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October 4, 2008 (#102)- The Radio Ballads Show
Between 1958 and 1964, eight "Radio Ballads" were created at the BBC by producer Charles Parker, and musicians Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. The Ballads wove sounds, voices, and music into a dense sonic tapestry, and they explored everything from the lives of coal miners to the lives of teenagers, focusing mainly on communities that weren’t often heard from on the radio. The Ballads changed the way people thought about (and listened to) radio forever.
In 2006, the idea was revived with another series of Ballads, produced by John Leonard and John Tams with Sarah Parker, the daughter of Charles. Today we'll sample from some of the original Ballads and some of the newer ones, and we’ll talk with Sarah Parker about her father, the art of documentary-making, and her unique relationship to the historic project.
The Ballad of John Axon (1958)
(Excerpt)
Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger - Lyrics and music
Charles Parker - Producer, BBC
The Ballad of John Axon chronicled the life of British hero John Axon, a train driver who died when he refused to abandon his runaway train, saving the lives of others at the expense of his own.
Singing the Fishing (1960)
(Excerpt)
Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger - Lyrics and music
Charles Parker - Producer, BBC
Singing the Fishing focused on the herring fishing communities in Northumberland, Durham, South Wales and the East Midlands.
The Big Hewer (1961)
(Excerpt)
Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger - Lyrics and music
Charles Parker - Producer, BBC
The Big Hewer took Parker, MacColl, and Seeger down into the coal pits to interview British coal miners.
The Body Blow (1962)
(Excerpt)
Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger - Lyrics and music
Charles Parker - Producer, BBC
The Body Blow explored the psychology of pain, and the lives and limitations of five people afflicted by Polio.
The Enemy That Lives Within (2006)
(Excerpt)
John Leonard and John Tams with Sara Parker - Producers, BBC
Music by Jez Lowe and Julie Matthews
Six people living with HIV/AIDS share their stories in this modern ballad produced in 2006.
Lord God Bird (2005)
Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister - Producers, Longhaul Productions
And now, a different sort of ballad. And an amazing coincidence: without knowing anything about the BBC Radio Ballads project, Longhaul Productions set out to do pretty much the exact same thing.
Featured Music:
Calexico, "Pepita," Feast of Wire (Quarterstick, 2003)
Chihei Hatakeyama, "Bonfire on the Field," Minima Moralia (Kranky, 2006)
Kallikak Family, "Guitar 2," May 23rd 2007 (Tell All Records)
Luc, "Ete," Pea of the Sea
Melodium, "Untitled 4" (Autres Directions in Music)
TAKE NOTE! ** Third Coast Festival Excitement! **
Find out the story behind the story of the Radio Ballads with Sara Parker, independent producer and daughter of Charles Parker, on Sunday, October 12th at the Old Town School of Folk Music. For more information, click here.
Extras:
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Find out lots and lots more about the BBC Radio Ballads project, including the history of the Ballads (both new and old), and credits for all contributors. |
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Read a WHOLE BOOK about the Radio Ballads by Peter Cox, who calls them "the most compelling series of radio programs ever made" (!) |
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Learn more about Peggy Seeger, folk singer, activist, and super-talented multi-instrumentalist who composed music for the original Ballads. |
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Hear more "Song Stories" by Long Haul Productions. |
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