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First penned 50 years ago, the classic single shares its birthday with Crisis, whose 50th anniversary also falls this December.<\/p>\n
To mark the occasion, Crisis\u2019 homeless clients and staff from across the country came together to form an 88-strong choir to sing alongside McTell and guest vocalist Lennox.\u00a0The choir was conducted by Only Men Aloud\u2019s Tim Rhys-Evans, while the recording also features Fairport Convention\u2019s Richard Thompson on guitar.<\/p>\n
One of the most recorded songs of all time, \u2018Streets of London\u2019 has been covered by over 200 artists including Cat Stevens and Glen Campbell. The song has long been associated with homelessness, with its lyrics speaking of lonely figures walking through Surrey Street Market in Croydon, where Crisis now has a centre. The latest version is an emotional gem, featuring lush orchestration and soaring choral harmonies alongside McTell\u2019s trademark baritone.<\/p>\n
The single is being released to raise money for Crisis and help support some of the thousands of people facing homelessness this Christmas, many of whom will have nowhere to turn as the winter months close in. As well as opening 13 centres for over 4,000 homeless guests over Christmas, the charity works year-round to help people out of homelessness, as well as campaigning for changes that will end homelessness once and for all.<\/p>\n
Ralph McTell said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt\u2019s 50 years since I wrote Streets of London and it saddens me that the issues raised in the song are still so relevant today. When the idea of a single to support Crisis was mooted, I was very pleased that it might help raise awareness of the charity\u2019s work and the wider issue of homelessness. I have been performing a Christmas concert in aid of Crisis for a few years now; inspired by its commitment to improving the circumstances of so many.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was also thrilled that the wonderful\u00a0Annie Lennox\u00a0was prepared to lend her voice to a new recording, and when I discovered that Crisis had its own choir, it offered the perfect opportunity to create a new and exciting version of a song so many people know.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOur heartfelt thanks go to Ralph McTell, Annie Lennox and all Crisis clients and staff who lent their voices to this record. The vital funds and awareness it will raise will help us support even more people facing homelessness this Christmas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 50 years since Crisis was founded as an urgent response to an unacceptable situation \u2013 and it\u2019s nothing less than a tragedy that we are still here today when homelessness should be a thing of the past.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis collaboration between our clients and Ralph McTell can help us to raise awareness\u00a0of the similar crisis we\u2019re facing 50 years on. But homelessness isn\u2019t inevitable and we\u2019ll continue to work to ensure we won\u2019t be needed in another 50 years\u2019 time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
To download the track for 99p click here:\u00a0smarturl.it\/streetsoflondon<\/a><\/p>\n
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