UCS Work-in @ 40 - inspiring concert leads to film show

Last Sunday the latest successful event marking the 40^th Anniversary of the UCS Work-in delighted a sell-out audience at the Old Fruitmarket. Staged at the culmination of Celtic Connections it led on from the Gala Concert last October in the Mitchell Theatre, and again featured a number of musicians who played then - and indeed 40 years ago - in support of the Work-in.

Highlights were the ever-youthful Jimmie Macgregor replaying Pack up your tools and go a number he wrote for the UCS album in ’71, and a David and Goliath story, with a Springburn twist! Ubiquitous harmonica player, Fraser Speirs was on fire both accompanying Love and Money’s James Grant, and his solo slot with a Sonny Terry blues number, and Emma Pollock, ex-Delgados and born in the year of the Work-in, hit the right note with a version of Woody Guthrie’s ‘Union Maid’.  Arthur Johnstone and the Stars Band  formed the bedrock of the night’s entertainment.

Many more cracking performances are highlighted in reviews on the STV website here. Pete Heywood, the author of this review also has some photos of the concert on Flickr here, and another good review was by Ken Smith in the Herald here.

One particular performance to note for the future was David Hayman’s dramatisation of a Bob Starrett story from the yards. This, and the story published in the programme, suggest a broader range of talent that will surely lead to further exposure.

The next coup for the organisers of these events is the visit of Ann Guedes, founder of the film co-operative Cinema Action - the only film crew the Stewards allowed into the yards during the Work-in. She comes to Glasgow to take part in panels discussing the two films to come out of that access - UCS 1, and Class Struggle - Story from the Clyde. They will be shown over three nights at the Mitchell Theatre between the 21-23 March. Tickets from www.glasgowconcerthalls.com.

UCS concert will reveal ‘new’ talent

As we finalise the build up to the sell-out Celtic Connections Concert tomorrow, posted below is the latest press release about the UCS Work-in 40 Anniversary Celebrations. Have a good one tomorrow folks, and remember - there's more celebration in March!!

The organisers of the concert celebrating the 40^th Anniversary of Clydeside’s important UCS Work-in today announced that the Celtic Connections event scheduled for February 5, was sold out of the cabaret seating that forms the bulk of the venue. Only a few balcony standing tickets are left. 

In addition to the music, the packed audience will have a preview of the talents of Work-in cartoonist Bob Starrett. His cartoons and artwork will feature in the event programme, and on stage, actor David Hayman will dramatise some of his shipyard/Work-in stories, as well as some of the Work-in speeches.

The concert marks the inspiration given by the success of the Work-in to artists and musicians, and is being produced by Fair Pley with musical direction by Rab Noakes. 

Bob said ‘It is a bit strange to have some of these things I have done over the years featured after this time, but it is great that the contributions of people involved in supporting the Work-in are being recognised.’

He has been working in the film industry for some time now, but he says none of the Hollywood stars he has met matches Work-in leaders, Jimmy Airlie and Jimmy Reid.

 ‘I could listen to Airlie over and over again,’ he says ‘and Jimmy Reid never let you down in terms of the clarity of his analyses.’

Other Links with 40 years ago are being kept as the concert starring musicians Jimmie Macgregor, Arthur Johnstone, Dick Gaughan, and  Alastair MacDonald. Fraser Speirs, Scotland’s premier harmonica-player, will be there. Other musical performers include James Grant (of Love and Money), and Emma Pollock (of The Delgados). Rab Noakes will, round off an exceptionally busy Celtic Connections by performing too. (He has already played in his own concert and been musical director, producer, compere and performer for the sell-out Gerry Rafferty commemorative concerts).

Rab himself says “It was always going to be a busy festival for me this year but I would never turn down the opportunity to be part of commemoration and celebration of this momentous event. It is an opportunity also to underline the indelible links between trade union activities and arts and culture.”

In addition Eddie McGuire’s new composition - Work-in at UCS - a celebration suite - will feature. Eddie wrote an original piece for saxophones in 1971, that he presented to Jimmy Reid. This piece will be performed by Eddie’s traditional music band, the Whistlebinkies, Sax Ecosse and Alba Brass. Poet Tom Leonard will give a short reading. Well known actor and musician Dave Anderson is MC for the night.

Stephen Wright of organisers FairPley said “We are delighted  that Celtic Connections has recognised the UCS 40^th Anniversary by staging this concert on the last night of the festival. The support of musicians and artists was a key feature of the Work-in.  As the concert on 5^th February will demonstrate, their successful fight forty years ago to save shipbuilding on the Clyde continues to inspire artists to this day.”

The concert is being sponsored by Unite the Union, inheritor of many of the UCS unions’ members. Unite’s Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty said “The UCS campaign touched all facets of community and country - including artists in many spheres. It is fitting that a working class struggle is remembered in a festival that connects so many artists. It should provide an example for the struggle of today’s trade unionists.”