Ribbon Road
Album: No Redemption Songs
Label: Shipyard
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.ribbonroadmusic.com/

This album has emerged from a film and music performance project between songwriter Brenda Hislop, her band Ribbon Road, and photographer Keith Pattison, made to mark 30 years since the Miner's Strike of 1984/5, and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Keith documented the strike at Easington Colliery, and this song collection expresses those experiences.

Brenda Hislop has composed some really fine songs here, describing the feelings as well as the actions of those who lived through the strike, and she has a very appealing emotional quality to her voice. In fact all the voices are well-suited to this musical record of the miners and their families, not least the very effective narration by Jez Lowe and others, which underscores the music and lends an air of authenticity.

The opening track, 'Letting Love is Hard' does not pull any punches as with acapella voices it describes the personal struggle to overcome bitterness post-strike. The cover photograph of a woman trying to stop police from arresting her retired husband, is invoked in 'Poor Jossie' which is touching but also critical of police action, a theme which runs through these songs.

There is despair in these songs, as in the plaintive 'What Are We Gonna Do?' and fear, as in 'Running Wide', but also expressed is the generosity and support shown to the Miners, 'A Tenner and a Turkey' is a ray of light here and one of the best songs.

Dignity and the puzzlement of working men who cannot quite understand the end of the colliery is so well written in 'Last Paying Day' -another standout song....... 'I've never been one for idle hands'.

At times there may be just a little underplaying of the fighting spirit that was present, in favour of the gloomy aftermath, but nevertheless very powerful and moving songs, very well performed.

The album concludes with a fitting contrast between these two tensions in 'Don't Give Up On Me'/'Be Good To Eachother', with an almost Coop, Boyes and Simpson anthem feel, there is a declaration to keep going, despite being 'broken for ever, with memories to burn'

This is a valiant, principled attempt to record a vital piece of the people's history from the people's perspective, with very strong, moving songs, sung and presented with great feeling and musicality. Congratulations are in order for all involved for these songs deserve to be heard in their theatrical setting, but make a fine and worthwhile listening experience.

Kath Reade