by Douglas Nicholls

VOICE AND VISION is a two-CD collection of radical song compiled by the General Federation of Trade Unions Educational Trust together with Topic Records to celebrate this important label’s 75th year and the our 115th anniversary. 

Dedicated to the memory of Bob Crow and Tony Benn, these songs reflect a collective experience of hundreds of years of social development. 

Deep meaning is conveyed in beautifully crafted tunes and words. These performers are singing about us improving our fortunes as a class, not to make a fortune for themselves. 

This collection begins with a ballad reflecting on the first socialists who emerged during the mid-17th century revolution, The World Turned Upside Down, and ends with a reggae song called War, a call to arms against the neoliberal blitz on the people and all we have achieved.

There are songs about organising workers, work and leisure, fighting back against class oppression and heroes such a Joe Hill and fictional characters including General Ludd, Robin Hood and Captain Swing.

The CD contains legendary performers including Anne Briggs, Norma Waterston, Ewan McColl, Paul Robeson, Martin Carthy, Roy Harris, Chumbawamba, Banner Theatre, Roy Bailey and others. 

These are combined with brilliant young artists such as Fran Morter, Mat Boulter and Piers Haslam and obscure veterans who demand a wider audience such as Jack Forbes, Brian Denny and Kiti Theobald whose work today shows the relevance and delights of this singing tradition.

Like Joe Hill, these songs will never die. Our hope is that this CD will keep them alive by inspiring another generation to take on the fight of our lives. 

Part of this fight is to ensure that they do not extinguish our history. Keep music live. Keep songs alive.

Doug Nicholls is general secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions.

For more information go to www.gftu.org.uk or www.topic.co.uk.