In April 2024, these two ageing political activists released ‘Labor Day: A Tribute To Hardworking People Everywhere’ to celebrate Kahn's 80th birthday.
George Mann is former union organizer, from Ithaca, and has made labour and protest music for more than 20 years. Si Kahn is in his 61st year as a civil rights, union and community organizer, musician, and author.
Their latest collaboration is subtitled ‘Songs to Keep Our Hearts Strong and Steady for the Fight!’ and the refusal togive up the fight for kindness and justice is admirable even though they concede in the opening song It’s hard times in the public places” (Hard Times ) .
The struggle for decent pay, compassion for immigrants and worker’s rights is what drives all thirteen songs. Khan takes on the lead vocals on four of them including the strident Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and the self-explanatory Fight for Your Union.
Overall. the need for solidarity, forbearance and altruism are espoused with urgency in the name of community and resistance. This is encapsulated in the recognition that ”“An injury to one is still an injury to all”, a line from In the Heart of the Country .
|
White House policies are likened to ”the whims of a clown” (in You Can't Count on the Numbers) and in Anyone Can Be President the plea for ‘No kings’ resonates loudly and clearly.
There’s not much to laugh about although Ask the Penguin, Ask the Seal , set the tune Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” , makes a fair stab at drawing dark humour from the dark times. On this song, guest vocalists Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino step up to the mic.
Brief moments of humour do not take attention away from the gravity of the situation. With America and the rest of the world spiralling out of control, Mayday! becomes more of a distress call than a convincing rallying cry.
These songs seem to chart the decline rather than presage any realistic hope of change.
George Mann’s website
Si Kahn’s website
Bandcamp link
|
