The Essay is an Arts programme.

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The Essay: How Happy I Am

Series 1, episode 1

Folk singer Karine Polwart considers the power of music to connect, soothe, honour and remember as she recalls a concert given for East Lothian community champion Al Beck just weeks before his death from cancer in 2020. In this first essay, Karine describes making the offer of the private gig and being overwhelmed by Al's response, starting what would be remarkable collaboration for them both