THE SONGS
The songs were written by Dave Rogers, apart from Blood on the Coal, written by Maria Tolly for a Banner play. Copyright is with the authors.

In the Reign of Pig's Pudding
Socialism is dead, capitalism rules, exploitation is a thing of the past, everyone is free, solvent, secure, and...pigs fly overhead.

Monday Morning Rain
Based on the experiences of an ex-miner from Barnsley, the song reveals the emotional cost of long-term unemployment.
[NB this song was also featured in the Burning Issues show, and if you have broadband you might like to download a video clip of that part of the show by clicking here - but beware, it is a very large file (over 11MB)]

The Little Red Mole
Bob Whiskens was elected shop steward at Rover Solihull and the management refused to recognise him. So, in an act of selfless solidarity, his union decided they couldn't recognise him either. This case of acute industrial myopia seems to have been caused by the Mole's insistence on building a brand of democratic trade unionism reflecting the wishes of the people at the bottom.

Belfast City
Belfast City and the next song, Soldier Boy, were based on interviews with Brenda Procter, Bridget Bell, Doreen Mason and Pauline Bentley, from the North Staffs Miners’ Wives Action Group, and with miners from Hem Heath pit. Dave Rogers travelled with them on a delegation to Belfast in 1988.

Soldier Boy
A song against Britain's continued occupation of the North of Ireland.

David & Goliath
Palestinian Davids take on Israeli Goliaths. Blacks in Soweto defy the South African state, Republican hunger strikers lay down their lives for Irish freedom. The terrain changes, the struggle continues.

Elixir of Life
Everyone is free and equal in the market place, and Pizza Hut, Mothercare, Toyota and MacDonald's can provide the answer to all our problems. The Beatles were wrong; all you need is MONEY.

Not Quite
Politicians proclaim that the NHS is safe in their hands. Meanwhile, waiting lists lengthen, health workers work harder for less return, and those with money rush to join private health schemes.

Blood on the Coal
In 1992 as pits close down across the country, South Kirkby loses its own mine and in return gets Optimum, a company which imports cheap coal from South Africa.

Ewan's Song
Ewan MacColl, singer, song-writer and theatre worker, died in 1989. He was a long-standing friend of Banner, and an inspiration to political writers and artists everywhere.

Evening Mail Blues
To our free press, dedicated to exposing exploitation and injustice wherever it may be. (Any resemblance to papers either local or national is totally intentional).

Devastation of Iraq
After Vietnam, Chile, Nicaragua, Granada and East Timor, it was a little hard to believe in George Bush Senior’s sudden concern for 'Free' Kuwait. Of course, it had nothing to do with oil.

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CREDITS

Production: Chris Jones, Dave Rogers and Dave Dale, at the former Jubilee Arts, Sandwell (now The Public). Banner would like to thank all the Jubilee workers who helped us make this tape: Gary Stewart, Tony Stanley and Keith Poison, and in particular Chris Jones, who not only took the major role in musical direction and sound engineering, but played on some of the tracks as well.

Recorded voices: The tape recordings were made by Dave Rogers and Frances Rifkin.
Banner would also like to thank the following people whose voices we use on the tape: Pet Coleman, Peggy Gilbert, Harold Hancock, Brian Keith, lan Morrison, Ray Patton, Brenda Proctor, Bob Whiskens, and last, and definitely least, George Bush 1 for his incisive and thought-provoking contribution.

Musicians: Dave Rogers: Vocals, acoustic guitar.
Dave Dale: Vocals, acoustic, electric and bass guitars.
Pam Bishop; Concertina.
Ron Collins: Drums and percussion.
Chris Jones: Electric guitar, bass, keyboard and midi percussion and programming.
Katherine Rogers: Alto saxophone and clarinet.

Sleeve Design: Kevin Hayes
Images: Kevin Hayes, Nigel Dickenson, John Sturrock/Network, Republican News.
Re-mastering 2005: Aidan Jolly, Well Red Productions and Charlie Davis.
We would also like to thank Dave Butler, Joyce Canaan, Jacqueline Contre, John Pymm and Maureen Russell for their support.

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MORE INFO:

The CD is available from Banner Theatre for £12 (£10 unwaged) plus £2 p&p

Banner Theatre's office is based at the
Oaklands Centre, Winleigh Road, Birmingham B20 2HN
Tel: 0845 458 1909
Or click here to send an email