That controversial pioneer of the British folk revival, the late Ewan MacColl, was born in 1915, and the centenary is being marked by reminders that he was a bravely original songwriter. On this remarkable double album, 21 artists rework his songs, ranging from poignant studies of working lives to political comment and love ballads. Many of the best are from the experimental Radio Ballads shows, broadcast by the BBC between 1957 and 1964; they include Norma Waterson’s gently pained version of Moving On Song, and Karine Polwart’s powerful The Terror Time, both dealing with the realities of Gypsy life. There’s also Jarvis Cocker’s thoughtful treatment of a boxer’s lament, The Battle Is Done With; Steve Earle with a gutsy Dirty Old Town; and Martin Simpson’s sensitive solo treatment of The Father’s Song, mixing compassion and politics.
