I Believe The Mexican Fined For Killing Kirsty Was A Fall Guy; Almost

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Aug 22, 2004 | by Vicky Allan

Only when I ask her which songs mean most to her does she turn silent and change the subject. What she's doing, she says, is what Kirsty would have wanted.

"She believed in justice. I'm focused my dear. I'm focused. First of all it's my nature, and secondly she's my daughter."

Jean MacColl will be appearing on a panel at the Edinburgh Television Festival on August 28 and a BBC 4 documentary, Who Killed Kirsty MacColl? will be screened in September.

Those who wish to contribute to the campaign should visit its website www.justiceforkirsty.org They followed a traditional path to the top 10 of the best femalefolkies Joni Mitchell 1943- Born in Alberta, Canada, solo artist Mitchell began singing whilst being treated for childhood polio as a way of entertaining her fellow hospital patients. A self-taught guitarist, she found fame when she moved to Detroit in the 1960s. Her songs were also covered by folk- rockers Fairport Convention.

Sandy Denny 1947-78 Denny was training to be a nurse when she began singing in the mid-1960s after a bit of encouragement from Simon and Garfunkel.

Best known for her vocals with Fairport Convention. Died from injuries sustained after falling down stairs.

Kathryn Williams 1974- Liverpool-born Williams started writing songs while studying art in Newcastle. Released her first album in 1999: it cost (pounds) 80 to make. Mercury Music Prize nominee in 2000.

Joan Baez 1941- Born in Staten Island, New York, Baez has enjoyed commercial success and critical acclaim for more than 35 years. First gained recognition at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959, her first three eponymous albums, released in the early 1960s, were bestsellers. Political activist Baez is also a champion of the protest song.

Sheena Wellington 1944- Traditional Scottish singer who sang Burns's A Man's A Man at the opening of the Scottish parliament on The Mound. A passionate supporter of the arts in Scotland, Wellington is soon to be appointed to Scotland's Cultural Commission.

Suzanne Vega 1959- Born in Santa Monica, California, Vega moved to New York as a girl where she became involved with the folk scene while studying for a literature degree. Her hit single Luka, released in 1987, paved the way for folk-pop crossover artists such as Tracey Chapman and Sinead O'Connor.

Norma Waterson 1939- Began performing with her brother and sister in the mid-1960s as The Watersons and found solo stardom 30 years later when a top American producer spotted her at a gig in Los Angeles. Her first solo album featured her husband and daughter, more of whom below ...

Eliza Carthy 1975- A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Carthy is the daughter of Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy. Despite her pedigree she has experimented with drum'n'bass and prefers trendy trainers to hippie sandals. Has been twice nominated for a Mercury.

Kate Rusby 1973- Former child prodigy Rusby was a lead singer in her parents' ceilidh band by the age of 12. Although an established solo artist Rusby has collaborated with female folk ensemble The Floozies and her album with Kathryn Roberts won the 1995 folk/roots album of the year.