This compilation is a sort of 1970's alternative social history in song. An eclectic mixture of previously unreleased songs, with widely differing styles, performed by a diverse grouping of musicians. This all combines into a unique experience.

27 MP3 Songs in this album (78:45) !
Related styles: FOLK: Political, POP: Pop Underground

People who are interested in Billy Bragg Henry Cow should consider this download.


Details:
The output of the collective around Cornelius Cardew - (see LINKS) was unique. Founder of the âScratch Orchestraâ, Cardew influenced not only contemporary classical composers such as Nyman, Adams, Skempton, Bryars, White, Shrapnel, Smith, etc but also Eno and Pink Floyd. Even Paul McCartney mentions him in his autobiography. Peoples Liberation Music played on many of the big marches in London 1970's and drew on some distinct musicians.

Vicky Silva: (see LINKS) performed in Hair and also recorded with Alex Harvey, âAnthemâ, Elton John, and sessions for Suede, Stereophonics, Placebo and many others, even a stint as Barry Humphries accompanist.

Keith Rowe: (see LINKS) the pioneer of the table top guitar.. played with Mike Westbrook, AMM, etc and is still a leading international figure in contemporary improvisation. His playing here throws a different light on his guitar talents.

John Marcangeloâs (see LINKS) âClogg Danceâ features in the classic film âBrassed Offâ. John has recently developed âClogg Danceâ into a full blown Musical which has just been performed in Cumbria. He was also a member of the band âViolinskyâ in the early 1980s.

Laurie Scott Baker: (see LINKS) was in the Hair Band of the London West End production and composed music for film, including two award winning animations âLautrecâ and âUbu Roiâ. Robert Wyatt has recorded a couple of his songs as did Alex Harvey. Some early electro work opens Manfred Mannâs âMessinâ. Played with Alan Holdsworth, Jamie Muir, Alan Gowan, spilling into the Canterbury scene as does.....

Pip Pyle: (see LINKS) A mainstay of British & European Progressive Rock scene featured in the group âNational Healthâ (BTW replacing Bill Bruford) also with the enigmatic âHatfield and the Northâ.

John Hewitt: (see LINKS) The voice on âThe Blackleg Minerâ. A drummer with wide session and club experience, he played on a number of singles including Jona Lewieâs 1980 hit âIn the Kitchen at Partiesâ.

Evan Parker (see LINKS) This iconic improviser produces an evocative soprano sax solo on âThe Blackleg Minerâ in a style rarely associated with his usual output.

Huw Warren: (see LINKS) is not only a versatile pianist but also a composer and winner of the BBC jazz awards for innovation in 2005 - he records for Babel.

Hugh Shrapnel: (see LINKS) Composer a founding member of the âScratch Orchestraâ and âPromenade Theatre Orchestraâ. The notorious Shrapnel Wood and Metal Band gave exuberant, sometimes raucous and irreverent renditions of Sousa marches, Gershwin songs, pieces by Tchaikovsky etc. Some his beautiful & quirky piano pieces can be found on âSouth of the Riverâ CD.

Peter Devenport: (see LINKS) Talented Composer and singer, pupil and close colleague of Cornelius Cardew with whom he Co-Wrote a number of campaigning songs in the early 1980'S. He was director of Musicworks - a community based music educational centre in Brixton, London.

Dave Smith: (see LINKS) Prolific Composer of piano music, much of which he performs himself, Horn player, Educator, A member of the Scratch Orchestra and an original member of the Gavin Bryars's Ensemble. Dave has been mainstay of the British contemporary music scene for over 30 years.

Chris Thompson:(see LINKS) Composer of politically astute contemporary songs, piano player, saxophone player and teacher.

Nick Connors: (see LINKS) Keeps a steady hand on the title track âConsciouslyâ & also âOntarioâ, these days you will find him playing in many folk session.

Horace Cardew: (see LINKS) performs his own original contemporary music, plays saxophone in big bands, Theatres and works on music projects with young people in his local area.

Walter Cardew: (see LINKS) Drummer & Bass player, composer, publisher and a busy recording producer.

Joy Yates & Bridgette Lokelani (see LINKS) provide the backing vocals on PLMs only attempt at a single âMr Media Manâ part of session vocal trio âBonesâ who performed on many tracks in the 1970's and.... the male voice is Peter Larry Oliver: (see LINKS) who started out as understudy in Hair and joined the New Seekers 1973.
Emily Underwood, Sheila Kasabova & Penny Wright (see LINKS) perform with the PCA and Velvet Fist Choirs.

As you have probably worked out by now this is not a continuous whole but different experiments in style and song form linked by the desire for social progress.

As this is the second CD - the first being âWe Only Want the Earthâ (MNCDx001) - of archive tracks from 1972-80 in what would have been his 70th year. It includes many of his compositions and performances together with those of people he worked closely with during this period representing music which fulfills the criteria that Cornelius exemplified in a letter to Music for Socialism* (1977) on Peoplesâ Liberation Music (PLM), but which covers the tenure of this collection. âCulture should serve politics and not vice versa. We therefore play in demos, trade union or tenantsâ socials, strike benefits, etc - striving always to present a program that is relevant to the struggle going on. Political issues are raised explicitly in our programs, and cultural ones implicitlyâ.
Material is drawn from PLM, PCA of which he was secretary, and musicians from minorities living in Britain including Fight Back Band and includes joint work from 1979 with Canadian Cultural Workers Committee and international songs from the working class struggle in other countries.