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Is the BBC really a-political?

Having just watched a YouTube video of an Andrew Neill interview on the BBC I have come to the conclusion that I dislike what the man represents, intensely.
I find his air of intellectual superiority, his smug self-righteousness and his…

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Who stole our English folk-heritage?

Several British private and academic institutions continue to hoard many thousands of folk songs, tunes and dances that rightly belong to the ethnic English people.
These cultural treasures were plundered by British Victorian collectors and hidden away more than a…

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Freedom 

Freedom means having the right to expressing one's views without fear of intimidation; the right to politically influence the future of one's own country; the right to embrace and celebrate one's own ancestral & cultural heritage; the right to expect…

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"Roots" - A protest song by Steve Knightley

In researching examples of anti-English racism I am reminded of the mild furore that was created by Steve Knightley's song "Roots" some years ago. The lyrics are below .... see what you think

I still have no idea what

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All My Own Work

For me there's nothing more rewarding than working for three months or so on creating a new album.
I love all the pre-production stuff like writing, arranging, learning and recording the music and lyrics - this is what takes most…Read more
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My Memory of Dave Swarbrick

I played support for Dave Swarbrick & Kevin Dempsey at Cambridge Folk Club in 2012. I hadn't seen Swarbs for the best part of 40 years (the Why is a complete 'nother story) and when he turned up in a…Read more
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All The Way To America

Hi Phil,
Just bought two of your CDs and can't wait to hear them in full! I've been a folk music enthusiast for many years and found you courtesy of an American Drane who has been spreading word of your…

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Praise for Phil Drane

A selection of organizer's comments .... 

New Zealand

"A fantastic weekend with Phil Drane in concert on Sunday, up to his usual high standard and all those attending had a lovely time with Phil's entertaining programme of English folk heritage…Read more
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Neil Colquhoun RIP

How sad to hear of Neil Colquhoun's passing.I first met Neil at Folk Routes in Wellington four years ago where I was performing as the main guest. Neil was there to launch the re-issue of his book "Song of a…Read more
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Ethnic English Folk-Culture in New Zealand

The National Library of New Zealand, Alexander Turnbull Library has added my albums Two Ravens, The English Lament, and The Best English Singalong Folksongs CDs to its online audio collection of ethnic immigrant folk-heritage music. They join my…Read more