Shipbuilding

A place to socialise and share opinions with other members of the BGAFD Community.
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David Johnson
Posts: 7844
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Shipbuilding

Post by David Johnson »

Listening to this with a glass of whisky in hand, in front of a coal fire and wondering if it will ever stop raining again.

One of the best protest songs ever recorded.

Beautiful voice. Great lyrics.

Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjUkjpJa ... re=related

planeterotica
Posts: 7093
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

McAlpines Fusiliers

Post by planeterotica »

It's widely believed that this song was penned by the Irish whilst constructing the Kingsnorth Power station on the Isle of Grain in Kent where i also worked in the 1960s, it was as a protest against the poor working conditions..


lloyd42
Posts: 101
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Re: McAlpines Fusiliers

Post by lloyd42 »


Afraid you're wrong. It's a Costello original.

David Johnson
Posts: 7844
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Lloyd

Post by David Johnson »

"Afraid you're wrong. It's a Costello original."

I know. That's why I refer to "Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding"

Wyatt has a great voice. The lyrics are great but I know that Wyatt didnt write them.
dog
Posts: 45
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Re: Lloyd

Post by dog »

Best version is the one Robert did on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' which was recored live, and if I recall they didn't want him on 'Top of the pops' as he was in a wheel chair!

Now if you're disabled they can't get enough of you, how times have changed.
lloyd42
Posts: 101
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

David

Post by lloyd42 »

I was actually replying to planeterotica's point about it being a song written by the Irish.FWIW I prefer Elvis Costello's version not least for the trumpet solo by Chet Baker towards the end.


David Johnson
Posts: 7844
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Lloyd

Post by David Johnson »

Hiya,

Now I am confused!

I thought Graham's (Planeterotica) comments were about the youtube link he included in his own message, not Shipbuilding.

Each to his own, but I prefer the stripped down, sparse version of Shipbuilding by Robert Wyatt as opposed to the Costello version which has an orchestral flavour to it.

Like you though, it is great to hear some Chet Baker trumpet - one of my favourite Baker albums to listen to late at night is My Funny Valentine.
planeterotica
Posts: 7093
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Re: McAlpines Fusiliers

Post by planeterotica »

I was referring to the song in the link that i posted and not shipbuilding as i thought the thread was about protest songs in general..

lloyd42
Posts: 101
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am

Re: McAlpines Fusiliers

Post by lloyd42 »

Confusion alround methinks!! Maybe I should cut out the Wednesday afternoon drinking sessions !doh!

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