Blind Willie McTell (1898–1959), influential American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist
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Ralph McTell (born 1944), English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player on the UK folk music scene
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Kate McTell (born 1911), American blues musician and nurse from Jefferson County, Georgia; wife of Blind Willie McTell
Ralph McTell | Blind Willie McTell | Revisited (Ralph McTell album) | Kate McTell |
The closing credits of each episode feature Ralph McTell, Cara Dillon and Mary Hopkin singing verses of McTell's song, "England" (suitably adapted for 'Ireland' and 'Cymru').
McTell's original version appears on his 1976 album Right Side Up.
Ruthy (later changed to Ruth) Kate Williams (also sometimes billed as Ruby Glaze) was singing for a high school ceremony in Augusta, Georgia in 1933 when she was noticed by McTell, who regularly performed in the area.
The White Stripes' cover version features a few changes to the original lyrics: Frontman Jack White's name replaces McTell's, and Detroit replaces Macon and Georgia as place names.
Produced by Tony Visconti, it was McTell's fifth album to be released (aside from the remixed compilation Revisited) - and first album to chart - in the UK; and his third album to be released in the U.S. Ralph had been phoned and asked if he had decided on a title for the album and, wishing to give himself another day to come up with a title, responded "Not till tomorrow" which was misunderstood to be the name he had given to the album.
Song for Ireland (additional track, learnt by McTell from the version by Dick Gaughan, written by Phil Colclough originally released in 1982, added to re-release of the album)