer Ruth Crawford Seeger, her half brother Pete, the family's housekeeper, Elizabeth Cotton, folklorist John and Alan Lomax & others -- Part 2 the singing streets: Born in 1915 as Jimmy Miller, Ewan MacColl spent his early youth in the industrial slums of Northern England. This programme examines MacColl's early influences: his working parents' trade unionism and love of Scottish ballads, and his early experiences with street theatre -- Cassette 1 side 2: Part 3 The Manchester rambler: This segment focuses on MacColl's developing theatre career, his membership in the Young Communist League, and his activism during the 1930s on behalf of causes such as Ramblers' Rights and the National Unemployed Workers' Movement -- Part 4 Stage Left: Formed by Ewan MacColl and director Joan Littlewood, The Theatre Workshop revolutionized British theatre. George Bernard Shaw remarked in 1947: "Apart from myself. MacColl is the only man of genius writing for the theatre in England today". This episode concludes with MacColl's departure from the theatre and his emergence as one of Britain's leading singers -- Part 5 the first time ever: This programme's focus is the founding of the British folk revival & of a lifelong partnership between Peggy Seeger & Ewan MacColl. Alan Lomax was the catalyst for both events. He brought together MacColl, Lloyd and others who carried out the revival & he introduced MacColl & Seeger to each other. The first time ever I saw your face was written by MacColl for Seeger during the course of a transatlantic telephone call in 1957. -- Cassette 2 side 3: Part 6 the radio ballads: Between 1957-1964 Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger & BBC producer Charles Parker created a series of eight radio documentaries, The Radio Ballads, that focused on social issues & experiences of working people in different sectors. MacColl & Seeger abandoned the traditional documentary style of using narrators and actors. Instead, for the first time in radio history, extensive use was made of actualities, and narration was replaced with original songs and music written by MacColl & Seeger. The radio ballads was hailed as a major breakthrough in radio technique & creativity. The ballad 'Singing the fishing' won the 1960 Prix d'Italia for radio documentary -- Cassette 2 side 4: Part 7 Ballads & blues: Both Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger grew up with ballads. Ewan's powerful & expressive voice & extensive knowledge of Scottish, English and Irish ballads make him one of Britain's foremost singers. When Peggy was growing up, her family was collecting & singing traditional American ballads. Many of these songs had roots in the British Isles. Together, Seeger & MacColl are unsurpassed as a folk song duo. The ballads were the bedrock of the British folk revival which is the focus of this programme -- Cassette 3 side 5: Part 8: It's all happening now: Initially founded by Ewan MacColl as a study group for folk artists, The Critics Group went on to become a popular radical theatre company. The annual production of the Festival of Fools satirized current events & played to packed houses for five years. This programme features the music and songs of the critics group & excerpts from a studio recording of the 1968 Festival of Fools -- Cassette 3 side 6: Part 9: Singing out: Original music is an integral part of Seeger & MacColl's political activism & is used as an organizing tool in the labour, anti-nuclear & womens' movements. This programme is a rare opportunity to gain insights into modern day life through songs which are emotional, witty, tender and always thought provoking.

Cassettes.

Produced by Mary Orr and Michael O'Rourke.

Cassette 1 side 1: Part 1 the making of a folksinger: Growing up in the Seeger family exposed Peggy to the music and ideas of her father Charles, her mother, avant garde composer Ruth Crawford Seeger, her half brother Pete, the family's housekeeper, Elizabeth Cotton, folklorist John and Alan Lomax & others -- Part 2 the singing streets: Born in 1915 as Jimmy Miller, Ewan MacColl spent his early youth in the industrial slums of Northern England. This programme examines MacColl's early influences: his working parents' trade unionism and love of Scottish ballads, and his early experiences with street theatre -- Cassette 1 side 2: Part 3 The Manchester rambler: This segment focuses on MacColl's developing theatre career, his membership in the Young Communist League, and his activism during the 1930s on behalf of causes such as Ramblers' Rights and the National Unemployed Workers' Movement -- Part 4 Stage Left: Formed by Ewan MacColl and director Joan Littlewood, The Theatre Workshop revolutionized British theatre. George Bernard Shaw remarked in 1947: "Apart from myself. MacColl is the only man of genius writing for the theatre in England today". This episode concludes with MacColl's departure from the theatre and his emergence as one of Britain's leading singers -- Part 5 the first time ever: This programme's focus is the founding of the British folk revival & of a lifelong partnership between Peggy Seeger & Ewan MacColl. Alan Lomax was the catalyst for both events. He brought together MacColl, Lloyd and others who carried out the revival & he introduced MacColl & Seeger to each other. The first time ever I saw your face was written by MacColl for Seeger during the course of a transatlantic telephone call in 1957. -- Cassette 2 side 3: Part 6 the radio ballads: Between 1957-1964 Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger & BBC producer Charles Parker created a series of eight radio documentaries, The Radio Ballads, that focused on social issues & experiences of working people in different sectors. MacColl & Seeger abandoned the traditional documentary style of using narrators and actors. Instead, for the first time in radio history, extensive use was made of actualities, and narration was replaced with original songs and music written by MacColl & Seeger. The radio ballads was hailed as a major breakthrough in radio technique & creativity. The ballad 'Singing the fishing' won the 1960 Prix d'Italia for radio documentary -- Cassette 2 side 4: Part 7 Ballads & blues: Both Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger grew up with ballads. Ewan's powerful & expressive voice & extensive knowledge of Scottish, English and Irish ballads make him one of Britain's foremost singers. When Peggy was growing up, her family was collecting & singing traditional American ballads. Many of these songs had roots in the British Isles. Together, Seeger & MacColl are unsurpassed as a folk song duo. The ballads were the bedrock of the British folk revival which is the focus of this programme -- Cassette 3 side 5: Part 8: It's all happening now: Initially founded by Ewan MacColl as a study group for folk artists, The Critics Group went on to become a popular radical theatre company. The annual production of the Festival of Fools satirized current events & played to packed houses for five years. This programme features the music and songs of the critics group & excerpts from a studio recording of the 1968 Festival of Fools -- Cassette 3 side 6: Part 9: Singing out: Original music is an integral part of Seeger & MacColl's political activism & is used as an organizing tool in the labour, anti-nuclear & womens' movements. This programme is a rare opportunity to gain insights into modern day life through songs which are emotional, witty, tender and always thought provoking.

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