Friday 9 March 2012

From Thatcher's Britain To Key's New Zealand: The Song Remains The Same

6 comments:

Dave Kennedy said...

Until the next generation of protest singers find their voices (my apologies if I have missed them) I guess we have to roll out the old ones to galvanize the working masses.

Here's another old trouper (71 years old and still belting them out) with a strong message.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKmAb1gNN74&feature=related

guerilla surgeon said...

Redgum, known for more than anti Vietnam war songs, defunct but the songs still resonate. They sing better than Bragg too.

Michael Herman said...

Chris, if you don't already know it then I'm sure 'The Contract' will appeal to you.

It was written in the mid-1990s to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

There are Google links to the original but I rather like Roberts' version, which is almost maternal while retaining the militant tone of the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNxx7q_3LLU

Anonymous said...

Here's one of leading activist singer-songwriters of the 'next generation': David Rovics. He has dozens of songs available online at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=111310

Alex said...

If you want modern day protest songs, I'm afraid you'll have to listen to some hip hop, rather than hammy acoustic guitar ballads.

Chris Trotter said...

Nothing acoustic about Billy, Alex. Hammy? Only occasionally ;-)