Past master for a new generation
Past Masters
By Roy Bailey
Review by John McGill
British left-wing MP Tony Benn calls Roy Bailey "the greatest socialist folk singer of his generation". Reviewer Martin Pearson says, "Roy Bailey is not an act, he is genuine. He doesn't make product, he records songs."
Roy Bailey's latest CD is a selection of his best songs from 1975 to 1988. Bailey toured Australia earlier this year; if you were unable to make it to one of his concerts, make sure you get this CD for a flavour of what you missed.
Anyone who has a progressive bone in their body will be moved to joy, to tears and to join in the struggle.
Among the 18 songs that make up this compilation are "Curtains of Old Joe's House" a moving cry for acceptance, particularly of gay love; "Two Good Arms" against the injustice inflicted on anarchists Saccco and Vanzetti; and "Song of the Leaders", about the betrayal of a 14th century peasant rebellion.
Bailey says in his sleeve notes: "Many years ago I chose to sing of the world I love in ... of the folly and inhumanity of war ... of intolerance and the pain of private passion ... and of our disastrous disregard for our planet. The expression of dissent and social commentary is both an honourable and creative tradition. Finally my primary aim is to entertain."
Entertain he does. Among my favourites are "Ghost Story", about a soldier killed in the Malvinas. His ghost goes to Downing Street and is frightened by Thatcher, when she tells him why he had to die.
This ghost does not rattle chains, but they are there. In the words of the song, "Chains made of newspapers/ Chains made of their lies/ Chains of employment/ Chains of dole/ And if they could/ Chains around my soul."
Another favourite is "All Used Up". "I spent my whole life making somebody rich/ I busted my gut for that son of a bitch/ And he left me to die like a dog in a ditch/ And he told me I'm all used up."
Those of us who have been inspired by Roy Bailey say to him: you are not all used up; come back soon.