Ewan MacColl

There are national treasures and there are global treasures; Scotland's Ewan MacColl falls into the latter category. A staunch supporter of the arts, folklorist, playwright, and activist, MacColl has a body of work that is staggering in scope and detail, and The Definitive Collection is a fantastic starting point for those interested in his contributions to the English and Scottish folk revival. Beginning with "The Manchester Angel," that wonderfully rich baritone offers a soldier's desperate plea for one magical night with a beautiful, rightfully suspicious maiden. "Oh Dear Me," featured on the Topic Records Iron Muse compilation, is a heartbreaking lament from a tired coal miner. The always sparse instrumentation, and the occasional accompaniment from his wife, renowned folklorist Peggy Seeger, makes each tune a handshake and each word a head nod, creating an intimacy lacking in modern folk recordings. The majority of the songs are from MacColl's late-'50s to '60s period, when his confidence and enthusiasm were most evident. Sadly omitted are samples from the work dearest to his heart, the three volume compilation of English/Scottish Popular Ballads by Professor Francis James Child. This is, however, a small price to pay for the most consistent, if not yet a thorough overview, of one of folk music's most prolific and talented champions. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide