Read on Twitter
We’ve put together a ‘playlist’ inspired by items from our collections. Now seems like a good time to remember the hugely valuable contribution of musicians and aligned professions, the times they’ve supported us, kept our spirits up, and given voice to our histories. [Thread]
![We’ve put together a ‘playlist’ inspired by items from our collections. Now seems like a good time to remember the hugely valuable contribution of musicians and aligned professions, the times they’ve supported us, kept our spirits up, and given voice to our histories. [Thread]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElPiMOnXYAAr3LP.jpg "We’ve put together a ‘playlist’ inspired by items from our collections. Now seems like a good time to remember the hugely valuable contribution of musicians and aligned professions, the times they’ve supported us, kept our spirits up, and given voice to our histories. [Thread]")
Paul Robeson – All through the night
From the Transatlantic Exchange concert in which he sings to the 1957 Miners’ Eisteddfod in Porthcawl, having had his US passport revoked in the era of McCarthyism. He sings ‘there’s a hope that leaves me never’, ending in Welsh ‘ar hyd y nos’
From the Transatlantic Exchange concert in which he sings to the 1957 Miners’ Eisteddfod in Porthcawl, having had his US passport revoked in the era of McCarthyism. He sings ‘there’s a hope that leaves me never’, ending in Welsh ‘ar hyd y nos’
Bronski Beat – I Feel Love
A signed poster from the Pits and Perverts benefit gig, organised by Lesbians & Gay Men Support the Miners ( @LGSMpride), which raised thousands for striking miners in South Wales. Testament to a remarkable story of solidarity.
A signed poster from the Pits and Perverts benefit gig, organised by Lesbians & Gay Men Support the Miners ( @LGSMpride), which raised thousands for striking miners in South Wales. Testament to a remarkable story of solidarity.
Manic Street Preachers – If you tolerate this your children will be next
Titled after this Spanish Civil War poster, some lyrics draw on quotes by International Brigade volunteers whose interviews, held in the library, are referenced in Hywel Francis’ book Miners Against Fascism
Titled after this Spanish Civil War poster, some lyrics draw on quotes by International Brigade volunteers whose interviews, held in the library, are referenced in Hywel Francis’ book Miners Against Fascism
Public Service Broadcasting (with Tracyanne Campbell) – Progress
We had the great privilege of sharing our collections with @PSB_HQ and hearing our oral history interviews brought to life in new ways on their album Every Valley.
We had the great privilege of sharing our collections with @PSB_HQ and hearing our oral history interviews brought to life in new ways on their album Every Valley.
The Byrds - Bells of Rhymney
The lyrics derive from Idris Davies’ extended poem Gwalia Deserta. The song was written by Pete Seeger, but The Byrds heard it via a Judy Collins recording – none of them can pronounce ‘Rhymney’ of course, but we’ll let them off this once.
The lyrics derive from Idris Davies’ extended poem Gwalia Deserta. The song was written by Pete Seeger, but The Byrds heard it via a Judy Collins recording – none of them can pronounce ‘Rhymney’ of course, but we’ll let them off this once.
Elvis Costello – Watching the detectives
One of many benefits held to raise money during the 84/5 strike. Many others performed throughout the UK, both well-known and local artists, in venues big and small.
One of many benefits held to raise money during the 84/5 strike. Many others performed throughout the UK, both well-known and local artists, in venues big and small.
Björk – Crystalline
One of those who performed was a young Björk, then fronting the post-punk band Kukl, who played a miners’ benefit gig in Penarth – still her only performance in Wales to date. Bruce Springsteen also donated £20k to the Durham miners shortly after the strike.
One of those who performed was a young Björk, then fronting the post-punk band Kukl, who played a miners’ benefit gig in Penarth – still her only performance in Wales to date. Bruce Springsteen also donated £20k to the Durham miners shortly after the strike.
The Flying Pickets: Only You
Signed photo of the group, whose name derives from the tactic allied with the miners’ strikes of the early ‘70s which members had supported. The only group, to our knowledge, to have formed a picket line while performing a Xmas No.1 on Top of the Pops
Signed photo of the group, whose name derives from the tactic allied with the miners’ strikes of the early ‘70s which members had supported. The only group, to our knowledge, to have formed a picket line while performing a Xmas No.1 on Top of the Pops
Sarah Ogan Gunning – Come all you coal miners
A powerful folk song from the Appalachian coalfields, written by Gunning who grew up in both a mining and musical family. The book/documentary After Coal looks at the links between the Welsh and Appalachian experiences.
A powerful folk song from the Appalachian coalfields, written by Gunning who grew up in both a mining and musical family. The book/documentary After Coal looks at the links between the Welsh and Appalachian experiences.
Bob Dylan: North Country Blues
Where ‘Come all You Coal Miners’ refers to the hardships of mining & class exploitation, this song paints a bleak picture of capital flight & the effects on a community when the industry it’s built around dissolves. Below, a leaflet from 84/5 strike
Where ‘Come all You Coal Miners’ refers to the hardships of mining & class exploitation, this song paints a bleak picture of capital flight & the effects on a community when the industry it’s built around dissolves. Below, a leaflet from 84/5 strike
Verdi - Bella figlia dell'amore
In Gwyn Thomas’ Dark Philosophers, set in the ‘30s, an Italian migrant café owner bonds with a group of local customers through their joint love of singing along to opera trios & quartets (see our latest blog for more on Italian migration to Wales)
In Gwyn Thomas’ Dark Philosophers, set in the ‘30s, an Italian migrant café owner bonds with a group of local customers through their joint love of singing along to opera trios & quartets (see our latest blog for more on Italian migration to Wales)
The Clash - Clampdown
We’ve been a fan of @RhianEJones’ writing on music since the early days of her ‘Velvet Coalmine’ blog. This short book is essential reading for anyone interested in how the politics of class and gender have shaped recent trends in music.
We’ve been a fan of @RhianEJones’ writing on music since the early days of her ‘Velvet Coalmine’ blog. This short book is essential reading for anyone interested in how the politics of class and gender have shaped recent trends in music.
Charles Mingus – Oh Lord Don’t Let Them Drop That Nuclear Bomb On Me
From his album ‘Oh Yeah’. Below is a selection from our collection of protest badges relating to anti-nuclear and peace campaigns.
From his album ‘Oh Yeah’. Below is a selection from our collection of protest badges relating to anti-nuclear and peace campaigns.
Datblygu - Maes E
A sardonic vision of escapism amid political turmoil and defeat, which begins with an image of police beating miners during the 84/5 strike. Below, a selection of material we have on the policing of the strike. (Datblygu's new album Cwm Gwagle is also excellent)
A sardonic vision of escapism amid political turmoil and defeat, which begins with an image of police beating miners during the 84/5 strike. Below, a selection of material we have on the policing of the strike. (Datblygu's new album Cwm Gwagle is also excellent)
Sons of Kemet – My Queen is Angela Davis
From their excellent album Your Queen is a Reptile. The image below shows the 1970 Miners’ Gala in Cardiff, in which brass music also played an important role, with a banner calling for the release of Angela Davis. (Photo by Hywel Francis)
From their excellent album Your Queen is a Reptile. The image below shows the 1970 Miners’ Gala in Cardiff, in which brass music also played an important role, with a banner calling for the release of Angela Davis. (Photo by Hywel Francis)
Treorchy Male Voice Choir – Y Delyn Aur
We’ll leave where we started, but this time with the Treorchy Male Voice Choir singing live from the Miners’ Eisteddfod back to Paul Robeson in New York. ‘Ni bydd diwedd byth ar sŵn y Delyn aur’/‘Without ending will resound the golden harp’
We’ll leave where we started, but this time with the Treorchy Male Voice Choir singing live from the Miners’ Eisteddfod back to Paul Robeson in New York. ‘Ni bydd diwedd byth ar sŵn y Delyn aur’/‘Without ending will resound the golden harp’
