Songs of Love, Lust and Seduction
by Malcolm RigbyExperiences of love, gained and lost, of lechery and seduction and of nostalgia and regret over such experiences are universal and are reflected in the lasting popularity of folk songs describing these experiences in just about every culture with a musical tradition. Many of these songs speak directly to our own individual experience or dreams regardless of their age or cultural background, hence their continuing popularity. In this workshop we will collectively recall, discuss and, above all, sing as many of these songs as we can fit into the alloted time with an emphasis on those traditional songs which still speak to us personally today.
Born and raised between the U.K. cities of Manchester and Liverpool Malcolm grew up singing the industrial and sea songs of his home area, picking up ballads and music-hall songs from his Irish Grandfather and Romany Grandmother and rebel and Union songs at the knee of his Socialist mother!
Dropping out of school at age 15, Malcolm worked in coalmines and high steel construction for 10 years before winning a Scholarship to Oxford in 1964.There he became a resident singer at the University Folk Club, Heritage, alongside fellow residents Louis Killen, June Tabor, Tony Rose, Peta Webb, etc.
Following a career spent almost entirely overseas Malcolm retired early to the Santa Cruz Mountains, spends two or three months most years in the U.K. singing at the Clubs and Festivals there and the rest of his time singing wherever he gets the opportunity, mainly on the West coast of this country.
