Comments on: Sea Coal

By: Diana

Diana — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:02:33 +0000

Hooray “Broadside” arrived today – finally – been on order since the 5th of September.

By: nev perry

nev perry — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:06:43 +0000

I,ve listened to this over and over, just this song alone has prompted me to puchase the month of October album. The harmonies are so subtle here listening to it renders me both breathless and speechless! Oh I do wish I could sing like this! thanks for sharing it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Jane Ramsden

Jane Ramsden — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:18:21 +0000

Still my favourite a year on too, Maggie. And thanks to Cath for the suggestion to play both recordings almost simultaneously to give a round effect. It really resonates! Twice the pleasure and proficiency! Absolutely magnificent!

By: Joe Fineman

Joe Fineman — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:27:11 +0000

According to the OED, the original meaning of “sea coal” was simply coal in the modern sense — mineral coal, as opposed to charcoal. The reason for this usage is a matter of speculation.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:02:56 +0000

A year on and this is still my favourite. It was new to me a year ago, but I regularly listen to it on YouTube. Listening to it again today it’s reminded me to claim my winter fuel allowance!

By: Mark Pierce

Mark Pierce — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:31:06 +0000

On the origins of sea coal: the song was written in the 1940s at which time coal slag in County Durham was dumped in the sea. This created black beaches, but some coal washed down the coast to Teesside and people gathered the best bits up to sell or use. They were still doing it in 2006. The film Get Carter has a scene set on a Durham beach and you can see the coal being dumped.

By: Jim Mclaughlin

Jim Mclaughlin — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:27:56 +0000

i’ve known this song for 20 years & i think this is the best version i’ve heard by a distance

By: Cath

Cath — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:08:57 +0000

That was a fantastic duet. Also I did this by accident but try it for yourself …Play the embedded music player and after the songs introduction start the Youtube clip too – A very pleasing effect is achieved! Hey presto! – A Round.

By: Graham

Graham — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:41:54 +0000

when I were a lad in t’60’s seacoaling was something everyone did after the right (heavy ) sea conditions. The beach was black and evrybody was down there skimming the seacoal off the top of the sand, into sacks, loaded onto old prams etc, and taken back up the cliffs to home, to stock up the fire in the winter.
You make a funnel shape out of newspaper fill it with seacoal and load up two or three bags onto an established fire , and it would burn for ages.
That was in Saltburn on the north east coast just down from redcar/teeside
most importantly of all it was FREE (…..Saltburn was still in yorkshire then
Graham

By: Jane Bird

Jane Bird — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 20:00:48 +0000

What a fantastic duet! Thanks.