few will shed a tear

So Gaddafi is gone and few will shed a tear. I do have one concern around his last moments though. It is probably very naïve of me to think it might be otherwise but if the transitional Governments statement that he died in a cross fire is untrue, this is what we are used to from our leaders including Gaddafi himself. It is the spin that covers the unpalatable truth and the lies that are meant to placate us when we have such concerns. Not the best way to start afresh.
I think many people will believe that they caught and killed him and he was never going to stand trial for war crimes. Having said that, if he was executed we have to take into account the reality that existed for his killers at the time. 

Given the circumstances it was unlikely that after capture Gaddafi could expect any mercy. This is a man who was known for his cruelty and not known for his compassion or sense of justice. Opponents disappeared in the thousands. Still he asked his captors “What have I done to you”? I will be happier when they catch Smirking Boy, Saif. He must be apprehended and brought to book for his service to daddy.There are few models for fair and just arbitration between peoples of differing opinions in Libya and most disagreements have been addressed with violence. So the future will be difficult. Bringing different fractions together in the country will be a new and challenging experience but with the right support they can make it happen. I wish them well. Power to the people.

I have watched the unfolding drama outside St Paul’s Cathedral with great interest. If they move to a site that can accomodate more people I intend to join them. We can’t simply deconstruct the capitalist machine but it is busted and not fit for purpose and the free market is becoming an albatross around all our necks. It isn’t working any more. The relationship between Government and big business, especially multi national corporations, is crippling. It ensures an ever widening gap between the rich and the poor and the vulnerable.

Today the CEO of Wal-Mart (ASDA) earns 900 times the wage of his average employee. The wealth of the Wal- Mart family estimated to be 90 billion dollars is the same as the bottom 40% of the American population, 120 million people. In his book ILL FARES THE LAND Tony Judt says “ We have reverted to the attitudes of our early Victorian forbears. Once again, we believe exclusively in incentives, “effort” and reward- together with penalties for inadequacy. We have reverted to the hard, cold world of Enlightened economic rationality, first and best expressed in The fable of the bees, Bernard Mandeville’s 1732 essay on political economy. Workers in Mandeville’s view, “have nothing to stir them up to be serviceable but their wants, which it is prudent to relieve but folly to cure” Tony Blair couldn’t have said it better”.

At least some of England is working well on some levels. I have been in Leicester for the past couple of days visiting Luke. If you are ever in Leicester go for a walk down the Narborough Road. You will see that the multi ethnic society is working nicely – thank you? Of course there are issues to be addressed but there is a thriving mini society in the area that is lively and as healthy as could be expected and it is a vital as any I have experienced. The benefits of many diverse groups coming together here are real and obvious.

Next up for me is a couple of days intensive fishing on the Thames with Sonny, Steve’s lad. This will be special. We haven’t done it for ages. I hope he catches a big ‘un. After that it’s my nose to the grind stone and some serious rehearsing for the changes to the show, for my November gigs at Bilston, Manchester and The Wirral.
I have made a few changes to the web site including the addition of a couple of songs from FDPFAFDW shows on the Works in Progress page. You can book 2012 FDPFAFDW shows any time from now on. It’s a bit early I know but if you want a specific date, especially in the summer, now is the time.

peace

the flickering light

Frank Bungay - peoples bard

The Mad Pride Fundraiser was a great night out for me and we raised some cash for a very worthy cause. I like to be involved with people who are clearly concerned with the welfare of others and who are prepared to do some thing about that. There is so much apathy abroad in the nation right now and the reasons why are fairly obvious. People feel disconnected from government process and some have slowly absorbed the Thatcherite values that divide and weaken. She said there is no such thing as society only individuals and now we have a puppy in her mould who claims to have invented the Big Society. All of it is erroneous and ruinous and leaves people with the idea that nothing can be done. Wrong! As long as we breathe and care there is plenty to be done. Mad Pride is a hugely warm and powerful community that proves my point.

The Montague Arms is a sight for sore eyes for any musician playing UK pub gigs. I was the first to arrive as I like to have as much time as I can to absorb aspects of the gig and to settle in to a measured build up to the performance. The landlord opened up and let me in. The pub is definitely a cut above your average London pub gig. The décor is eclectic. You could spend a lost half hour just taking it all in. The stage and PA system is well appointed and reminds me of some of the better small German or Norwegian gigs.

Soon Steve the engineer arrived and I banged out a quick sound check. All good. Soon other musicians arrived and began sound checking. At one point it seemed as though there just wouldn’t be enough time to fit every one on the bill into a time slot. Mad Pride have a secret weapon in the shape of Jason Why who soon took over the role of organising this and we all slotted in very well. The evening started with a rousing intro from Jason and the first act went on. Against a back drop of projected images by VJ the Flickering Light, two young women gave us a couple of songs to begin the proceedings. One lass played a lovely white Fender strat and the other played African percussion. Cool and very different. Another young lass on acoustic guitar and a guy on bass delivered a couple of unusual and amusing songs and the evening warmed up.

Later we had poetry from luminaries in the poetry world, including the very wonderful Frank Bungay, a veteran campaigner and peoples bard. It was like a lovely time warp where the spirit of Kerouac and the beat poets was reverently invoked. I looked around to see the young listening intently to the old chap delivering his prose and verse. It filled me up with hopeful satisfaction. The best things last and last.

My new Australian friend David Studdert and his percussionist delivered some quirky, darkly humorous ditties and one lovely folk song. The event rolled on.
Later we had some great music from the band The Strange Agency who had driven from Wales to perform at the event. Slashing guitar driven psychedelic political punk. Oh yes!

the strange agency

Yours truly took to the stage soon after and began with a new song called I’d do anything - with love. It seemed appropriate. I’d written a set list for the available 35 minutes that allowed me to choose specific songs for the occasion. I was genuinely and very pleasantly surprised by the audience response. People became quiet and I saw a few tears after The Christmas Song which always turns on my full emotion button.
http://edgarbroughton.com/a%20winters%20tale.html

In my happy bubble I floated through the rest of the set and it passed in what seemed like a few moments. At the end of my set the warmth expressed by the audience merited an encore but time was tight and I was over. Later I realised I had only played one old EBB song and no one seemed to mind or care. In fact most folk in the audience probably wouldn’t know this was the case. This is very satisfying because I have worked hard on the writing this year and it seems my new songs are doing the job intended.

In a few minutes time the lush, hard edged, political psychedelia of Brighton based Paradise 9 hit the stage to end the evening. More great sounds from another classy band and the job was done.
I had the opportunity to meet and chat with quite a lot of people and I made some new friends. Every one appeared to have had a great night and we made a nice profit for Mad Pride. I said my farewells and set off to catch the night buses home.
 
Congratulations to Mark and Dave and to all who worked so hard to make it happen. It was so nice to meet up with and work with musicians and crew who regularly make time to contribute to the communities that need support and the causes that matter. I felt right at home. 


peace

World Mental Health Week

World Mental Health Week, 10-14th October 2011.

Mental Health is still a taboo subject in our culture as it is across much of Europe. It is a problem that couId be addressed partly through education but the schools curriculum in the UK is no where near visionary enough to be able to take that on at this time. In recent times Governments have done little or nothing to address the increasing numbers of people made ill by this wonderful life we live in the First World.

I find it increasingly disturbing that so many genuinely unwell folk will be facing cuts to their income and vital support services. These are austere times but as the ConDem cuts are rolled out I find no reason to stop despising their policies that descriminate against sections of our community that already have their backs firmly pushed up against the wall. I know I bang on about this a bit but I don’t feel this is a time to stop doing so.

I recently spoke with a rural copper who patrolled a fairly large village. He had been on night duty for some time and had noticed the increasing number of calls to the police along the lines of “ there is an elderly lady running around the school playing field in her night dress”. He told me this was on the increase and he blamed the cuts in social services and demise of other local agencies through cuts to budgets and staffing levels.

Here in London I see a steady increase of people on the streets who need support. Else where I hear some real horror stories about the jeopardy that some people are in through a decline in or a complete lack of services. In Essex, for example, there is no specialist sensory social work team at all. So if you are deaf and mentally unwell what do you do? If you are arrested by the Police, who will be able to understand you? How will you be able to be supported and who will protect your basic rights? The postcode lottery is evident here.

Scenario : Two people have severe mental health issues, learning disability and sensory loss.
Both young men slowly begin to get into trouble with neighbours and some times family and other members of the public.
The police are called out frequently to them and the incidents they are involved with. Social workers do what little they are allowed to do, under ever changing Kafka-esque guidelines, which always amount to less on offer for clients.

The first young man eventually ends up in court for the umpteenth time and goes to prison. In prison he is a problem because he can’t hear anything and they can’t use sign language. He kicks off and the authorities feel they have no option but to section him and send him to Rampton – cost £3000 plus per week. Rampton is a hell hole. I have had communication with inmates for some years who have been systematically bullied and brutalised by staff.
People don’t get well there.

The second young man is headed in the same direction. Basically the system can’t deal with him either so he is sectioned like our first young man. He is sent to a secure hospital that offers proper clinical support including counselling and mentoring. The structure is based on a three tier system where patients graduate from the bottom to the next tier around living in a small community of other patients at the same level of progress as he is. The top tier is around independent living towards living outside the hospital. Here patients live in their own self contained accomodation. All of this takes place on site. Cost £3000 plus per week. The difference between the two approaches and the possible outcomes is easily seen. Unfortunately the second option is not available to many as you might expect and yet the benefits are obvious and for the same cost.

A couple of years ago I suffered with depression for a time. It was disabling at first but with support and a fantastic G.P. I was able to recover slowly. I was lucky in so far as I knew my illness was fairly minor, I could communicate my issues and be understood and I had a strong support network. It was still a shock and it is only now that I am beginning to understand what happened and why. That’s life and I am better for the experience but this is not the case for others who have to continually battle with their illness, often with out much support at all.

One day that lonely and vulnerable looking person muttering to the rubbish bin in the street might be you. I hope not but at some point it is likely that mental illness will affect some one you know if not you, a loved one or a valued colleague. We can all aspire to being more understanding and accomodating. We can all work to get rid of the ignorance and fear embodied in remarks such as "we didn't have all this in my day you just have to pull your socks up and get on with it", or "if you are mad, you are mad you just have to get over it". We can also strive to change the language that demeans and oppresses people who are mentally unwell. I feel sure most of you know what I mean by this. I'm all for political correctness that actually enhances peoples quality of life.

Mean while we must fight government cuts to vital services or reap the bitter harvest. This nation is in distress and we must intervene.
The people involved with Mad Pride are doing what they can and so should you and so should I. I hope I will see you at The Montague Arms on Friday next.






peace

the young ones - positive images

mark cavendish, pictured wearing his
Tour De France sprinters green jersey,
is world road race champion 2011

This has been an interesting and exciting weekend so far. It began with my trip to Birmingham for a FDPFAFDW show, more of which I will post here when I have photos.

Mean while I have to tell you about my night after the gig. Steve, my host, had booked myself and some of his mates into a little pub called The Adam and Eve on Bradford St about a mile from The Bullring and city centre. Though rebuilt early in the 20th century and extensively repaired following bomb damage during the Second World War, there has been an Adam and Eve public house on the corner of Bradford Street and Warner Street for more than 200 years. The original Adam and Eve public house was built in Over Meadow, a pocket of land on the Ravenhurst Estate owned by John Lowe. The future site of the pub is marked on an estate map drawn by Samuel Bradford in 1748.

The Birmingham I knew as a kid has changed beyond recognition. There is a Blade Runner style mix of modern and decay. Much of the old and traditional manufacturing that made Birmingham famous through out the world has gone leaving old buildings empty. This is a typical sight through out the midlands and the north but there is an energy and diversity everywhere that is extremely encouraging. This big old dirty town has seen adversity and depression and yet it seems undaunted.

When Steve’s mates and myself saw our rooms we were not overly impressed. Not that there was anything wrong with the rooms but I don’t think any one would argue that they were not basic to say the least. It’s always nice to find a towel or two in the bath room and a TV that is actually connected to some device that will produce a picture, such as an aerial. You get my drift.

Any way after the gig that ended at 1am Steve put us in a cab back to the Adam and Eve, our accommodation for the night. It was by now around 2am and the place was jumping to very cool dub style mash ups, old dance faves that covered the best part of 20 years and some very cool techno. The sound system was very good and the music great but it was the young people that made it so special. I wish some of the folk who have such a down on young could have been there that night.

Young men dancing together, young women dancing together and young men and women dancing together but … it was the dramatic range that impressed me. These young ‘uns were beautiful, expressive and joyous.
There was no pushing or shoving. No one was loud, rude or disrespectful. I had a word with the big, calm man on the door who told me it was always cool with almost no trouble.

I went outside for a little while and just watched people arriving. I was fascinated by the sense of community as people greeted each other and many of them spoke to me. Back inside no one stared at the old guys as we supped our beers and watched. Soon two of the guys retired up to bed and I stayed with their mate and we loved it. Turned out he was a big dance fan and the tunes had a special nostalgic significance. It reminded me of my Fundamental FM Youth radio days from Jungle onwards. I did wonder how the others would sleep. The sound system was LOUD and had endless pokey sub bass pumping non stop. Oh heaven! Just watching this joyous gathering dancing and miming all the words to the tunes and the huge repertoire of dramatic dance expressions was amazing. The young women serving behind the bar were delightful with a smile for every one right through the night. All of the staff seemed very friendly and in control.

At around 4.30 am the night was winding down and the lovely and bright young things were heading home so I went to bed. My friend stayed on for the end. I hope we meet again. It was special to share that with some one I hardly knew who liked this music as much as I did. We both enjoyed watching the young dancers as much as we enjoyed the music. I say it again – The kids are all right!

However basic the accommodation at the Adam and Eve I had a lie in until 1.30 pm on Saturday in fact I could have stayed longer. Totally civilised. I finally made it down to the pub to find it packed with folk having a drink before the Home game at nearby St Andrews where they were to draw 1-1 against Barnsley. The Adam and Eve is the last remaining pub on Bradford St. They host live music 6 nights a week and promote local musicians. If you are in the area on a friday night, late and you like your dubby/ techno tunes loud and in a space where people make the atmosphere then the Adam and Eve is spot on.

Sunday brings more excitement. Mark Cavendish has just won the gold medal in the Men's World Championship Road Race. It’s been 47 years since a Brit won it. The last winner was Tommy Simpson who later collapsed and died during a stage of the Tour De France on Mount Ventou, probably the cruelest of the French climbs. I remember my dad in floods of tears on hearing the news. If Dennis was still around he would have been so proud of Cav. Mark Cavendish is the fastest sprinter in the world and today was a truly historic day for all of us UK cycling fans so thanks pal and thanks to all of the UK team. You are the best.

peace

the way of the bow

Kyudo, which literally means The Way of the Bow, is considered by many to be the purest of all the martial ways. A true shot in kyudo is not just one that hits the center of the target, but one where the arrow can be said to exist in the target before its release.

http://www.kyudo.com/kyudo.html

I had a bow as a kid and frequently got into bother with my dad over the home made hunting points, for my arrow making, forged in the metal work room at Leamington College for Boys. This was the first time I had touched a bow since then. The rain poured down in sheets as I fired my arrows but there was some thing very calming and focusing about the process. This is some thing I will definitely do again.  My aim improved with each arrow and my breathing found a place in it. I have been practising various forms of breath control towards mastering circular breathing for chanting.

 little hoveton broad

The first week of my trip out and about was spent near water but the weather prevented any serious fishing adventures. The second week was on the waters of the Norfolk Broads and one of my favourite places.

I spent some days off the water after a week on it and on consecutive days I wrote two songs. This is something of a record for me. My current rate lately has been more along the lines of one every two months. Here are the lyrics to one of them.

castles come

towers fall

and kings who

lose their heads

our will be done

the time has come

no laying safe

in beds

this england now

is in decline

as bad has she has seen

save our souls

the cry goes out

now we must intervene

i'd do any thing - any thing with love

i'd do any thing - any thing with love

hear me now

i shout it out

some one has fallen through

and gone down to that darkest place

no dignity nor truth

it breaks my heart

to see the poorest

get poorer by the day

the time has come

for justice now

and we must have our say

i'd do any thing - any thing - with love

i'd do any thing - anything - with love

home for a week

headed north up the river ant

On the last evening of my away days I caught a little pike on the Stour to a small silvery artificial lure. The fish was very small compared to most of my pike but it was the only lure caught fish of my trip. I put him back with thanks and I hope he grows to a big ‘un if his momma doesn’t eat him.

my kind of driving

This afternboon I have been playing through some of the recordings of my performances this year and I can tell you there is an album in the can. I plan to start work on mastering the material in November for a 2012 release along with post cards and a new T-Shirt or two.

So I’m off to Birmingham for another Fair days pay gig on Friday. I have to change my guitar strings and do a little rehearsing. I hope too include the new songs if I can memorise them in time. My head is still on the water out in the wilds but I can hear the sound of the city in the a back ground as I write this. There really is some thing to be said for dipping in and out of the urban and rural extremes of this country. I love the contrast.

As you will know I am playing a fund raiser for Mad Pride in London on the 7th of October. This is exactly the kind of contribution to community I want to make as an artist. If any of you are involved in any fund raising, for a worthy cause, and you would like to me to appear at your event, please let me know. I require no payment only minimum expenses if any at all. I hope some of you will come to my London gig. If the rest of the bill is any thing to go by it shows all the promise of a great night out and it is all for a very worth while cause.




peace









I first came across Mad pride through their website some years ago. I like what they stand for and the way they go about their missions. Some time ago I said here that I was prepared to play for a worthy cause so here we go. Hopefully this is the first of many. I hope I might see some of you supporting this on the night. It will be my only London gig and another way to fight back and .....have fun. Power to you all!

peace