Ballad
of the Big Ships
The
original Radio Ballads, created by Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seegar etc. aired on the
BBC Home Service between 1958 and 1964 are regarded as landmarks in the history
of both folk music and broadcasting.
The
2006 Radio Ballads revisited the concept and principles behind those original
programmes, weaving together interview extracts with traditional and original
songs while applying them to a fresh range of themes, one of which was the Clyde
inspired BUILDING OF THE BIG SHIPS.
In
the programme Brian Whittingham read some of his poems and told stories about
his time working as a steelworker on the building of the QE2 in John Brown's Shipyard
in Clydebank. A sample of his work can be heard on the companion CD - THE BIG
SHIPS.
Some
of this work is also being performed live January 22nd. 2007 at Glasgow's
Royal Concert Hall in THE BIG SHIPS LIVE.
Click
this link for more details of THE BIG SHIPS.