Hedy West comes from North Georgia, at the southern end of the Appalachians. A sensitive and vibrant singer, she accompanies herself in a distinctive style on 5-string banjo. A L Lloyd though her ‘far and away the best of American girl singers in the revival’.
1  The Wife Wrapt in Wether’s Skin
2  Fair Rosamund
3  Barbara Allen
4  Old Joe Clark
5  The Coalminer’s Child
6  Gambling Man
7  Brother Ephus
8  Polly
9  The Davidson-Wilder Blues
10 The Rich Irish Lady
11  Shut Up in the Mines at Coal Creek
12  The Wife of Usher’s Well
13  Lament for Barney Graham

An Antholoqy from Traditional Singers from Devon with Amy Birch, Phoebe Birch, Avice Clarke, Nobby Clarke, Joe Davies, Harold Gill, Charlie Hill, Brian Holland, Sophie Isaacs, Henry Mitchemore, Tom Orchard snr, Tom Orchard jnr, Bill Parnell, Bob Penfold, Nelson Penfold, George Roberts, Jim Sanders and Bob Small.

The Rev. S. Baring-Gould, who collected folksongs in the West country during the 1880s, wrote in his reminiscences that “the old fellows who had these songs were fast dying off, and their sons and grandsons despised the ballads and the tunes in the Gregorian modes and sang only the last vulgar music-hall ditties.” Many song hunters from that day to this have thought the same. Are they right? Well, this record of pieces recently collected in Baring-Gould’s own county of Devon gives some answers.

1 The Exmoor Ram Nobby Clarke
2 The Molecatcher Amy Birch
3 When I Was a Young Man Bob Small
4 Tuning Brian Holland (melodeon), Tom Orchard snr (vocal), Tom Orchard jnr (dancing) and Bob Penfold (vocal)
5 Barbara Allen George Roberts
6 Head-a-nodding Avice Clarke
7 The Thrashing Machine Joe Davies
8 Sweet Willie Sophie Isaacs
9 Navvy Boots Bill Parnell
10 The Leg o’ the Mallard Henry Mitchemore
11 Royal Comrade Amy Birch
12 Three Men Went a-Hunting Charlie Hill
13 The Farmer in Leicester Nelson Penfold
14 Tuning Tom Orchard snr (vocal & melodeon) and Tom Orchard jnr (melodeon)
15 Seven Nights Drunk Harold Gill
16 The Fremington Great Meat Pie Phoebe Birch
17 Up the Green Meadows Amy Birch
18 Rattling Irish Boy Bob Penfold
19 Mortal Unlucky Old Chap Jim Sanders

Peggy Seeger performs eight songs for children from the American tradition, accompanied by her sisters Penny and Barbara. First released in 1958.

1    All Around The Kitchen
2   Come Along John
3   Billy Barlow
4   Old Aunt Kate
5   Little Bird, Little Bird, Go Through My Window
6   Lula Gal
7   Rissolty, Rossolty
8   The Derby Ram

Séamus Ennis was an inspiration to countless musicians around the world. He is numbered amongst the greatest Irish pipers of the twentieth century (as well as a tremendous storyteller and an inveterate folksong collector). His sole album for Topic records captured his pipe playing during a highpoint of his career and is regarded by many afficionados as one of his finest recordings.
1  The Wandering Minstrel / Jackson’s Morning Brush
2  The Boys of Bluehill / Dunphy’s Hornpipe
3  The Glen-Nephin Cuckoo / The Little Fair Cannavans
4  The Frieze Britches
5  The Flags of Dublin / The Wind that Shakes the Barley
6  The Little Stack of Barley / Cronin’s Horpipe
7  The New Demesne
8  The Blackbird
9  Gillan’s Apples / The Walls of Liscarroll / The Stone in the Field
10  Molly O’Malone
11  Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel
12  Happy to Meet & Sorry to Part

Irish traditional song runs the gamut between heroic and lyric. The great Donegal singer Paddy Tunney was a supremely lyrical singer and a master of intricate vocal ornament. The Flowery Vale was recorded in London in February 1975.

1    Tis Pretty to be in Ballinderry
2    Captain Coulson
3    Ta Me Mo Shui
4    What Brought the Blood
5    The Blighted Lover
6    The Twisting of the Rope
7    The Blackbird
8    Old Ardboe
9    The Old Man Rocking the Cradle
10   Siubhan Ni Dhuibhir
11   Dobbin’s Flowery Vale
12   Going to Mass Last Sunday

Bob Davenport has one of the most distinctive styles and one of the widest repertoires among singers on the folkclub scene. A favourite performer at festivals and a regular guest at folk clubs throughout Britain, he is a staunch supporter of traditional music.
His 1977 record ‘Postcards Home’ examines hard times and war times through a powerful mix of song, music and speech. Songs by Richard Thompson and Bob Marley are interwoven with traditional music, poetry and music hall songs. As a contemporary Daily Telegraph review noted: “An impressive and timely achievment, full of poetry, irony and lively music.”
1  Byker Hill / Blackleg Miner
2  Durham Gaol Selection: Gypsy Poacher / Durham Gaol / First Time I Saw Durham City / Ball of Yarn / Breaking Sticks
3  Wait Till the Work Comes Round
4  The Winter Time is Coming In / Old Changing Way
5  When a Man Looks Pale / There’s Nae Much Luck About the House
6  We Plough and Sow / Get Up, Stand Up
7  Once I Had A True Love / Lowlands / My Bonnie Lad
8  Great Little Army March
9  Unemployed Men Stand on the Corner / McCafferty / I Don’t Want to Join the Army
10  The House is Crammed / Good Morning Good Morning / Our Soldiers Went to War / If I Was Fierce / If You Want to Find the Colonel / They Didn’t Believe Me
11  Have You Forgotten Yet / When this Bloody War is Over

Martin Simpson is justifiably regarded as one of the finest finger-style guitarists to have emerged from the British Isles. ‘Grinning In Your Face’ (1983) captures him at an early stage in his recording career, and is a remarkably assured and exuberant recording.
1  It Doesn’t Matter Anymore
2  Little Birdie
3  The First Cut is the Deepest
4  Roving Gambler
5  This War May Last for Years
6  Masters of War
7  Reuben’s Train
8  Your Cheatin’ Heart
9  Handsome Molly
10  Townships – Biko
11  Moonshine
12  Green Linnet / Grinning in your Face

The debut recording from Dave and Toni Arthur has become a much sought after recording amongst collectors of the finest British folk music. The Arthurs were an influential pair on the club scene, particularly admired for their powerful harmony singing.
1  All Frolicking I’ll Give Over
2  The Death of Queen Jane
3  Creeping Jane
4  The Merchant’s Daughter of Bristol
5  The Bold Dragoon
6  Cold Blows the Winter’s Wind
7  The Lark in the Morning
8  Poor Old Horse
9  Hey John Barleycorn
10  Bedlam
11  Admiral Benbow
12  Father, Father Build Me A Boat
13  The Press Gang
14  Six Jolly Miners

From the original LP notes:

As at many local pubs, Saturday nights were for singing and the Eel’s Foot was no exception, having a Chairman – Philip Lumpton – who would keep the tiny bar in order with a gavel or the cribbage board and the ruling was that everyone had ‘to sing, say or pay’. Jumbo however remembers one chap, a steamroller driver, who ‘whenever it was his turn to sing someone would generally pay him a tanner not to – he wasn’t all that good.’ The money went into a kitty to supply the singers with beer which had to be brought by hand from the cellar to the bar, one pint at a time.

1 The Flower of London
2 The Derby Miller
3 The Loss of the Ramillies
4 The Green Mossy Banks of the Lea
5 Blow the Candle Out
6 The Bold Princess Royal
7 Newry Town
8 The Indian Lass
9 Muddley Barracks
10 The False Hearted Knight
11 The Lost Heiress
12 Down in the Fields Where the Buttercups Grow
13 Rambleaway
14 The Life of a Man

Produced by Tony Engle and Keith Summers
First issued by Topic Records 1975

‘Together, they form a team, sometimes a little ragged, but never lacking in the fire which is essential to success.  Their joint travels around Europe taught them a great deal which home life could not have done and they came back to Britain, better than when they had first left it.  For a short time I was privileged to work with them on mandolin.  We had a ball as a trio and I learned more in a few weeks, more of the sheer pleasure of playing music, than I had done in several years of more serious attempts to progress.’

From the original sleevenotes by Alexis Korner

1          Rich and Rambling Boys  1,2
2          Buffalo Skinner  1
3          I wish I was a Rock  2
4          It’s Hard ain’t it Hard  1
5          All Around the Water Tank  1
6          Mother’s not Dead  1,2
7          East Virginia Blues  1,2
8          The Old Bachelor  2
9          Danville Girl  1
10       The State of Arkansas  1
11       The Death of Mr Garfield  2
12       Roll on Buddy  1,2

1  Jack Elliott
2  Derroll Adams

A wonderfully gifted and delicate singer, Frank Hinchliffe of Sheffield was also the possessor of numerous fine traditional songs, many in uncommon versions. He was undoubtedly one of the major traditional singers to come to public notice in the 1970s.

Traditional Songs from South Yorkshire

1 The Pear Tree
2 The Golden Glove
3 The Spotted Cow
4 Mary Across the Wild Moor
5 The Nobleman and Thrasherman
6 Wilkins and Dinah
7 The Green Mossy Banks of the Lea
8 Wild and Wicked Youths
9 Sheffield Park
10 Hear the Nightingales Sing
11 The Poor Old Weaver’s Daughter
12 It Hails, It Rains
13 Nothing Else to Do
14 Edward
15 We’ve Been a While a-Wassailing

First published by Topic 1977

Chris Foster was born in Somerset. It is there that he first heard and started singing traditional songs. He trained as an artist at the Norwich, then Chelsea Schools of Art. His professional “break” came in the early 1970s when a music agent spotted him singing at Dingles Folk Club in London. This led to eight years as a professional solo folk singer/guitarist.

He recorded two, highly regarded albums in the late 1970s: “Layers” (1977) and “All Things in Common” (1979), both on Topic Records. Both featured mainly traditional songs with often complex fingerstyle accompaniments on a Fylde acoustic guitar.

1. The Ranter
2. The Coast of Peru
3. Worcester City
4. Glastonbury Town
5. Lady Maisry
6. Jack the Sailor
7. The Golden Glove
8. When a Man’s in Love
9. The Buxom Lass
10. The Flower of Serving Men
11. The Banks of Newfoundland

Recorded and produced by Tony Engle

First issued by Topic Records 1977

Peter Bellamy (1944 – 1991) was one of the most distinctive voices of the British folk revival, a singer who made the traditional songs and ballads of England vital, exciting and entertaining. As a member of the powerful acapella group the Young Tradition, he helped reawaken an interest in the traditional songs of England. Bellamy’s influences drew on a wide musical world; he was as passionate about the singing of the Copper Family, Ewan MacColl, Harry Cox and the prisoners of Parchman Farm as he was the music of the Rolling Stones. Bellamy’s recordings continue to inspire musicians around the world.
1  The Spotted Cow
2  Two Pretty Boys (The Two Brothers)
3  The Female Drummer
4  Here’s Adieu, Sweet Lovely Nancy
5  The Ghost Song (The Cruel Ships Carpenter)
6  The Carnal and Crane
7  The Little Black Horse (The Penny Wager)
8  The Barley and the Rye
9  The Turkish Lady
10  The Warlike Seaman (The Irish Captain)
11  The Blackberry Fold
12  Saint Stephen
13  The Rigs of London Town
14  The Fox Jumps Over the Parson’s Gate

From  the original LP notes:

Like other folksingers, her repertoire encompasses a variety of emotions: anger at needless poverty and exploitation, affirmation of self-help as a way of life, pleasure in love, solace in religion, peace in death. Sarah’s prodigious talent has permitted her to fuse disparate radical elements with traditional forms to create a handful of significant songs beyond the legacy of well-known material left to her by her family.

1 I AM A GIRL OF CONSTANT SORROW
2 LOVING NANCY
3 OLD JACK FROST
4 MAY I GO WITH YOU JOHNNY?
5 THE HAND OF GOD ON THE WALL
6 DOWN ON THE PICKET LINE
7 I HATE THE COMPANY BOSSES
8 I’M GOING TO ORGANIZE
9 CHRIST WAS A WAYWORN TRAVELER
10 WHY DO YOU STAND THERE IN THE RAIN?
11 DREADFUL MEMORIES
12 OLD SOUTHERN TOWN
13 I HAVE LETTERS FROM MY FATHER
14 CAPTAIN DEVIN
15 GEE WHIZ WHAT THEY DONE TO ME
16 DAVY CROCKETT
17 BATTLE OF MILL SPRING
18 JUST THE SAME TODAY
19 SALLY
20 OH DEATH

First issued by Topic Records 1967.

Martin Simpson has spoken of his early studio recordings as “scrapbooks of the millions of things that I was into at that time.” For most fans this 1986 album displays a young master developing a remarkable relationship with his guitar.
1  Jazzman
2  Shawnee Town
3  Moth
4  Living Without You
5  For Jessica, Sad or High Kicking / My Dearest Dear
6  Icarus
7  No Depression in Heaven
8  Let It Be Me
9  Stillness in Company
10  The Lakes of Ponchartrain

Bonny North Tyne is a splendid collection of Northumbrian Country Music played by John Armstrong fiddle, Billy Atkinson mouth organ, Billy Conran whistle, George Hepple fiddle, Joe Hutton small-pipes and Donald Ridley accordeon. These recordings were made in Northumberland by Tony Engle and Tony Wilson in the early 1970s.

1       Tell her I am / Teviot Brig  Billy Atkinson
2       Barrington Hornpipe / Rowley Bum  Joe Hutton
3       The Rowan Tree / Jock of Hazeldean  John Armstrong & Joe Hutton
4a     Green Castle / Spot On  Billy Conroy
4b     Corn Rigs  Billy Conroy
5       Sheffield Hornpipe / Untitled Hornpipe / Miss Thompson’s Hornpipe / Liddle’s Hompipe  George Hepple & Donald Ridley
6       Hexham Races / Stool of Repentance  Billy Atkinson
7       The Wonder Hornpipe / Navvie on the line  Joe Hutton
8       The Bum Divot  George Hepple & Donald Ridley
9       Horsley Lassies / Bellingham Boat / The Howlet and the Weasel  George Hepple & Donald Ridley
10      Sir Sidney Smith’s March  John Armstrong & Joe Hutton
11      Liverpool Hornpipe / Steamboat Hornpipe  Billy Conroy
12      J B Milne/The New High Level  Billy Atkinson
13      Bonny North Tyne/The Redesdale Hompipe  Joe Hutton
14      Drink to Me Only /Will Ye No Come Back Again  John Armstrong & Joe Hutton
15      Nancy / Whinshield’s Hompipe / Whinham’s Reel  George Hepple & Donald Ridley
16      Geordie’s Jig  George Hepple
17      Jenny Bell Polka  Billy Conroy
18      Napoleon’s Grand March / Untitled March  Billy Conroy
19      The Friendly Visit / Green Castle / Lass on the Strand  Billy Atkinson
20     The Girl with the Blue Dress On / The Big Ship  George Hepple & Donald Ridley

Bob Davenport has one of the most distinctive styles and one of the widest repertoires among singers on the folkclub scene. A favourite at festivals and a regular guest at folk clubs throughout Britain, he is a staunch supporter of the traditional music of the working people. He is at his finest when accompanied by the Rakes, surely the best English country ensemble of them all.
1  Waltzes: With my Love on the Road / Wild Colonial Boy
2  The Ploughboy Lad
3  Single Jigs: Patsy Geary’s / The Peeler and the Goat
4  Princess Royal
5  Lake of Coolfin
6  The Man in the Moon / The Jealous Sailor / Jealous Heart
7  Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinnie
8  Three Men Went A-Hunting
9  Country Dance: Three Around Three
10  The Dowie Dens ofYarrow
11  Polkas: McCusker’s No. 1 / McCusker’s No. 2 / Jenny Lind
12  Slieve Gallion Braes
13  The Star of the County Down
14 Old Green River

Ewan MacColl was one of the architects of the mid twentieth century British folk revival. A polemicst, writer and a singer of extraordinary dramatic power. His influence on the whole movement has been of the utmost importance. MacColl’s singing brings both the past alive and expresses the mood of his own times.
1  We Poor Labouring Men
2  Georgie
3  Barbara Allen
4  Sheepcrook and Black Dog
5  Bramble Briar (Strawberry Town)
6  One Night As I Lay On My Bed
7  The Grey Cock
8  To the Begging I Will Go
9  The Sheep-Stealer
10  The Manchester Angel
11  The Bold Richard
12  The Press Gang
13  Round Cape Horn
14  Through Moorfields
15  Homeward Bound

“In the course of singing these songs over the years I’ve probably altered them hugely from the way they came to me but I hope my informants won’t think them too much harmed. My thanks to them all anyway. However, dear listener, don’t run away with the idea that I spend my time singing nothing but songs such as these. After all, I have always loved singing and sung all the songs that were available to me. So, off-duty at least, these songs mix with the songs of Crosby, Jolson, Paul Robeson and Hank Williams, to name only four of my favourite singers. The real gift that the folk revival has given me is the knowledge of these traditional songs so that they can share a place in my affections with the radio songs I had known for years. I hope you will enjoy the songs here; if you want to learn any to sing yourself – go ahead!” Roy Harris from the original album sleevenotes.

1   As I Was Going to Banbury
2   The Knight and the Shepherd ‘s Daughter
3   The Baker of Colebrook
4   The 23rd of March
5   Go from My Window
6   Think on This (When You Smoke Tobacco)
7   The Dockyard Gate
8   The Lady of Carlisle
9   Robin Hood and Little John
10  Sandbank Fields
11  The Spithead Sailor
12  The Unhappy Parting

Few singers match the assurance and intensity of Frankie’ Armstrong’s singing. Born in Cumberland, Frankie typically came to folk song as a teenager and member of an amateur skiffle group. She was a member of the influential Critics Group led by Ewan MacColl and first recorded on A L Lloyd’s ‘The Bird In The Bush’ project. In Lloyd’s memorable phrase “she can sing to pull down the stars”. Armstrong is an important interpreter of ballads, often approaching her material from a feminist perspective.
1  Tarry Trousers
2  The Green Valley
3  Low Down in the Broom
4  The Cruel Mother
5  The Crafty Maid’s Policy
6  The Maid on the Shore
7  The Frog and the Mouse
8  Lovely on the Water
9  The Brown Girl
10  The Young Girl Cut Down in Her Prime
11  The Saucy Sailor
12  The Two Sisters

Gypsies and travellers have preserved a wealth of English traditional song, which has been rarely collected. This splendid and influential collection of English traditional song performed by some of the finest Gypsy singers of Southern England, draws upon the diligent field recordings of the collector Mike Yates.
1  You Subjects of England – Jasper Smith
2  Little Dun Dee – Mrs Haynes
3  Hartlake Bridge – Jasper Smith
4  The Young Officer – Mrs Haynes
5  All Through Mi Rakli – Mrs Haynes
6  At the Atchin Tan – Mrs Haynes
7  The Oakham Poachers – Wiggy Smith
8  Thorneymoor Park – Jasper Smith
9  The Farmer of Chester – Joe Jones
10  The King and the Keeper – Joe Jones
11  Georgie – Levi Smith
12  The Haymakers – Levi Smith
13  The Broomdasher – Levi Smith
14  Barbara Allen – Phoebe Smith
15  Lavender – Bill Ellson
16  The Squire and the Gypsy – Jasper Smith
17  Erin’s Lovely Home – Mrs Haynes
18 The Game of Cards – Levi Smith
19  While the Yogger Mush Lays Sleeping – Jasper Smith
20  The Deserter – Wiggy Smith

Onetime member of the esteemed High Level Ranters, Johnny Handle is also a solo performer of great charm, humour and a wonderful songwriter. The Collier Lad mirrors many aspects of life in the North-east, from the lore of the miner to the lure of the Geordie streets.

Johnny Handle guitar, accordeon & piano with Alistair Anderson English concertina, Tommy Gilfellon Guitar and Colin Ross fiddle.

In Bye
1   The Collier Lad *
2   Dust
3   The Durham Big Meetin’ Day
4   The Old Man of the Village
5   The New Spotlight
6   Farewell to the Monty
7   Stottin’ Doon the Waal *
On Bank
8   The Day we went to the Coast
9   Schooldays
10  Is there Owt Secure?
11  The Old Pubs ±
12  Decorating
13  The Fearless Mariner
14  Danny’s *
* ably assisted by the rest of the High Level Ranters
± with Alistair Anderson, chorus

A pioneering record of traditional East Anglian musicians playing functional music for dancing. This is the music of the rural public house tap room – step dances, polkas and waltzes. The exemplary location recordings capture “relaxed, unspectacular and homely but often highly skilled performances” from four of the finest country musicians – Billy Bennington (hammer dulcimer), Percy Brown (melodeon), Harold Colvill (mouth organ) and Oscar Woods (melodeon).

1  Jig – Oscar Woods
2  Gay Ladies – Billy Bennington
3  Old Joe, the Boat is Going Over / Untitled Polka – Percy Brown
4  Step dance tune (The Sailor’s Hornpipe) – Oscar Woods
5  Waltz: Dulcie Belle – Billy Bennington
6  Step Dance: Yarmouth Breakdown – Percy Brown
7  Italian’ Waltz – Oscar Woods
8  Untitled Polka – Oscar Woods
9  Step Dance: Yarmouth Hornpipe – Billy Bennington
10  Polka: On the Green – Billy Bennington
11  The Oyster Girl – Harold Covill
12  March: On Parade – Billy Bennington
13  Waltz for the Veleta – Percy Brown
14  Step Dance Tune – Oscar Woods
15  Slow Step Dance Tune – Billy Bennington
16  Oh, Joe the Boat is Going Over – Oscar Woods
17  Barn Dance Tune – Percy Brown
18  Sheringham Breakdown – Percy Brown
19  The Nutting Girl – Harold Covill
20  Jack’s the Lad (The Sailor’s Hornpipe) – Billy Bennington
21  Red Wing – Billy Bennington
22  Heel and Toe Polka – Percy Brown

Umps and Dumps were an exuberant dance band led by John Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris. The ensemble’s sole recording is a splendid example of the energy typical of the English country dance scene of the early 1980s.
1  Up Sides
2  After You’ve Got
3  Woodland Voices
4  The Watercress Girl
5  Maybe She’ll Write Me
6  Rogue’s March / Dashing White Sergeant
7  Marmalade Polka
8  Underneath Her Apron
9  Lichfield Tattoo
10  The Willow Tree
11  Donkey, Jack Donkey / Here it Comes Again
12  Dark Town Strutter’s Ball / Cajun Two Step

The recordings of Hugh Gillespie have a quite different ‘feel’ from other American-Irish fiddle music of the late 1930s period. The somewhat unusual choice of guitar rather than piano for accompaniment certainly contributes to this distinctiveness, but probably the decisive factors are Gillespie’s ‘singing’ style and highly personal technique. He learned from Coleman a device he calls ‘back trebling’, and also uses drones and fractional flattening or sharpening of notes to great effect. Such techniques are by no means peculiar to Coleman or Gillespie – indeed, most Irish musicians use them in some degree – but every musician stamps them with his own particular emphases. In these recordings of Hugh Gillespie at his peak, between 1937 and 1939, the sum of these various elements is a unique and outstanding series of performances.

1. Reel: Dowd’s Favorite
2. Hornpipes: McKenna’s Farewell (The Liverpool/Hennessey’s)
3. Reels: Master Crowley’s Reels
4. The Irish Mazurka
5. Reel: Jenny’s Welcome to Charlie
6. Jigs:   Master Crowley’s Favourites
7. Highland Flings: Finnea Lassies/Gurren’s Castle
8. Reels: The Girl that Broke my Heart/Dick Cosgrove’s Reel
9. Reels: Farewell to Leitrim/Tom Steele
10. Jigs: Jackson’s Favorite/Kips
11. Reels: Paddy Finley’s Fancy/Joe O’Connell’s Dream
12. Waltz: Versevanna
13. Reels: The Donegal Traveler/Miss Montgomery
14. Hornpipes: Mountain Stream/Parker’s Fancy
15. Jigs: Contentment is Wealth/Finley’s Jig
16. Reels: Dowd’s Number Nine/Jackson’s

The Cameron Men is a superb collection of classic Scots Fiddle Recordings from the Thirties. The Cameron men were a group of brothers from Kirriemuir, with a strong family tradition of fiddling. This album, derived from 1930s Beltona and Edison Bell Winner 78s, includes solo fiddle pieces by William and James Cameron, and eight supremely graceful tracks by a fiddle trio (William, James and George) with a fourth brother Stewart, at the piano.

1  Cameron Men (M162, BL2087) March, Strathspey & Reel: The Abercairney Highlanders / Ballochmyle / Speed the Plough
2  Cameron Men (M160, BL2240) Polka
3  James Cameron (M585, BL2301) The Auld Lichties [John MacFadyen of Melfort / Brig of Perth / The Earl of Crawford’s Reel]
4  William Cameron (13956, Edison Bell Winner 5428) Farewell to Gartly / Stirling Castle / Soldier’s Joy
5  Cameron Men (M166, BL2241) Miss Drummond of Perth / Maggie Cameron / The Favourite
6  James Cameron (M14673, BL1988) Jigs: The Flock and Wee Pickle Tow / The Blackthorn Stick / Teviot Brig / Humors of Donnybrook
7  William Cameron (13960, EBW 5430) Air, Strathspey & Reel: Our Highland Queen / Forth Brig / Forth Brig
8  Cameron Men (M163, BL2120) March, Strathspey & Reel: Loch Katrine / Miss Lyall / Loch Leven
9 James Cameron (M587, BL2302) Rossity Ends (A Good Going Violin Medley) [unidentified 6/8 march / Smith’s a Gallant Fireman / Pretty Peggy]
10 James Cameron (M14678, 1989) Jigs: Cumberland Reel / Father O’Flynn / Auld Brig o’ Ayr / The Wind That Shakes the Barley
11 Cameron Men (M161, BL2241) March, Strathspey & Reel: Earl Dalhousie / Lady Mary Ramsey / Soldier’s Joy
12 William Cameron (13961, EBW 5431) Jig, Strathspey & Reel: Banks O’ Allan / Craigellachie Brig / Lasses o’Stewarton
13 Cameron Men (M165, BL2217) Dashing White Sergeant / My Love She’s But a Lassie Yet / The Rose Tree
14 James Cameron (M14674, BL1974) Jigs, Strathspey & Reel: The Rakes of Kildare / Swallow Tail / The Queen’s Welcome to Deeside / The Drummer
15  Cameron Men (M159, BL2217) Circassian Circle: Original / Brechin Brig / Victoria Hornpipe
16  Cameron Men (M164, BL2120) March, Strathspey & Reel: Bonnie Ann / Bob Johnston / Bob Johnston 

Gary and Vera Aspey from Atherton, near Manchester.

“If they find a rare and singable set of words with out a tune, then in the true spirit of the folk revival they make a melody for it, and a convincing one at that. Recently they have been seeking songs from the Lake District, an area rather neglected by the great song collectors of the past. Gary and Vera have a lively following in their beloved North, but already their reputation is spreading far out of their native territory.”

1  From the North  Gary and Vera vocal
2  The Parting  Vera vocal and concertina
3  Coal Picking  Gary vocal
4  The Three Foot Seam  Gary and Vera vocal, Vera and Bernard Wrigley, concertinas
5  Mill Girl’s Lullaby  Vera vocal and guitar, Wilf Darlington mandolin
6  King Cotton  Gary and Vera vocal and concertina
7  Auntie Ketyll  Vera vocal and guitar
8  Cum t’ thi Tay  Vera vocal and guitar
9   The Cradle Song  Gary and Vera vocal and guitar
10  The Roving Navvy  Gary and Vera vocal and concertina, Bernard Wrigley and Wilf Darlington, chorus
11  The Ship Canal Song  Gary and Vera vocal
12  Hailey-Go  Gary and Vera vocal and guitar
13  Tuppence on the Rope  Gary and Vera vocal and concertina, Bernard Wrigley bass concertina
14  A Bit of a Sing  Gary and Vera, Bernard Wrigley, Will Darlington

First published by Topic 1975

A hugely popular act on the British folk scene, John Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris, made a series of fine records for the Topic label. John had also recorded with Ashley Hutchings’ Morris On band and with Richard Thompson; both were founder members of the Albion Country Band and John would later join Steeleye Span. Their duo records are cherished by aficionados of the finest English country music from the mid-20th century revival.
1  The Edgmond Men’s Souling Song
2  Artichokes and Cauliflowers
3  The Bricklayers / Double Change Sides
4  The Cherry Tree Carol
5  John of the Greeney Cheshire Way
6  A Shropshire Lad
7  I Wish, I Wish
8  Old Sir Simon the King
9  Adieu to Old England
10  The Blue Eyed Stranger / The Winster Morris Reel
11  Jim Jones
12  Blacksmith’s Morris / Charles’s Hornpipe
13  Cold Blows the Wind
14  Wilson’s Favourite / Shrewsbury Wakes

Len Graham of Antrim has been studying and performing the song tradition of Ireland, especially that of his native Ulster, for many years, and is well known and respected for both his scholarship and his singing. Wind and Water was his first solo recording.

“This is not a record of sea songs and shanties, so you may wonder why ‘Wind and Water’ for its title? It was wind and water that brought our ancestors to these shores, be they Celts, Norsemen, Normans or planters. It was also wind and water that propelled the missionaries, the ‘Wild Geese’ and the emigrants to foreign parts… These various comings and goings have left their mark
on the traditional songs of Ireland and, in particular, Ulster where forever history seems to stare one in the face. I hope the choice of songs on this record will in some way illustrate and reflect some of these influences.” Len Graham

1 My Parents Reared me Tenderly
2 Maggie Picken
3 Séan Ó Duibhir a’ Ghleanna
4 The County Mayo
5 The Star of Moville
6 The Green Fields of Amerikay
7 Western Winds
8 Paídín Ó Raibheartaigh
9 My Willie-O
10 Daniel O’Connell and his Steam Engine
11 The Rights of Man
12 One Morning in May
13 The Knight Templar’s Dream

The several strands that make up Pat Mitchell’s piping are none of them especially unusual, but cumulatively interesting in the way they reveal how Pat’s music has evolved without what has always been held to be the massive benefit of an immediate environment in which traditional music is alive and esteemed. Pat, like many other people who might be classed as urban, twentieth century – some would say, disinherited – has gone looking for his music, and it’s important to document his case for an understanding of how such a person fares, and for some insight into the state of traditional music in Ireland today.

1      Reels: Garrett Barry’s / The Virginia  
2      March: Sullivan’s March 
3      Reel: Concertina Reel  
4      Air: Lord Mayo 
5      Reel: College Groves
6      Double Jigs: Port Liadroma / Sean Tiobraid Arann  
7      Reel: Star of Munster
8      Single Jig and Double Jig: Frieze Breeches
9      Descriptive Piece: Máirseáil Alasdruim
10    Single Jig: Willie’s Single
11    Hompipe and Reels: Kildare Hornpipe / Castle Kelly / Sailor’s Bonnet
12    Marching tune: Eagle’s Whistle
13    Double Jig: The Maiden That Jigged it in Style
14    Air: An Draighnean Donn
15    Double Jig: The Old Hag in the Kiln
16    Reel: Galtee Reel
17    Double Jigs: The Lark in the Morning
18    Reels: Patsy Tuohey’s Reel/The Green Fields of Rossbeigh
19    Piece: Nora Criona
20    Reel: Flogging Reel

“Alison McMorland and Peta Webb are two ladies of immense talent and can be counted among the handful, of either sex, who are supreme in their art. Individually they are well respected; together they make that rare blend that is only to be found in singing of this quality, complementing each other perfectly and, even more rare, each somehow adding to the other to come up with something which is more than the combination of two voices. It is only after listening to the whole record that one becomes aware that there is no instrumental accompaniment.” Dick Gaughan from the original 1980 sleeve notes.
1  Two Pretty Boys
2  What Can A Young Lassie?
3  Jogging Up To Claudy
4  In London So Fair
5  The Convict’s Song
6  Sailing’s A Weary Life
7  The Factory Girl
8  The May Morning Dew
9  The Green Banks Of Yarrow
10  The Dowie Dens Of Yarrow
11  Our Ship Is Ready

First released in 1966, this collection by the great lyrical Donegal singer is one of his finest. The songs he sings are as deeply and genuinely romantic as the green countryside and dark mountains of his native country.

1    Craighie Hill
2    The Lark In The Morning
3    Johnny, Lovely Johnny
4    The Cow That Drank The Poteen
5    Blackwater Side
6    Out of The Window
7    The Month of January
8    The Rambling Boys of Pleasure
9    The Lowlands of Holland
10  The Wearing Of The Britches
11  The Old Man Rocking The Cradle
12  She’s A Gay Old Hag
13  St Peter’s Day Was a-Dawning

Chris Droney’s repertoire, unlike that of many musicians, is not dominated by the reel and the jig; his playing is well leavened with the set dances, marches, polkas, hornpipes and slow airs of Clare, music that epitomizes the true traditional repertoire of one of the finer concertina players of County Clare.

1 Bellharbour Reel/Tim Maloney’s Reel
2 The Cuckoo Hornpipe
3 Three Little Drummers/The Eagles Nest – jigs
4 Burren No.1/Chris Droney’s favourite – reels
5 Sliam na Gapall/The Lakes of Sligo – polkas
6 The Blue Gentian Waltz
7 Roddy McCorley’s March
8 The Treble Jig/The Battering Ram
9 The Union Reel/The Kilfenora Reel
10 The Three Part Jig/The Moate Hunt – jigs
11 The Templehouse Reel/Matt Molloy’s Reel
12 The Killy Hornpipe/The Flowing Tide (Ann’s favourite) – hornpipes
13 The Sailor’s Polka/The Old Time (Rakes of Mallow) – polka
14 Untitled Slow Air
15 Down the Broom Reel/Sheehy’s Reel

Produced by Tony Engle, John Tams and Neil Wayne.
First issued by Topic Records 1975.

Accordion maestro John Kirkpatrick and the classically-trained oboist Sue Harris created a beautiful blend of English country dance tunes and songs with influences from Music Hall, Flaco Jimenez and Ry Cooder. Throughout the 1970s they were a sought after act on the UK folk scene and recorded a number of fine albums for the Topic label. 1989’s Stolen Ground, the duo’s final album for the Topic label, is undobtedly one of their finest records.
1  Arthur McBride
2  The Juggler
3  Clee Hill Tunes
4  Mother Earth
5  Black Deer
6  Must I Be Bound / Mrs Saggs
7  The Chickens They Are Crowing
8  Shepherd’s Branle
9  The Old Miner

‘Few singers have such a vigorous, broad-ranging and fresh-sounding song repertoire as Nottingham’s Roy Harris, and none can handle it more convincingly. With Roy Harris at the helm the revival is in safe hands.’ Melody Maker 1973

On The Bitter & The Sweet Roy is accompanied by Notts Alliance – Ian Stewart, Roger Grimes & Laurence Platt, and Muckram Wakes – Roger Watson, Helen Wainwright & John Tams.

1    Turpin Hero (with Notts Alliance)
2    The Bonny Green Woods (with Muckram Wakes)
3    The Death Of Bill Brown
4    The Three Butchers (self-accompanied on guitar)
5    The Ullswater Pack (with chorus)
6    Poor Owd ‘Oss (with Notts Alliance)
7    General Ludd’s Triumph (with Muckram Wakes)
8    Poverty Knock (with combined groups)
9    The Streams Of Lovely Nancy
10   Robin Hood and The Tanner (with Notts Alliance and Roger Watson, dulcimer)
11   The ‘Royal Oak’
12   Strike The Bell (with Notts Alliance)
13   McCafferty
14   All Through The Ale (with Roger Watson, concertina)

Walter Pardon (1914 – 1996) was one of the best singers of traditional folk-song in England, yet, outside his family, no one knew of his singing until he was 59 years old. Born in Knapton, near North Walsham in Norfolk, in a cottage where he lived for the rest of his life, Pardon finally came to national prominence in the folk-song world in the 1970s through a cassette tape passed to Peter Bellamy. The folklorist Mike Yates began a project to record and document Walter’s repertoire of over 150 songs. These recordings from the late 1970s capture a beautiful, gentle singer at the height of his powers.
1  Raggle Taggle Gypsies
2  Peggy Bawn
3  Bold Princess Royal
4  One Cold Morning in December
5  The Devil and the Farmer’s Wife
6  An Old Man’s Advice
7  Uncle Walter’s Tune
8  A Country Life
9  Cupid the Ploughboy
10  The Dandy Man
11  Jack Hall
12  I Wish, I Wish
13  Broomfield Hill
14  The Hungry Army

Long the enfant terrible of the folk revival, Dominic Behan – poet, patriot, playwright and rebel – spills over with outrageous talent. This archive recording from 1960 shows him as a powerful and honest singer, a worthy heir of the great Dublin heritage of song and ballad. Behan is accompanied by Peggy Seeger, Leon Rosselson and Ralph Rinzler.

1  Get Me Down Me Filling Knife
2  The Saint
3  Down By the Liffeyside
4  Ross’ Farewell to Dublin
5  Waxy Dargell
6  Red Roses For Me
7  Thank You Mam, Said Dan
8  John Mitchell
9  The Finding of Moses
10  Master McGrath
11  Dicey Riley
12  Finnegan’s Wake
13  The Women are Worse that the Men
14  Easy and Slow
15  The Spanish Lady
16  The Twang Man
17  Bold Robert Emmett
18  Biddy Mulligan

John Kelly was born in the district of Rehy West, County Clare, and for over thirty years was a force in Irish music – he was a member of Seán Ó Riada’s Ceoltóirí Cualainn, of the Castle Ceilidh Band, and of Ceoltóirí Laighean, and regular musician at respected Dublin sessions.
John’s fiddling is in the relaxed Clare style and his concertina playing is spikier, with subtle variations of notes, the occasional harmonic effect, and again that off-beat emphasis.
John taught at the Willie Clancy Scoil Éigse, and supported the Tradition Club held on Wednesdays at Slattery’s, just a few doors away from his Dublin home: he was recorded by John Tams and Neil Wayne in January 1974 and by Tony Engle and Patrick Hayes in March & April 1975.

1 Paddy on the Turnpike – reel (concertina)
2 a The Bunch of Rushes – reel (fiddle), b The Bunch of Rushes – reel (concertina)
3 John Kelly’s Slide/ Tom Keane’s Reel (concertina)
4 a Blackberry Blossoms – reel (concertina), b The Spike Island Lasses – reel (double-reed concertina)
5 The Heathery Breeze – reel (concertina)
6 Delia Keane’s Jig (concertina)
7 The Blacksmith’s Charm – hornpipe (concertina)
8 We were drinking and kissing the Ladies/ Old Tipperary – jigs (fiddle)
9 Rocking the Baby to Sleep – air (fiddle)
10 Eddie Dunn’s – reel (concertina)
11 The Fishermen’s Hornpipe (concertina)
12 The Sister Reels – Carney’s / Gilbert Clancy’s Favourite / The Ravelled Hank of Yarn (fiddle)
13 The Crooked Road to Dublin and The Duke of Leinster’s Wife – reels (concertina)
14 The West Cork Reel (concertina)
15 a The Ivy Leaf – reel (concertina), b The Ivy Leaf – reel (fiddle)
16 The Flogging Reel (double-reed concertina)
17 Scattery Island Slide (double-reed concertina)
18 The Ebb Tide – hornpipe (concertina)
19 The Blackbird – air/hornpipe/set dance (fiddle)
20 The Bunch of Keys – reel (fiddle)
21 Lord Wellington’s Reel (concertina)

Produced by John Tams, Neil Wayne and Tony Engle.
First issued by Topic Records 1975.

A very important recording of three members of a Southern English family of travellers – Tom, Chris and Ben Willett, showing their distinctive style of singing and a repertoire of fine country songs. Recorded on location in Middlesex and Kent, the record was the first album of English gypsy music to be released commercially.
1  Lord Bateman – Tom Willett
2  The Blacksmith Courted Me – Tom Willett
3  The Little Ball of Yarn – Ben Willett
4  Died For Love – Tom Willett
5  The Rambling Sailor – Chris Willett
6  Riding Down to Portsmouth – Tom Willett
7  As I Was Going to Salisbury – Chris Willett
8  The Roving Journeyman – Tom Willett
9  The Roving Journeyman – Chris Willett
10  While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping – Tom Willett
11  The Old Miser – Chris Willett
12  The Game of Cards – Tom Willett

John Doonan was born and bred in Newcastle of an Irish father and mother and brought up in an atmosphere strictly Irish. His father was a well respected traditional fiddle player in the Newcastle area and it was through his strong influence that John inherited his fine style of flute-playing.

Irish Traditional Dance Music In Strict Tempo
1 Reels: Jackie Coleman’s / Paddy Cavanagh’s / John Brennan’s
2 Slip jigs: Any Old Jig Will Do / The Butterfly
3 Set Dance: Rodney’s Glory
4 Slow jigs: The Idle Road / The Frost is All Over / The Black Rogue
5 Air: The Spalpeen’s Lament
6 Jigs: The Kesh / Morrison’s / Old Joe’s
7 Reels: The Shannon Breeze / Heathery Breeze / The Green Fields of America
8 Set Dance: The Blackthorn Stick
9 Set Dance: Hurry the Dance
10 Set Dance: Rub the Bag
11 Air & Set Dance: The Blackbird
12 Hornpipes: Spellan the Fiddler / The Rights of Man
13 Jigs: The Irish Washerwoman / Father O’Flynn / The Lilting Fisherman

John Doonan is accompanied by Malcolm Armstrong on tracks 1,6,7 and 13
and Brian Pandrich on piano tracks 3, 8, 9, and 10

First published by Topic Records 1978

Ewan MacColl was one of the architects of the folksong revival. Whether as an interpreter of ancient ballads or as a writer of new songs, he influenced almost everyone involved in folk music in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. He brought the same skill and understanding to songs of Britain’s industrial cities, ballads of Scots history and lyrics from the English countryside. His own compositions, many of which have passed into the common currency of folk music, are featured both on his own albums and on The Radio-Ballads.
Chorus From The Gallows, first released in 1960, opens with the tale of Craig and Derek Bentley and closes with “Go Down Ye Murderers,” which relates the story of Timothy John Evans, convicted and executed for murders he did not commit, both true and awful stories from the annals of 20th century British justice. The repertoire ranges from the cattle-rusting border raiders of the Middle Ages and the 18th-century highwayman Dick Turpin to MacColl’s own compositions about controversial murder trials of the 1950s.
1  Derek Bentley
2  The Black Velvet Band
3  Jamie Raeburn’s Farewell
4  Johnny O
5  Hughie The Graeme
6  Minorie
7  The Treadmill Song
8  Turpin Hero
9  The Crafty Farmer
10  McKaffery
11  Jimmy Wilson
12  The Lag’s Song
13  Van Dieman’s Land
14  Go Down Ye Murderers

When Chesterton wrote of the Irish ‘All their wars were merry and all their songs are sad’ he was sacrificing accuracy for the sake of a paradox. The wars themselves were ruthless savage campaigns of destruction on the one hand and desperate struggles for existence on the other. The British fought as conquerors with scant regard for the rules of war, the Irish fought for something ancient and good, and they fought as crusaders. Their songs reflected their attitude, full of sadness for previous defeats, but convinced of the justice of their cause and confident that the final battle would be won.

Tudors, Stuarts, Commonwealth and After
1. Follow me up to Carlow  Arthur Kearney
2. Sean O’Dwyer a Gleanna  Paddy Tunney
3. Jackets Green  Arthur Kearney
4. The Battle of Aughrim  Frank Kelly – violin, Joe Tunney– melodeon
The United Irishmen and the Rebellion of 1798
5. The Ribbon Blade  Paddy Tunney
6. General Munro  Arthur Kearney
7. The Memory of the Dead  Frank Kelly – violin, Joe Tunney – melodeon
The Young Ireland Movement and the Fenians
8. The Bold Fenian Men  Paddy Tunney
9. John Mitchel  Paddy Tunney
10. The Felons of our Land  Arthur Kearney
The Sinn Fein and the War of Independence
11. The Dawning of the Day  Frank Kelly – violin, Joe Tunney – melodeon
12. The Song of the Dawn  Arthur Kearney
13. The Valley of Knockanure  Paddy Tunney
14. The Grand Oul’ Dame Britannia  Paddy Tunney
15. Kevin Barry  Paddy Tunney

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The Wild Hills O’Wannie is a tremendous collection of some of the finest exponents of the Northumbrian Small Pipes – George Atkinson, Diana Blackett-Ord, Tommy Breckons, Colin Caisley, Forster Charlton, Joe Hutton and Billy Pigg.

The pipes have at various times been called seductive, wild, plaintive, lyrical, exciting, and sophisticated. These apparently contradictory descriptions result from the unusual versatility of the instrument as well as from differences in the tonal quality of individual sets of pipes. Thus, it is possible for each performer to develop his own characteristic style of playing and if you listen carefully to this record you will soon become able to identify the player from the sound of the first few notes of a tune.

1    The Morpeth Rant  BILLY PIGG
2    Skye Crofters/ The SwalIow’s Tail BILLY PIGG
3    Sir Sidney Smith’s March TOMMY BRECKONS
4    The Barrington Hornpipe GEORGE ATKINSON
5    Blow the Wind Southerly DIANA BLACKETT-ORD
6    Lovat Scouts / Roxburgh Castle / Bonny North Tyne / Alston Flower Show JOE HUTTON
7    The Navvy on the Line / The Friendly Visit / Remember Me / Biddv the Bold Wife / Lamb Skinnet /
De ‘il amang the Tailors GEORGE ATKINSON
8    Londonderrv Hornpipe / Boys of the Blue Hills / Corn Rigs / Harvest Home DIANA BLACKETT-ORD
9    The Blackthorn Stick / Biddv the Bold Wife JOE HUTTON
10   The Holey Ha’penny BILLY PIGG
11   The Humours of Bandon / Saddle the Pony JOE HUTTON
12   Noble Squire Dacre COLIN CAISLEY & FORSTER CHARLTON (duet)
13   Rowlev Burn Hornpipe JOE HUTTON
14   The Wild Hills o’Wannie BILLY PIGG
15   Westering Home DIANA BLACKETT~ORD
16   The Midlothian Pipe Band / Charlie Hunter JOE HUTTON
17   The Lark in the Clear Air BILLY PIGG
18   Fenwick o’ Bywell TOMMY BRECKONS
19   Variations on ‘Oh dear, what can the matter be’ GEORGE ATKINSON
20   The Gypsy’s Lullaby  / The Hawk  / Memories / Coates Hall BILLY PIGG
21   Salmon Tails up the Water / The Herd on the Hill / Sweet Hesleyside COLIN CAISLEY & FORSTER CHARLTON (duet)

Archie Fisher’s is a multifaceted talent. He is simultaneously a singer with great interpretive flair, a songwriter whose compositions have been taken up by many leading singers, a musician of outstanding ability and a skilled raconteur. Above all else he is a man of influence, whose taste and style have shown the way for many artists. ‘Will Ye Gang, Love’ was recorded in 1976 and captures a musician at the height of his powers.
1  O Charlie, O Charlie
2  Lindsay
3  The Broom a’ the Cowdenknowes
4  Mally Lee
5  Will Ye Gang, Love
6  The Flower of France and England, O
7  The Laird o’ Windy Wa’s
8  Men O’ Worth
9  Looly, Looly
10  Dreg Song
11  Adam Cameron
12  Blackbirds and Thrushes
13  The Gallant Ninety Two
14  The Rovin’ Ploughboy

County Clare has long been known as one of the richest areas for music and song throughout Ireland. Petrie, writing in his ‘Ancient Music of Ireland’, published in 1855, was enthusiastic about the tunes he heard. His remarks spring from his travels through Clare during the early 1820s and throw into relief musical traditions that clearly go back deeply into the eighteenth century at least. Even if it’s felt that Petrie’s enthusiasm may have run away with him we can’t doubt the more recent, towering figures of Garrett Barry, George Whelan (Kerry born), or Willie Clancy, and the Bobby Caseys, Miko Russells and John Kellys of today; all of whom testify to the strength of the musical heritage of the people of the Dal Cais.

1          The Bold Trooper – Nora Cleary
2          The Grey Mare – Ollie Conway
3          Farewell to Lissycasey – Siney Crotty
4          An Cailín Deas – Siney Crotty
5          The Lambs on the Green Hills – Mick Flynn
6          Lovely Mary to the Sea Do Not Go – Siney Crotty
7          Pat O’Donnell – Mick Flynn
8          Stór Mo Chroi – Mick Flynn
9          Bessie of Ballantown Brae – Nora Cleary
10        Farewell to Milltown – Nora Cleary

Recorded and produced by Roly Brown.
Editing and mastering by Tony Engle.
First issued by Topic Records 1978.

TRADITIONAL SONGS OF LOVE & LUST – A collection of erotic folk song.

These songs were made by men and women in close touch with nature, in tune with the run of the seasons, the growthy of crops, the increase of stock, the fruitfulness of their own kind. They are mainly concerned with the great clean truths of desire and fulfilment, love and fruitfulness.

1   The Two Magicians — AL Lloyd (with Dave Swarbrick)
2   The Old man From Over the Sea — Frankie Armstrong
3   The Wanton Seed — AL Lloyd
4   Gathering Rushes in the Month of May — Anne Briggs
5   The Banks of Sweet Primroses — Louis Killen (acc. concertina)
6   The Maid on the Shore — Frankie Armstrong
7   The Bonny Black Hare — AL Lloyd (with Dave Swarbrick)
8   The Whirly Whorl — Anne Briggs
9   Pretty Polly — AL Lloyd
10  The Night Visiting Song — Norman Kenneddy
11  The Old Bachelor — AL Lloyd (with Dave Swarbrick & Alf Edwards)
12  The Cock — Louis Killen
13  The Stonecutter Boy — Anne Briggs
14  The Mower — AL Lloyd
15  The Bird in the Bush — Frankie Armstrong
16  The Pegging Awl — AL Lloyd (with Alf Edwards)
17  One May Morning — Louis Killen
18  Martinmas Time — Anne Briggs
19  The Widow of Westmorland’s Daughter — AL Lloyd (with Dave Swarbrick & Alf Edwards

Two generations of the Campbell family and their lodger recorded during a family get-together. The older Campbells recalled songs from their youth in Scotland; Bob Cooney, the lodger, remembered children’s rhymes from childhood; Ian and Lorna (from the influential Ian Campbell Folk Group) and their sister Winnie sand ancient songs freshly learned through the folk revival.
1  Faur does Bonnie Lorna Lie / Sleep Till Yer Mammy – Betty Campbell
2  Nicky Tams – Dave Campbell
3  The Road and the Miles to Dundee – Betty Campbell
4  Drumdelgie / I Ken Fur I’m Gaun – Dave Campbell & Bob Cooney
5  My Wee Man’s a Miner / Fa, Fa, Fa wid be a Bobby / Foul Friday / Me an’ Mi Mither / We Three Kings – The Campbell Family
6  Bogie’s Bonnie Belle – Winnie Campbell
7  The Cruel Mother – Ian Campbell
8  Lang a’Growin’ – Lorna Campbell
9  Lady Eliza – Winnie Campbell
10  Will Ye Gang Love – Ian Campbell
11  I Wish, I Wish – Lorna Campbell
12  McGinty’s Meal and Ale – Bob Cooney and the family

A fine traditional singer from a bygone world. Bob Roberts was Dorset-born but grew up in Suffolk. He spent most of his working life on sailing barges carrying cargo round Britain or across the Channel to Europe. His repertoire was a treasury of bargemen’s songs, which he sang with a mellow grace to his own melodeon accompaniment. Roberts was active on the folk scene during the 1950s and 60s, but was seldom heard before these recordings made in 1977 returned him to clubs and festivals.
1  The Candlelight Fisherman
2  The Grey Hawk
3  Stormy Weather Boys
4  Waltz with Me
5  Haul Away Joe
6  The Oily Rig (recitation)
7   The Little Ball of Yarn
8   The Single Sailor
9   Young Collins
10  The Fish and Chip Ship
11  While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping
12  Windy Old Weather
13  The London Waterman
14  Bob Robert’s Waltz
15  Whiskey Johnny
16  The Foggy Dew
17  Bell Bottom Trousers
18  The Black Shawl
19  Little Boy Billee
20  The Collier Brig
21  Leave Her, Johnny

Until Topic Records featured Harry Boardman singing six Lancashire songs on the 1965 LP ‘New Voices’, available recordings of songs with their roots in the North West of England were scarce. The growing demand for such material led to the release of ‘Deep Lancashire’ in 1968 and then, in 1970, ‘Owdham Edge’, featuring Harry Boardman once again, as well as the first recordings by one Mike Harding.

1. Sam Shuttle and Betty Reedhook sung by Harry Boardman (banjo), acc. Lesley Boardman (mandolin) & Bob Diehl (fiddle)
2. Owdham Edge sung by John Howarth and The Oldham Tinkers (with banjo, mandolin and guitar)
3. Our Sarah’s Getten’ A Chap sung by John Howarth and The Oldham Tinkers (with banjo, mandolin and guitar)
4. The Miners’ Lock-Out sung by Harry Boardman (banjo); acc. Lesley Boardman (tenor banjo) & Mike Harding (Jews Harp)
5. Street Scene recited by Harvey Kershaw
6. Pounds, Shillings and Pence sung by Tim and Robin Boardman, leading into Down at our School sung by The Oldham Tinkers (with banjo, mandolin and guitar)
7. The Little Piecer sung by Dave Brooks (concertina)
8. Sammy Shuttleworth sung by Mike Harding (concertina), acc. Bernard Wrigley (bass concertina) & John Tenent (tenor horn)
9. Bowton’s Yard sung by Harry Boardman (banjo) acc. Lesley Boardman (tenor banjo) & Bob Diehl (fiddle)
10. Toddlin’ Whoam sung by Larry Kearns (guitar)
11. The Bard’s Reformation sung by Harry Boardman (banjo), acc. Lesley Boardman (tenor banjo) & Bob Diehl (fiddle)
12. Schoolyard Song sung by Harry Ogden (guitar), acc. Ian Hope (fiddle)
13. Nobbut a Cockstride Away sung by Mary Kershaw acc. Harvey Kershaw (piano)
14. Billy Suet’s Song sung by Harry Boardman (concertina)
15. Canute sung by The Oldham Tinkers (with banjo, tin whistle and guitar)
16. Our Bill sung by Bernard Wrigley (guitar)

Recorded by Sean Davies

First issued by Topic Records 1970

The musicians who have truly influenced Irish music in this century have not been many. Willie Clancy, piper, whistle-player and singer of Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, was indisputably one of them. He belonged to a strong tradition and left one after him.
1  Langstern Pony
2  The Templehouse / Over the Moor to Maggie
3  Bruachna Carraige Báine (The Brink of the White Rock)
4  Erin’s Lovely Lea
5  The Killavel Fancy / The Dogs Among the Bushes
6  The Family Ointment
7  The Dear Irish Boy
8  Caoineadh an Spailpín (The Spalpeen’s Lament)
9  The Pipe on the Hob
10  The Gander
11  The Legacy Jig
12  The Flogging Reel
13  The Song of the Riddles
14  Spailpín a Rúin (Spalpeen, my love)

A colourful collection of ballads and songs from Australia. A L (Bert) Lloyd was a leading architect of the British folk song revival and spent an early part of his life working in the Australian outback. Lloyd learnt these songs in the usual manner of folk singers; that is by picking them up from the singing of his workmates – sheep shearers, cattle drovers, farm hands and so on – in the bush. He is accompanied by three fine instrumentalists – Peggy Seeger, Ralph Rinzler and John Cole.
1  Flash Jack From Gundagai
2  Lachlan Tigers
3  The Cockies Of Bungaree
4  South Australia
5  Banks Of The Condamine
6  Bluey Brink
7  The Overlanders
8  1,000 Miles Away
9  The Flash Stockman
10  The Wild Colonial Boy
11  Brisbane Ladies
12  Bold Jack Donahue
13  The Shearer’s Dream
14  The Derby Ram

There is a Scots saying that a Stewart is ‘either a tinker or sib to the King’. Nobody who knows the Stewarts of Blairgowrie, who spring from a long and famous line of Scots travelling folk, will feel like arguing the toss as to which of these possibilities confers the higher status. By general consent the Stewarts rank high among the singing ‘folk’ families of Europe and the world, and (as Robert Burns would have agreed) this and similar considerations of sense and merit confer the only patent of nobility worth a docken. The descendants of ‘auld Jimmy Stewart of Struan’, who crossed from Perthshire into Aberdeenshire via Glenshee and the Devil’s Elbow about the middle of the last century, are now scattered up and down the high roads and the low roads of Scotland, and there is a flourishing colony of them in Canada. There can be few more musically gifted clans or families in all Europe. Pipers, Fiddlers, melodeon players, tin whistlers can be counted among them in dozens, and you practically never encounter an indifferent performer. Alex’s father, old John Stewart, was one of the finest pipers in Scotland.

Alex, Belle, Cathie and Sheila Stewart recorded in 1965 by Bill Leader

1     Huntingtower
2     Caroline of Edinburgh Town
3     In London’s Fair City
4     Queen Amang the Heather
5     Dowie Dens o’ Yarrow
6     The Lakes o’ Shillin
7     Ower Yon Hill There Lives a Lassie
8     The Convict’s Song
9     Young Jamie Foyers
10    The Corncrake amang the Whinny Knowes
11    Busk, Busk, Bonnie Lassie
12    March; Strathspey; Reel

Jesse Fuller, “The Lone Cat” (1896 – 1976) was one of the great blues troubadours. A remarkably expressive singer and fine 12-string guitarist, Fuller developed his unique one-man-band style around his fotdella (foot-operated bass) and harmonica/kazoo rig. This collection includes his earliest recordings, including the original version of his classic San Francisco Bay Blues, together with a session taped in London in 1965 for Topic Records.

This album is available on CD from Fledg’ling Records www.thebeesknees.com

1  Move On Down The Line
2  Stealing
3  Ninety-nine Years and One Dark Day
4  Animal Fair
5  Sleeping in the Midnight Cold
6  Stackolee
7  John Henry
8  Railroad Worksong
9  Lining up the Track
10  Hangin’ Round a Skin Game
11  Railroad Blues
12  San Francisco Bay Blues

Peggy Seeger and Tom Paley, both New York, are brilliant exponents of American instrumental traditions. Guitar, banjo, autoharp and dulcimer weave a delicate majesty on a great selection of traditional material. This stunning collection, recorded in London in 1964 by Bill Leader, is a powerful example of their musical accuity and has been an influence on many younger performers.
1  Who’s That Knocking at My Window
2  Love Henry
3  The Lass of Roch Royal
4  Who’s Going to Shoe your Pretty Little Foot?
5  Pretty Polly
6  Englewood Mine
7  Buck Dancer’s Choice
8  Just as the Tide Was Flowing
9  The Kicking Mule
10  The Heartless Lady
11  The Fiddling Soldier
12  Tittery Nan
13  Loving Reilly
14  The Cuckoo
15  If He’d Be a Buckaroo
16  The Girl on the Greenbriar Shore

This collection is drawn from the first three albums recorded by the Battlefield Band for Topic Records in 1977, ’78 and ’79.
Tracks 1-3 come from The Battlefield Band (12TS313), 4-12 from At the Front (12TS381) and 13-17 from Stand Easy (12TS404)
The Battlefield Band were made up of core members Brian MacNeill and Alan Reid with Jamie McMenemy and John Gahagan. For the second album, John was replaced by Pat Kilbride and, for Stand Easy, Pat and Jamie had left, and the new members were Duncan MacGillivray and Jenny Clark. Since making these recordings the band has gone on to become one of the mainstays of the progressive folk music scene in Scotland.

1  Silver Spear / Humours of Tulla
2  The Shipyard Apprentice
3  The Cruel Brother
4  Ge Do Theid Mi Do M’Leabaidh
5  The Battle of Harlaw
6  Jenny Nettles / The Grays of Tongside
7  Tae The Beggin’
8  The Tamosher
9  The Blackbird & the Thrush / The Moray Club
10  Lang Johnnie Moir
11  The Brown Milkmaid / Dunnottar Castle / Maid of Glengarrysdale / Disused Railway
12  The Lady Leroy
13  Miss Drummond of Perth / Fiddler’s Joy / Traditional Reel / The Shetland Fiddler
14   My Last Farewell to Stirling / Cuidich’n Righ
15   I Hae Laid a Herrin’ in Salt / My Wife’s a Wanton Wee Thing / The Banks of the Allan
16  The Battle of Falkirk Muir
17  Joe McGann’s Fiddle / Center’s Bonnet

JEANNIE ROBERTSON comes of roving stock – on both her father’s and mother’s side, her ancestors belonged to the travelling clans (Stewarts and Robertsons) who roamed the North-East of Scotland. Jeannie herself, although born in the city, spent much of her youth travelling “up the Dee and down the Don” with her people, and learned many of her songs at their campfires.

1 The Bonny Wee Lassie Who Never Said No
2 What a Voice
3 My PIaidie’s Awa’
4 The Gipsy Laddies
5 When I Was No but Sweet Sixteen
6 MacCrimmon’s Lament
7 Roy’s Wife of Aldivalloch
8 Lord Lovat

Paddy Tunney established himself as that rare thing a singer really in a class of his own. One of Paddy`s peculiarities is that he chooses a high proportion of songs that are hexatonic or pentatonic. ‘ln the present instance. these ‘gapped‘ scales. along with the decorated styles of his singing, produce a homogeneity of character which alone would make this a record for the connoisseur of traditional singing.’ Recorded in London in 1975 The Mountain Streams Where The Moorcocks Crow is a splendid collection of songs and ballads from Paddy’s large repertoire.

1     The Mountain Streams where the Moorcocks Crow
2     The Wee Weaver
3     The Boys of Mullaghbawn
4     The Old Petticoat
5     Coinleach Glas An Fhomhair
6     Donall Og
7     The Reaping of the Rushes Green
8     One Morning in June
9     Lady Margaret
10   Inis Dhun Ramha
11   The Old Oak Tree
12   Drinking Good Whiskey
13   Sweet Omagh Town
14   The Green Fields of Canada

By the time of the release of this 1978 Topic album, the musical evenings in pubs in the district around Woodbridge in East Suffolk had long been diminished due to the popularity of television and the ability for easy travel to new entertainments, but the tradition had gained recognition through the recordings of singers like Jumbo Brightwell, Jimmy Knights and Dick Woolnough, as well as musicians like Fred Pearce, Eely Whent and Albert Smith, and Keith Summers presented some of the best of those performers and songs on this album.

1. The Blacksmith’s Daughter Jumbo Brightwell
2. Ratcliff Highway Jimmy Knights
3. The Barn Dance (Woodland Flowers) Fred Pearce
4. Cock of the North Fred Pearce
5. The London Prentice Boy Dick Woolnough
6. The Next Tune Tonight – Turkey in the Straw Albert Smith/Eely Whent
7. The Banks of the Nile Jumbo Brightwell
8. Out With My Gun in the Morning Jimmy Knights
9. Old Country Waltz Eely Whent
10. Pigeon on the Gate Fred Pearce
11. Strolling Down to Hastings Alien Stollery
12. The Fellow Who Played The Trombone Jimmy Knights
13. Sailor’s Hornpipe Medley Eely Whent
14. The Oak and the Ash Jumbo Brightwell
15. The Jolly Tinker Billy Bolton
16. Two Step Eely Whent
17. Yarmouth Hornpipe Fred Pearce
18. The Parson’s Creed Jumbo Brightwell
19. Marrowbones Jimmy Knights
20. Golden Slippers Fred Pearce
21. The Chinaman’s Song Alien Stollery
22. Old Brown in the Rose and Crown/Red River Valley/Pigeon on the Gate Albert Smith
23. Polka Medley: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 The Bells of Love Jingle Bells  Eely Whent

Recorded by Keith Summers

Production by Keith Summers and Tony Engle

First issued by Topic Records 1978

Bernard O’Sullivan was a farmer and concertina player of Country Clare, with an extensive repertoire of traditional tunes, when these recordings were made in 1975 by John Tams and Neil Wayne. His companion Tommy McMahon, a generation younger, learnt both from Bernard an from his wide contest experience, which included All-Ireland senior championship prizes in 1971, ’72 and ’73.

1   Polkas: The Babes in the Wood / Cooraclare Polka / Clare Dragoons Bernard O’Sullivan / Tommy McMahon
2   Jigs: The Shady Groves of Piedmont / The Humours of Ennistymon Bernard O’Sullivan / Tommy McMahon
3   Reels: The Old Torn Petticoat / Tommy People’s Favourite Tommy McMahon
4   Set dance: Mount Fabus Hunt Bernard O’Sullivan / Tommy McMahon
5   Reels: Ollie Conway’s Selection Tommy McMahon
6   Reels: Kilrush Races / The Clogher Reel / Burren Reel Tommy McMahon / Bernard O’Sullivan
7   Set dance: Bonaparte’s Retreat Tommy McMahon / Bernard O’Sullivan
8   March: Bonaparte’s March Bernard O’Sullivan
9   Jigs: Barron’s / Jackson’s / The Milltown Jig Tommy McMahon
10  Set dance: Rodney’s Glory Tommy McMahon / Bernard O’Sullivan
11  Reel: Tommy McMahon’s Reel Tommy McMahon
12  Waltz: Over The Waves Bernard O’Sullivan / Tommy McMahon
13  Polkas: Girl I Left Behind / Maggie in the Wood Bernard O’Sullivan
14  Jigs: Martin Talty’s / Thomas Friel’s / Joe Cunnean’s Tommy McMahon
15  Hornpipes: Sean Ryan’s / Danganella hornpipe Tommy McMahon
16  Set dance: Job O’ Journeywork Tommy McMahon / Bernard O’Sullivan
17  Reels: The Ash Plant / The Maid of Mount Cisco Bernard O’Sullivan / Tommy McMahon

Kevin Mitchell one of the finest singers of song from North Ulster was born in the city of Derry 36 years ago. In 1969 he settled in Glasgow where he worked as an industrial painter, and is married, with two children. When asked to describe his singing voice, words like distinctive, personal style, lyrical and even beautiful come to mind, but none of them are enough. One thing is certain, if you ever hear him singing you will remember it.

1    Free and Easy
2    The Lurgy Streams
3    The Mickey Dam
4    Nancy Bell
5    The Boys of MuIlaghbawn
6    Going to Mass Last Sunday
7    The Magherafelt May Fair
8    The Light Horse
9    The Moorlough Shore
10   Two Strings on a Bow
11   Seán Ó Duibhir (Sean O’ Dwyer)
12   The Oul’ Grey Man

Harry Boardman was a mainstay of the folkscene in his native Lancashire and a singer of great vitality. His extensive repertoire focused on local songs old and new.
Harry Boardman is par excellence Lancashire’s native son. He was born in the cotton town of Failsworth, near Oldham, in 1930. His mother and grandparents were weavers and spinners. Harry himself has worked on the railways and as a printer. He began singing Lancashire songs in his early twenties, and is an outstanding pioneer of the folk song revival in the North-west. The folk song club he founded in Manchester in 1954 was among the first in the country.
He is a devoted researcher into the local traditions of Lancashire – not only the songs but the tales, sayings, speechways and the like, and few can match him for knowledge of the dialect poetry of the region. Not that his interest is merely antiquarian, for he is much concerned with the current history and social developments of his area, as well as its dramatic past.
Lancashire is indeed fortunate to have such a fond delver into its working class culture, and such a fine exponent of its varied and vital traditions.

1 A Lancashire Mon acc. Harry Boardman (banjo) Lesley Boardman (tenor banjo) Gerry Murphy (concertina) Bob Diehl (fiddle)
2 T’Spinner’s Tale recitation
3 The Radcliffe Otter Hunt acc. Gerry Murphy (concertina) Leslie Boardman (mandolin) Bob Diehl (fiddle)
4 Victoria Bridge on a Saturday Night unacc.
5 Kitty and Robin acc. Gerry Murphy (concertina)
6a Saddleworth Buck Rabbit recitation
6b Whoam Brewed acc. himself (melodeon)
7 Warrikin Fain acc. Bob Diehl (fiddle) Gerry Murphy (concertina) Lesley Boardman (mandolin) Tim Boardman (whistle)
8 Spinning Shoddy acc. Harry Boardman (banjo) Lesley Boardman (tenor banjo)
9 To the Begging acc. Lesley Boardman (mandolin) Bob Diehl (fiddle) Gerry Murphy (concertina)
10 The Beltane Song acc. Gerry Murphy (smallpipes) Bob Diehl (fiddle) Lesley Boardman (mandolin) Harry Boardman (drum)
11 The Garland unacc.
12 Owdham on a Saturday Night acc. Bob Diehl (fiddle) Gerry Murphy (concertina) Lesley Boardman (mandolin)
13 Nine Times a Night acc. himself (concertina)

First published by Topic 1973

A L Lloyd occupied a unique position in the British folksong revival. Much-loved father-figure and mentor to many younger singers, he was a performer of persuasive charm, as well as an international authority on folklore and a frequent broadcaster. Lloyd was for a while artistic director of Topic Records and encouraged the early recordings of many of the folk scene’s finest performers. ‘First Person’ is a remarkable selection of his own favourite English folk songs. Lloyd is accompanied by Alf Edwards – concertina and Dave Swarbrick – fiddle.
1  Four Drunken Maidens
2  St. James’ Hospital
3  Kelly Gang
4  I Wish My Love
5  Jack Orion
6  Lover’s Ghost
7  Rocking the Cradle
8  Drover’s Dream
9  Short Jacket and White Trousers
10  Sovay, the Female Highwayman
11  Reynardine
12  Farewell Nancy
13  Fanny Blair
14  Shickered As He Could Be

The Stewarts are a proud family of Scots travellers who claim descent from the Royal House of Stewart and who have music in their bones. Belle Stewart was one of the great traditional ballad singers and her daughters, Sheila and Cathie, inherited the family talent in full measure. Belle’s husband Alex Stewart was a fine exponent of the Highland warpipes. For The Travelling Stewarts album the family were joined by many of their relatives, including Jeannie Robertson, Lizzie Higgins and Davy Stewart.

‘You’ll never see me laughing or shouting at a Pakistani or anybody like that; no, never… Long, long years ago when I was a wee boy. My auld mother told me that all travellers came from the same place as these people. and so I never do anything that might offend them. Anyway, they`re having a hard time of it. just like the travellers…’
Davy Stewart, itinerant singer.

1    Johnnie, My Man  Lizzie Higgins
2    Willie’s Fatal Visit  Jeannie Robertson
3    The Battle’s O’er; Scotland the Brave; The 51st Division in Egypt  Played by Donald and Isaac Higgins, pipes
4    Bogie’s Bonnie Belle  Jane Stewart
5    McGinty’s Meal and Ale  Davy Stewart
6    My Bonnie Tammy  Christina Stewart
7    MacPherson’s Lament  Maggie McPhee
8    The Drunken Piper; Brig o’ Perth; Reel o’ Tulloch  Played by Alex Stewart, pipes
9    Loch Dhui  Belle Stewart acc. Alex Stewart, goose
10   The Dawning of the Day  Cathie Stewart, acc. Alex Stewart, goose
11   Donald’s Return to Glencoe  Sheila Stewart

Recorded in Scotland by Bill Leader, 1967
First Issued by Topic 1968

‘For As Many As Will’ dates from 1978 and was the last studio recording by Shirley & Dolly Collins. The sisters were brought up on the Sussex coast with a strong intuitive for English traditional song. Through a remarkable series of landmark recordings during the 1960s and ’70s they helped define the possibilities of the English folksong revival. ‘For As Many As Will’ includes a stunning reading of Richard Thompson’s ‘Never Again’, alongside fine traditional material like ‘Lord Allenwater’, ‘Gilderoy’, ‘The Moon Shines Bright’ and a medley from John Gay’s ‘The Beggar’s Opera’.
1  Lancashire Lass
2  Never Again
3  Lord Allenwater
4  The Blacksmith Courted Me
5  Beggar’s Opera Medley – Can Love Be Control’d by Advice? / O Polly You Might Have Toy’d and Kist / Oh What Pain it is to Part / The Miser Thus a Shilling Sees / Youth’s the Season Made For Joys / Hither Dear Husband, Turn your Eyes; Lumps of Pudding
6  Gilderoy
7  Rockley Firs / Sweet Jenny Jones
8  German Tune
9  The Moon Shines Bright
10  Harvest Home Medley – Peas, Beans, Oats and the Barley / The Mistress’s Health / Poor Tom

The debut album from the mighty HIGH LEVEL RANTERS is a tremendous collection of dance and song from the North East of England. The Ranters were a group of Northeastern musicians whose regular meeting-place was the Bridge Inn under the shadow of Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s High Level Bridge (hence their, conceivably punning, name). They comprise Johnny Handle (accordion and sundry other sonorous engines), Colin Ross and Foster Charlton (both fiddlers doubling on small-pipes), Alistair Anderson (concertina), Tom Gilfellon (guitar);

1 Shew’s the way to Wallington /The Peacock Followed the Hen Band
2 The Sandgate Girl’s Lament / Elsie Marley Johnny Handle acc Band
3 Bellingham Boat / Lambskinnet Band
4 Adam Buckham Johnny Handle acc Band
5 Meggy’s Foot Concertina Guitar Jews Harp
6 The Lads of North Tyne / The Redesdale Hornpipe Band
7 The Hexhamshire Lass Tom Gilfellon acc Band
8 The Breakdown / Blanchland Races Band
9 The Lads of Alnwick / Lamshaw’s Fancy Band
10 Byker Hill Tom Gilfellon acc Band
11 Whinham’s Reel / Nancy Band
12 Because he was a Bonny Lad / Salmon Tails up the Water /
Sweet Hesleyside Small-pipe Duet
13 Dance to Your Daddy Band featuring fiddle duet
14 Billy Boy Tom Gilfellon acc Band
15 Nae Guid Luck Aboot the Hoose Concertina solo
16 Mi’ Laddie sits ower late up Johnny Handle acc Jews Harp
17 The Keel Row / Kafoozalum / The Washing Day Band

The Stewarts are a family of Scots travellers who claimed descent from the Royal House of Stewart and have traditional music in their bones. Belle Stewart, a proud, dignified and a distinguished maintainer of noble traditions, ranks alongside Jeannie Robertson in the roll of the finest Scots ballad-singers. ‘Queen Among the Heather’ is the only full album of her work.
1  Queen Among the Heather
2  Here’s a Health to all True Lovers
3  Betsy Belle
4  The Berryfields of Blair
5  The Soft Country Chiel (The Toon o’ Dalry)
6  Whistlin’ at the Ploo’
7  The Bonnie Wee Lassie frae Gourock
8   The Overgate
9  Blooming Caroline o’ Edinburgh Toon
10  Busk, Busk, Bonnie Lassie
11  Late Last Night
12  The Twa Brothers
13  Leezie Lindsay

Brass Monkey’s 1999 comeback album Sound & Rumour is an exhilarating blend of sea songs, Morris tunes, travellers’ songs and a pipe march. This album saw the band back on the road with Richard Cheetham taking over the trombone duties from Roger Williams.

Martin Carthy vocals [1, 4, 8b, 9, 11a], guitar, mandolin
John Kirkpatrick vocals [1, 3, 7, 9, 12], Anglo concertina, button accordion, single-row melodeon
Howard Evans trumpet
Richard Cheetham trombone
Martin Brinsford percussion and mouth-organ

1. The Flash Lad
2. Morris Tune / The Rose / Trunkles
3. An Acre of Land
4. Old Horse
5. The Heroes of St Valéry
6. The Charming Maid
7. The Roving Journeyman
8. Rodney / When I Was Young / The Quaker
9. The Old Virginia Lowlands
10. Auretti’s Dutch Skipper / An Adventure at Margate / The Spirit of the Dance
11. Soldier, Soldier  / The Flowers of Edinburgh
12. The Rambling Comber
13. Betty Fitchett’s Wedding / The German Schottische

An important collection of field recordings made between 1940 and the late 1960s, which focus upon the traditional instrumental music of rural England. Most of the musicians featured were born towards the end of the 19th century and developed their musical skills in the years before the Great War. The carnage of World War 1, the movement towards towns in search of employment and the influence of mass media, all served to bring about a decline in country music. This recording captures some of the finest surviving performers and the repertoire they played for social dancing in country pubs and village halls.
1  Jenny Lind / Untitled Polka – Scan Tester and Rabbidy Baxter
2  The Irish Washerwoman / Garryowen / Rory O’More / St Patrick’s Day – Billy Cooper
3  The Boscastle Breakdown – The Tintagel and Boscatle Players
4  The Boscastle Breakdown (six hornpipes) – William Hocken
5  The Helston Furry Dance – Mr Dangar’s Trio
6  Lady Evesham’s Jig – Mr Dangar’s Trio
7  Untitled Polka – Walter and Daisy Bulwer and Reg Hall
8  The Yarmouth Hornpipe introducing The Four Hand Reel / The Sailor’s Hornpipe – Billy Cooper
9  Dulcie Bell – Billy Cooper
10  The Breakdown / The Flowers of Edinburgh – Harry Lee
11  The Italian Schottische – The Dorset Trio
12  The Lass of Dalogil – The Dorset Trio
13  Bonfire Tune / Untitled Polka – Albert Farmer
14  Untitled Waltz / The Cuckoo Waltz – Albert Farmer
15  Unidentified Tune – Harry Lee
16  The Sailor’s Hornpipe / The Shipdham Hornpipe / Untitled Polka / The White Cockade / Untitled Polka – Walter and Daisy Bulwer

Flute player Packie Duignan was a fine musician who had many of the tunes of the Leitrim player John McKenna, a distinguished and prolific figure in Irish-American recording circles of the 1920s and ’30s. He is joined on this splendid record by another Leitrim musician, fiddler Seamus Horan.

1 Jigs: The Shores of Lough Gowna / The Rose and the Heather (flute/fiddle)
2 Slip Jigs: Devero the Dancer / Connie the Soldier (flute)
3 Reels: The Tailor’s Thimble / The Red-haired Lass (flute/fiddle)
4 Hornpipe/Reel: Sean Ryan’s Hornpipe / The New Found Out Reel (fiddle)
5 Reels: Sporting Paddy / Packie Duignan’s Reel (flute/fiddle/whistle)
6 Jigs: The Trip To Athlone / The Hag with the Money / The Castlebar Jig (flute/fiddle)
7 Reels: Crowley’s (fiddle)
8 Reels: Jackie Coleman’s / The Sailor on the Rock (flute/fiddle)
9 Reels: Bridie Morley / Duignan’s Favourite (fiddle/flute)
10 Slip Jig: The Kid on the Mountain (flute/fiddle)
11 Highland Fling/Reel: Monymusk / Mrs. Smollen’s Reel (fiddle/flute)
12 Reel: The House On The Hill (flute)
13 Reel: The Duke of Leinster (flute/whistle)
14 Reels: Dinny Ryan’s Reels (fiddle)
15 Reels: Tom Ward’s Downfall / The Mullaghnavat Reel (flute/fiddle)
16 Jigs: The Geese in the Bog / Your Jig (fiddle)

Sean Wynne plays whistle on tracks 5 and 10.
Robin Morton plays bodhran on tracks 2, 9, 11, 12 & 13

First published by Topic 1978

The second of Chris Foster’s highly regarded Topic albums. Chris Foster is a master of his trade. Alongside Nic Jones, Dick Gaughan and June Tabor, he established himself in the 1970s as one of the finest interpreters of the traditional ballads of the British Isles with tales of romance, magic, murder, liquor, love, adultery and cross dressing.

‘As one who has witnessed the development of ‘English’ guitar accompaniment to traditional songs, I have always ranked Chris as one of our most exciting interpreters…. My old vinyl copies of his 2 Topic albums remain precious. Chris remains a consummate artist.’   Graham Lobb – The Living Tradition.

1. Black Fox
2. Low Down in the Broom
3. Grey Cock
4. Pigeon on the Gate
5. Unicorns
6. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury
7. Jump at the Sun
8. The Working Chap
9. When This Old Hat Was New
10. The World Turned Upside Down

Record produced by Tony Engle

First issued by Topic Records 1979

Irish music in the old ‘Sligo Style’ was carried far and wide by such migrant sons as Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran and Michael Gorman. It was the tradition that two London based musicians – Tommy Healy (flute) and Johnny Duffy (fiddle) – grew up in. They continued adhering to the style playing at home in Ireland and later in London. Accompanied by pianist Reg Hall the two are beautifully captured on this intimate recording from the mid-1970s.
1  Reels: Tarbolton / The Longford Collector / The Sailor’s Bonnet
2  Jigs: The Wandering Minstrel / Fasten the Legging / The Smash
3  Hornpipes: The Rights of Man / The Honeysuckle
4  Reels: The Boys at the Lough / The Merry Blacksmith
5  Jigs: The Scotsman Over the Border / Tell Her I Am
6  Reels: The Montua / The Happy Days of Youth
7  Reel: Fred Finn’s Reel
8  Reel; The First Part of the Lancers
9  Jigs: The Gold Ring / Richard Brennan’s Favourite
10  Reels: Miss McLeod / The Wild Irishman
11  Jig: The Grey Goose
12  Reels: The Humours of Lissadel / Sweeney’s Dream
13  Jigs: Cavan Lasses / Rose of the Heather
14  Reels: The Enchanted Lady / The Holy Land
15  Waltz: Mrs Kenney
16  Reels: Martin Wynne’s No.1 & No.2

A singer of extraordinary power, a gifted guitarist and whistle-player, Vin Garbutt has been one of the most popular performers on the folk scene for nearly forty years. This, his first album recorded for Topic records is a career highlight.
1  Bantry Bay / Den Toppede Høne
2  The Land of Three Rivers
3  Gentle Annie
4  Hornpipes – The Belfast / The Japanese
5  The Hartlepool Monkey
6  Tonto McGuire
7  The Ring of Iron
8  Skibbereen
9  Their Ulster Peace
10  Reels – Tear the Calico / The Providence
11  The Waters Of Tyne

This album offers a collection of traditional song from Australia. The great folksong collector and singer, A L Lloyd is accompanied by Trevor Lucas, Martyn Wyndham-Reade, Dave Swarbrick & Alf Edwards.
1  Waltzing Matilda – A L Lloyd
2  Jim Jones at Botany Bay – A L Lloyd
3  The Wild Colonial Boy – A L Lloyd
4  The Streets of Forbes – Trevor Lucas
5  The Hold-up at Eugowra Rocks – A L Lloyd
6  The Flash Stockman – Martyn Wyndham-Reade
7  Five Miles from Gungadai – Trevor Lucas
8  The Lime Juice Tub – A L Lloyd & Martyn Wyndham-Reade
9  Euabalong Ball – A L Lloyd
10  Banks of the Condamine – Trevor Lucas
11  Click Go the Shears – Martyn Wyndham-Reade
12  Flash Jack from Gungadai – A L Lloyd
13  The Road to Gungadai – Martyn Wyndham-Reade
14  Hard Tack – Martyn Wyndham-Reade
15  On the Road with Liddy – A L Lloyd

A former fisherman from Brighton, Johnny Doughty was discovered in his early seventies and recorded for Topic records. His songs, delivered with a vigorous sincerity that belied his age, ranged from classic Elizabethan ballads to locally composed ditties, as well as reflecting his extrovert personality.

1    Herring Heads
2    The Wreck of the Northfleet
3    When I was Single
4    The Golden Vanity
5    The Saucy Sailor
6    Baltimore
7    While Going Round the Cape/Round Rye bay for More
8    Spanish Ladies
9    The Sailor’s Alphabet
10   The Mermaid
11   Marry Me
12   I’m Going to be Mother Today
13   Barbar Allen
14   My Boy Billy
15   Dick Turpin/Let Her Go Back
16   Rye Harbour Girl
17   The Streets of Port Arthur

The Fisher family – stalwarts of the folk song revival – captured at a family get-together; a series of magical recordings by Bill Leader devoted to the family’s younger generation. Ray and Archie Fisher together with their sisters come into their own on this delightful anthology of Scots songs old and new.
1  Come All Ye Fisher Lassies – The Fisher Family
2  Schooldays Over – Ray & Archie Fisher
3  The Rigs O’Rye – Archie Fisher
4  Donal Ogue – Joyce Fisher
5  For Our Lang Biding Here – Archie Fisher
6  Joy of My Heart – The Fisher Family
7  Hey Ca Through – Ray, Joyce, Audrey & Priscilla Fisher
8  What’s Poor Mary Weeping For? / Bonnie Lass O’Ballochmyle – Ray & Archie Fisher
9   Am A Miller Tae Ma Trade – Cindy & Joyce Fisher
10  I Am A Freeborn Man – Archie Fisher
11  The Birkin Tree – Joyce & Cindy Fisher
12  Aince Upon a Time – Ray & Archie Fisher

Cheviot Barn Dance is the third recording of The Cheviot Ranters Country Dance Band on Topic. As with their previous records The Sound of the Cheviots (12TS214) and The Cheviot Hills (12TS222) it is a programme of old time and country dances. Formed in 1955, the Cheviot Ranters were arguably the most distinguished and authentic of the English folk dance bands and grew out of the monthly meetings of the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society.

1. DASHING WHITE SERGEANT: Original; Rakes of Mallow; Catherine’s Reel
2. CALL OF THE PIPES: Barren Rocks of Aden; Sweet Maid of Glendaruch; The Earl of Mansfield
3. NOTTINGHAM SWING: Marquis o’ Lorne; Showman’s Fancy; Beggar Boy
4. MILITARY TWO STEP: I do like to be beside the seaside; Here we are again; Mademoiselle from Armentieres; Hello, hello, who’s your lady friend
5. SWEDISH MASQUERADE: Original
6. LUCKY SEVEN: Davy Davy Knick Knack; Toland Dance; Aiken Drum
7. LA RUSSE: Original; Good Humour; Come let us dance and sing
8. KEEL ROW: Original; There’s nae luck aboot the hoose; Castles in the Air
9. BRIDGE OF ATHLONE: The frost is all over; Pet of the Pipers; Smash the Windows
10. CIRCLE WALTZ: We parted on the shore; I belong to Glasgow; Oh Oh Antonio; Peggy O’Neill
11. CHEVIOT RANT: Original; Cloudy Crags; Traditional Air
12. POLKA: The Brownieside Polka

First issued by Topic Records 1974

The traditional folk music of East Suffolk has probably been the best documented regional style in England over the past thirty years. Whereas much of the music and singing recorded in this period would appear to be indigenous to a general ‘East Anglian style’. It is possible. even within such a relatively small area. to detect various distinctive traditions often revolving around either a particular pub, village or influential musician. Basically during this period, there were four such quite separate local groupings in this area, with of course some interaction between them (primarily in the case of the travelling pub musician).
The best known of these was undoubtedly that centred around the singing pubs along the Aldeburgh coastal district, such as Blaxhall ‘Ship’ and the ‘Eel Foot Inn’ at Eastbridge. Here the music and singing was highly organised. generally as a Saturday night’s entertainment with chairmen introducing the singers and maintaining order. Secondly the nearby towns of Woodbridge and Wickham Market boasted a fair number of dance and string bands led by men such as Walter CIow, Fred Whent, Billy Hall and Lennie Pearce. A third tradition was active around the pubs in Halesworth and Yoxford area, revolving around the charismatic Seaman Family from Darsham. Finally_ the small villages between Framlingham and Debenham sported a great musical tradition dominated by melodeon players Walter Read and Alf Peachey and fiddlers Walter Gyford and Harkie Nesling. It is from the last two traditions and through four generations that this recording is drawn.

Harkie Nesling Fiddle
Reg Reeder Dulcimer
Font Whatling Melodeon
Fred Whiting Fiddle

1    Polkas (Harkie’s Polkas) Fred Whiting
2    Cat Among the Tails / Rakes of Mallow Reg Reeder
3    The Earl Soham Slog / Flowers of Edinburgh Fred Whiting
4    Mick’s Tune / Pigeon on the Gate Font Whatling
5    The Sultan’s Polka / Untitled Polka Harkie Nesling
6    Waltz Medley: Oscar Woods’ / Charlie Philpotts Reg Reeder
7    Jigs: The Maid at the Well / The Old Kerry Fiddler / The Priest and His Boots Fred Whiting
8    Come and Be My Little Teddy Bear Harkie Nesling
9    Polkas Font Whatling
10  Hornpipes: The Weaver’s / The Bristol Sailorman / Ballinalig in the Morning  Fred Whiting
11  Imprudence Schottische / Rakes of Mallow Harkie Nesling
12  Polka Medley : 1,2,3,4 5 / Jenny Lind / Joe, the  Boat is Going Over Reg Reeder
13  The Hurling Boys (‘Old Country Dance’)/ Jack Tar Hornpipe  Fred Whiting
14  Untitled Tunes Font Whatling
15  The Barn Dance Harkie Nesling
16  Off to California / Will the Waggoner (Gypsy Hornpipe ) Fred Whiting
17   Pigeon on the Gate Font Whatling

The four piece ensemble Oak were the leading lights of a movement to rediscover English country music in the early 1970s. The group comprised Rod and Danny Stradling, Peta Webb and Tony Engle. Their songs, music and style were derived from traditional country performers. Their sole album – ‘Welcome To Our Fair’ – has been an tremendously influential recording for a whole generation of British folk musicians.

1  Thousands or More
2  New Rigged Ship / Rig-a-jig-jig
3  The Lakes of Cool Flynn
4  The Nutley Waltz / The Faithful Sailor Boy
5  Roving Round the County Tyrone
6  The Scarlet and the Blue
7  Shepherds Arise
8  Scan’s Polka
9  Australia
10  Cupid’s Garden
11  False, False
12  Our Good Ship Lies in Harbour
13  The Bunch of Thyme / The Perfect Cure / The Sweets of May

A chance meeting with the Boys of the Lough in California led to Vincent Griffin making his first solo record in 1977. His playing has plenty of character and his repertoire is full of grand fiddle tunes.

*1 Reels: Fahey’s 1 & 2
*2 Jigs: Paddy Fahey’s / The Cliffs of Moher
3 Reels: Paddy Ryan’s Dream / Mammy’s Pet
*4 Reels: Martin Rocheford’s / The Sligo Maid
*5 Hornpipes: The New Century / The Cuckoo
6 Jigs: Coleman’s
7 Reels: Lord McDonaId’s / Ballinasloe Fair
*8 Reels: The Reefs/McFadden’s Favourite
*9 Reels: The New Year’s In / Youghal Quay
10 Air: Se Bhfath mo Bhfuartha (The Cause of my Sorrow)
11 Reel: Lord Gordon’s
*12 Reels: Dr. Gilbert / The Queen of May
*13 Jigs: The Trip to Sligo / Garrett Barry’s
14 Reels: The Night in Ennis / The Maid Behind the Bar
*15 Reels: Crow|ey’s
*16 Reels: Lady Anne Montgomery / Down the Broom /T he Gatehouse Maid

On tracks marked * Vincent is accompanied on piano and ** on harp by Geraldine Carrig.

Peta Webb’s 1973 LP for Topic came after great interest in her work with Oak; this album showcases her individual vocal style, with songs learned from some of the great Irish traditional singers, Brigid Tunney, Winnie Ryan and John Docherty among them.

1. I have wandered in exile  with Lucy Farr, fiddle
2. Oxford City
3. The Moorlough Shore
4. The Blackbird of Avondale with Lucy Farr, fiddle; Reg Hall, melodeon
5. Blackwater Side
6. The Pride of Glencoe with Michael Plunkett, fiddle
7. I am a poor girl
8. Moorlough Mary
9. The Lovely Banks of Lea with Lucy Farr, fiddle

Recorded by Tony Engle

First issued by Topic Records 1973

“In a form of music that is mainly about continuity and convention, it is a rarity to come across an innovator, a rule-breaker; Davie Stewart was just such a character.  He deserves the overused word, ‘unique’; they made Davie and then they broke the mould.  His song accompaniments on melodeon or piano accordion have a peculiar otherworldly effect.  It is weird and wonderful stuff.”  Vic Smith

1 MacPherson’s Rant
2 The Jolly Beggar
3 Cantering: The 74^th Highlanders’ Farewell to Edinburgh/The Piper’s Bonnet/Mrs
MacLeod of Raasay
4 I’m Often Drunk and I’m Seldom Sober
5 Jigs: Taghter Jack Walsh/The Connaughtman’s Ramble
6 The Overgate
7 The Merchant’s Son
8 The Daft Piper
9 Boolavogue
10 Hornpipe: Harvest Home
11 The Dowie Dens o’Yarrow

Production for Topic by Tony Engle
First issued by Topic Records 1978

One of Scotland’s best known traditional singers, a former farm servant and traveller from Banffshire, the late Jimmy McBeath sang bothy ballads and other songs in a direct and authoritative style.

1    Bound To Be A Row
2    The Banks of Inverurie
3    Ythanside
4    Erin Go Bragh
5    Bogie’s Bonnie Belle
6    The Cow Wi’ The Iron Tail
7    Arlin’s Fine Braes
8    The Bonnie Lass o’ Fyvie
9    Pittenweem Jo
10  Ye Canna Pit It On Tae Sandy
11  The Boston Smuggler
12  Hielan’ Rory
13  The Magdalen Green
14  Marnin’ Fair
15  The Feeing Time

It is very appropriate that the artistry of William Hardie should be featured on this disc along with that of J. Scott Skinner, for many authorities believe him to be the finest living exponent of the Scott Skinner style.

William Hardie, accompanied on this record by his son, comes from a family with a long and honoured place in Scottish musical life – his great-great grandfather, Peter Hardie, (1775 – 1863), was a pupil of Niel Gow and a violin maker and composer of note; Peter’s cousin, Matthew Hardie (1755 – 1826), is widely regarded as the doyen of Scottish violin makers, and Charles Hardie (1849 – 1893), the grand-uncle of the present artist, was considered one of the best violinists in Scotland in his day, and held by Skinner to excel particularly in slow airs, light reels and hornpipes.

Bill Hardie / stereo

1 The Marquis of Huntly’s Snuff Mull/Mrs Chree/Carnie’s Canter
2 James F. Dickie’s Delight/The Laird o’ Drumblair/James F. Dickie’s reel
3 MacPherson’s Rant/Tullochgorum/The East Neuk o’ Fife
4 Master Francis Sitwell & variations/Newcastle Hornpipe]
5 Hornpipes: The North Shore/The Liverpool
6 The Dean Brig o’ Edinburgh/Banks Hornpipe

Bill Hardie is accompanied by his son, Alastair Hardie, on piano on tracks 1, 2, 4, 6 – tracks 3 and 5 are solo.

Scott Skinner / 78rpm discs / mono

7 The Laird o’ Drumblair (1683e) (Zonophone X-47905)
(The Laird o’ Drumblair/The Baker Reel/Will ye no come back Again?)
8 The Freebooter (Is Your War Pipe asleep) (26746) (Rena Double Face 1285) (MacPherson’s Rant/Tullochgorum & variations/The East Neuk of Fife & variations)
9 Birlin Reels (26749) (Rena Double Face 1283)
(The Auld Wheel/Spinning Wheel/Bride’s Reel/MacKenzie Frazer/Fairy Dance)
10 German Schottische (26760) (Rena Double Face 1286)
(Bohemian Melodies)
11 (a) Goodbye Gramin (b) Johnny Steele (strathspey) (c) James Hardie (reel) (73072) (Regal G8021)
12 Highland Schottische (26761) (Regal Zonophone G6617
Maggie Cameron/Athole Brose/The Devil in the Kitchen/Forbes Morrison
13 Sean Trews and Whistle o’er the Lave O’t, and Wha widna Fecht for Charlie? (Antique Dance) (26764) (Regal G6625)

Recorded and produced by Tony Engle.
First issued by Topic 1975.

Second influential recording from the Exiles – three Scots musicians resident in London – again mixes a traditional and contemporary repertoire.

ENOCH KENT – vocal, whistle & guitar
BOBBY CAMPBELL – vocal, fiddle, mandolin, mandola & guitar
GORDON McCULLOCH – vocal, guitar & banjo
TIM LYONS – button accordion*

1    The Jolly Beggar
2    The Fair Flower of Northumberland
3    Reels: The Corner House / The Sally Gardens*
4    The Laird o’ the Windy Wa’
5    Dainty Davie
6    Le Reel du Pendu
7    Queen Eleanor’s Confession
8    The Poolan Laddie
9    The Shoals Of Herring
10  Airs, Slip Jig & Reel: The Coolin / I Walked Up To Her / Rocky Road To Dublin / The wee Weaver
11  The Battle of Harlaw
12  I Will Lay Ye Doon, Love
13  Planxty Davis*

This is the second Topic LP of the music of Tommy McMahon and Bernard O’Sullivan. Like the first record it illustrates the richness, depth and variety of Clare concertina music. The selection here is very varied and includes reels, jigs, hornpipes, set dances, polkas and waltzes. Anyone in search of good concertina music may find it in West Clare. This is really concertina country. Every village has a traditional musician and in many cases it is a concertina player. The concertina as a traditional instrument has been in Clare for well over a hundred years. With the decline of the pipes and fiddle the concertina was a practical replacement. It was ideal for playing the newly composed sets of the last century. Though it was not capable of the embellishments or expressiveness of the pipes it was nevertheless an excellent little reed instrument for playing for country dances.

1 Polkas: I Have a Bonnet Trimmed with Blue, The Rakes of Mallow  Tommy McMahon & Bernard O’Sullivan
2 Reels: Farmer Moroney’s and Mulvihill’s reel  Tommy McMahon & Bernard O’Sullivan
3 Reels: Maud Millar’s and Morrison’s  Tommy McMahon
4 Reel: The Bucks of Oranmore  Bernard O’Sullivan
5 Waltzes: My Heart’s in the Highlands and The Dewdrop  Bernard O’Sullivan
6 Jigs: The Blooming Meadows, Mullagh Jig, Ballinakill Jig  Tommy McMahon & Bernard O’Sullivan
7 Reels: The Merry Sisters, Quilty Reel  Tommy McMahon
8 Hornpipes: The Cliff, The Derry Hornpipe  Tommy McMahon & Bernard O’Sullivan
9 Jigs: The Rose in the Heather selection  Tommy McMahon
10 Reels: Flowery Mountains, Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel, The Milliner’s Daughter  Tommy McMahon & Bernard O’Sullivan
11 Reel: A Trip to Durrow  Tommy McMahon
12 Polka: Stack Ryan’s Polka  Bernard O’Sullivan
13 Set Dance: The Garden of Daisies  Tommy McMahon & Bernard O’Sullivan
14 Jigs: Andy Keone’s, Saddle the Pony, Tulla Jig  Tommy McMahon
15 Set Dance: The Three Sea Captains  Tommy McMahon
16 Reels: The Boys of Ballysadare, The Five Mile Chase  Tommy McMahon & Bernard O’Sullivan

Produced by Tony Engle, John Tams and Neil Wayne
First issued by Topic Records 1976.

Traveller, horse-dealer and uilleann piper, Felix Doran was also a great-grandson of the famous 19th-century piper John Cash of Wexford. Carrying on the tradition of that extraordinarily influential musician, Doran played all over Ireland for many years.

1 Air: Mary of Murroe / Reel: The Green Gates
2 Air: The Dear Irish Boy / Reel: The Primrose Lass
3 Reel: Rakish Paddy
4 Air: Rolandstown Churchyard
5 Reel: The Ash Plant
6 Jig: The Lark in the Morning
7 The Fox Hunt
8 Reels: George White’s Favourite / The Ivy Leaf
9 Air: The Coolin
10 Reel: Boys of the Lough
11 Reels: Pigeon on the Gate / Miss Monaghan

First published by Topic Records in 1976

The late John Doherty, the travelling virtuoso fiddler from Donegal, was an important link in the Gaelic tradition of rural Ireland. He was one of the greatest Irish master musicians, yet for most of his life he never owned a fiddle. At the time of these historic recordings he was 83 years old.
1  Hudie Gallagher’s March / Untitled Reel
2  The Black Mare of Fanad
3  The March of the Meena Toiten Bull
4  Kiss the Maid Behind the Bier / The Bargain is Over
5  The 21 Highland
6  Untitled March
7  Untitled Reel
8  The Paps of Glencoe
9  The Hare in the Corn
10  Untitled March
11  The Knights of St Patrick
12  The Dispute at the Crossroads
13  Roaring Mary / Stormy Weather
14  Miss Patterson’s Slippers
15  The Cat that Kittled in Jamie’s Wig
16  Welcome Home Royal Charlie
17  Darby Gallagher
18  Untitled Mazurka
19  Untitled Reel
20  The Teelin Highland
21  Untitled March
22  The Heathery Breeze
23  Untitled Highland Reel
24  The Monaghan Switch
25  Untitled Highland Reel
26  The Black Haired Lass
27  Paddy’s Rambles Through the Park

Muliti-instrumentalist Andrew Cronshaw variously draws upon the traditional music of the Scottish Highlands, Northern Spain, Finnland and his native England to weave a music of great beauty and originality. 1993’s The Language of Snakes was his sixth solo album. Working with a close band of musical collaborators, Cronshaw magically transforms his disparate source material with a series of unexpected textures and arrangements.
1  Through Moorfields
2  Kindness For Ever More
3  MacDonnel’s March / Kilcoy’s March
4  Baile de Procesión
5  Cronnan na Caillach a bhan sa Bhein Bhreic
6  Marcha Procesional do San Benito
7  Apple Praities
8  Ailean Duinn
9  A Maruxa
10  The Waterford Waltz
11  Tupakkarulla / Tuuti Hussaa Ja Lullaa / The Other Boot Dance
12  Hithil Ùil Agus Ò, Hithil O Hòrino
13  Tha Mi Sgith ‘m Ã’naran
14  An Gille Donn / Vaskilinun Vaikerrus

Vera Aspey’s 1977 solo LP garnered lavish praise on release, Maurice Rosenbaum of the Daily Telegraph declaring it one of his albums of the year. A selection of mostly traditional material, with one Gary and Vera Aspey original and an Alfred Noyes poem set to the music of Phil Ochs, this album showcased Vera’s range and talent to stunning effect.

1. The Blackbird
2. Owd Betty Barlow
3. Ladybird
4. The Maypole Inn
5. The Pit Brow Lassies
6. My Johnny Was a Shoemaker
7. Coal Black Faces
8. The Highwayman
9. Shule Agra
10. Aggie Bell
11. The Sprig of Thyme

Produced by Tony Engle.

First issued by Topic Records 1977.

‘Whether he is singing in Irish or English, Heaney is a remarkably discreet singer, not given to dramatic or comic effect, with an uneventful surface to his songs, but a world of secrets underneath. Outside a few settlements in his native West, it would be hard to find his equal.’

From the original sleevenotes by A. L. Lloyd

1 THE ROCKS OF BAWN
2 ONE MORNING IN JUNE
3 CASADH AN t-SUGAIN   The Twisting of the Rope
4 THE WIFE OF THE BOLD TENANT FARMER
5 THE TREES THEY GROW TALL
6 PEIGIN IS PEADAR   Peggy and Peter
7 CUNNLA
8 CAOINEADH NA TRI MHUIRE   The Lament of the Three Marys
9 AN TIGHEARNA RANDAL   Lord Randal
10 BEAN AN LEANNA   The Woman with the Beer
11 JOHN MITCHEL

Vin Garbutt’s third album for Topic, from 1983. Expecting their third child, Garbutt and his wife, Pat, made a routine visit to their GP. They were stunned when the doctor asked them if they wanted to keep their baby. It was the cold casualness of the question that made Garbutt realise that he had just found an unlikely muse: the unborn child. A rich crop of almost unbearably moving hymns to the unborn baby resulted.

1 The Royal Blackbird
2 The Fear of Imperfection ~ Lynda
3 Calum More
4 The Coalman
5 Leslie
6 Dormanstown Jimmy
7 If
8 Blue Sunset
9 Little Innocents

First issued by Topic Records 1983.

‘In 1956 skiffle was going strong in London and Jack began to sing in pubs and create something of a name for himself. In 1957 he sent for his buddy Derroll Adams, banjo-picker from Portland, Oregon and together the two sang and made a Topic album billed as the Rambling Boys. This record is a release of material on JACK TAKES THE FLOOR, Topic 10T15, with additional songs.’

From the original sleevenotes

1 San Fancisco Bay Blues
2 Ol’ Riley
3 The Boll Weevil
4 Bed Bug Blues
5 New York Town
6 Old Blue
7 Grey Goose
8 Mule Skinner’s Blues
9 East Texas Talking Blues
10 Cocaine
11 Dink’s Song
12 Black Baby
13 Salty Dog

Bob Davenport has one of the most distinctive styles and one of the widest repertoires of any singer performing in folk clubs. From the North East of England, he relished singing in the pubs of North London frequented by musicians from the Irish community – the Bedford Arms, The Laurel Tree and the Camden Stores. ‘Down The Long Road’ draws upon these two important strands in Bob’s repertoire, as well as the country music of Southern England. Mr. Davenport is variously accompanied by notable Irish musicians – Lucy Farr, Jimmy Power, Johnny Gorman, and by members of Webb’s Wonders, The Rakes and the Leeds Band.
1  Navvy Boots
2  Down the Long Road
3  The Rambling Man
4  Barn Dance Selection: Louis James’ Quadrille / The Dancing Dustman
5  When I Was Single
6  I’m a Poor Unhappy Married Man
7  Jig Selection: When There Isn’t a Girl About / Peggy Wood / Looking for a Partner
8  Wild Wild Whiskey
9  Whiskey in the Jar
10  Reels: The Steam Packet / The Sligo Maid
11  Herbert Smith’s Polka
12  One Day While in the North Country
13  A-Begging I Will Go
14  The Wealthy Squire
15  By Tyne’s Bonny Banks
16  Once I Had an Old Hen
17  Polka Medley: Jenny Lind / J B Milne / The Girl With the Blue Dress On
18  Bogie’s Bonnie Belle
19  Irish Molly Barn Dance
20  Toast / The Blarney Stone

John Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris play a beautiful blend of Kirkpatrick’s morris dance based accordion-driven music and Sue’s classically trained oboe arrangements. Throughout the 1970s they were a sought after act on the UK folk scene and recorded a number of fine albums for the Topic label. ‘Shreds and Patches’ is regarded by many aficionados as one of their finest.
1  Waterman’s Dance
2  The Gipsy Laddie
3  Apple Core / Nipper
4  The Tailor and the Louse
5  Peg Huglestone’s Hornpipe
6  Little Sir William
7  The Game of All Fours
8  Penny For Them
9  Whitefryer’s Hornpipe / Shreds and Patches
10  Johnny Sands
11  Oakham Poachers
12  Bread and Jam Waltzer / Mr Gubbin’s Bicycle

The brother and sister team of Ray and Archie Fisher first became known to a wider audience in 1961 when they appeared for a long run in the Scottish Television documentary ‘Here and Now’, and as regular guests on B.B.C. ‘Hootenanny’ and ‘Singalong’. But they were already well established among Scottish folk-enthusiasts.

Dolina Maclennan is a native of the island of Lewis. English is in fact her second language, although she makes light of its difficulties. Her Gaelic songs have been passed down to her through her family.

Robin Gray is of mixed Lewis and Shetland descent, but has lived most of his life in Edinburgh. His maternal grandmother was a well known Gaelic bard.

In Enoch Kent you will find a living synopsis of most of the best characteristics of the folk-song revival. He was ready and eager to learn from the great ethnic singers of Scotland like Jeannie Robertson and Jimmy Macbeath.

1. The Twa Corbies – Ray Fisher acc. Archie Fisher (guitar)
2. Fil U O Ru Hu O  – Dolina Maclennan unacc.
3. Gypsy Laddie – Robin Gray acc. himself (guitar)
4. Beggar Man – Enoch Kent unacc.
5. Hug O Ran O Ru – Dolina Maclennan unacc.
6. Donal Don – Enoch Kent acc. himself (guitar)
7. Kilbogie – Ray & Archie Fisher acc. Archie Fisher (guitar)
8. The Night Visiting Song – Ray & Archie Fisher acc. Archie Fisher (guitar)
9. Bonny Lass Come O’er the Burn – Enoch Kent unacc.
10. Far Over the Forth – Ray Fisher unacc.
11. The Butcher Boy – Enoch Kent acc. himself (guitar)
12. Port a Beul – Dolina Maclennan unacc.
13. Erin Go Brath – Enoch Kent unacc.
14. Bratach Bana – Dolina Maclennan acc. Robin Gray (guitar)

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Many of the finest traditional ballads from the British Isles were preserved by the families of settlers in the American South, where they existed alongside native American balladry. Hedy West, a native of North Georgia in the Appalachians, was one of the very few performers who were at home with the various manners of performing these ballad traditions. ‘Ballads’ is a splendid recording from 1967 which continues to influence contemporary musicians like Martin Simpson, three decades later.
1  The Foggy Dew
2  Girl I Left In Danville
3  The Unquiet Grave
4  Beaulampkin
5  Down In Adairsville
6  The Sheffield Apprentice
7  Lucy Wan
8  Little Sadie
9  The Cruel Mother
10  Love Henry
11  The Texan Rangers
12  George Collins

Solo recording from one of the leading figures in music from the North East of England and inded in the English folksong revival of the late twentieth century. English concertina and smallpipe maestro Alistair Anderson has been at the forefront of the performance of traditional music for over four decades. An internationally recognised ambassador for the music of Northumberland, between 1968 and 1979 he toured the world as a member of the High Level Ranters. He has an enviable reputation as a solo performer and an enthusiastic educator and folk activist. In 2006 he was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society.
1  The Hawk Polka / Thrunton Woods
2  The Keelman’s Petition / The Tipp Staff
3  La Fille de Lyon / Cotillion des Marionettes
4  Blake’s Hornpipe / President Garfield’s Hornpipe / Bonny Broom Hill
5  Felton Ionnin
6  Kriden Fair / Tich Richardson’s Favourite / Hey to the Camp / Brosehill
7  Alistair Anderson’s Favourite / Old French
8  The Belfast Hornpipe / The Prize Potato
9  The Trip to Carlisle / Corby Crag
10  Ali Anderson / Henry Atkinson
11  Blaydon Flats / Whittingham Games / James Brown
12  Derwent Water’s Bonnie Lord / The Bride’s Favourite
13  Remember Me / The Left Handed Fiddler
14  Geld Him Lasses, Geld Him / Uncle John
15  The Darkening

J SCOTT SKINNER (1843 – 1927) was in his time the chief composer and exponent of Scots violin music. His own pieces no less than his versions of traditional tunes became settled in the tradition, and a command of the Skinner repertoire and, equally important, the master’s style is among the most respected attainments of a Scots fiddler.

1     The President – Air and Variations
2     Lucania Polka
3     The Freebooter / Tullochgorum / The East Neuk o’ Fife
4     Allegory / The Miller o’ Hirn / Mackenzie Frazer / The Auld Wheel
5     Bagpipe Marches – Athole Highlanders’ Farewell to Loch Katrine / Cameron Highlanders / The Inverness Gathering
6     Celebrated Hornpipes – Arthur Seat / Eugene Stratton / The Banks
7     Highland Reels – Laird o’ Thrums / Gavin M’Millan / Laird o’ Drumblair / Gladstone’s Reel
8     Medley No. 2 – Bonnie Lass o’ Bon Accord / Marquis of Huntly’s Farewell / The Ten Pound Fiddle
9     Highland Schottische No. 2 – Sandy Cameron / Miller o’ Hirn / The Glenlivet
10   Triumph Country Dance – Triumph / Timour the Tartar / The Left Handed Fiddler / Speed the Plough / De’il Among the Tailors
11    Home Sweet Home / The Iron Man Strathspey / The Bungalow Reel
12    Cradle Song – Cradle Song / The Braes of Auchtertyre / The Athole Highlanders’ Farewell to Loch Katrine
13    Glengrant / Tulchan Lodge / The Parrot – Humorous Pizzicato
14    Mrs. Scott Skinner / Mackenzie Hay / The Devil’s Elbow

This was the first recording made by the New High Level Ranters. It sees the group changed by the departure of Alistair Anderson and Tom Gilfellon, wholeft to pursue their own ways in making their own kind of music. The two lads who replace them are Jim Hall and Peter Wood, who contribute their particular skills in playing and singing, thus continuing the Ranters’ commitment to British folk music and especially the music of the North East of England.

The original members of the group are Colin Ross and Johnnie Handle, who are perhaps too well-known to merit description. Anyway, Colin plays the fiddle and pipes and Johnnie sings and plays the accordion. There was never any doubt in their minds that the group would carry on after Ali and Tom left, so it was only natural that Jim and Pete, fellow members of Folk Song and Ballad Club, Newcastle, be asked to come into the Ranters.

1  Fisherman’s Friend / Black and Grey
2  Ca’ Hawkie
3  The Old Drove Road / Kennedy North
4  Jim Jones
5  The Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade
6  John Peel
7  Durham Regatta / Little Jenny
8  The Snows They Melt the Soonest
9  Yellow Haired Laddie / The Glen Coe March
10  New Song of the Coal
11  Skipper’s Wedding
12  The Duke of Fife / Maggie Laudert

First published by Topic Records 1982

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Des and Vince O’Halloran are from the tiny Inishbofin Island, off the coast of Connemara. Though relatively young when these recordings were made and from a region not noted for a strongly maintained musical tradition, they play wonderfully close-knit and exciting music.
1  Reels: The Music in the Glen / The Green Fields of America
2  Jigs: The Lark in the Morning / The Connaughtman’s Rambles
3  The Lowlands of Holland
4  Barn Dances: Stack of Barley / Johnny, Will You Marry Me?
5  Jigs: Pat Burke’s / Fraher’s
6  Sweet Inniscarra
7  Waltz and Jigs: Martin Byrne’s Waltz / A Hundred Pipers / Dingle Regatta
8  Granuaile
9  Reels: The Sailor on the Rock / The Maid I Ne’er Forgot
10  Reel: The Limerick Lasses
11  Jig: The Lake Shore / The Exile’s Return
12  Reels: The Eel in the Sink / Larry Redigan’s
13  Moorlough Mary
14  The Bucks of Oranmore / The Wind that Shakes the Barley