Miles to Go Before We Sleep

A music review by Eric Green

People’s Weekly World 12/00

Mother Jones began her union organizing at the age of 50 after her family was destroyed by infectious diseases and greedy coal operator indifference. Grandma Moses began her painting career when she was well into the later years of her life. There are many examples of working class art and heroes who after years of political work and just living began their cultural contribution to our country. Thanks to George Mann we now have Julius Margolin.

Long a union and political organizer, Margolin actually began his singing career as a founding member of the New York Labor Chorus. Folk singer George Mann is clearly a producer, songwriter and singer who knows good material when he hears and sees it.

The CD booklet carries a litany of worker struggles via the songs that were written and then recorded for this album. For example, "Somebody Robbed the Pension Plan," was written by Mann for IBM workers organizing against the company’s pension grab and also for a worker voice on the job. Julius has a very interesting written song, "A Pedestrian’s Lament" in which he reports how, "he was almost creamed one day by both a biker and a rollerblader, simultaneously."

"When You’re Ready," is Mann’s salute to the workers at the Museum of Modern Art and Verizon. "Grains of Sand" was written and performed by both singers and song writers in honor of Peace, Love and Understanding. Julius penned a song in tribute to traveling musicians who toil at night in clubs, "Heartbreak Nightlife." "We Demand a Living Wage" is Mann’s song to the great struggle being waged in New York City and across the country for workers seeking a living wage.

Traditional songs are also sung, "We Shall Not Be Moved” and “This Little Light of Mine." Joe Stack was a well-known construction worker, bricklayer, local president and is the reason for Julius’s song, "Respect Construction Workers." Finally, Mann and Margolin sing a little-known Woody Guthrie song, "Union Burying Ground."

This is a CD that every folk song collector and fan should have in their music arsenal. This is how to get it: George Mann, PO Box 697, New York, NY 10033; www.georgeandjulius.com and georgemann@att.net.