CD Review and Launches: With These Arms
Article by Mark Gregory (August 2003 - March 2004)
(CD
TRACKS)
The Maritime Union of Australia is an extraordinary organisation to be able to count so many playwrights, poets, painters, cartoonists and writers amongst its friends. In the 1950s the union had it's own documentary film unit. For a time Sydney's New Theatre was housed in the wharfies' headquarters in Sussex Street. Artists like Noel Counihan, Rod Shaw and Herb McClintock worked with the union for many years. Writers such as John Morrison, Frank Hardy, Dorothy Hewett, Merv Lilley, Wendy Lowenstein and Denis Kevans were among the many supporters of the union.
With These Arms
is a compilation of songs and poems from
many sources, from emails from old LPs and tapes, from CDs, pamphlets,
magazines, and books. From the picket lines and support concerts during
the
lockout in 1998 are songs and poems written and performed at that time.
These new songs and poems are from Tim O'Brien, Peter Hicks, John Dengate,
Wendy Lowenstein, John Warner, John Hospodaryk, Maurie Mulheron, John
Tomlinson and Penny Harrison. There are also songs and poems spanning the
last 70 years or so, including many from the musicians of the folk revival
movement like Don Henderson, Chris Kempster, Bill Berry, Declan Affley,
Harry Robertson, and Clem Parkinson.
It's hard to think of another union in the world that has had so many songs written about it. Is to do with the constant global traveling of sailors? or the multicultural mix of waterside workers? or the union's long history of active interest in Australian theatre, film, art and music?
The union campaigned hard over the years for Aboriginal rights, have supported fellow unionists both at home and around the world, have been involved in the anti-colonial, anti-war and anti-apartheid movements. For over a hundred years the MUA has made firm friends at home and abroad, friends who stood by union when it came to face the might of government and employer combined in illegal conspiracy in 1997-1998.
With These Arms was launched at:
Politics in the Pub
The Gearin Hotel Katoomba
Saturday August 23rd at 2pm
courtesy of Blue Mountains Unions Council
Other Launches
Illawara Folk Festival
South Coast Labour Council Concert
Jamberoo
Sunday September 14th at 11.30am
http://www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au
Eighth Australian Labour History Conference
Queensland College of Art
South Bank
Brisbane
Sunday October 5th at 10.30 am
http://www.gu.edu.au/school/mgt/lh2003/
Trades Hall LAUNCH FLYER
Melbourne
54 Victoria St (cnr Lygon St) Carlton
Thursday October 30th at 7.30pm
http://www.tradeshallarts.com.au
The Trout - Elizabeth St
Nth Hobart
Thursday 11th of Dec
Mark Gregory, The Tasmanian Grassroots Union Choir, Shake Sugaree
The Classic
Boat Festival
Maritime Museum Darling Harbour Sydney
Saturday March 6th 2.00pm – 2.45pm
Maurie Mulheron, John Hospodaryk, Margaret Walters, John Warner, Mark Gregory
Notes
With These Arms is available from:
MUA
Level 2 365 Sussex St
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
http://www.mua.org.au
tel: (61 2) 9267 9134
fax: (61 2) 9261 5897
email: muano@mua.org.au