TSDL210The Wide Midlands: Songs, stories and tunes from the central Counties.

‘Birmingham, the Midland metropolis, was an important centre for the printing of broadsides and it is inevitable that this selection should lean towards the West Midlands. As well as broadsides, a number of industrial songs and fragments have been included, which have survived in oral tradition. The final song was written as lately as 1970. The toughness, the resilience, the humour and pride of the urban Midlander, both in hard times and in easier days, are the qualities which emerge from these songs and stories. They are as much ‘in the idiom of the people’ as their cousins from the country.’

1 The Dudley Boys Sung by Peter Coe, Chris Richards, Mick Bramwich and Les Ivall, acc. Adrian Morris (whistle), Jim Haywood (tabor) & Helena Ivall (tenor drum)
2 When shall we get married, John? sung by Julie West & Roy Palmer, acc. Martyn Briggs (banjo) & Mick Nash (guitar)
3 The slap-bum tailor sung by Roy Palmer and chorus
4 Swaggering Boney/The black joke played by John Rose (fiddle) & Paul Hooke (guitar)
5 Stop that clock/Early in the morning/When you get up in the morning sung by Graham Langley, Doreen Davis, Pam Bishop & Steve Lynn
6 Jolly Joe the collier’s son sung by The Singing Tradition (Julie West, Martyn Briggs, Bob Lapworth & Mick Nash)
7 Owd never could told by Tom Langley
8 I can’t find Brummagem sung by Richard Hamilton, acc. Pam Bishop (guitar) & John Wrench (mouth organ)
9 The Birmingham Jack of all trades sung by Dave Rogers & chorus, acc. John Wrench (guitar) & Pam Bishop (concertina)
10 The nailmakers’ strike sung by Chris Rogers & Pam Bishop
11 The old miner sung by The Singing Tradition
12 Birmingham Sally sung by Chris Richards
13 Buffoon/Staffordshire Hornpipe played by John Rose (fiddle) & Paul Hooke (guitar)
14 Aye for Saturday Night sung by Joan Smith, acc. Pam Bishop (whistle)
15 The Aston Villa Supporter told by Tom Langley
16 Motor Trade Workers sung by Graham Langley and Bob Etheridge, acc. John Wrench (guitar)

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