Chartists' CD will help homeless
South Wales Argus: 23 January 2007
A CD of rousing folk music taking as its theme the Chartists' demands for electoral reform was released to help Gwent's homelessness and boost tourism.
Abertillery-born musician Dawson Smith collaborated with Newport-based charity for the single homeless Solas to produce the Cordell Collection inspired by Gwent writer Alexander Cordell's books.
Television personality Roy Noble, a devotee of the author who died 10 years ago, gave a reading at the launch at Solas's Newport headquarters as did another admirer, Paul Flynn MP.
Mr Smith, 44, said the towers built by ironmaster Crawshay Bailey at Nantyglo as a refuge for his family in the event of a workers' rising spurred his interest in Chartism and 19th-century Gwent.
“Even though I was at Nantyglo Comprehensive, a stone's throw from the towers, the history of the Chartists was hardly touched upon.
“It wasn't until the 1980s when I read Rape of the Fair Country by Alexander Cordell that my interest kicked in.”
After his solo album Valley Boy, Mr Smith was contacted by Torfaen tourism officer Bodga Smreczak, who runs the annual Alexander Cordell literary festival sponsored by the Argus. Miss Smreczak introduced him to Richard Frame, co-author of Alexander Cordell's biography and also Solas' director.
“Rape of the Fair Country shot straight to the top of the best-seller lists when first published 50 years ago putting a spotlight on Gwent and its history,” Mr Frame said. “A large part of North Gwent around Blaenavon has been designated Cordell Country, which attracts Cordell enthusiasts.”
Profits from the recording will be used directly to help Gwent's single homeless.
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