Looking Forward (and Remembering) - A tribute to Tony

Tony Benn (photo courtesy Sunday Mail)

300 plus people squashed into Glasgow's Mitchell Theatre on Sunday to celebrate a legend. As compère Susan Morrison pointed out, the word was in danger of overuse, as artists like Fraser Speirs, James Grant and Arthur Johnstone followed one another onto the stage. But in reality one legend dominated. Tony Benn himself, was the life being celebrated - to him went the accolade

Despite the last minute absence of Roy Bailey, taken ill on his way to the concert, the bill in the two concerts was crammed with talent. The first (spoken word) concert featured the acid sharpness of Tom Leonard, the pointed humour of Elvis McGonagall and the up-front politics of Attila the Stockbroker. Held together by the stories of Bruce Morton, it was a revelation to those who possibly hadn't experienced performance poetry before.

The main bill, however, was reserved for the evening concert. Curated by singer-songwriter,

Rab Noakes (photo by Alan MacMillan)

Rab Noakes and introduced by Scottish Labour leadership candidate, Neil Findlay MSP (who had the initial idea) a positive galaxy of musicians from Scotland, augmented by guests from South of the border served up a great evening. Ably compèred by Susan Morrison, the first half was introduced by Rab and Fraser's version of Sixteen Tons. Arthur Johnstone and Stephen Wright replaced Rab to give us some Woody Guthrie (Playboys and Playgirls) and Adrian Mitchell's Victor Jara. Appropriately, that introduced some more poetry from Elvis McGonagall, whose sharp analysis and humour made the politics more pointed - and converted not a few to performance poetry!  

Emily Benn

While all the show took place under the watchful eye of Tony Benn from the big screen, his granddaughter, Emily, who read from Letters to my Grandchildren, made further family input. She thanked the organisers, and called on everyone to continue the fight for democracy, equality and peace that Tony Benn had given his life to. Rab Noakes' main set - Incorporating the ever-coruscating Spin closed the first half.

The second half rang the changes with the Qyeen of NRNXPO - probably the first time many of the audience have been exposed to rap! Attila the Stockbroker put some political meat on the bones before the double act of Alastair McDonald and Sheena Wellington brought us back to some traditional material - No, Trident No (Alastair), Mrs Barbour's Army (Sheena) and of course the song closely associated with her - A Man's a Man for a' that.

James Grant

James Grant's set moved us into the current day with dark songs of loss - My Father's Coat in particular. And the finale gave us a different take on The Red Flag. By reverting to its initial tune (The White Cockade) Rab and the ensemble breathed a new, much more jaunty, life into the song.

With the now traditional Jarama Valley/Bandiera Rosa winding up the night, the whole day was one of tradition, mixed with development. Encouraging new experiences, while celebrating old successes. Surely entirely appropriate for an evening for Tony Benn?  

Tony Benn’s life and work to be celebrated in Glasgow

The release below went out to a wide range of media yesterday. The Herald picked up the story and

Tony Benn at 2011's UCS 40 anniversary

printed it here. This is the full release. Watch out for further announcements as other guests are added to the list!

A major Scottish celebration of the life of Tony Benn was announced today (Monday 22). Taking place in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on November 30 this year, the plan is for a series of events through the afternoon culminating in a substantial concert in the evening.

Rab Noakes

Singer songwriter Rab Noakes has agreed to curate the concert which will also feature Chris Difford of Squeeze, folk legend Roy Bailey, Karen Matheson, Donald Shaw, James Grant, Arthur Johnstone, and Alastair McDonald . Also planned is a spoken word event in the afternoon, along with discussion workshops on topics close to Tony’s heart

Neil Findlay MSP from the group set up to support and promote this event, said  “A number of our major trade unions felt it was important that a campaigner like Tony, who had strong links with Scotland, from UCS up to the present day, should be recognised and remembered here. We’re delighted to have the support of the Benn family for the event.”

The day is being supported by Aslef, GMB, UNISON and Unite in Scotland, who have commissioned FairPley – the people who organised Tony Benn’s sellout appearance at Celtic Connections in 2013 – to produce the show.

Stephen Wright, one of the directors of FairPley, said  “It was a real privilege to organise Tony’s appearances in Scotland over the last few years, at the Fringe, Celtic Connections and the UCS 40^th anniversary celebrations. We’re delighted to be involved in this major event to mark Tony’s life and legacy.”

Further addition to the line-up will be announced as they happen, but advance tickets have now gone on sale at - http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/events/tony-benn-a-celebration-concert/

Songs of Struggle heads for successful night

The star-studded line-up of the Songs of Struggle concert taking place at Celtic Connections has meant the concert has now completely sold out! Those lucky people who have tickets are sure of a superb set, tonight (29 January) at the Mitchell Theatre.

Fraser Speirs blows up a storm at the
UCS Anniversary concert

Sheena Wellington

The hugely experienced and talented musician, Rab Noakes and harmonica virtuoso Fraser Speirs have added their names to a setlist that already boasts political and folk must-haves Sheena Wellington and Arthur Johnstone, folk legend Alastair McDonald and rock/blues performer Dave Anderson. New talent is also featured with singer Siobhan Miller and guitarist Stephen Wright.

Rab Noakes said

“I am delighted to have been invited to take part in this concert. It's important to keep these vital songs alive and to add new material to the repertoire. And it is good to be back playing with some of the key exponents of political song in Scotland.”

Arthur Johnstone is having a busy Celtic Connections. In addition  to the Tony Benn event and Songs of Struggle, he also featured in the Red Clydeside concert on the 25 January in which the songs of the late singer-songwriter and campaigner Alistair Hulett, especially his suite of songs featured on his 2002 Red Clydeside album with Dave Swarbrick, were performed by Arthur, rising star Ewan McLennan, and other special guests including singer-songwriter Karine Polwart and Gavin Livingstone. The great political song doyen Roy Bailey finished off the night.

Arthur Johnstone

Arthur Johnstone said 

“Jimmy Reid said during the UCS work-in that folk music has no meaning unless it expresses the lives and struggles of ordinary people. It is good that Celtic Connections is keeping that link prominent in the festival.”

Songs of Struggle continues what is fast becoming a tradition since the UCS Work-In 40 Anniversary concert in 2011, showcasing working and protest songs with a movable line-up of artists. It is part of the 'red thread' running through this year's Celtic Connections.

Put together by FairPley – a small company who organise events for the labour and non-profit-making sector – it follows Jimmy Reid's observation - folk music has no meaning unless it expresses the lives and struggles of ordinary people.

Tickets are available via the Celtic Connections website –http://www.celticconnections.com/Events/Pages/Event.aspx?ev=497&ty=Song

Tony Benn heads red thread through Celtic Connections

This is a copy of my article that was printed in the Morning Star on Saturday. Watch out for further comments on Celtic Connections events, as it is already shaping up to be rather a good Festival!

Last weekend saw the start of the Celtic Connections festival here in Glasgow. This innovative music festival with its roots firmly in the Scottish/Irish folk tradition is 20 this year! Since 1993 Celtic Connections has encompassed a huge range of material - Blues, Reggae, World, Jazz etc - mostly with an (occasionally tenuous) link to the Celtic diaspora.

There are often a number of events worth recommending to those of a left perspective. Tony Benn, Alastair McDonald, Arthur Johnstone, Sheena Wellington, Mark Thomas, Alistair Hulett and Dave Swarbrick are among those making the red thread glow through this year's festival.

Unusually, the music festival is throwing its schedule open to a film and Q&A session on Saturday 26 January, when former Minister and Labour MP,Tony Benn arrives to preview his film biography Will and Testament. 

Tony is back in Glasgow!

The hugely influential politician has been participating in the making of this film for the last two years (he is now 87). The preview will be followed by questions on his life, his politics and current issues in a session chaired by comedian Mark Thomas. Well-known singers Sheena Wellington, Arthur Johnstone and Alastair McDonald will also perform.

Tony Benn said 

“I am pleased to come back to Glasgow, the home of the UCS work-in, and many prominent trade union and socialist activists. It is great to be able to introduce this film at Celtic Connections. There is an affinity between folk and radical ideas, that I also see at Glastonbury.”

Sheena Wellington

Arthur Johnstone is having a busy Celtic Connections. In addition to the Tony Benn event both he, Alastair, and Sheena are appearing in Songs of Struggle on the 29 Jan. This concert celebrates solidarity through song. Along with Dave Anderson (ex- Wildcat) and new singer Siobhan Miller, it continues the collaboration started by 2011's UCS anniversary concert. It can also now be revealed that both folk-rock legend Rab Noakes, and harmonica virtuoso Fraser Speirs will guest!

Both these are organised by FairPley, who stage events particularly for not-for-profit groups. The Tony Benn event is backed by Unite the union, UNISONScotland and the STUC,

Arthur also features in the Red Clydeside concert on Friday 25 January. Songs of the late singer-songwriter and campaigner Alistair Hulett, whose suite revisiting Red Clydeside were featured on his 2002 album with Dave Swarbrick, are being performed by the political-song doyen Roy Bailey, Arthur, rising star Ewan McLennan, and other special guests, including Karine Polwart and Gavin Livingstone.

Arthur Johnstone said

Arthur Johnstone

“Jimmy Reid said during the UCS work-in that folk music has no meaning unless it expresses the lives and struggles of ordinary people. It is good that Celtic Connections is keeping that link prominent in the festival.”

Finally, the launch of the third volume of Songs by Robert Tannahill, the eighteenth-century Paisley weaver/poet takes place at the festival on January 31.

Links between folk music and people's struggle have been well-established over the years -especially in Scotland. Celtic Connections is one festival which is benefiting from the reignition of a spark linking new audiences to radical entertainment. Tickets for these events and many more can be obtained from http://www.celticconnections.com

And did those feet...?

It is probably taking a step too far to see Danny Boyle’s inclusion of suffragettes, trade unions and the NHS in his Olympic opening ceremony as a left ‘claim-staking’ of cultural events in the UK. (Mind you wasn’t it great that so many right-wing politicians and media made fools of themselves berating the ‘lefty propaganda’?). However, the left has certainly, in recent years evinced an increasing interest and involvement in cultural and artistic events.

A number of items at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival point to this revival of socialist and working-class interest in, and use of, cultural and artistic activities to reach people and to raise their profile in general.

Tony Benn

At the Assembly Rooms, produced/programmed this year by Tommy Sheppard (himself no stranger to radical ideas), old skool left Labour ex-Parliamentarian, Tony Benn will be taking the stage to introduce a forthcoming filmed biography - Will and Testament. This has been over a year in the gestation and covers, among many struggles, Benn’s involvement in the 1971/2 Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in. This was a struggle he remembered last year as he took part in the Gala Concert staged to mark the 40^th Anniversary in Glasgow’s Mitchell Theatre - many attendees will remember the film crew following Tony around.

Woody Guthrie

In addition a number of the other participants in that concert (and the subsequent Celtic Connections concert) are coming back together to mark another working-class anniversary - the centenary of the birth of Woody Guthrie, dust bowl poet and singer, communist and inspirer of many of today’s folk singers, most notably Bob Dylan. Arthur Johnstone, Alistair MacDonald, David Anderson and Sheena Wellington lead the line up paying homage to Guthrie.

While this might be seen as the product of successful concerts and the desire of a new producer/programmer to strike out in a new direction from his predecessor, in fact these events are the latest examples of might be seen as a resurgence of ‘socialist culture’ that seems to be taking hold.

MayDay

Previous events included the UCS 40^th Anniversary Concerts, and other highlights like the screening of Cinema Action’s films of the Work-in, but there are also the two years of cultural activity around Glasgow’s traditional MayDay march. Although low-key, these are increasingly being distinguished by the rise in the number of campaigning organisations staging events. Last year the programme featured Scottish Left Review, Cuba Solidarity, and the International Brigades Association as well as Glasgow’s Trades Union Council and the co-ordinating Glasgow Friends’s of MayDay.

Our Class, Our Culture

Also Scotland is seeing a series of increasingly respected Morning Star Our Class, Our Culture discussion sessions. These last have featured well-known artistic performers, writers and composers, such as Dave MacLennan, Alistair Findlay and William Sweeney, and have covered the contribution of different genres to working class struggle, and the impact of different artists - like Robert Tressell. 

Tressell also features at Edinburgh with a production of Stephen Lowe’s two-handed dramatisation of his Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, produced by Townsend Productions and Unite the union, and a South African Season also features, led by Athol Fugard’s Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act and Woza Albert! from The Market Theatre in Johannesburg (at the (other) Assembly).

The awakening of trade unions to the profile-raising and appeal-broadening sides to this cultural activity is significant. The UCS and Tressell productions have been financed largely by Unite the union, and the other large player, UNISON has been running a number of interesting and innovative Mobilise sessions around Scotland - bringing singing, music, comedy and cartooning directly into the fight. 

A 'Golden Thread'

As someone who has long argued that the use of culture and the arts should be much more of a ‘natural’ element for trade unions, and the left in general, these developments are welcome. I don’t think I am alone, either, in seeing in the flashmob, and other theatrical stunts produced by UK Uncut and the Occupy movements, a practical application of this link. While it should not, (and cannot successfully) be separated from the need to have a clear political direction and a planned campaign, the use of music, drama, imaginative writing and all the entertainment of a well produced event needs to be increased. 

After all, as Boyle himself said his ceremony had  “a single golden thread of purpose - the idea of Jerusalem - of the better world, the world of real freedom and true equality…”. Maybe my original theory doesn’t sound a step too far after all! I suspect Woody Guthrie would have subscribed to Boyle's " ...belief that we can build Jerusalem. And that it will be for everyone”.

Woody Guthrie sings the concerns of people in the 30’s and in the 10’s

A number of hugely interesting developments are planned for this years Edinburgh Fringe. Following on the increased interest in political music at this years Celtic Connections, a similar development seems to be hitting Edinburgh’s festivals - in particular the Fringe.

Woody Guthrie - his guitar killed fascists!

At the city’s Assembly Rooms, new broom, Tommy Shepherd has programmed a sweep of new projects, and specifically two nights of concerts celebrating the centenary of dust-bowl folk singer and political activist, Woody Guthrie.

The links are more than coincidental, as the organisers of the concerts, FairPley, are the same people who organised the UCS 40^th Anniversary Concerts in Glasgow’s Mitchell Theatre, and during Celtic Connections at the Old Fruitmarket, and certain similarity in the artists will also be seen!

The Songs of Struggle concerts star some of Scotland’s finest singers, including Dave Anderson, Arthur Johnstone, Alastair McDonald and Sheena Wellington, plus guests. They will be singing songs by Guthrie, who provided the voice for the many dispossessed during the depression created by the financial crisis in 1930’s United States. It is no wonder that there is an increasing interest in Guthrie, as we struggle in the depths of another crisis of financial capitalism.

Guthrie, of course, was as well-known for inspiring other singers and artists - Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs (when is he to be due his re-discovery?) and of course Bob Dylan - as singing songs himself, and the stars of this concert will also sing material inspired by Woody.

The concerts are at 9.00pm on 11 and 12 August in the Assembly Rooms’ Ballroom. Tickets are £14.50/£12.50 from www.arfringe.com or 0844 693 3008. Why not get your union branch to block book tickets and get a discount? Contact Jim or Stephen at FairPley - 0141 418 0562

An increasingly strengthening link between left politics and artistic performance is being seen across Scotland, and it is certainly one to which the Captain will be returning in the near future. In particular the return to Scotland of veteran socialist and former UCS minister, Tony Benn, with his biographical film. Keep an eye on the Captain’s grumps!