''A Singsong and a Scrap'' is the 12th studio album by Chumbawamba released in 2005. It shows more

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fo ...

influence than their previous album '' Un'' and features guest appearances from folk musicians such as

Coope Boyes and Simpson Coope Boyes and Simpson was an English vocal folk trio, formed around 1990. Their sound was rich and often had unusual vocal harmonies. The group comprised singers Barry Coope, Jim Boyes (formerly of Swan Arcade) and Lester Simpson, and almost a ...

Andy Cutting Andy Cutting (born 18 March 1969) is an English folk musician and composer. He plays melodeon and is best known for writing and performing traditional English folk and his own original compositions which combine English and French traditions ...

and John Jones and Ian Telfer of

Oysterband Oysterband (originally The Oyster Band) is a British folk rock and folk punk band formed in Canterbury around 1976. History Early history The band formed in parallel to Fiddler's Dram, and under the name "Oyster Ceilidh Band" played purely as ...

. The first single to be taken from the album is "Fade Away".

Background

"Laughter in a Time of War", "By and By", and "Walking into Battle with the Lord" feature vocals by John Jones. Additionally,

contribute vocals to "Walking into Battle with the Lord", "Bankrobber", and "The Land of Do What You're Told". "By and By" is a tribute to Swedish-American labour activist Joe Hill. "You Can (Mass Tresspass)" takes inspiration from the

Mass Trespass of Kinder Scout The mass trespass of Kinder Scout was a trespass by members of the Young Communist League, the youth branch of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB), at Kinder Scout in the Peak District, Derbyshire, England, on 24 April 1932, to highligh ...

, which led to land access reform across the UK. "When Alexander Met Emma" is about anarchists Emma Goldman and

Alexander Berkman Alexander Berkman (November 21, 1870June 28, 1936) was a Russian-American anarchist and author. He was a leading member of the anarchist movement in the early 20th century, famous for both his political activism and his writing. Be ...

. "Bankrobber" is a cover of the Clash song of the same name, featured here in an

a capella ''A cappella'' (, also , ; ) music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Rena ...

arrangement. Chumbawamba recorded a cover of the traditional Italian song "Bella Ciao" in the wake of the controversial death of activist

Carlo Giuliani Carlo Giuliani was an Italian anti-globalization protester who was shot dead while attacking a Carabinieri van with a fire extinguisher, by an officer who was inside the van, during the anti-globalization riots outside the July 2001 G8 summit i ...

in Genoa. The album features a hidden track, "The Untraditional", which is a song about forbidden love in the English folk tradition. Any mention of the track on the package was omitted to reinforce the "taboo" subject nature and "because it tries to make its point in a very quiet way".

Track listing

All songs written, arranged and produced by Chumbawamba, except "Bankrobber" written by

Joe Strummer John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002), known professionally as Joe Strummer, was a British singer, musician and songwriter. He was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist of punk rock band the Clash, ...

and Mick Jones and "Bella Ciao" (traditional). # "Laughter in a Time of War" – 2:46 # "William Francis" – 3:39 # "By and By" – 4:31 # "You Can (Mass Trespass, 1932)" – 4:38 # "Walking into Battle with the Lord" – 2:56 # "When Alexander Met Emma" – 3:10 # "Fade Away (I Don't Want To)" – 3:10 # "Bankrobber" – 2:07 # "Learning to Love" – 3:12 # "The Land of Do What You're Told" – 4:19 # "Bella Ciao" – 1:34 # "Smith and Taylor" – 4:00 # "The Untraditional" – 1:56

Personnel

''All instruments and voices'' * Jude Abbott *

Lou Watts Louise "Lou" Watts (born 4 June 1962) is a British musician, perhaps best known for her work as the lead singer of anarcho-punk and later folk band, Chumbawamba. Born in Burnley, Watts was introduced to the band by friend and member Alice ...

Boff Whalley Allan Mark "Boff" Whalley (born 1 January 1961) is an English musician and writer. Formerly the lead guitarist for the anarcho-punk and folk band Chumbawamba, he is now a playwright and the founder of Commoners Choir who released their first ...

*Neil Ferguson ''With'' * John Jones & Barry Coope, Jim Boyes & Lester Simpson – Vocals * Winkie Thin – Accordion on 1, 4, 7, 10, 12; Whistling on 6; Cello on 9 * Richard Ormrod – Accordion on 3; Mellophone on 12 *

– Melodeon on 2,9 * James O'Grady –

Uillean pipes The uilleann pipes ( or , ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. Earlier known in English as "union pipes", their current name is a partial translation of the Irish language terms (literally, "pipes of the elbow"), from their ...

on 3, 13; Whistle on 2 * Ian Telfer – Fiddle on 7, 10

References

* Chumbawamba new

External links

''A Singsong and a Scrap''
at

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(streamed copy where licensed) {{DEFAULTSORT:Singsong And A Scrap, A Chumbawamba albums 2005 albums No Masters albums