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I am currently so busy developing and delivering workshops, as well as working with the Janey Buchan Political Song Collection and the Alistair Hulett Memorial Trust, that I am not able to add current content to the news blog.

The Sound Strike and Cultural Boycotts

April 5th, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in North America - (Comments Off)

Almost a year ago the State of Arizona passed the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, seen by many as legitimising racial profiling. GypsySphere now reports that the Sound Strike Boycott, started following a benefit concert organised by Rage Against the Machine’s Zach de la Rocha to raise awareness of the bill and to unite people against the anti-immigration mentality it typifies. Today The Sound Strike is a thriving organisation, advocating a boycott by musicians of Arizona, to which an impressive number of groups have affiliated to, including Nine Inch Nails, Tenacious D, Sonic Youth, My Chemical Romance, Maroon 5, Serj Tankian, Rise Against, M.I.A. and Mos Def.

This has also increased the very topical debate surrounding the effectiveness of cultural boycotts in general, with Lady Gaga’s comment on the Sound Strike – “You really think that us dumb fucking pop stars are going to collapse the economy of Arizona?” being a fairly extreme take on the matter, perhaps moderated somewhat by to Charlie Levy’s comment “By not performing in Arizona, artists are harming the very people and places that foster free speech and the open exchange of ideas that serve to counter the closed-mindedness recently displayed by the new law.” Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes’ “Coyote Song” makes the case for supporting the boycott.

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There But For Fortune – Film Making an Impact

April 5th, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in Folk | North America - (1 Comments)

Written and directed by Kenneth Bowser, and released in January, “There But for Fortune,” a film examining the tragically short life of singer Phil Ochs (who hanged himself in 1976 at the age of just 35), is increasingly raising interest in the life and work of this great singer / songwriter, who through the 60s and first half of the 70s wrote and sang songs in support of social justice, including civil rights, the peace movement, and labour struggles. Steve Vitoff has stated “Ochs reminds contemporary listeners of music’s power to both analyze and mobilize” – a fine comment on Ochs, and on what political songs are all about. Perhaps best known for “There But for Fortune”, Ochs wrote many powerful songs – “Here’s to the State of Mississippi” being an outstanding example.

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Songs from UCU Strike

March 29th, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in AHMT / STUC Schools | Anti Cuts & Financiers | UK News - (Comments Off)

A number of songs performed on the picket lines during the national strike on 24th March by University and College Union members have been sent to Giving Voice Workshops. Using the favourite tool of campaign songwriters (adapting an existing song by changing some of the lyrics and keeping the tune) Will Kaufman “zippered in” appropriate lyrics to songs which he then sang as part of the picket at the University of Central Lancashire, where Will, a highly regarded Woody Guthrie expert, is Professor of American Literature and Culture. Some examples of Will’s adaptations:

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To the tune of “Solidarity Forever”
We’re telling Mister Osborne we don’t like his bloody cuts,
We’re telling Mister Osborne we don’t like his bloody cuts,
We’re telling Mister Osborne we don’t like his bloody cuts,
And the union keeps us strong.

[Chorus]
Solidarity forever
Solidarity forever
Solidarity forever
And the union keeps us strong.

We’re really rather angry and we’re just a tad annoyed (3X, then chorus)
[my stab at British understatement!]

We’re fighting for our students, though they may not see that now (3x, then chorus)

(more…)

Student Broad Left – Songs for 26th March

March 29th, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in Anti Cuts & Financiers | UK News - (Comments Off)

SBL have posted the lyrics for two songs to be used at the Alternatives to Cuts rally on March 26th. Fight For Your Right is based on the song of the same name by the Beastie Boys, and protests against the cuts to EMAs – sample lyrics:

You wanna go to college, man you really wanna GO
You need your EMA but Cameron says NO
You’ll miss out on education won’t get a JOB
But Murdoch will say it’s because your’re a YOB
You gotta fight {clap, clap} for your right {clap, clap} to education

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MCNxtGen Andrew Lansley Rap

March 25th, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in AHMT / STUC Schools | Anti NHS Cuts | Rap | UK News - (Comments Off)

Andrew Lansley’s plans for the NHS are attacked in a new rap by MCNxtGen. The Andrew Lansley Rap describes the reaction to the White Paper by groups including unions, patients representatives, and..

The Royal College of GPs even joined the attack.
Looked closely at the proposals, and said they were crap.

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Ukulele Band Big Society Song

March 21st, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in Anti Cuts & Financiers | UK News - (Comments Off)

The Ukulele Band has released “Big Society”, a song written by James P. Chamberlain. A few lines convey the main thrust of the song!

The losers are all moaning that the welfare state is groaning 
and the job losses are growing by the day 
We’ll tax the banks a quid or two, then slip them monies out of view 
and sip champagne while telling all the fools we share their pain.

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Big Society cover art

Chartist Hymn Book Discovered at Todmorden Library

March 21st, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in Chartism | England | Hymns - (Comments Off)

A copy of the extremely rare National Chartist Hymn Book, dating from 1845 and printed in Rochdale for the National Chartist Association, has been digitised and is now available on Calderdale Council’s From Weaver to Web website. The pamphlet was discovered by WEA historian Linda Croft, who alerted Dr. Mike Sanders, an expert in the Chartist Movement, at the University of Manchester. The pamphlet contains 16 hymns covering a range of social justice issues and concerns. Some of the verses could very easily be used in current campaigns; for example a few lines from Hymn Twelve might find a place among UK Uncut’s songs against the bankers!

Men who feast, but nothing do;
Useless gilded things, who say
You are but of common clay.”

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Cover sheet of the pamphlet

Lady Gaga Censored in Malaysia

March 21st, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in Gay Rights | South Asia - (1 Comments)

New Musical Express reports that Lady Gaga’s new song, “Born This Way” has been edited in Malaysia to remove lyrics which may cause offense and which break Malaysia’s rules on promoting homosexuality. Malaysian Gay Rights groups have condemned the decision. The following lyrics have been especially subject to censorship.

No matter gay, straight, or bi,
lesbian, transgendered life
I’m on the right track baby
I was born to survive

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UNISON Reps Send Cameron a Message in Song

March 18th, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in Anti Cuts & Financiers | UK News - (2 Comments)

Posted by I Support Public Service Don’t Let the ConDems Destroy Them, a group of UNISON representatives have sent Cameron a message in song – Please Mr Cameron – protesting against cuts to public services.

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Killing of Rachel Corrie, 8th Anniversary

March 17th, 2011 | Posted by John Powles in David Rovics | Jim Page | Middle East - (Comments Off)

Wednesday March 16th marked the 8th anniversary of the killing of Rachel Corrie, crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer while undertaking nonviolent direct action to protect the home of a Palestinian family from demolition. Rachel’s parents, Craig and Cindy Corrie, founders of the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice have posted a moving message to mark the anniversary. One is reminded of David Rovics’ song The Death of Rachel Corrie, and of Jim Page’s song Rachel Corrie.

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