Back in 1957 the Welsh branch of the National Union of Miners invited Paul Robeson to sing at the Miner's Eisteddfodd at Porthcawl. However the US government had withdrawn Robeson's passport on account of his political activities, and he couldn't attend. However thanks to the recent installation of a transatlantic telephone cable he was able to sing by a phone link to an audience of 5000 miners, and to listen to the Treorchy Male Voice Choir sing for him. It was an intensely moving experience for all the participants and the Welsh NUM issued a record of the concert which captured some of the excitement of that moment. Robeson had had a very strong connection with South Wales since his role in the 1940 Ealing film The Proud Valley and he had supported unemployed miners in the 1930's.
Sain records have now released a CD of the Transatlantic Exchange concert along with another 20 songs from Robeson.
The Proud Valley doesn't seem to be available in the UK on DVD or video, but customers in North America can buy a boxed set of Paul Robeson's films from Criterion which looks well worth viewing.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Loss of a Liverpool bookshop
Henry Bohn Books, the second-hand and antiquarian bookshop in Lime Street, Liverpool has announced that it will close for business on the 27th January 2008. The shop premises will be demolished as part of the redevelopment of the Lime Street Station Gateway Project by English Partnerships. According to English Partnerships "The Gateway site currently consists mainly of low-grade retail shops and offices" and apparently a second-hand bookshop is of no value in our City of Culture.
It will be tremendously exciting to have the facade of Lime Street Station revealed once again in all its glory, and there will be few mourners at the loss of the hideous Centre Point tower. But I cannot understand why the powers behind Liverpool Vision couldn't have negotiated alternative sites for the few "low-grade shops" instead of bullying them out of business with a Compulsory Purchase Order. As it is these shops have been blamed for holding up progress while simply fighting for their rights to carry on trading. Liverpool Vision announced in September 2007 that their grandiose ideas had been affected by "the delays caused by a prolonged CPO process", resulting in "a thorough reappraisal of the Gateway project."
Henry Bohn Books is one of very few outposts of genuine culture and civilisation remaining in the so-called City of Culture. A really imaginative "Liverpool Vision" would incorporate the business as a vital part of the new Gateway; but sadly Henry Bohn has been consigned to a virtual internet existence, although there is a possibility of a physical reincarnation around the corner in the spring.
I have enjoyed visting Henry Bohn where there is almost always a good and interesting conversation going on about books, music or city politics. My wallet has often suffered after browsing the shelves, but I have always emerged feeling the richer for my visit.
It will be tremendously exciting to have the facade of Lime Street Station revealed once again in all its glory, and there will be few mourners at the loss of the hideous Centre Point tower. But I cannot understand why the powers behind Liverpool Vision couldn't have negotiated alternative sites for the few "low-grade shops" instead of bullying them out of business with a Compulsory Purchase Order. As it is these shops have been blamed for holding up progress while simply fighting for their rights to carry on trading. Liverpool Vision announced in September 2007 that their grandiose ideas had been affected by "the delays caused by a prolonged CPO process", resulting in "a thorough reappraisal of the Gateway project."
Henry Bohn Books is one of very few outposts of genuine culture and civilisation remaining in the so-called City of Culture. A really imaginative "Liverpool Vision" would incorporate the business as a vital part of the new Gateway; but sadly Henry Bohn has been consigned to a virtual internet existence, although there is a possibility of a physical reincarnation around the corner in the spring.
I have enjoyed visting Henry Bohn where there is almost always a good and interesting conversation going on about books, music or city politics. My wallet has often suffered after browsing the shelves, but I have always emerged feeling the richer for my visit.
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