The Beau “Bonfires of the Soul” Interview for Country Pocket - the summation…

Trevor Christian has now posted the following full review of our recent conversation for his Country Pocket show on WUSB Radio.

Many thanks, Trevor!

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Bonfires of the Soul: Beau Documents Limits On And Limits Of Free Speech

 

Christopher John Trevor Midgley, who goes by Beau in his folk career, is the first musician I’ve ever met to be pleased by being compared a man shovelling horse faeces. In the opinion of the critic, Beau albums did not address politics by having a horse in the race. Instead, he stood behind the horse with a shovel, willing to deal with what came out. Midgley’s songs address the big ideas behind current events with a distinctly British wit, dripping in sarcasm, hyperbole, and wordplay. The points of view he expresses in some songs from the perspective of a deluded narrator are the opposite of the argument he’s trying to make. The flaws in those characters’ reasonings are the sharpest critiques Midgley makes. He’s also bold in conversation, choosing racial slurs as the first topic in our recent discussion about free speech.

 

“I tend to be something of a free speech absolutist,” said Midgley. “I don’t really like things being put down, either in terms of expression or words or ideas, simply because they go out of fashion or fashions have changed.”

 

Midgley, who is 80, has seen words come and go. As a child, he heard those racial slurs as part of common discourse in the UK, with more sexualised swear words relegated to the pub only. Many instances of such slurs were considered non-derogatory by the users, such as describing a colour or even naming a dog, though I doubt it was well received by people who were sometimes targeted by such language. These days, racialised language is off limits while impolite words referring to genitalia show up on television.

 

“I think any words, any thoughts, any ideas, should be able to be used in the proper context. Not necessarily willy-nilly, off the cuff, as every third word, but where appropriate,” said Midgley, who listed incitements to violence as the one exception to his absolutism. “I do appreciate all the historical connotations that go into this, I’m not trying to be controversial, but somebody, somewhere, would say I should be cancelled,” he said of the fact we were even having this discussion.

 

The new Beau album, “Bonfires of the Soul,” covers free speech and the responsibilities that come with it in. He celebrates those willing to speak up for the right reasons, bemoans those looking to censor public conversation, and even illustrates that unpopular ideas can die a natural death. Instead, he sings about a “Puritan” movement trying to silence those with “heretical” thoughts, tying past censorship to present. The title track and the cover of the album reference a book burning, a dramatic act of censorship with visuals to match.

 

“Some people were burning books in Australia. That is an absolute precursor to horror. One should not burn books because next thing that happens is you start burning people,” said Midgley. “It is argued in woke circles that words can be violent in and of themselves. This comes down to an intolerance that says that ‘if you don’t agree with me, then you have the right to censor or censure what I say. And if I don’t, then you will rally a whole bunch of people to come piling down on me to stop me from saying it.’”

 

“It’s known how the Bible in several parts/has triggered palpitations in sensitive hearts,” he sings, describing a text that does indeed include some disturbing scenes but retains immense value as literature and history, not to mention as a source of spirituality. The effort to remove classics from the classroom exists in many ideologies in the United States, with the left and right converging on texts like “To Kill A Mockingbird” for simultaneously decrying racism while preserving older racist language. While “Environment Knight of the Puritan Woke” takes aim at a specific movement, other tracks like “Incident At Checkpoint One” give little mention to the ideas being silenced. The focus is on the overreaction to them. 

 

Midgley’s views on a number of subjects, including DEI and gender identity, are to the right of mine. But his dislike of the cancel culture associated with the woke era is less about politics than the cancellation. With two cases of professors pursued by opposing sides of the debate, Midgley argued cancellation was a disturbing action. As part of his newsletter that went out after this discussion was recorded, Midgley referenced the death of Professor Jason Arday, a Cambridge scholar who probably should have been quietly dismissed for plagiarism. Instead, Arday, who was black, took his own life after being mocked in the press for and treated as a symbol of black scholarship only existing due to inclusion policies. In our interview, Midgley criticised the BBC for discontinuing their relationship with Professor Robert Winston for stating on question time that people “can’t change sex.” Winston’s view is hardly uncommon, and at the cellular level goes beyond being an opinion about social constructs and becomes hard science. 

 

“Anybody has the right to disagree with him,” said Beau said of Winston. “They could sit across the table and disagree. But he shouldn’t have been banned from ever appearing again simply because of that expression. This is what you get with polarisation.”

 

During our conversation, Midgley apologised for repeatedly returning to the topic of social media. He shouldn’t have. When it comes to free expression and censorship, few places are as fraught with issues as social media. Around the world, governments have banned these networks for spreading ideas they dislike. Liberal democracies have begun putting age restrictions on their use, citing addictive features and hidden dangers. Algorithms have not only separated society into very different spheres based on their politics, but also made all ends of the spectrum more extreme. And the heads of these companies are, to put it mildly, irresponsible and widely distrusted.

 

“People get into their echo chambers and everything becomes so darn polarised,” said Midgley. “One group will think that they are right, and that the other group is evil. And when you’ve got evil, of course you’ve got the right to shut it down.”

 

Regulation seems pointless to Midgley, who argued that tech companies will consistently find ways to skirt the law. They are of course in the process of trying to skirt many as I type.

 

“This genie cannot be put back into the bottle,” said Midgley. “What we should be doing is educating children how to use social media responsibly. Banning bothers me.”

 

Other tracks on the album explore interesting facets of free speech, though rather indirectly. “Ain’t That The Truth” jokes that a ridiculous karaoke performance may please some, but it will land with a thud at a funeral. In other words, there’s a time and place for everything. “The March Of Time” captures an old fashioned band playing to a mostly empty crowd, perhaps suggesting ideas that are falling out of fashion may not be as dangerous as censors would like to think. “Enlightenment Song,” Midgley’s one direct shot at politicians, complains that we live in an age that focuses on appearance and performance rather than substance. And “Lady Chatterly’s Brother” finds a serious writer gain a new audience after switching to a career in erotica, though his description of the work as easy and attracting attention makes it sound less than intellectually fulfilling.

 

The one track I couldn’t quite get behind was “My Truth.” It’s a track that Midgley says was inspired by Meghan Markle presenting her story as her truth in an interview with Oprah. The narrator, also a singer, complains about not having obtained the fame of the Beatles and theorises it is simply discrimination against his regional accent. If that sounds ridiculous, it’s because it was meant to.

 

“That might be my truth as I see it, but it is not the truth. It’s simply a perspective,” said Midgley. “The great difficulty in giving too much credibility to my truth is that it gets in the way of what the truth might be.”

 

Royal tabloid drama aside, I feel most conflict is too complicated to invest full authority in any one account. People should be encouraged to share their truth, just so long as they’re able to hear and consider those of others. I recognise lacking the full picture in even conflicts I’m involved in, let alone those of people I only know through the press. As stated earlier, it’s best to hear the arguments. It’s also helpful to acknowledge that most times stories come out a bit differently, it’s misunderstanding and faulty assumptions rather than malice.

 

On Bonfires, Midgley deals more often with social cancellation, and more often makes points through humour or sarcasm. The tone changes when governments get involved: “The guardians know where to take it from there,” he sings ominously on the title track. Even on more serious songs, villains and tragedy capture the most attention. “Motherland” ditches both those patterns and admires a free speech hero in Marina Ovsyannikova, a Russian state news producer who held up a poster warning the public that lies were being spread regarding the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine. It frames her act of law breaking as a patriotic service, describing Putin’s regime as “the cold dead hand around the heart of the motherland.”

 

“I tend to talk about principles. In this particular case, I did talk about the specific because she was so unique in being willing to put her health or life on the line,” said Midgley “I really thought that she would be eliminated one way or another. Incredibly brave, incredibly principled. The guts it takes. I’m glad that she’s still alive. I very much doubt that she’s in a particularly senior position of any kind, but so many others did not [survive]”

 

Realities like that give Midgley reason to believe in the core principles of liberal democracies. 

 

“This is why it’s so important that people are not crushed,” said Midgley of the disastrous results of dictatorships around the world. “I think it’s absolutely vital that the media maintains genuine independence.”

 

In a polarised world, Midgley is difficult to categorise. He calls himself apolitical and takes pride in informing canvassers that no one can count on his vote.

 

“I want real people to tell me what they intend to do and I’ll make up my mind,” he said, revealing he’s voted for many different parties in the past. Perhaps the best look at his opinionated yet libertarian nature was our discussion on the topic of DEI measures in the work place. He said he’d take the best people on basis of merit, be they black or white, male or female, gay or straight, native born or immigrant. 

 

“I loathe DEI. I think it is demeaning to the people who are discriminated in favour of; there’s always going to be the inference that you are there because of what you are, not because of what you do,” said Midgley, who nevertheless indicated he would not follow in the footsteps of recent United States policy: “If a company wished to pursue that line, I would say allow them to do it. It is their right to choose how they go. I would say that they would fail because they’d never have the best people based on ability. The principles that emanate from freedom are the ones we should best follow.”

 

 

Above is the full episode as aired on WUSB’s Country Pocket, including both my interview with Beau and the songs we discussed, starting with “Bonfires of the Soul,” which treats a book burning as a warning sign of deeper intolerance. The interview begins with the second video in the playlist. You can hear the show live alternate Wednesdays at 8am on WUSB 90.1 FM or check the blog to watch it as a YouTube playlist.

 

Visit http://www.WUSB.fm and https://www.trevormidgley.com for more.

The Beau “Bonfires of the Soul” Interviews for Country Pocket…

A bit of Beau news I hope you’ll find interesting…
 
A couple of weeks back, I had a long conversation with US interviewer Trevor Christian. This was based around the latest “Bonfires Of The Soul” album, and majored particularly around my views on free speech.
 
The full interview, with song examples, was subsequently broadcast on Trevor’s fortnightly radio show, Country Pocket, on station WUSB out of Long Island, NY.
 
I’m pleased to say the video version of our chat (minus the song bits) has now been published in full on YouTube.
 
It’s quite long, people – fifty-two minutes in total! – and is in two parts. Part One is thirty minutes, with Part Two running out at twenty-two.
 
It’s a quite sprightly listen, so do feel free to dip in when and if you have time. We talk about cancel culture, the influence of social media and – particularly prescient in that this was recorded before the unfortunate happenings around Jason Arday – DEI.
 
Any and all feedback appreciated, and of course many thanks to Trevor Christian for making it happen!
 
Enjoy!

"Bonfires Of The Soul" on The Folk Club...

Many thanks to Stuart Green for playing the title track from the “Bonfires Of The Soul” album on The Folk Club this evening. A great varied show, I have to say!

 

The Folk Club is a syndicated programme, so if you missed it this evening, the whole show’s repeated on Folk Friday Radio this Sunday at 2pm, on the U.S. Folk Music Notebook on Thursday at 10pm ET/9pm CT/7pmPT (on Friday at 3am & 11am UK) and on West Norfolk Radio at 7pm on Saturday.

 

Finally, it will shortly be up online at Mixcloud. Do not miss – this really was worth 90 minutes of your time!

Tune in to The Folk Show on Folk Friday Radio...

Word on the grapevine is Stuart Green will be playing a track from the new “Bonfires Of The Soul” this evening on The Folk Show, his widely-syndicated, long-established programme. 

Be sure to tune in from 6.30pm this evening to Folk Friday Radio… 

Rocker plays "Motherland" on Dandelion Radio...

At 3pm this afternoon I finally caught up with Rocker’s Dandelion Radio show for May. 

Many thanks indeed to the big man for playing “Motherland” from the new “Bonfires Of The Soul”! 

Rocker’s show’s available daily at varying times throughout the month, so wherever you are on Planet Earth, don’t miss it! 

Thanks again, Rocker – I greatly appreciate your support! 

Alternative Roots plays "Lady Chatterley"s Brother"...

Grateful thanks to Mike Davies for taking a second bite at the cherry that is the new Beau “Bonfires Of The Soul” album!

Last week he played “The Glass We Knew” on his Alternative Roots show for Brum Radio; this week, it’s the rather more comedic “Lady Chatterley’s Brother”.

Please do check it out – it’s a great showcase of a programme, and it’s already up there on Mixcloud (“Lady C’s Brother” starts around the seventeen-minute mark)…

Beau plays on Lionheart Radio...

Many thanks again to Chris McGranaghan for playing Beau on his “Influences” programme last night on Lionheart Radio – two tracks, actually; “Creation” from the original eponymous Dandelion album, and “Environment Knight Of The Puritan Woke” from the new “Bonfires Of The Soul”! 

And Chris, I agree; “Environment Knight…” is something of an ear-worm! 😊

Lionheart Radio plays “Environment Knight Of The Puritan Woke”...

Many thanks to Chris McGranaghan for playing “Environment Knight Of The Puritan Woke” on his “Songs about the Great Outdoors” show for Lionheart Radio yesterday afternoon.

 

And word is, there might be an additional little something from the new “Bonfires Of The Soul” album on his “Influences” show, live on Lionheart Radio from 8pm this evening!

Be sure to tune in! 

All much appreciated, Chris!

The rise and rise of “Bonfires Of The Soul”…

Despite being cruelly misgendered not as a “folk” album but as “rock”, “Bonfires Of The Soul” is continuing its inexorable rise up the Amazon rock chart!
 
Battling gamely against the permanent presence of The Beatles, Queen, Genesis, Dire Straits et al, it’s not doing badly at all!
 
From all the comments and reviews I’ve been getting, this new album seems to be going down particularly well. Many thanks again to those who’ve taken – or are thinking of taking! – the plunge!
 
Go for it!

"The Glass We Knew" from "Bonfires Of The Soul" on Alternative Roots...

Sincere thanks to Mike Davies for playing “The Glass We Knew” from the new “Bonfires Of The Soul” album on his Alternative Roots show for Brum Radio this morning.
 
The programme’s already up on Mixcloud, so do check it out! (Mike’s intro to “The Glass We Knew” begins around the 36.10 mark.)

"Bonfires Of The Soul" on Musixmatch (with lyrics)...

Many thanks to Vincas Stepankevicius for publishing the lyrics for the entire "Bonfires Of The Soul" album on Musixmatch (and for synchronizing the lyrics on the Spotify listings).

Greatly appreciated, Vincas!

"Bonfires Of The Soul" at Amazon...

Shome mishtake, shurely! 

“Bonfires Of The Soul” has sadly been miscategorised as “Rock” rather than “Folk” at Amazon, and is therefore up against the likes The Beatles, Wings, Queen, Genesis and Dire Straits! 

Anyway, it’s currently riding at #33 – not bad, when you consider the opposition! 

Many thanks to all who are investing!

"Under A Paisley Sky" - catch-up...

For those very few who aren’t regular listeners to Mr Paisley’s “Under A Paisley Sky” show on rppfm radio from Australia – there can’t be many of you, but bear with me! – Mr P played three Beau tracks yesterday – the 7th May – including two from the new “Bonfires…” set. He’s kindly emailed me a catch-up link.

The Beau section starts at 46:18 (“1917 Revolution” then the title track, “Bonfires Of The Soul” back-to-back, with “Environment Knight Of The Puritan Woke” three or four tracks further along). There’s some really generous commentary at the end as well, for which I’m most grateful to Mr P.

It’s particularly interesting to hear the latest offering immediately contrasted against my first Dandelion track from 1969. I think it really stands up well. Quite pleasing, actually! Let me know what you think.

The new "Beau Top Twenty" family photo...

The “Beau Top Twenty” – today’s up-to-date family photo (courtesy Amazon) of all my Cherry Red releases!

A splendid time is guaranteed for all…

"Bonfires Of The Soul" - RELEASE DAY!

Well folks, it’s out! Released to coincide with my 80^th birthday, “Bonfires Of The Soul” – my brand-new album for 2026! – hit the online stores at midnight last night!
 
This is my twentieth release for Cherry Red Records and boasts the usual wide mix of inspirations; this time including history, a few personal reflections, current affairs and wokeism.

And as you’d expect, once again my 1968 Harmony 12-string guitar is in full flight throughout!

 

The album’s available now for download from all the Amazons, iTunes etc. and is also streaming on Spotify, Deezer, YouTube, Soundcloud and all your favourite services.

(As a matter of interest, there are now 319 songs on Spotify’s 12StringBeau playlist!)

Also; I should mention, the lyrics from “Bonfires Of The Soul” are now available online, together with notes about the backgrounds to all the songs. 

And, If you’re a guitar or keyboard player and happen to need the chords for a particular tune, do feel free to message me individually

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I hope you enjoy this new album – please do rate and review. Positive responses really make a big difference!

Thanks as always for your support. It’s much appreciated!