Bert: The Life and Times of A. L. Lloyd

Folk singer and folk music collector, writer, painter, journalist, art critic, whalerman, sheep station roustabout, Marxist, and much more - this is the story of A. L. (Bert) Lloyd's extraordinary life. A. L. Lloyd played a key part in the folk music revival of the 1950s and 60s, but that is only part of his story. Dave Arthur documents how Lloyd became a member of the Communist Party, forceful antifascist, trade unionist and an important part of left-wing culture from the early 1930s to his death in 1982. Following his return from Australia as a 21-year-old, self-educated agricultural labourer, he was at the heart of the most important left-wing movements and highly respected for his knowledge in various fields. Dave Arthur recounts the life of a creative, passionate and life-loving Marxist, and in so doing provides a social history of a turbulent twentieth century.

Table of Contents:
List of photographs Acknowledgements Foreword by Richard Thompson Introduction 1. The Beginning 2. A Telegram to Hitler 3. 1936 and All That 4. Down to the Sea in Ships 5. Working for Auntie 6. Bertie Badfruit 7. Picture Post and Army Life 8. The Singing Englishman 9. Croom’s Hill 10. The English Folk Song and Dance Society 11. Ramblers and Bold Miners 12. Back to the Beeb 13. Writing and Recording in the Fifties 14. The Folk Survival of the Fittest 15. The Radio Ballads 16. The Folk Revival 17. The Singing Sixties 18. Teaching and Filmmaking 19. Fare Thee Well 20. A Final Assemblage of Memories Notes Bibliography and Select Discography Index

About the Author :
Dave Arthur has gained a considerable reputation as a researcher, collector, writer and broadcaster of English song, music and folklore. He edited English Dance and Song for twenty years, and in 2003 was awarded the EFDSS Gold Badge for services to folk music. His writing has appeared in The Times, the Independent, Melody Maker, Words International, the Folk Music Journal, English Dance and Song, the Stage, Encyclopaedia Britannica and New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

Review :
When everyone else was listening to Cream, I was listening to A. L. Lloyd. -- Frank Zappa I'm old enough and have been close enough to many of the events recounted in this thoroughly but sympathetically researched book to recognise the ring of truth when I hear it. -- Bill Leader, legendary record producer As broadcaster, scholar, collector and singer, Bert Lloyd was one of the truly inspirational characters of Britain's 20th century music history - without roving, curious minds like his we would have a much reduced view of folk traditions, global music or the political import of sound in daily life. Dave Arthur's biography captures his complexity and energy with affection and unflinching honesty. -- David Toop, author of Ocean of Sound (2001) and Sinister Resonance (2010). A. L. Lloyd was a catalyst, a man who made things happen, divided opinion, enthused, annoyed, embraced and attracted immense loyalty. He was a self-taught intellectual, a committed Marxist and a romantic, too. He might have exercised his propensity for genius in any number of areas but he did so most notably in the field of traditional music and song, becoming a touchstone for generations that followed him. This book will please and astonish those who read it. -- Malcolm Taylor OBE, Library Director, English Folk Dance and Song Society