Entry count: 3760
Ewan MacColl cutting to the core of industrial Britain

Ewan MacColl

Dirty Old Town

Released: February 3rd, 1949

Tracks Ewan MacColl

The events we write about at Gaslight Records happened in some form or another 50 years ago to the day. Roll along with us and imagine you are back in 1974.

Support Gaslight Records

'We'll chop you down like an old dead tree…' sings MacColl. And indeed, both he and Peggy Seeger do just that with this haunting and much covered song.

Originally penned by MacColl, this eerie hymn to industrial England is both gritty and raw. But like its namesake, the song holds a beauty that defies explanation unless you're taking an in-depth look at the exceptional lyricism that lies beneath the surface.

Ewan MacColl cutting to the core of industrial Britain

The backing music provided by Alan Lomax and the Ramblers walks with a subtle beauty in the way it frames this almost a cappella ballad; that is until the poignant jazziness of a clarinet whispers through the speakers just before the final verse.

Other versions of this track

More recent news

John Prine returns with second album

News

August 26th, 1972: John Prine returns with second album

 
Joni Mitchell recording 5th studio album

News

August 24th, 1972: Joni Mitchell recording 5th studio album

28-year-old Joni Mitchell has begun recording her 5th studio album in Hollywood, California. For The Roses is Mitchell's follow up to her 1971 album Blue.

 
Bruce Springsteen has begun recording debut album in New York

News

August 23rd, 1972: Bruce Springsteen has begun recording debut album in New York

John Hammond signed Springsteen to Columbia Records earlier this year.

 
Black Sabbath share debut single 'Evil Woman': Listen

News

February 7th, 1970: Black Sabbath share debut single "Evil Woman": Listen

The English rock band's debut album is due out this week.

 
Norman Greenbaum releases 'Spirit In The Sky' from his debut album: Listen

News

December 30th, 1969: Norman Greenbaum releases "Spirit In The Sky" from his debut album: Listen

Greenbaum's sings the gospel on his new single

 
Watch The Jackson 5 perform single from their debut album on Ed Sullivan

News

December 23rd, 1969: Watch The Jackson 5 perform single from their debut album on Ed Sullivan

Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 is the latest release from Motown

 
The Clancy Brothers have released a new album of Christmas songs: Listen

News

December 20th, 1969: The Clancy Brothers have released a new album of Christmas songs: Listen

Irish folk group, The Clancy Brothers have recorded 11 songs to bring a little joy to your Christmas

 
See photos from The Doors album cover shoot in Los Angeles today

News

December 18th, 1969: See photos from The Doors album cover shoot in Los Angeles today

The new Doors album is due for release early next year.

 
Four people died over the weekend at The Altamont Speedway Free Festival

Article

December 10th, 1969: Four people died over the weekend at The Altamont Speedway Free Festival

Here's the story of Altamont in quotes from many of the people involved.

 
The Rolling Stones have released a new studio album ahead of their free concert tomorrow at Altamont

News

December 5th, 1969: The Rolling Stones have released a new studio album ahead of their free concert tomorrow at Altamont

As The Stones finish their run of U.S. concert dates they have released their eighth album, Let It Bleed.

 
Emmylou Harris covers Bob Dylan on debut album

News

December 3rd, 1969: Emmylou Harris covers Bob Dylan on debut album

Listen to Harris's cover of Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" from her album Gliding Bird

 
Peter Stone Brown covers Bob Dylan's 'She Belongs To Me'

Live At The Gaslight

Peter Stone Brown covers Bob Dylan's "She Belongs To Me"

Recorded in Atlantic City at Dylan Fest in 2015

 
Loading more