George V coronation June 22 1911 King Edward has gone and there is a new King to oversee the realm. New struggles were about to evolve in Britain and abroad which would once again change the face of this nation. A peoples budget was brought in by Lloyd George which changed the way in which people were taxed. The wealthy were taxed at a higher rate for the first time. However, perhaps the most fundamental change was to yet to come as the sufferagette movement which was all about womens rights began to take hold. Action was taken not just for equality, but also for the right to vote. During this period there was not just national issues to contend with, because in 1914 one of the most bloodiest conflicts was about to break out as a result of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife. The First World War In music, In The year of 1912 on December 27th Ben Reynoldson was born and in 1915 the late and great George Chisholm was born to a musical family in Glasgow he made his name and like Ben Reynoldson he also went on to become an accomplished band leader. Initially playing in the Glasgow playhouse.

Pictured Above an Aria by Puccini 1824-1924 Puccini wrote 9 operas along with other songs and arias These Were (Le Villi 1884) (Edgar 1889) (Manon Lescaut 1893) (La boheme 1896) (Tosca 1900) (Madama Butterfly 1904) (La fanciulla del West) (La rondine 1917) (Il Trittico: Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, 1918) (Finally :- Turandot, but sadly Puccini died before it's completion)

Picured above: Mrs Emily Pankhirst being arrested for her part in the sufferagette movement, pictured below the tragic death of Emily Davison.

Emily Wilding Davison Born October 11th 1872 Blackheath Died June 8th 1913 Epson She is Buried at the St Mary The Virgin Church here in Morpeth.

Whilst all the above was happening in England In America Al Jolson (Born May 26 1886 appx; In Russia); (Died 1950 in San Francisco) From 1910 Al Jolson was beginning to establish himself as a first class entertainer, he became Very popular from 1911 upwards and signed up with the recording Studio Victor, from there he moved on to sign up with Columbia records in 1913 with: "you made me love you" 1913. From there he went on to star in the first full sound movie The Jazz Singer made in 1927. Despite the brilliance of Al Jolson's ability to captivate the audience the modern world does not forgive the "black faces" of the minstrel era so easily, perhaps it shouldn't. What one though has to remember, however wrong, is that was how we lived. Black people were often ordered out of clubs between acts, sometimes even beaten up because they were coloured. American and British attitudes towards race were different. Thank God those times have changed, so let us now not be churlish and just enjoy the music. As it was meant to be. Other hits included:/ The Anniversary Song,   "I wish I had A Girl" My Blue Heaven   Give My Regards To Broadway  Easter Parade and When The Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobin Along  Al JolsonAlways Remembered