Debut recording from the LIVERPOOL SPINNERS (soon to be well-known internationally as the Spinners). This spirited collection was recorded by Bill Leader live at the folk club run by the group at Samson and Barlow’s on London Road Liverpool in 1961. Tony Davis, Mick Groves, Cliff Hall, Hughie Jones and Jacqueline Macdonald.
Songs Spun in Liverpool was first released by Topic Records in 1962.

1. Whip Jamboree
2. The Liverpool Barrow Boy
3. Hayarden
4. The Champion of the Seas
5. Judy Drownded
6. John Peel

Miko, Pakie and Gussie Russell of Dolin, Co Clare, were an Irish musical family of singular attractiveness and interest, with aremarkably rich store of local Clare music. This record was recorded on location by John Tams and Neil Wayne in 1977, and is an exceptional document of the traditional music making still to be heard in the Irish countryside during the mid-1970s.
1  Campbell’s Reel
2  The Heather Breeze / The Traveller
3  St. Kevin of Glendalough
4  The Potlick / The Peeler’s Jacket
5  The Five Mile Chase
6  Russell’s Hornpipe / Fisher’s Hornpipe
7  The Poor Little Fisher Boy
8  The Walls of Liscarroll / The Battering Ram
9  Garret Barry’s Reel
10  Tommy Glenny’s Reel
11  The Connemara Stockings / The Westmeath Hunt
12  When Musheen Went to Bunnan
13  Tatter Jack Walsh
14  The De’il Among the Tailors
15  The Roscrea Cows
16  Fair Haired Boy / The Black Haired Lass
17  Off to California
18  Give the Girl her Fourpence
19  Nora Daly

HEDY WEST from North Georgia, at the southern end of the Appalachians. A L Lloyd regarded her as ‘far and away the of American girl singers in the revival.’ A sensitive and vibrant singer who accompanied herself in a distinctive style on the five-string banjo, her early recordings for the Topic label have had a remarkable influence on the folk song revival.

1    The House Carpenter
2    Pretty Saro
3    Old Smokey
4    Blow Ye Gentle Winds
5    My Soul’s Full Of Glory
6    Promised Land
7    Over There
8    Little Matty Groves
9    Rake And Rambling Boy
10  Joe Bowers
11  Whistle, Daughter, Whistle
12  I’m An Old Bachelor
13  Johnny Sands
14  My Good Old Man
15  Frankie Silvers
16  Lee Tharin’s Bar Room

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

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

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

Uniting Davy Tulloch’s Shetland Reels and Veronique Nelson’s Wessex airs – with their differing techniques and oral traditions – provide dynamic two-part fiddle playing which combines with the jazzy ensembles of Dave Jackson’s guitar to create an exciting and original new sound. Curlew’s two fiddles adapt dance rhythms and songs, many from Shetland, Scandinavia and Galicia, with guitar and occasional string bass accompaniment. In some pieces a two-part invention or rhythmic counterpart is clearly discernible, making for an invigorating and distinctive style.
1  Shetland Reels: Tilley Plump / Auld Foula Reel / Oot and in da Harbour
2  Air & Hornpipe: Grenadier and his Lady / Eunyssagh Vana
3  Shetland Reels: Da Oyster / Yonder Hills / Fit da Gutter
4  Childgrove / Muiñeira de Cabanas
5  Hornpipe & Reels: Father Tom / Véronique’s Reel / Hamish’s Reel
6  Janne’s Reinlander / The Cambridge
7  Shetland Reels: Da Cauld Nights of Winter / Square da Mizzen / Da Ness of Sound
8  C’raad T’ou Goll my Veg Dhone / Ta Dick Veg Er Yannoo Mie / Nancy
9  Shetland Reels: Ramna Stacks / Da Spirit of Whisky / Gold for da Boannie Lasses
10  Two Norwegian Reinlanders
11  Alvadansur
12  Shetland Reels: Da Road to Houll / John Pottinger’s Compliments to Ronnie Cooper / Simon’s Wart

A remarkable historical set, this record documents the recordings of a splendid early Irish-American dance band from Boston. Dan Sullivan was renowned in Boston as one of the finest fiddlers in the traditional style. The exhilarating ensemble that he led were in demand for dances in the area around Boston and made many recordings between 1926 and the mid-’thirties. This collection includes some of their finest sides and recordings by individual members of the ensemble.
1  Irish Dance Set – Figure No.2
2  Dan Sullivan’s Favourite
3  Tickling Mary Jane
4  The Rabbit Catcher
5  Londonderry Hornpipe
6  Miller’s Reel / Duffy the Dancer
7  Bantry Bay
8  Billy Hanafin’s Reel
9  Green Grow the Rushes-O
10  Versouviana Dance
11  Boil the Kettle Early
12  Groves Hornpipe
13  Johnny Will You Marry Me?
14  Lord Longon’s Reel
15  Lanigan’s Ball
16  Blackberry Blossom / Bonnie Kate
17  I’m Leaving Tipperary
18  Silver Slipper / Jerry Daly’s Hornpipe

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 revival musician with an unusual understanding of traditional music. John Wright is a fine singer and a performer on the fiddle and mouth-organ, an unquestionably one of the finest exponents of jew’s-harp playing.

1      Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper
2     Four-Hand Reel (mouth-organ)
3     Murphy’s Hornpipe (jew’s harp)
4     Gypsy Hornpipe (fiddle)
5     Henry Martin
6     Bridget Cruise Nos 2 & 3 (jew’s harp)
7     Tailor By My Trade
8     Dornoch Links / The Shepherd’s Crook / Lochiel’s Awa’ to France Scottish Pipe Tunes (jew’s harp)
9     Young Charlotte
10    The Varsoviana – Eng|and (mouth-organ)
11    La Valse Vienne – France (fiddle)
12    La Scottisch Anglaise – France (fiddle)
13    L’Angoise – France (fiddle)
14    Our Captain Cried All Hands / Country Dances (fiddle):
15   Ninepins
16   Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
17   The Punk’s Delight

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

“Many recordings of Ulster folk songs have been issued, but little or none from the Co. Tyrone. This record presents a sample from the repertory of a brother and sister, who come of a singing family within a singing region from which they have never moved. They are the carriers of a distinct and beautiful style. They are supported by their enthusiasm for songs which attract other singers who, with them, make a community within which an interchange of ideas is continually taking place. A delightful illustration of this is that Sarah Anne’s changes to John Reilly on track 9 are so pleasing to Brian Mullan, who gave her the song a year or so ago, that he plans to relearn it from her! Both these singers are intensely creative but in different ways. Geordie possesses the family style to a much higher degree than his sister. It entails a breaking up of the tune and words into short phrases delivered with great force. It is also distinct in the placing and shape of the decoration. This results from the shortness of the phrases and allows a highly meaningful performance without any overstatement. Sarah Anne’s ability to tidy up the words of a song or to lilt a tune to unsung verses complements Geordie’s skill and the two interact; they sing a large number of the same songs, share the same style and adopt one another’s changes. In short, these two singers represent the living tradition not its dying kicks.” from the original 1978 sleeve-notes.

GEORGE HANNA
1   Brockagh Brae
2   On Yonder Hill There Sits a Hare
3   The Blackbird of Sweet Avondale
4   Erin’s Lovely Home
5   Young Edmund in the Lowlands Low
6   Kate of Ballinamore

SARAH ANNE O’NElLL
7   The Rambler from Clare
8   A Fair Young Maid in Her Father’s Garden
9   John Reilly
10 Gosford’s Fair Demesne
11 Carrickmannon Lake
12 The Fisher’s Cot

Born in Middlesborough of Anglo-Irish descent, Vin Garbutt has an enviable reputation as a singer and songwriter of fine socially conscious, and environmentally aware songs. ‘Tossin’ A Wobbler’ from 1978 is regarded as one of his finest recordings.
1  Man of the Earth
2  Legend of Roseberry
3  Long Note / Lads of Laois / Le Reel Jeune Marie
4  Photographic Memory
5  Yorkshire Volunteer’s Farewell to the Good Folks of Stockton / Push About the Jorum
6  St. Helena’s March
7  Carrigdhoun
8  The Freemantle Doctor
9  One-Legged Beggar
10  They Don’t Write ‘Em Like That Any More

Few singers have such a vigorous, broad-ranging, fresh-sounding repertoire as Roy Harris from Nottingham, and none can handle it more convincingly. Guest musicians include Martin Carthy (guitar, mandola), Bobby Campbell (fiddle) and Vic Gammon (melodeon).
1  The Saucy Bold Robber
2  Bold Lovell
3  Steepleford Town
4  Captain Ward
5  The Methody Parson
6  Caroline and her Young Sailor Bold
7  The Beggar’s Song
8  When I was A Little Boy
9  The Dragoon’s Ride
10  Cropper Lads
11  The ‘Royal Charter’
12  The Topman and the Afterguard
13  The Jovial Hunter
14  Hard Times of Old England

The Oldham Tinkers from Oldham in South Lancashire made their debut on the best selling ‘Deep Lancashire’ collection in 1968. Throughout the next decade they took their music to a wide international audience. Their fourth ‘solo’ album for the Topic label was a powerful mixture of Lancashire humour and pathos. Their songs are derived from the poems of local dialect writers, from Music Hall entertainers and from the traditional music of the North West.
1  The Maid in the Calico Dress
2  Elsie Bell
3  Pity Me My Darling
4  The Talking Dog
5  To Sarah
6  Tall Tales Medley
7  Sit Thee Down
8  John Willie’s Ferret
9  The Deserter
10  Poor Little Hauve-Timer
11  Dad’s Medals
12  Fishing
13  Jumping Jack
14  Jim’s Medley

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

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

Willie Scott, recorded in his 70s, came from a long line of singing Scots, bred to the trade of shepherd in the rolling Border country where the North of England and the South of Scotland march together.

1  The Shepherd’s Song
2  Piper MacNeil
3  The Kielder Hunt
4  Jamie Reaburn
5  Bonnie Wee Trampin’ Lass
6  Bloody Waterloo
7  Jock Geddes
8  The Dowie Dens of Yarrow
9  Herd Laddie o’ the Glen
10  The Lads That Were Reared Among Heather

An anthology of soldiers songs, ribald, cynical and occasionally sentimental. Performed in his inimitable style by Ewan MacColl with Peggy Seeger, Jimmy MacGregor and John Cole.
1  Any Complaints
2  The Fortress Songs
3  Farewell to Sicily
4  The Ballad of Wadi Maktilla
5  The Dying Soldier
6  The Ghost Army of Korea
7  Browned Off
8  When this Ruddy War is Over
9  Join the British Army
10  On the Move Tonight
11  The Second Front Song
12  Seven Years in the Sand
13  Hand Me Down Me Petticoat
14  The Young Trooper Cut Down In His Prime
15  Bless ‘Em All

The Coen brothers, Galwaymen by birth, were both resident in New York when this fine location recording was taped. Jack played the flute and Charlie the concertina, both were distinguished members of the New York Irish community when the folklorist Mick Moloney encouraged them to make this album.
1  Scatter the Mud / Larry Redican’s Jig
2  The Sailor’s Cravat / Repeal of the Union
3  John Conroy’s Jig / Jim Conroy’s Jig
4  The Peach Blossom / The Fiddler’s Contest
5  Jim Conroy’s Reel / The Pullet
6  Redican’s Mother / The Humours of Kilkenny
7  Mike Coen’s Polka / The Branch Line
8  Have a Drink with Me / The Blarney Pilgrim
9  Two Woodford Flings
10  The Waddling Gander / O’Connell’s Jig on Top of Mount Everest
11  Lads of Laois / Green Groves of Erin
12  The Tongs by the Fire / The Spinning Wheel
13  Whelan’s Reel / Jenny Dang the Weaver
14  Jack Coen’s Jig / Paddy O’Brien’s Jig

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

The first album recorded for Topic by the reknowned Dick Gaughan, ‘Coppers & Brass’ is an impressive instrumental set from one of Scotland’s finest folk musicians. Dick Gaughan performs a collection of jigs, hornpipes, reels and marches, learned from pipers and fiddlers and skilfully transferred to the guitar.
1  Coppers and Brass / Gander in the Pratie Hole
2  O’Keefe’s / The Foxhunter’s
3  The Flowing Tide / The Fairies’ Hornpipe
4  The Oak Tree / The Music in the Glen
5  Planxty Johnson
6  Gurty’s Frolics
7  The Spey in Spate / The Hurricane
8  Alan McPherson of Mosspark / The Jig of Slurs
9  The Thrush in the Storm / The Flogging Reel
10  Ask My Father / Lads of Laoise / The Connaught Heifers
11  The Bird in the Bush / The Boy in the Gap / MacMahon’s Reel
12  Strike the Gay Harp / Shores of Lough Gowna
13  Jack Broke the Prison Door / Donald Blue / Wha’ll Dance wi’ Wattie

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

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

The Cheviot Ranters were the most distinguished and authentic of English country dance bands from England’s North-East. Darlings of the late John Peel on his early 1970s’ BBC radio shows, their fine recordings for the Topic label satisfying both the dancer and the armchair listener.
1  Circassian Circle – part 1 Original / Rugley Ford / Hesleyside Reel
2  Redesdale Hornpipe / King of the Fairies / The Lads of Whickham
3  Washington Quick Step – Bugle Horn / Farewell / Jackson’s Morning Brush
4  Northumbrian Waltz – Berwick Fair / Ma Bonnie Lad / Keach in the Creel
5  Morpeth Rant – Banks of Coquet / Rob Roy’s Cave / Kirk’s Hornpipe
6  Cumberland Reel – Quayside Shaver / Geordie’s Jig
7  Corn Rigs tunes – Dunstanburgh Castle / Goodnight and Joy Be Wi’ Ye
8  Waltz tunes – Bonnie Tyneside / Whittingham Green Lane / The Banks of Coquet
9  Drops of Brandy – The Moorbridge Hornpipe / Goswick Kirn / The Old Drove Road
10  Circassian Circle – part 2 The Three Sea Captains / Lannigan’s Ball / Ellingham Hall

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

The Cheviot Hills’ was the second album by the acclaimed Cheviot Ranters’ Country Dance Band for Topic records, it is a wonderful programme of old time and country dances ideal for the dancer and the listener alike. The Cheviot Ranters were arguably the the most distinguished and ‘authentic’ of the English folk dance bands, and grew out of the monthly meetings of the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society. Formed in 1955 the band played for local social dances in Northumberland and Durham. Within a year they had established themselves as a prominent dance band on radio and television.
1  Cumberland Square Eight: My Love She’s But a Lassie Yet / Caddam Woods / Rose Tree
2  The Sylph: Hermitage / Bryce Anderson
3  Roxburgh Castle: Roxburgh Castle / Sheffield Hornpipe / Storers Hornpipe
4  Northumberland Waltz: Mallorca / The Cheviot Hills / I Have Seen the Roses Blow
5  Winster Gallop: Winster Gallop / Teribus / Jimmy Allen
6  Ideal Schottische: Jack Thompson’s Fancy
7  Newcastle: Newcastle / Nancy / Molly’s Fancy
8  Norfolk Long Dance: The Perfect Cure / Stool of Repentence / Linton Jig
9  Barn Dance: Road to the Isles / Roamin’ in the Gloamin’ / Show Me the Way to go Home
10  Danish Double Quadrille
11  Blaydon Races: Blaydon Races / Keep You Feet Still Geordie Hinny / Wherever Ye Can Yer Sure tae Find a Geordie

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

Genuine folk music as part of an old and lively national culture is still flourishing in Norway, a country with a wild nature, numerous valleys, snow-covered mountains, lakes, deep forests, glorious fjords, remote communities, dark and long winters and shining summer nights. Norway has a long and rich tradition of musical expression. Norwegian folk music has survived through many generations and historical changes. Old folk tunes have kept surprisingly well, better than in the neighbouring lands and in some of the other industrial countries. The selection on this record represents some of the main types and styles of living folk-playing and singing, with their special sound and moods, from south west and central parts of Norway. The players and singers are some of the most outstanding folk musicians of the younger generation who carry on the folk traditions of their districts.

1 Fanitullen (The Devil’s Tune) Knut Buen Hardanger fiddle
2 Kjerringa med staven (The Old Wife with the Staff) Hanne Kiersti Buen singing with Knut Buen Hardanger fiddle
3 Rotnheimsknut (hailing)
4 Gangar etter Myllarguten (walking dance) Knut Buen Hardanger fiddle
5 Moykjaeringsvise (spinster’s song)
6 Three stev about the hulder (cattle songs)
7 So er drengjen i uppvokstre (Boys in Their Youth)
8 Bånsu|ler (three lullabies) Hanne Kjersti Buen singing
9 Katt-Ola-Visa Edvard Ruud singing
10 Nordfjordingen (springar)
11 Ramsen (springar) Hauk Buen Hardanger fiddle
12 Bruremarsj (wedding march) Knut and Hauk Buen Hardanger fiddles
13 Hamburger-polka fra Hardanger
14 Springleik fra Jostedalen Vestlandsgruppa band
15 Springar fra Hardanger fiddlers of Vestlandsgruppa
16 Slåttestev (dance songs)
17 Haugebonden (ballad) Agnes Buen Garnås singing
18 Fanteladda (dance tune)
19 I Oletiadden (pastoral melody) Elizabeth Kvaerne langeleik
20 Når mitt pie, trett av moie (When My Eye, Tired of Troubles) (hymn)
21 Store Store Gud (Great Great God) (hymn) Sondre Bratland singing
22 Myllarguten bruremarsj (bridal march by Myllarguten)
23 Fanitullen (The Devil’s Tune) (second version) Knut Buen Hardanger fiddle

Most of the people in Blaxhall will tell you that there are two big families in the village, the Smiths and the Lings. The Smiths are known as good stepdancers and the Lings as good singers. lntermarriage and the relatively stable population of the village, now altered by an influx of newcomers, has made a complex web of relationships which are very difficult to disentangle. It seems, however, that most of the population are related in some degree, and that people define their own relationships with each other broadly on the basis of a “close” relationship or a “back” relationship. Close relatives are mothers, fathers, siblings, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and cousins; all others are “back” relatives. Confusions arise through marriage when names are changed, but awareness of family is strong and identity is kept. Lings can be traced in the genealogies of every other local family. The Lings split into factions whereby some Lings say that they are not related to other Lings because they have different historical or geographic origins. Ruby Ling in Snape, Percy Ling’s wife’s family, who were also Lings, and George and Basil Bennett whose mother was a Ling, all say that they are not related to the Blaxhall Lings. The Lings identify themselves into family groups, and it is in one of these particular groups that several singers are found.

1    Green Bushes  Geoff Ling
2    On Board the Leicester Castle  George Ling
3    The Lobster  Percy Ling
4    Died for Love  Geoff Ling
5    Little Ball of Yarn  Geoff Ling
6    The Lakes of Coolfin  George Ling
7    The Deserter  George Ling
8    Little Sweetheart  Percy Ling
9    Jolly Jack the Sailor  George Ling
10   A Group of Young Squaddies  Geoff Ling
11   On the Banks of the Clyde  Geoff Ling
12   Underneath Your Apron  Percy Ling
13   The Bonny Bunch of Roses  George Ling
14   Nancy of Yarmouth  George Ling
15   The Man all Tattered and Torn  Percy Ling
16   Fagin the Cobbler  Percy Ling

John Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris were a duo which achieved an enviable reputation in the British folk scene of the 1970s. Their repertoire focussed on English country music and songs. John recorded ‘Morris On’ with Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson and Barry Dransfield ushering a new appreciation of Morris music. The purely instrumental ‘Facing The Music’ was the duo’s fourth record for the Topic label and represents a high point of their recording career. The splendid tunes are drawn from a bewildering variety of sources; from rural musicians and from published tune books, from the Bahamas, from the Appalachians and from Orkney.
1  John Locke’s Polka / Three Jolly Sheepskins
2  Kettle Drum
3  Trip to the Cottage / Hunting the Squirrel / Jack of the Green
4  A Shelter in the Time of Storm / We Shall be Happy
5  Millfield / Saturday Night and Sunday Morn
6  Garrick’s Delight / The Flaxley Green Dance
7  Crocker’s Reel
8  Roast Beef / All Flowers in Broome
9  The Rope Waltz
10  A Cheshire’s Hornpipe / Black Mary’s Hornpipe

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

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 IRISH COUNTRY FOUR from Belfast had a wonderfully original take on traditional repertoire from Ulster. Their sole recording was reviewed at the time  as ‘an excellent records… they sing the songs and play the tunes of their homeland with an involvement that is quick to rub off on the listener.

1     Reels: Roaring Mary and The Old Torn Petticoat
played by the group (union pipes, whistle, guitar and bones)
2     The Cotton-mill Song
sung by Jess Harpur (w. guitar) and chorus
3    The Granemore Hare
sung by Jess Harpur, acc. Brian Bailie (flute) and Valerie Bailie (guitar)
4     The boys of Mullaghbawn
sung by the group (unaccompanied)
5     Pulling the Lint
sung by Trevor Stewart (unaccompanied)
6      Air: The Melodious Little Fort of Bruff
played by Brian Bailie (whistle)
7     General Munro
sung by Jess Harpur and Valerie Bailie, with Brian Bailie (flute)
8     The Load of Kale Plants
sung by Trevor Stewart, with Brian Bailie (flute)
9     O’Meally’s Hornpipe
played by the group (union pipes, whistle and guitar)
10   Jigs: Kitty’s Bonnet and The Flax-dresser
played by the group (union pipes, whistle, flute, bodhran)
11   The Doffing Mistress
sung by Valerie Bailie, Jess Harpur, Trevor Stewart (w. guitar and mandoline)
12   The Maid of Ballydoo
sung by Jess Harpur (w. guitar) and chorus
13   Air: Blind Mary
played by Trevor Stewart (union pipes)
14   Magherafelt Hiring Fair
sung by Valerie Bailie and Trevor Stewart (w. guitar)
15   The Heights of Alma
sung by Trevor Stewart and Jess Harpur (unaccompanied)
16   P for Paddy
sung by Trevor Stewart, acc. Brian Bailie (flute) and chorus
17   Reels: Martin Mulhaire’s no. 1 / Kitty goes a-milking and Pigeon on the gate
played by the group (whistle, union pipes, bodhran and bones)

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

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

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

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

An anthology from Gypsy singers recorded in Southern England by Mike Yates. Music of English travellers, ranging from broadside ballads to mouth-organ tunes, and including examples of the gypsy mouth-music called ‘tuning’ – all performed by members of the great Smith clan, from Surrey, Kent and Suffolk.

1    The Small Birds Whistle  Jasper Smith
2    The Sheepfold  Phoebe Smith
3    One Penny  Levy Smith
4    The Basket of Eggs  Minty Smith
5    The Pony March / Whistling Rufus / Tuning  Jasper
6    Green Bushe  Phoebe
7    Raking the Hay  Phoebe
8    The Moon Shines Bright  Jasper
9    Father Had a Knife Jasper
10  The Jew’s Garden  Minty
11   Step Dance Tunes  Jasper  Tuning  Minty
12   Sweet William  Phoebe
13   Johnny Abourne  Phoebe
14   Died for Love  Jasper
15   The Irish Girl  Levy
16   Captain Thunderbold  Phoebe
17   Jigs & Polkas including: Cock of the North / Flowers of Edinburgh / The Girl l left Behind Me / Tuning   Jasper & Levy

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

The Oldham Tinkers from South Lancashire made their recording debut on the best selling ‘Deep Lancashire’ collection in 1968. Throughout the next decade they took their music to a wide international audience. Their fifth ‘solo’ album for the Topic label is another powerful mixture of Lancashire humour and pathos. Their beguiling songs are derived from the poems of local dialect writers, from Music Hall entertainers and from the traditional music of the North West of England.
1  Old May Song
2  John Willie’s Performing Newt
3  Nowt About Owt
4  Children’s Chants & Songs – Captain’s Medley
5  Eawr House – As Was
6  Oh! That Lancashire Jazz Band
7  The Lark
8  John Willie’s Grand-Dad
9  Tribute to Owd Paddy
10  Old King Coal
11  Steeple Jack
12  The Crime Lake Boggart
13  An Oldham Rugby Medley
14  McCarthy’s Party

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 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

‘Cilla & Artie’ is a splendid album from Cilla Fisher (a member of the influential Fisher Family) and her husband Artie Trezise. The record was ‘The Melody Maker Folk Album of the Year – 1979′. Joining Cilla and Artie is an international collection of “session” musicians including Alistair Anderson, Johnny & Phil Cunningham, Rick Lee, Brian McNeill and Bob Zentz. The songs are mostly from the tradition with, “Blue Bleezin’ Blind Drunk” and “The Gypsy Laddies” but also include a grand version of Stan Rodgers’ “The Jeanie C” and the wildest ever arrangement of Ewan MacColl’s “Fisher Lassies”.
1  Norland Wind
2  The Beggar Man
3  What Can A Young Lassie
4  Fisher Lassies
5  Generations of Change
6  Fair Maid of London Town
7  The Wicked Wife
8  The Gypsie Laddies
9  Blue Bleezin’ Blind Drunk
10  John Grumlie
11  The Jeannie C

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

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

Andrew Cronshaw – musical explorer and enthusiast – recorded several fine albums for Topic records during the 1980s and ’90s. Till The Beasts’ Returning is undoubtedly the finest – a magical collection of tunes from the far north of Scotland, from the pen of Mr Cronshaw plus a delightful solo reading of ‘Our Captain Cried’ by the incomparable June Tabor.
1  The Dark-Haired Youth / Taladh ar Slanair
2  Freumh as Craobh Taigh Challadair (The Hawthorn Tree of Cawdor)
3  Wasps In The Woodpile
4  Turning The Tide
5  Alala de Castro / Ronda de Cuestacion
6  Seana Mhellan
7  Giullan nam Bo (The Cow Boy)
8  Our Captain Cried
9  Ho Ho Nighean Donn (Ho Ho, Brown Maid) / The First of May / The Prince of Wales’ Jig
10  The Saratoga Hornpipe
11  An Old Highland Air

A collection of instrumental country dance music from the North-east of Scotland, played by solos or duets rather than in the ubiquitous country dance-band style.

1    Lady Madeline Sinclair Strathspey / The High Road to Linton reel  Alex Green – whistle
2    The White Cockade / Niel Gow‘s Farewell to Whiskey / Miss Jean Milligan – reels  Willie Fraser – mouth-organ
3    Jig Selection – The Muckin’ o’ Geordie’s Byre / Kinnegad Slashers / The Bugle Horn / The Muckin’ o’ Geordie’s Byre  Charlie Bremner – fiddle
4    The Brig o’ Perth / The Reel o’ Tulloch  John Grant – fiddle
5    Strathspey & Reel: Forbes Morrison / The Ten Pound Fiddle  Alex Green -whistle
6    Pipe-Marches: MacLean of Pennycross / The Midlothian Pipe Band  Alex Green – whistle
7    Strathspey & Reel: The Smith’s a Gallant Fireman / Jenny Dang the Weaver  Willie Fraser – diddling
8    Reels: John McFadden / Timour the Tartar  Charlie Bremner – fiddle
9    March: The 79th‘s Farewell to Gibralter  Willie Fraser – mouth-organ
10   Jig Selection: Bonnie Dundee / Hot Punch / Kenmuir’s on an’ awa’  Willie Fraser – mouth-organ
11   J B Milne/The Lovat Scouts / The Breakdown / Caddam Woods  Charlie Bremner – fiddle
12   Polka  Charlie Bremner – fiddle
13   The Smith’s a Gallant Fireman / Soldier’s Joy  John Grant – fiddle
14   The Kirrie Kebbuck / Sir David Davidson of Cantray – strathspey & reel  Alex Green – whistle
15   Marches: Tam Bain’s Lum / The Blue Bonnets  Alex Green – whistle
16   Strathspey and Reel: Far Frae Scotia‘s Shores / Ally Crocker (The New Brig o’ Ayr)  Willie Fraser – mouth-organ
17   Strathspey and Reel: Orange and Blue / Mrs MacLeod of Rothesay  Willie Fraser – diddling
18   March: Highland Wedding  Willie Fraser – mouth-organ
19   Dr MacDonald – reel  Charlie Bremner – fiddle
20  Lady Charlotte Campbell – slow strathspey & reel  Alex Green – whistle
21   Reels: High Road to Linton / The Mason’s Apron / The De’il Among the Tailors / Timour the Tartar  Charlie Bremner – fiddle

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

A collection of instrumental country music from the North-east of England. Of all the regions in England where traditional music exists, the North East is probably where it flourishes most strongly. Morpeth Rant is the second record of Northumbrian music to be published from a series of recording field trips made over the past three years. The first was Bonny North Tyne on Topic. The two records demonstrate some of the wide-ranging aspects of the music to be found in a variety of landscapes from the bleak, sheep-inhabited moorlands to the industrial and mining areas. The proximity of Scotland with its many well known country dance bands has had a great effect on local repertoires – as has the migration of Irish musicians to Tyneside. Northumbria has its own very strong tradition of indigenous music – often from the small-pipe repertoire – and concern and love for the local music has led to the composition of many tunes in the traditional form. The tunes on this record reflect the varied influences which have come to bear on the music of the North East.

1     Morpeth Rant / Miss Gayton’s Hompipe / Kathleen’s Fancy / Morpeth Rant Tommy Edmondson
2     Jig selection: AM Shinnie / The Hogmanay Jig / Elizabeth Adair Billy Atkinson
3     Strathspey Medley: Laird o’ Thrums / Iron Man / Laird o’ Drumblair Jimmy Pallister
4     Medley of Scott Skinner Waltzes including Our Highland Queen and Piper’s Wait Alan Coulson & Geoff Purvis
5     Kinclaven Brig / Bill Sutherland Martin Dunn
6     Hornpipes: The Glen Aln / The Redeside Billy Atkinson
7     The Crusaders March Billy Atkinson
8     Jig & hornpipe: Bill Charlton’s Fancy & Madam Bonaparte Geoff Purvis & Alan Coulson
9     Military Two Step: Doctor Angus Tommy Edmondson
10   The Beeswing with variations Martin Dunn
11   Jimmy Allen / The Girl with the Blue Dress On Jimmy Pallister
12   The Cheviot Hills Jimmy Pallister
13   Crossing The Minch / Banjo Breakdown Alan Coulson
14   Latham Ladies Alan Coulson & Geoff Purvis
15   Farewell to the Creeks Billy Atkinson
16   Longueval – waltz Billy Atkinson
17   The Farewell with variations Martin Dunn

The captivating fiddle and accordion player, Rose Murphy, was born in 1900 into an intensely musical family in Milltown, County Galway. She spent much of her adult life living around Rotherham in South Yorkshire, and was 76 years young when this recording was made. The album delightfully recaptures the dancing repertoire styles of her youth in the West of Ireland.
1  Reel: Salamanca / The Milltown Lasses
2  Trim the Velvet
3  Jig: The Silver Tip / The Frog in the Well
4  The Lark in the Clear Air
5  Polkas: The First of May / The Last of June (Jenny Lind)
6  Jigs: Paddy in London / Over the Garden Wall
7  Hornpipe: Road to Ballysodare
8  Reels: The Teetotaller / The Bunch of Keys
9  Reel: The Whistler and His Dog
10  Reels: The Flax in Bloom / The College Grove / The Maid on the Mountain
11  Reel: Ladybower’s Reel / The Sister Reel
12  Reel: Drowsy Maggie
13  Hornpipes: The Harvest Home / The Londonderry
14  Jigs: The Frost Is All Over / The Goose in the Bog
15  Reel: The Lonely Maid
16  Air: The Coolin
17  Barn Dance: Turkey in the Straw
18  Slip Jig: Mother I’m Up In the Roost (What Are You Doing, You Divil You!)
19  Miss Monahan’s / Miss Gallagher’s
20  Reel: Rakish Paddy
21  Hornpipe The Belfast (or Sweep’s) Hornpipe

Green Grow the Laurels is a representative anthology of songs from southern England. Some of these songs stem from long blackletter broadsides of the 16th and 17th centuries, whilst others are of very recent origin, reflecting the cosmopolitan taste of folksingers throughout the ages. Personal preference obviously plays its part in
the transmission of folksongs, but other factors are also involved. Recorded by Mike Yates between 1972-75.

1     Green Grow the Laurels Louise Fuller, Lingfield, Surrey
2    The Rich Lady Gay Harry Upton, Balcombe, Sussex
3    Wexford Town Mary Ann Haynes, Brighton, Sussex
4    The Aylesbury Girl Jack Goodban, St Margarets-at-Cliffe, Kent
5    The Tree in the Wood George ‘Tom’ Newman, Clanfield, Oxford Oxfordshire
6    I Am a Donkey Driver Harry Upton
7    The Molecatcher Louise Fuller
8    Hopping Down in Kent Louise Fuller
9    ‘The Shannon’ Frigate Jack Goodban
10   Young Maria Louise Fuller
11   The Colour of Amber Mary Ann Haynes
12   The Banks of the Sweet Dundee Harry Upton
13   A Single Life Harry Upton
14   A Woman’s Work is Never Done Harry Upton

Coming from a family of singers and musicians, of whom her father in particular was a well-known songster, Mary Ann Carolan was a splendid performer of ballads and songs in the style and tradition of County Louth, Eire. Mary had a repertoire of over sixty songs when this fine recording was made in 1978.

1  Bold Doherty
2  The Maid of Ballymore
3  Bob Riddley
4  The Old Oak Tree
5  The Tinker’s Old Budget
6  The Bonny Light Horseman
7  In London So Fair
8  My Father’s a Hedger and a Ditcher
9  Highland Mary
10  The Wedding at Baltray

This anthology of traditional, Gaelic singing and instrumental music has been selected from recordings made in the spring and summer of 1976 in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Until recent decades Cape Breton has existed in relative cultural isolation, and is now the only region in North America to have retained the Gaelic language, along with the wealth of songs and instrumental tunes, that arrived with the early 19th-century immigrants from the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland. Since that time a highly evolved and varied folk-culture has flourished in the Gaelic-speaking rural communities down to the present, making this small corner of the Canadian Maritimes one of the most important areas of living Gaelic tradition remaining today.

1.    An t-Each Ruadh  Alexander Kerr with the North Shore Singers
2.    Slow Air: Coilsfield House Dan Joe MacInnis violin with Theresa MacLean piano
3.    Hinn, Heinn Thog Iad Amach. Mrs Rod McLean
4.    March, Reel & Jig: The Glencoe March / The Sandpoint / Untitled Joe Burke harmonica with Marie MacLellan piano
5.     Mo Nigh An Donn As Bòidche Malcolm Angus MacLeod
6.     Strathspeys & Reels: Captain Campbell / Marnoch Strathspey / Mrs General Campbell / Allt a’Ghobhainn (The Smith’s Burn) / O, She’s Comical /  Sandy MacIntyre’s Trip to Boston / Sir Reginald MacDonald / Dan J Campbell’s Reel Mike MacDougall violin with Mary Jessie MacDonald     piano
7.     Ma Phosas Mi Lauchie MacLellan
8.     Maili Dhonn, Bhoidheach Dhonn John Shaw with the North Shore Singers
9.     Tha Mo Ghaol Air ‘Aird a’ Chuain Tommy MacDonald
10.    Strathspeys & Reels: Sir Thomas Sinclair Ray / The Highlanders’ Farewell / Miss Lyle’s Strathspey / Miss Lyle’s reel / Sandy is my Darling / Bonnie Annie Alex Francis MacKay violin with Fr. John Angus Rankin piano
11.    O A Hù A, Nighean Dubh, Nighean Donn Neil MacLean with the North Shore Singers
12.    Jig & Hornpipe: Paddy’s Resource / The Flowers of Edinburgh Alex MacNeil mandolin with Charlie Dobbin mandolin and and Kevin McCormick piano
13.     Na h-Ighneagan Donna, Boidheach Lauchie MacLellan
14.     Ma Bhuannaich Thu Nighean Ghrinn Murdo MacAskill with the North Shore Singers

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

The Oldham Tinkers specialise in the local songs and ballads of South Lancashire, and have an immense following their. Their debut album soon caught the attention of John Peel and brought their music to a much wider audience.
1  The Rochdale Mashers
2  Seeing Double
3  The Pennine Rangers
4  The Two Jews
5  A Piecer’s Tale
6  Best o’t’ Bunch
7  The Lancashire Toreador
8  A Cob-Coaling Medley
9  The Four-Loom Weaver
10  John Willie’s Ragtime Band
11  Platt’s
12  Good Time Coming
13  I Mean to Wait for Jack
14  Skiing Owdham Style
15  A Mon Like Thee

An important and influential record of song airs and dance tunes played on modest instruments such as would fit in your pocket, played by some of the finest London-based Irish musicians.
“The expertise of the performers is to be admired for its own sake… a delightful disc.” New Statesman.
1  Gillian Apples / The Prize Jig – John Doonan & John Wright
2  The Shaskeen Reel – John Wright
3  The Coolin – Noel Pepper
4  Boys of the Laugh / The Trip to Durrow – Noel Pepper & Paddy Moran
5  Give Me Your Hand – John Doonan
6  Banish Misfortune – The Wrights
7  The Maid Behind the Bar – The Wrights with Paddy Neylan
8  Dunphy’s Hornpipe / The Derry Hornplpe – John Doonan
9  St Anne’s Reel – Noel Pepper & Paddy Moran
10  The Blackbird – John Doonan
11  The Spalpeen’s Lament – John Doonan
12  Miss McLeod / The Flowers of Edinburgh – John Doonan & John Wright
13  The Foxhunters’ Jig – The Wrights
14  The Skylark / Tie the Bonnet – John Wright
15  Clancy’s Fancy – John Wright
16  The Lark in the Clear Air – Noel Pepper
17  Unnamed Jig – Noel Pepper & Paddy Moran
18  Cherish the Ladles / Father O’Flynn – John Doonan, John Wright, Noel Pepper & Paddy Moran

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

“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

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

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

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

The EXILES – Enoch Kent, Bobby Campbell and Gordon McCulloch – were an innovative group of Scots singers and instrumentalists, away from their native home, whose repertoire extended over both traditional and contemporary fields. Freedom, Come All Ye was their debut Topic recording from 1966 is acknowledged as a classic.

Enoch Kent – vocal & whistle
Bobby Campbell – vocal, fiddle, mandolin, mandola & guitar
Gordon McCulloch – vocal, guitar, banjo & harmonica
Paul Lenihan – vocal *

1     The Ballad of Accounting
2    The Moving-On song
3    We’re Only Over Here For Exploration*
4    Thank Christ for Christmas
5    The Pigeon
6    The Poud-a-Week Rise
7    Freedom, Come All Ye
8    For A’ That and A’ That
9    Arthur MacBride
10  Willie Brennan
11  Wae’s Me for Prince Charlie
12  La Pique
13  Van Dieman’s Land
14  Twa Recruiting Sergeants

Jimmy Power was one of the finest Irish traditional fiddle players. He was also one of the most familiar and best-respected figures on the London-Irish music scene of the 1970s. His exceptional repertoire was developed playing for dancing in English pubs and at the grueling feisanna competitions. Power was a very individual player with a unique style embracing short, sharp bowing and plenty of trebling. He is accompanied by pianist Reg Hall on this fine album.
1  Tommy Potts’ Rambling Pitchfork / The Strayaway Child
2  The Chorus / McKenna’s
3  Jockey to the Fair / Miss Brown’s Fancy
4  Coleman’s Favourite / The Promenade
5  Dwyer’s / The Harvest Home
6  Jackie Coleman’s / The Castle
7  The Nine Points of Roguery / The Crib of Perches
8  Whelan’s / The Old Lark in the Morning
9  The Mountain Road
10  Follow Me Down to Limerick / Hardiman the Fiddler
11  Youghal Harbour
12  The Walls of Liscarrol
13  The Jug of Punch / The Moving Bogs of Powelsborough
14  Statia Donnelly’s

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

Paddy Tunney of Donegal is a supremely gifted lyrical singer and a master of intricate vocal ornament. The songs he sings are as deeply and genuinely romantic as the green countryside and dark mountains of his native country. A Wild Bees’ Nest is one of his finest records.

1  The Rollicking Boys Around Tandaragee
2  The Colleen Rue
3  The Flower of Sweet Strabane
4  The Waterford Boys
5  Easter Snow
6  I Once Had a True Love
7 Sheela Nee Eyre
8  When a Man’s In Love
9  The Banks of Dunmore
10  Bonny Tavern Green
11  Castlehyde

A founder member of the High Level Ranters, Tom Gilfellon emerged occasionally with an inimitable collection of songs and tunes evoking the North-Eastern and the Irish strains of his background. Tom Gilfellon vocals, guitar, cittern  with Martin Carthy guitar, Johnny Handle vocal, accordian, piano and Liz Sobell dulcimer, harmonium and Stefan Sobell cittern, concertina

1     The Banks of Red Roses / The Boys of Ballysadare  Tom vocal/cittern; Stefan cittern; Liz dulcimer
2     The Workers’ Song  Tom vocal; Liz harmonium
3a   The Celebrated Working Man  Tom vocal; Johnny accordeon/chorus
3b   Uncle Albert’s last heroic farewell to the world  Tom recitation
4     Reels; Lady Ann Montgomery / The Wind that Shakes the Barley / The Foxhunter’s Reel  Tom cittern; Martin guitar
5     The Snow it Melts the Soonest  Tom vocal
6     The Bonny Gateshead Lass  Tom vocal; Stefan English concertina
7     Jigs: Thomas Friel’s/ The Battering Ram  Tom cittern; Martin guitar
8     The Two Sisters  Tom vocal
9     The Row in the Gutter  Tom vocal; Johnny piano
10   The Fiery Clockface  Tom vocal/guitar
11   Johnny Miner  Tom vocal

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

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

John Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris play and sing English country music with a rare authority. John is a well known session musician, recording with Richard and Linda Thompson, Gerry Rafferty, Pere Ubu, Roy Bailey and many others. John and Sue were founder members of the Albion Country Band, and John has been a member of Steeleye Span and Brass Monkey. ‘The Rose Of Britain’s Isle’ was voted the record of the year 1974 by Folk Review.
1  The Rose of Britain’s Isle / Glorishears
2  Up in the North
3  Hunsden House and Whimbleton House
4  Queen of the May
5  Old Man Jones
6  Not for Joe
7  Weyhill Fair
8  The Milkmaid’s Song
9  Rising Sun and the Crown
10  Sweet Swansea
11  The Yellow Joak and The White Joak
12  The Lady and the Soldier
13  Fireside Polka / Down Sides and up the Middle

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

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

“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

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*

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

The Oldham Tinkers specialise in the local songs and ballads of their native South Lancashire, and have an immense following. All the salt and savour of Lancashire song and humour is to be enjoyed in their records. ‘For Old Time’s Sake’ their third album for the Topic record label was popular with the late John Peel. He played their material often on his BBC radio programme, especially the tall tale of ‘John Willie’s Horse’.
1  Signora
2  Eaur Joe’s Lad
3  John Willie’s Horse
4  Barefoot Days Medley
5  Lancashire Witches
6  Come Whoam to Thi Childer an’ Me
7  Johnny Bugger
8  Billy Winker
9  Bits O’ Bromley Street
10  The Condemned Cell
11  The Maypole
12  For Old Time’s Sake

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  Broomfiled Hill
14  The Hungry Army

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

A remarkable album from Martin Simpson and his then wife, Jessica, with the band Flash Company. True, Dare or Promise features some of Martin Simpson’s most imaginative guitar playing through a remarkable series of arrangements that stretch British folk-rock towards the avant garde! The ensemble also features the fine (and much lamented) songwriter John B Spencer. Although they only performed a handful of gigs this album captures all the early promise of a fine ensemble.
1  Doney Girl
2  Past Caring
3  Not the Whiskey Talking
4  Young Man
5  Bedlam Boys
6  Wholly In My Keeping
7  Rising of the Woman
8  Man Smart, Woman Smarter
9  Essequibo River
10  The Keel Row

SEAN McALOON from Co. Fermanagh and JOHN REA from Co. Antrim, were traditional musicians of choice quality. McAloon was a master of the fiddle and uilleann pipes, Rea the hammer dulcimer, and their duets on the latter two instruments are rare delights. These magnificent performances were recorded by Robin Morton (of the Boys of the Lough).

Sean McAloon Uillean Pipes & Fiddle
John Rea Dulcimer

1  Jigs: The Maid in the Meadow (dulcimer) / The Castlebar Races / Trip to the Cottage (dulcimer and concert pipes)
2  Reels: The Mountain Lark / Crooked Road to Dublin (concert pipes)
3  Jigs: Jackson’s Drum / Jackson’s Mistake / Jackson’s Coagy (dulcimer)
4  Air: Blind Mary (flat pipes)
5  Hornpipes: Madame Bonaparte / O’Dwyer’s Hornpipe (dulcimer)
6  Reels: Crowley’s No. 1 / Crowley’s No. 2 (fiddle)
7  Jigs: Moloney’s / Paddy O’Brien’s (concert pipes)
8  Reels: First House in Connaught (concert pipes ) / The Copperplate (dulcimer and concert pipes)
9  Air: An Buachaill Caol Dubh (The Dark Slender Boy) /  Slip Jig: Drops of Brandy (flat pipes)
10  Reels: Coil the Hawser / Lord McDonald’s (dulcimer)
11  Hornpipes: Alexandria’s / Higgin’s (flat pipes)
12  Reels: The Sligo Maid (fiddle) / Sheehan’s (fiddle and dulcimer)
13  Jigs: Wandering Minstrel / Katy is Waiting / The Basket of Shamrocks (dulcimer)
14  Hornpipes: Tim the Turncoat / The Quarrelsome Piper (concert pipes and dulcimer)
15  Jigs: The Old Siege of Valencia (dulcimer) / The Lark in the Morning (dulcimer, fiddle and bodhran)

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

Terry Teahan, of Kerry and Chicago, and Gene Kelly, of Kilkenny and Washington DC, were old-style Irish musicians in their 70s when this album was recorded. Both had been resident in the Us since the 1920s. Gene Kelly plays accordion, Terry Teahan melodeon and concertina. Though each had worked extensively in band settings, this record of solo performances concentrates on old-fashioned dance music.

1 Reels The Corner House / The Broomstlck Gene Kelly
2 Slide Tom Looney’s Terry Teahan
3 Slide Reagan’s Terry Teahan
4 Hornpipes The Sweep’s / Hennessey’s Gene Kelly
5 Barn Dance The Kerry Mills Terry Teahan
6 Polka Mike Howard’s Terry Teahan
7 Hornpipe The Bird’s Terry Teahan
8 Air Blind Mary Gene Kelly
9 Slide The Barrel Organ Terry Teahan
10 Slide The Evening I Spent With Mick Terry Teahan
11 Slide The Paper Plate Terry Teahan
12 Jigs Fahey’s / Gerry’s Beaver Hat Gene Kelly
13 Slide The Lonesome Road to Dingle Terry Teahan
14 Polka Mickey Chewing Bubble Gum Terry Teahan
15 Barn Dances Sean Hayes / If There Were’t Any Women In The World Gene Kelly
16 Hornplpe Tadgh’s Ailment Terry Teahan
17 Slide Going for Water Terry Teahan
18 Story and Air The Old Caubeen Gene Kelly
19 Waltz Tadgh and Buddy Terry Teahan
20 Fling Poll Hapenny Terry Teahan
21 Polka Paddy Kenny’s Terry Teahan
22 Jigs Father O Flynn’s / The Connaught Man’s Rambles Gene Kelly
23 Polka Jack Mitchell’s Terry Teahan
24 Sword Dance No Name Terry Teahan
25 Fling The Road to Glauntane Terry Teahan
26 Reels The Swallow’s Tail / Miss McLeod’s Gene Kelly

First published by Topic 1977

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

Shanties and forebitters sung with zest and a feeling for authenticity. Ballads of shipwreck and disaster, songs of humour and love performed by a ‘who’s who’ of the English folk song revival – Louis Killen, Cyril Tawney and Ian Campbell, accompanied by master-fiddler Dave Swarbrick.

1  The Wild Goose – Louis Killen
2  Lovely Nancy – Ian Campbell
3  The Nightingale – Cyril Tawney
4  Heave Away My Johnny – Louis Killen
5  Row Bullies Row – Ian Campbell Group
6  The Fireship – Cyril Tawney
7  Tom’s Gone To Hilo – Bob Davenport
8  Ship in Distress – Louis Killen
9  Lowlands Low – Ian Campbell Group
10  One Morning In Spring – Cyril Tawney
11  Hilo Johnny Brown – Louis Killen
12  Poor Old Horse – Ian Campbell Group
13  Bold Princess Royal – Louis Killen
14  Billy Boy – Bob Davenport
15  Bold Benjamin – Cyril Tawney
16  The Hog Eye Man – Ian Campbell Group
17  Goodbye, Fare Thee Well – Louis Killen

The mighty Oldham Tinkers specialise in the local songs and ballads of their native South Lancashire. True inheritors of the spirit of great Lancashire mucial comics like George Formby. “All the salt and savour of Lancashire song and humour is to be enjoyed in their records.” ‘Oldham’s Burning Sands’ was the group’s first recording for Topic Records and a perennial favourite with the late John Peel.
1  Success to the Weavers
2  The Lancashire Miller
3  Charlie Chaplin
4  Eawr Market Neet
5  The Owdam Chap’s Visit to Th’ Queen
6  In Our Town
7  Oldham’s Burning Sands
8  A Fine Old English Gentleman
9  Peterloo
10  We’re Off In A Motor Car
11  The Oldham Pensioner
12  The Stockport Strike
13  Th’ Childer’s Holiday

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 

Sarah Makem was one of the finest singers of Ulster singers. This recording made in 1967 is a fine portrait of the traditional Ulster repertoire – an area where Irish, English and Scots traditions to some extent converge. Sarah learnt her songs in the traditional way – “When I was young we used to have dances in the street to the music of a mouth organ, or if the mouth organ wasn’t available then someone had to lilt. Well, at these street dances anyone was likely to be asked for a song, so I always tried to have one or two ready and I kept learning as many as I could from my mother singing around the house.”
1  Farewell My Love, Remember Me
2  The Banks of Red Roses
3  It was in the Month of January
4  Robert Burns and His Highland Mary
5  The Factory Girl
6  The Jolly Thresher
7  Caroline and her Young Sailor Bold
8  The Wind that Shakes the Barley
9  I Courted A Wee Girl
10  A Servant Maid in Her Father’s Garden
11  Barbara Allen

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

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

Darby’s Farewell is a fine portrait of a working musician. Josie McDermott was a well-known player who played across the range of Irish music – trumpet or saxophone with ‘modern’ groups and whistle or flute with ceili bands. He was an All-Ireland champion many times on several instruments and lilting, and was a finalist three times in ballad-singing. This album, recorded in 1977, focuses on his traditional repertoire.

1   Reels: The Kerry Man / The Pigeon on the Gate flute
2   Jigs: Sixpenny Money / Garrett Barry’s Jig whistle
3   Hornpipes: The Bush Hornpipe / Dunphy’s Hornpipe flute
4   Song: Moorlough Mary
5   Slow air: An Cailin Rua flute
6   Reels: The Tap Room / Toss the Feathers whistle, bodhran
7   Jigs: Dominic’s Farewell to Cashel / Trip to the Cottage flute
8   Lilting: The Collier’s Reel / The Bank of Ireland
9   Reels: Micko Russell’s Reel / Trip to Birmingham flute, bodhran
10 Polkas: Murphy’s Polka / The Keadue Polka whistle
11  Reels: Peg McGrath’s Reel / GanIey’s Reel flute, bodhran
12  Song: Ballad of the O’Carolan Country
13  Reels: The Flowers of Ballymotel / Colemen’s Cross whistle
14  Song: Une Wan
15  Slow air: Ùna Bhán flute
16  Jigs: Boys of the Town / Dwyer’s Jig flute, bodhran
17  Reels: Father O’Grady’s Visit to Bocca / Darby’s Farewell to London whistle, bodhran

‘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

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 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

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

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

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

Bill Caddick has an enviable reputation – sometime member of the Albion Band, Home Service and songwriter of choice for June Tabor. He has recorded few albums during his long performing career; many fans regard The Wild West Show as one of this finest recordings. The album was recorded by Andrew Cronshaw and sees a crack team of close friends and former Home Service colleagues accompany Caddick, including June Tabor who adds sublime duet vocals to ‘Eights And Aces’.
1  Superman
2  Spanish Nights
3  Fork-lift Truck
4  Moses (Smooth Talking)
5  Two-Fisted Heroes
6  Forgotten The Blues
7  Dance To The Music Of Time
8  Stay On The Line
9  Eights And Aces
10  The Wild West Show

This is the second solo record featuring the singing of Lizzie Higgins, one of our finest traditional singers, recorded in 1975 at the height of her powers.

The north-east of Scotland has been known for 200 years as a region rich in tradition, and recent collecting has shown this still to be the case. Lizzie features on this record some of the big ballads for which the area is famed, such as The Twa Brothers, The Cruel Mother and The Forester. Like her famous mother, the late Jeannie Robertson, she has the grandeur to give these pieces their full majestic impact. Her father, Donald Higgins, was equally important in her musical development, for his piping had a distinct effect upon her singing style, with its fluid decoration and its expressive and commanding tone.

1    Up and Awa Wi’ the Laverock
2    Lord Lovat
3    Soo Sewin’ Silk
4    Lady Mary Ann
5    MacDonald of Glencoe
6    The Forester
7    Tammy Toddles
8    Aul’ Roguie Gray
9    The Twa Brothers
10  The Cruel Mother
11   The Lassie Gathering Nuts

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