ORDINARY
GIANTS
A family history of the 1930s, the Second World War and the Welfare State — told through songs, spoken word, personal memory and the lives of ordinary people.
ORDINARY GIANTS — AN OVERVIEW
Ordinary Giants is a song suite by acclaimed songwriter Robb Johnson based on the life and times of his father, Ron Johnson.
It's a family history of the 1930s, the Second World War and the Welfare State, performed by more than 30 people.
The cast includes well-known names such as Tom Robinson, Claire Martin, Boff Whalley, Roy Bailey, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady, MP Dennis Skinner, FBU activist Steve White, Joe Solo, Tracey Curtis, Alan Clayson and Matthew Crampton, alongside children from the school where Robb taught.
Robb's parents are sung by Phil Odgers, from The Men They Couldn't Hang, and Miranda Sykes.
Musicians include Rory McLeod, Bobby Valentino, Jenny Carr, and Robb's longstanding rhythm section: John Forrester on bass and Robb's son Arvin Johnson on drums.
THE STORY
There are songs and spoken-word pieces about the social realities of the 1930s, the growth of fascism, the experience of the Second World War, the NHS, comprehensive schools, anti-racism and attacks on the Welfare State by the Right. Some of the songs are funny, some are sad, some are love songs and some are political satires.
THE 1930s
Family life and social reality in the years before the Second World War.
THE GROWTH OF FASCISM
The political changes taking place across Britain and Europe as the family story unfolds.
THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Personal lives set against the upheaval, loss and experience of wartime.
THE NHS
The creation of the National Health Service and the aspirations of the post-war generation.
EDUCATION & ANTI-RACISM
Comprehensive education, opportunity and anti-racism form part of the wider social story.
THE WELFARE STATE
A celebration of what collective action created, and a response to subsequent attacks upon it.
WATCH ORDINARY GIANTS
An introduction to Ordinary Giants, its performers and the history behind the project.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND ORDINARY GIANTS
The project brings together singers, musicians, writers, activists, trade unionists and performers from across Robb's musical and political world.
ROY BAILEY
ARVIN JOHNSON & JOHN FORRESTER
FRANCES O'GRADY
MIRANDA SYKES
ROBB JOHNSON, PHIL ODGERS & MATTHEW CRAMPTON
STEVE WHITE
CLAIRE MARTIN
FAE SIMON
JENNY CARR
TRACEY CURTIS
A COLLECTIVE WORK
With more than 30 performers involved, Ordinary Giants was created as a genuinely collective piece.
The songs move between personal family history and wider social history, giving different performers and voices a place within the story.
Some songs are funny, some are sad, some are love songs and some are political satires.
UKIP even phones in to demand its song All You Need is Tweed is included on the album.
At its heart, though, Ordinary Giants is a celebration of ordinary lives and of the belief that people acting together can change the world around them.
EXPLORE ORDINARY GIANTS
Continue through the complete Ordinary Giants project — from its background and reviews to each of the three parts of the story.
OVERVIEW
An introduction to Ordinary Giants, its cast, themes and the history behind the project.
OVERVIEWREVIEWS
Read reviews and responses to the album, performances and the wider Ordinary Giants project.
REVIEWSPART ONE
Begin the first part of the family and social history at the heart of Ordinary Giants.
PART ONEEXPLORE MORE MUSIC
Return to Robb's music or browse the complete discography.