Swedish vocals
International relevance: *
Joe Hill's real name was Joel Hägglund but he changed his name after emigrating to America in 1902. There he became an early Woody Guthrie kind of figure, a union activist writing songs that became anthems for the American labourers movement. Sometimes he wrote new words to old revival hymns, much like Guthrie did with traditional material. Needless to say, Hill's songs were also popular among the progg alumni, and a few albums of Joe Hill songs were released in Sweden including one by Mora Träsk (who, like Joe Hill himself, originated from the city of Gävle).
Troubadour and provocateur Finn
Zetterholm might seem well equipped for interpreting Joe Hill's
outspoken songs, but the result isn't very good. ”Joe Hill på
svenska” (later reissued as ”Finn Zetterholm sjunger Joe Hill”)
is annoyingly perky and some tracks border on dixieland jazz. And to
be honest, Joe Hill's songs simply aren't on the level of Woody
Guthrie's. This is just another album existing for political reasons
more than musical ones.
Hill's fate was more interesting
albeit a gruesome one. He was accused for murdering a police officer
but wouldn't defend himself having been in bed with another man's
woman. It was his alibi but not wanting to reveal the true
circumstances, Hill was sentenced to death. He had an option: being
hanged or shot. He chose the latter and was executed 1 October, 1915
in Salt Lake City. As a side note, country singer Lefty Frizzell's
murder ballad ”Long Black Veil”, written by Marijohn Wilkin and
Danny Dill and later covered by numerous artists, is very similar to
the story of Joe Hill's death.
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