Teesside’s three-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners The Young’uns issued a new album last month, and next month they bring it to Milton Keynes, with a special audio-visual live show at The Stables in Wavendon.
The North East trio’s latest project, The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff, is the story of one man’s adventure from begging on the streets in the north of England to fighting against fascism in the Spanish Civil War, taking in the Hunger Marches and the Battle of Cable Street.
It’s a timely, touching and often hilarious musical adventure following the footsteps of one working class hero who witnessed some of the momentous events of the 1930s.
With their trademark harmony, honesty and humour the Teesside trio bring together 16 specially composed songs, spoken word, striking imagery and the real recorded voice of Johnny himself to tell a remarkable human story oozing with modern relevance.
The Young’uns (aka Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes) will bring ’The Ballad Of Johnny Longstaff,’ to The Stables on February 6.
“In 2015, a man arrived at one of our concerts with a picture of his late father and a story," said The Young’uns Sean Cooney, talking about the origins of the project.
"His father’s name was Johnny Longstaff and what a story he had to tell.
"As a teenager, Johnny walked 230 miles from our hometown of Stockton-On-Tees to London in search of work and from then on bore witness to some of the most defining moments of the tumultuous 1930s including the Battle of Cable Street and the Spanish Civil War.
He added: "Exploring Johnny’s story through his own spoken words with the recordings he made for the Imperial War Museum and having access to his never-before published memoirs and his personal book & photo archive has been a labour of love for us.
"Three years later we have created a 90-minute show in which 16 original songs interweave with Johnny’s own voice against a backdrop of startling visuals to tell an incredible story.
"It’s not a story that glorifies conflict or imposes political views - it’s a story that oozes humanity, humour and fellowship!”
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