The Voice of the People
The Voice of the People is an anthology of folk songs produced by Topic Records containing recordings of traditional singers and musicians from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The series was first issued in 1998 as 20 CDs, compiled by Dr Reg Hall, a visiting fellow at Sussex University.
A second series was issued in 2012 consisting of four volumes compiled by Shirley Collins, Steve Roud and Rod Stradling.
A third series was issued in 2013 comprising 4 albums of field recordings recorded by Peter Kennedy and selected by Dr Reg Hall. A fourth series was released in 2016 with two albums of three CDs each chronicling the music of the 'London-Irish' from the 1950s to the present day.
Introduction
The traditional singers and musicians were celebrities within their own community but the majority were unknown to the world at large until the 1950s and 60s when collectors arrived with portable tape recorders. A few of them recorded enough material for an entire album. Most are known for a couple of songs. A few scraps of biographical notes are given in booklets that accompany the discs. Every one of them led working-class lives. Volumes 9 and 19 are collections of instrumentals. In a few cases the singers used song books or ballad sheets to supplement their repertoire, but in most cases their versions are from oral tradition. This collection is the UK equivalent of Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music.Reviews
Brian Peters wrote in Roots World as "the crème de la crème of Britain's traditional singers and musicians". Veteran Records said it was "the greatest set of CDs of English, Irish and Scottish singing and music ever produced."The album is listed in the accompanying book to the Topic Records 70 year anniversary boxed set Three Score and Ten as one of their classic records with Creeping Jane from volume 8 as the tenth track on the first CD and The Nut Dance from volume 16 as the first track on the second CD.
Track listing
The titles detailed below are those used by the singers although there are often other titles for the songs so the links may go to a different title. The references in parentheses for songs are from the three major numbering schemes for folk songs, the Roud Folk Song Index, Child Ballad Numbers originating from Francis James Child and the Laws Numbers from the George Malcolm Laws numbering system.First series
The tune tracks are 6 with fiddle and piano, 9 bagpipes and track 15 accordion. All the other tracks are songs unaccompanied except track 5 accompanied by banjo and tracks 13 and 18 by banjo and fiddle.Track 7 is a Morris dance tune with fiddle and vocals and track 25 is a dance tune on melodeons. All the remaining tracks are unaccompanied voice except track 9 accompanied by accordion, track 17 accompanied by fiddle and piano-accordion and track 21 accompanied by piano-accordion.
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | Herrings' Head | John Doughty | 3:12 | |
2 | Burke's Engine | Tommy McGrath | 3:38 | |
3 | Untitled Scottische | Scan Tester | concertina | 2:07 |
4 | You Canna Put It On to Sandy | Jimmy McBeath | 2:28 | |
5 | Ladybower's/The Sister | Rose Murphy | fiddle | 3:19 |
6 | Three Sons of Rogues | George “Pop” Maynard | 1:40 | |
7 | Young Bob Riley | Mary Ann Carolan | 1:52 | |
8 | Uncle George's Hornpipe/Tommy Roberts’ Hornpipe | Bob Cann | melodeon | 3:46 |
9 | The Ball o’ Kerrimeer | John MacDonald | 2:13 | |
10 | Widdlecombe Fair | Tom Brown | 3:19 | |
11 | Oh, The Hampshires Do Like Duff | Sam Bond | mouth organ | 1:02 |
12 | A Nice Piece Of Irish Pig's Head | Maurice | 2:19 | |
13 | Glendarel Highlanders/Kenmure's On and Awa’/Lovat Scouts/Monymusk | Curley McKay & Willie Kemp | piano accordion, vocals & trumpet | 3:20 |
14 | Clinking O'er The Lea | Maggie Murphy | 3:18 | |
15 | The Derby Ram | Sid Steer | 3:01 | |
16 | Old King Cole | Michael Gorman | with chorus | 2:36 |
17 | Live performance – Bampton Bill | Bampton Morris with Jinky Wells | fiddle & voice | 2:36 |
18 | Down the Road | Fred Jordan | 3:42 | |
19 | The Rosin Box | John Reilly | 1:47 | |
20 | The Stack of Barley | Ellen O’Dywer | concertina | 1:28 |
21 | Most Beautiful Leg of the Mallard | Henry Michelmore | 3:02 | |
22 | The Keyhole in the Door | Jim Wilson | with chorus | 3:02 |
23 | The Blue Meadow | Paddy Breen | tin whistle | 2:45 |
24 | The VarsovianaThe Varsoviana | Ned Pearson | fiddle & vocals | 2:44 |
25 | The Old Sow | Albert Richardson | 2:17 | |
26 | The Cod Fish | Nora Cleary | 1:49 | |
27 | Stirling Militia/Ruthven House | Will & Ian Powrie | accordion & fiddle | 3:09 |
28 | Up to the Rigs of London Town | Charlie Wills | 2:26 | |
29 | The Pigeon on the Gate | Jim & Seamus Donaghue | tin whistle & tambourine | 2:05 |
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | Majuba Hill | John MacDonald | accordion | 0:50 |
2 | A Broadside | Bob Hart | 2:27 | |
3 | The Wild Colonial Boy | Margaret Barry and Michael Gorman | accompanied by banjo & fiddle | 2:49 |
4 | The Wife of the Bold Tenant Farmer | Joe Heaney | 3:04 | |
5 | MacPherson's Rant | Davie Stewart | accompanied by accordion | 6:05 |
6 | The Young Horseman | Martin Howley | 2:16 | |
7 | The Haughs o' Cromdale | John MacDonald | accompanied by accordion | 1:20 |
8 | The Aghalee Heroes | Robert Cinnamond | 2:32 | |
9 | Young Jimmy Foyers | Sheila Stewart | 2:44 | |
10 | A Grand Conversation With Napoleon | Tom Costello | 4:49 | |
11 | The Glen of Aherlow | Lucy Farr | fiddle | 2:12 |
12 | Creeping Jane | Joseph Taylor | 3:02 | |
13 | Skibbereen | Freddy McKay | 4:31 | |
14 | Bloody Waterloo | Willie Scott | 4:08 | |
15 | Down in the Town of Old Bantry | Tommy McGrath | 2:01 | |
16 | Boulavogue | Davie Stewart | accompanied by accordion | 3:45 |
17 | Bonaparte's Retreat | Bernard O'Sullivan & Tommy McMahon | concertinas | 3:02 |
18 | The Wind That Shakes the Barley | Sarah Makem | 3:21 | |
19 | Hartlake Bridge | Jasper Smith | 1:34 | |
20 | Morrissey and the Russian Sailor | Joe Heaney | 3:49 | |
21 | The Bonny Bunch of Roses | Cyril Poacher | 2:34 | |
22 | Calvery | May Bradley | 2:26 | |
23 | Michael Power | Straighty Flanagan | 4:15 | |
24 | The Bold Fenian Men | Margaret Barry | accompanied by banjo | 4:13 |
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | Jenny Lind | Scan Tester & Rabbity Baxter | concertina & tambourine | 1:59 |
2 | The Flowers Of Edinburgh / Bobbing Around | Jinky Wells | fiddle & voice | 3:10 |
3 | The Yarmouth Breakdown | Percy Brown | melodeon | 1:08 |
4 | The Italian Waltz | Oscar Woods | melodeon | 3:09 |
5 | The Boscastle Breakdown | The Boscastle & Tintagel Players | concertinas, cello & stepping | 1:21 |
6 | Shepherd's Hey | Jack Hyde | mouth-organ | 1:02 |
7 | In And Out The Windows/ The Monkey Hornpipe | Scan Tester | concertina | 3:08 |
8 | Hands Across / The Four-Handed Reel | The Dorset Trio | fiddle, concertina & cello | 2:18 |
9 | Woodland Flowers / Uncle Jim's Barndance | Bob Cann | melodeon | 4:07 |
10 | Greensleeves/Napoleon's March | Stephen Baldwin | fiddle | 2:51 |
11 | Over The Waves / The Cuckoo Waltz | Jimmy Dixon & Ron Whatmore | mouth-organs | 2:10 |
12 | Old Mrs Cuddledee | Walter Bulwer | mandolin-banjo | 0:53 |
13 | The Egg Hornpipe / The Shipdham Hornpipe / The Sailor's Hornpipe | Walter Bulwer | fiddle | 3:30 |
14 | Untitled Polka | Scan Tester & Rabbity Baxter | concertina & tambourine | 2:33 |
15 | Johnny's So Long At The Fair | Arnold Woodley | fiddle | 1:56 |
16 | Over The Hills To Glory | Bill Kimber | concertina | 2:18 |
17 | Untitled Polka/Golden Slippers/Mick's Tune | Font Whatling | melodeon | 2:41 |
18 | The Irish Washerwoman / Garyowen / Rory O’More / St Patrick's Day | Billy Cooper | dulcimer | 2:27 |
19 | The Italian Schottische | The Dorset Trio | fiddle, melodeon & cello | 2:00 |
20 | The Gypsy Hornpipe. Untitled Schottische | Stephen Baldwin | fiddle | 2:00 |
21 | Untitled Schottische | Scan Tester & Daisy Sherlock | concertina & piano | 1:57 |
22 | The Veleta / The Heel And Toe Polka | Percy Brown | melodeon | 3:53 |
23 | The Earl Soham Slog. Harkie Nestling's | Fred Whiting | fiddle | 4:13 |
24 | The Manchester Hornpipe / Click Go The Shears | Ruth Askew & George Privett | melodeon & spoons | 2:05 |
25 | Sheep-Shearing. Untitled Polka | The Dorset Trio | fiddle, concertina & cello | 3:18 |
26 | Untitled Polka. Untitled Polka | Oscar Woods | melodeon | 3:18 |
27 | The Maid Of The Mill. Bacca Pipes / Jockey To The Fair. | Bertie Clark | fiddle | 3:44 |
28 | Nobody's Darling But Mine / Untitled/Quick- Step Medley | Jimmy Dixon & Ron Whatmore | mouth-organs | 3:24 |
29 | Live Performance on the streets of Minehead | The Sailors’ Hobby Horse | melodeon & two drums | 1:51 |
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | Bonny Kate/Jenny's Chickens | Eddie Corcoran & Séamus Tansey | tin whistle & tambourine | 1:58 |
2 | The Herring | Mikeen McCarthy | 3:59 | |
3 | The Old Jolly Booger | Jack Elliott | with chorus | 2:34 |
4 | MacKenzies's Highlanders/The Inverness Gathering | Willie Kemp & Curly MacKay | ocarina & piano accordion | 3:25 |
5 | The Leperchaun | Margaret Barry & Michael Gorman | banjo & fiddle | 1:50 |
6 | The Derby Miller | Jumbo Brightwell | 2:33 | |
7 | Tell Her I Am/Teviot Brig | Will Atkinson | mouth organ | 2:00 |
8 | The Hungry Army | Walter Pardon | 3:31 | |
9 | Hieland Rory | Jimmy McBeath | 1:53 | |
10 | Old Joe, The Boat Is Going Over/Untitled Polka | Percy Brown | melodeon | 3:26 |
10 | The Pigeon on the Gate | Font Whatling & Wattie Wright | melodeon & step dancing | 3:26 |
11 | The Barley Grain | Austin Flanagan | 5:56 | |
12 | The Heel and Toe Polka/The Morpeth Rant | Ned Pearson | fiddle | 2:01 |
13 | Sing ivy | Charlie Potter | 1:22 | |
14 | I Am a Donkey Driver | Harry Upton | 2:04 | |
15 | The Queen of the Fair/The lark in the Morning | Michael Grogan | accordion | 3:03 |
16 | The Ball O’ Kerriemeer | Willie Kemp & Curly MacKay | accompanied by piano accordion | 3:18 |
17 | The Pigeon at the Gate/The next Song in the Program | Albert Smith | jew’s harp & vocals | 3:01 |
17 | Tiddlewink Old Man | Jasper Smith | 3:01 | |
17 | Derby Derby | Minty Smith | 3:01 | |
17 | We are the Peckham Boys | Ray Driscoll | 3:01 | |
17 | Yonder Comes the Devil | Joe Jones | 3:01 | |
17 | Old Brown sat in the Rose and Crown | Albert Smith | 3:01 | |
17 | Climbing Up My Old Apple Tree/St. Patrick's Dayjigs | Jasper Smith | 3:01 | |
18 | Off to California/the Greencastle | Willy Taylor, Joe Hutton & Will Atkinson | fiddle, small pipes & mouth organ | 3:12 |
19 | Its Now’t to Do With Me Now | Martin Gorman | 1:52 | |
20 | The Four-Hand Reel | Phil Tanner | 2:34 | |
21 | Johnny McIndoe | Jimmy McBeath | 2:26 | |
22 | Old John Wallis | Bob Brader | 2:05 | |
23 | Ballydesmond/Knocknabowl | Julia Clifford | fiddle | 2:23 |
24 | I Wish There Was No Prisons | George Spicer | 1:09 | |
25 | the Inverness Gathering/Dornoch Links | Donald Davison | mouth organ | 3:27 |
26 | I’m Going to be Mother Today | Johnny Doughty | 1:42 | |
27 | A Parody | Unidentified & Margaret Barry | accompanied by banjo | 4:07 |
28 | the Soldier's Joy | Gargan's Athlone Accordion Band | 3:10 |
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | The Nut Dance | The Britannia Coconut Dancers with The Nutters Band | Live Performance | 4:59 |
2 | Highland Mary | Jinky Wells | fiddle & voice | 1:45 |
3 | The Quaker | Bampton Morris | Live Performance | 2:33 |
4 | The Pace-Egging Song | Emma Vickers | voice | 3:27 |
5 | The Happy Wanderer | The Merrymakers | Live Performance | 2:17 |
6 | While Shepherds Were Watching Their Flocks By The Night | George Dunn | voice | 2:52 |
7 | By The Bright Silvery Light Of The Moon/Highland Fling | Wrenboys | Live Performance | 2:38 |
8 | Double Set Back | Bill Kimber | concertina | 1:16 |
9 | So Now We’ve Gained Our Victory/ The Quaker | Mummers | voice & melodeon | 3:36 |
10 | Dublin Fair/ The Boys Of Wexford/ Garryowen | Wapping Irish Flute & Drum Band & Guest Pipers | Live Performance | 3:05 |
11 | The Girl I Left Behind Me | Stephen Baldwin | fiddle | 1:12 |
12 | Live Performance | The Ripon Sword Dancers | 3:20 | |
13 | Jockey To The Fair | Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers | Live Performance | 2:14 |
14 | The Wassail Song | Phil Tanner | voice | 2:30 |
15 | The Furry Dance | Helston Town Band | Live Performance | 1:24 |
16 | While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night | Scan Tester | concertina | 1:58 |
17 | God Bless The Master Of This House | Frank Bond | voice | 1:10 |
18 | Where Does Father Christmas Go To? | Sam Bond | voice | 2:34 |
19 | Bobbing Around | Bampton Morris | Live Performance | 2:26 |
20 | Joe The Boat is Tipping Overtune | The Sailors’ Hobby Horse | Live Performance | 2:28 |
21 | The Waysailing Bowl | Billy Buckingham & Others | voices | 2:45 |
22 | The Great Little Army March | Widnes Star Novelty Band | 2:53 | |
23 | Live Performance | Wassailers | voices | 2:15 |
24 | Cock O’The North | The Abbots Bromley Horn Dancers | Live Performance | 1:42 |
25 | The Garland Dance No.3 | The Britannia Coconut Dancers with The Nutters Band | Live Performance | 2:33 |
26 | Live Performance | The Merrymakers | The Sash | 3:26 |
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | While Gamekeepers Were Sleeping | Bob Roberts | voice | 2:05 |
2 | On Yonder Hill There Sits A Hare | Geordie Hanna | voice | 2:02 |
3 | The Irthing Water Hounds | Willie Scott | voice | 4:22 |
4 | The White Hare | Joseph Taylor | voice | 2:25 |
5 | Out With My Gun In The Morning | Jimmy Knights | voice | 2:15 |
6 | The Huntsman's Horn | Big John Maguire | voice | 3:57 |
7 | The Hungry Fox | Harry Burgess | voice | 2:59 |
8 | The Oakham Poachers | Wiggy Smith | voice | 1:47 |
9 | The Fox Hunt | Felix Doran | uilleann pipes & voice | 3:16 |
10 | Thornymoor Park | Jasper Smith | voice | 1:16 |
11 | The Fair Of Rosslea | Philip McDermott | voice | 3:17 |
12 | Williarn Taylor | Pop Maynard | voice | 3:53 |
13 | The Kielder Hunt | Willie Scott | voice | 4:40 |
14 | Hares In The Old Plantation | Wiggy Smith | voice | 2:10 |
15 | Champion He Was A Dandy | Jack Elliott | voice | 3:14 |
16 | The Reaping Of The Rushes Green | Philip McDermott | voice | 4:59 |
17 | Bold Keeper | Harry Brazil | voice | 1:33 |
18 | The House That Jack Built | Charlie Wills | voice | 4:29 |
19 | The Poachers’ Fate | Walter Pardon | voice | 4:34 |
20 | Killafole Boasters | Jimmy Halpin | voice | 3:08 |
21 | The Huntsman's Chorus | George Tremain | melodeon | 2:50 |
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | Hexham Races / The Stool Of Repentance | Will Atkinson | mouth-organ | 1:57 |
2 | The Gilsland Hornpipe | Tom Hunter & Billy Ballantine | fiddle & piccolo | 1:14 |
3 | Untitled Hornpipe. Untitled | Ned Pearson | fiddle | 1:58 |
4 | Bonny North Tyne | Billy Ballantine | piccolo | 1:57 |
5 | The Braemar Gathering /J.D. Burgess | Willy Taylor | fiddle | 2:27 |
6 | The Friendly Visit / The Greencastle / The Lass On The Strand | Will Atkinson | mouth-organ | 2:50 |
7 | Christie MacLeod / The Gallowglass Rant / Charlie Hunter | Willy Taylor, Joe Hutton & Will Atkinson | fiddle, small pipes & mouth-organ | 3:29 |
8 | The Morpeth Rant | Jim Rutherford | fiddle | 1:13 |
9 | The Oyster Girl – 1st Figure/The Lass Of Dallowgill – 2nd Figure. | Arthur Marshall & The Loftus Sword Dancers | melodeon | 4:04 |
10 | Willy Taylor's Polka/There's Nae Good Luck | Willy Taylor | fiddle | 2:03 |
11 | The Pop Along Polka | Willy Taylor | accordion | 1:18 |
12 | Mrs. Jamieson's Favourite / Parnell's March | Willy Taylor, Joe Hutton & Will Atkinson | fiddle, small pipes & mouth-organ | 4:33 |
13 | The Polka Mazurka/Paddle Your Own Canoe | Ned Pearson | fiddle | 1:59 |
14 | Farewell To The Creeks | Will Atkinson | mouth-organ | 2:16 |
15 | Tom Hepple's Polka. The Tow House Polka | Adam Gray | fiddle | 3:13 |
16 | The Wild Rover / Copshawholm Fair / Yon Flowery Garden | Rob Forrester with Alf Adamson's Band | mouth-organ | 2:31 |
17 | J.B.Milne / The New High Level | Will Atkinson | mouth-organ | 3:11 |
18 | The Tenpenny Bit / The Rakes Of Kildare / I Lost My Love And I Care Not./Untitled Reel | Davie Rogerson | fiddle | 3:24 |
19 | Rosalie, The Prairie Flower. My Lodging / Blow The Wind Southerly | Billy Ballantine & Jimmy Hunter | piccolo & mouth-organ | 2:45 |
20 | Corn-Rigs/Untitled Jig For The Sylph 1/Untitled Jig For The Sylph 2 | Ned Pearson | fiddle | 2:48 |
21 | Longueval | Will Atkinson | mouth-organ | 2:20 |
22 | The Kielder Schottische | Jake Hutton, Tom Hunter & Billy Ballantine | two fiddles & piccolo | 1:38 |
23 | The Sylph/Proudlock's Hornpipe | Billy Ballantine | piccolo | 2:15 |
24 | The Highland Laddie/The Pin Reel/The Cambo March | Ned Pearson | fiddle | 3:36 |
25 | A.M.Shinnie / The Hogmaney Jig / Elizabeth Adair | Will Atkinson | mouth-organ | 4:00 |
26 | Untitled Hornpipe. The Swallow's Tail | Davie Rogerson | fiddle | 1:52 |
27 | The Ideal Schottische | The Cheviot Ranters | band | 4:07 |
28 | Kelso Accordion And Fiddle Club / Linda McFarlane / The Scairlaveg | Willy Taylor, Joe Hutton & Will Atkinson | fiddle, small pipes & mouth-organ | 4:33 |
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | The Overgate | Belle Stewart | voice | 3:16 |
2 | The Wee Weaver | Paddy Tunney | voice | 1:49 |
3 | We Shepherds Are The Best of Men | The Belhavel Trio | fiddle, uilleann pipes & accordion | 3:03 |
5 | The Flies Are on the Tummits | Ted Laurence | voice | 2:02 |
6 | Come All You Tramps and Hawkers | Jimmy MacBeath | voice | 3:37 |
7 | Muddley Barracks | Jumbo Brightwell | voice | 2:21 |
8 | The Shepherd's Song | Willie Scott | voice | 4:19 |
9 | In The Bar-Room | Jack Elliott | voice with chorus | 2:22 |
10 | An Spailpin Finach | Sean Mac Donnchadna | voice | 2:10 |
11 | Come To The Hiring | Jamesy McCarthy | voice | 2:30 |
12 | The Wandering Shepherd Laddie | John MacDonald | voice & accordion | 1:22 |
13 | There Was A Poor Thresherman | Harry Holman | voice | 1:45 |
14 | The Neatly Thatched Cabin | Big John Maguire | voice | 2:10 |
15 | The Banks Of The Dee | Jack Elliott | voice with chorus | 2:34 |
16 | My Father's A Hedger And Ditcher | Mary Ann Carolan | voice | 1:08 |
17 | Ground For The Floor | Pop Maynard | voice | 4:51 |
18 | Airlin's Fine Braes | Jimmy MacBeath | voice | 2:05 |
19 | The Little Ball Of Yarn | Mary Ann Haynes | voice | 2:14 |
20 | To Reap And Mow The Hay | Paddy & Jimmy Halpin | voices | 5:21 |
21 | The Roaming Journeyman | Tom Willett | voice | 1:53 |
22 | When The Kye Comes Hame | Willie Scott | voice | 4:13 |
23 | The Berry Fields O’Blair | Belle Stewart | voice | 2:31 |
The Voice of the People – A Selection from the Series of Anthologies
This album released in 1998 contains one track from each of the first twenty volumes of the series.Track | Title/Original Album | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | When a Man's in Love He Feels No Cold | Paddy Tunney | 3.32 | |
Volume 1: Come Let us Buy the Licence - Songs of Courtship & Marriage | Volume 1: Come Let us Buy the Licence - Songs of Courtship & Marriage | Volume 1: Come Let us Buy the Licence - Songs of Courtship & Marriage | ||
2 | In Scarborough Town | Sam Larner | 4:07 | |
Volume 2: My Ship Shall Sail the Ocean - Songs of Tempest & Sea Battles, Sailor Lads & Fishermen | Volume 2: My Ship Shall Sail the Ocean - Songs of Tempest & Sea Battles, Sailor Lads & Fishermen | Volume 2: My Ship Shall Sail the Ocean - Songs of Tempest & Sea Battles, Sailor Lads & Fishermen | ||
3 | The Two Brothers | Belle Stewart | 4:02 | |
Volume 3: O’er His Grave the grass Grew Green - Tragic Ballads | Volume 3: O’er His Grave the grass Grew Green - Tragic Ballads | Volume 3: O’er His Grave the grass Grew Green - Tragic Ballads | ||
4 | Farewell, My Own Dear Native Land | Margaret Barry & Michael Gorman | banjo & fiddle | 2:46 |
Volume 4: Farewell, My Own Dear Native Land - Songs of Exile & Emigration | Volume 4: Farewell, My Own Dear Native Land - Songs of Exile & Emigration | Volume 4: Farewell, My Own Dear Native Land - Songs of Exile & Emigration | ||
5 | The Rocks Of Bawn | Joe Heaney | 3:46 | |
Volume 5: Come All My Lads That Follow the Plough - The lLfe of Rural Working Men & Women | Volume 5: Come All My Lads That Follow the Plough - The lLfe of Rural Working Men & Women | Volume 5: Come All My Lads That Follow the Plough - The lLfe of Rural Working Men & Women | ||
6 | Bold William Taylor | Joseph Taylor | 3:47 | |
Volume 6: Tonight I'll Make You My Bride - Ballads of True & False Lovers | Volume 6: Tonight I'll Make You My Bride - Ballads of True & False Lovers | Volume 6: Tonight I'll Make You My Bride - Ballads of True & False Lovers | ||
7 | Up to the Rigs of London Town | Charlie Wills | 2:26 | |
Volume 7: First I'm Going To Sing You a Ditty - Rural Fun & Frolics | Volume 7: First I'm Going To Sing You a Ditty - Rural Fun & Frolics | Volume 7: First I'm Going To Sing You a Ditty - Rural Fun & Frolics | ||
8 | The Wind That Shakes the Barley | Sarah Makem | 3:21 | |
Volume 8: A Story I'm Just About To Tell - Local Events & National Issues | Volume 8: A Story I'm Just About To Tell - Local Events & National Issues | Volume 8: A Story I'm Just About To Tell - Local Events & National Issues | ||
9 | Untitled Polka | Scan Tester & Rabbity Baxter | concertina & tambourine | 2:33 |
Volume 9: Rig-A-Jig-Jig – Dance Music of the South of England | Volume 9: Rig-A-Jig-Jig – Dance Music of the South of England | Volume 9: Rig-A-Jig-Jig – Dance Music of the South of England | ||
10 | The Seeds of Love | George 'Pop' Maynard | 3:54 | |
Volume 10: Who's That at my Bedroom Window? - Songs of Love & Amorous Encounters | Volume 10: Who's That at my Bedroom Window? - Songs of Love & Amorous Encounters | Volume 10: Who's That at my Bedroom Window? - Songs of Love & Amorous Encounters | ||
11 | The Tan Yard Side | Phoebe Smith | 2:19 | |
Volume 11: My Father's the King of the Gypsies – English & Welsh Travellers & Gypsies | Volume 11: My Father's the King of the Gypsies – English & Welsh Travellers & Gypsies | Volume 11: My Father's the King of the Gypsies – English & Welsh Travellers & Gypsies | ||
12 | Just as the Tide was A-flowing | Harry Cox | 3:24 | |
Volume 12: We've Received Orders to Sail – Jack Tar at Sea & on Shore | Volume 12: We've Received Orders to Sail – Jack Tar at Sea & on Shore | Volume 12: We've Received Orders to Sail – Jack Tar at Sea & on Shore | ||
13 | I'm Often Drunk and Seldom Sober | Davie Stewart | 3:21 | |
Volume 13: They Ordered Their Pints of Beer & Bottle of Sherry – The Joys & Curse of Drink | Volume 13: They Ordered Their Pints of Beer & Bottle of Sherry – The Joys & Curse of Drink | Volume 13: They Ordered Their Pints of Beer & Bottle of Sherry – The Joys & Curse of Drink | ||
14 | The Four-Hand Reel | Phil Tanner | 2:34 | |
Volume 14: Troubles They Are But Few – Dance Tunes & Ditties | Volume 14: Troubles They Are But Few – Dance Tunes & Ditties | Volume 14: Troubles They Are But Few – Dance Tunes & Ditties | ||
15 | I'm a Stranger in This Country | Jimmy McBeath | 2:32 | |
Volume 15: As Me and My Love Sat Courting – Songs of Love, Courtship & Marriage | Volume 15: As Me and My Love Sat Courting – Songs of Love, Courtship & Marriage | Volume 15: As Me and My Love Sat Courting – Songs of Love, Courtship & Marriage | ||
16 | Joe The Boat is Tipping Over | The Sailors’ Hobby Horse | Live Performance | 2:28 |
Volume 16: You Lazy Lot of Boneshakers – Songs & Dance Tunes of Seasonal Events | Volume 16: You Lazy Lot of Boneshakers – Songs & Dance Tunes of Seasonal Events | Volume 16: You Lazy Lot of Boneshakers – Songs & Dance Tunes of Seasonal Events | ||
17 | The Gypsy Laddies | Jeannie Robertson | 6:08 | |
Volume 17: It Fell on a Day, a Bonny Summer Day - Ballads | Volume 17: It Fell on a Day, a Bonny Summer Day - Ballads | Volume 17: It Fell on a Day, a Bonny Summer Day - Ballads | ||
18 | The Poachers’ Fate | Walter Pardon | 4:34 | |
Volume 18: To Catch a Fine Buck Was My Delight – Songs of Hunting & Poaching | Volume 18: To Catch a Fine Buck Was My Delight – Songs of Hunting & Poaching | Volume 18: To Catch a Fine Buck Was My Delight – Songs of Hunting & Poaching | ||
19 | Hexham Races / The Stool Of Repentance | Will Atkinson | mouth-organ | 1:57 |
Volume 19 Ranting & Reeling – Dance Music of the North of England | Volume 19 Ranting & Reeling – Dance Music of the North of England | Volume 19 Ranting & Reeling – Dance Music of the North of England | ||
20 | We Shepherds Are The Best of Men | Fred Jordan | 3:05 | |
Volume 20: There is a Man Upon the Farm – Working Men & Women in Song | Volume 20: There is a Man Upon the Farm – Working Men & Women in Song | Volume 20: There is a Man Upon the Farm – Working Men & Women in Song |
Second series
Selected by Steve Roud.All the tracks are sung by Sarah Makem and selected by Rod Stradling from recordings made in the 1950s and 1960s.
Third series
A selection of Dance Music in Northumberland and CumberlandTrack | Title | Tune Type | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | The Soldier's Joy | Country Dance | Ned Pearson | Fiddle | 1:12 |
2 | The Ribbon Country Dance | Country Dance | Ned Pearson | Fiddle | 1:06 |
3 | We All Go A-hunting Today | Waltz | Ned Pearson | Fiddle | 1:05 |
4 | Ned's father's Strathspey | Strathspey | Ned Pearson | Fiddle | 1:00 |
5 | The Ladies’ Hornpipe | Hornpipe | Ned Pearson | Fiddle | 0:48 |
6 | Barbara Bell | Country Dance | Ned Pearson | Fiddle | 0:59 |
7 | The Coquet Reel | Reel | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 0:51 |
8 | The Lads of North Tyne | Hornpipe | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:35 |
9 | The Mosstroopers Polka | Polka | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:43 |
10 | The Wild Hills of Wannies | Waltz | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:08 |
11 | My Love She's But A Lassie Yet | Bob Clark | Jews Harp | 0:39 | |
12 | The Clinch Polka | Polka | George Taylor | Melodeon | 0:40 |
13 | The Clinch Polka | Polka | Bob Clarke & George Taylor | Jew's Harp and Melodeon | 1:17 |
14 | George Foreman's Hornpipe | Hornpipe | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 1:21 |
15 | The Sylph | Country Dance | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 1:01 |
16 | Highland Laddie | Country Dance | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 1:08 |
17 | The Keel Row | Country Dance | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 0:40 |
18 | The Heel and Toe Polka: Duncan Gray | Polka | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 0:52 |
19 | Proudlock's Hornpipe | Hornpipe | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 1:23 |
20 | Patrick Conroy's March | March | Billy Conroy | Tin Whistle | 1:44 |
21 | Patrick Conroy's Waltz No. 1 | Waltz | Billy Conroy | Tin Whistle | 0:57 |
22 | Patrick Conroy's Waltz No. 2 | Waltz | Billy Conroy | Tin Whistle | 0:43 |
23 | The Rollicking Irishman | Jig | Billy Conroy | Tin Whistle | 0:38 |
24 | Corn Riggs | Country Dance | Jake Hutton | Fiddle | 1:00 |
25 | Jake Hutton's Strathspey | Strathspey | Jake Hutton | Fiddle | 1:04 |
26 | Durham Rangers / The Rights of Man | Hornpipe | Tom Hunter | Fiddle | 1:14 |
27 | Circassian Circle: Good Humour | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:10 | |
28 | The Time for Step-dancing | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:00 | |
29 | Russian Ballet | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 0:32 | |
30 | Nancy | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 1:12 | |
31 | Drops of Brandy | Country Dance | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 0:53 |
32 | The Maltese Schottische | Scottische | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 0:45 |
33 | Roxburgh Castle | Country Dance | Geordie Armstrong | Fiddle | 1:09 |
34 | The Lancers, figure 1 | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 0:42 | |
35 | The Lancers, figure 2 | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:30 | |
36 | The Lancers, figure 3 | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:18 | |
37 | The Lancers, figure 4 | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 0:55 | |
38 | The Lancers, figure 5 | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:54 | |
39 | The Last Figure of the Lancers | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:24 | |
40 | The West End | Hornpipe | Jim Rutherford | Fiddle | 1:11 |
41 | Corn Rigs | Country Dance | Jim Rutherford | Fiddle | 0:46 |
42 | The Garden House | Polka | Jim Rutherford | Fiddle | 1:14 |
43 | Louden's Bonny Woods and Braes | Scottische | Jim Rutherford | Fiddle | 0:54 |
44 | The Gilsland Hornpipe | Hornpipe | Willy Taylor | Melodeon | 0:39 |
45 | Peter Robson's Polka | Polka | Willy Taylor | Fiddle | 1:09 |
46 | The Roman Wall | Jig | Adam Gray | Fiddle | 1:07 |
47 | Billy's Father's Polka | Polka | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 0:58 |
48 | The Circassian Circle: The Whinshields Hornpipe | Hornpipe | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 0:53 |
49 | The Circassian Circle: Whinham's Reel | Reel | Billy Ballantine | Piccolo | 1:04 |
50 | The Triumph | Country Dance | Geordie Taylor | Fiddle | 0:29 |
51 | Corn Rigs | Country Dance | Geordie Taylor | Fiddle | 0:31 |
52 | The Ribbon Dance | Country Dance | Geordie Taylor | Fiddle | 0:26 |
53 | Cock Your Leg Up | Geordie Taylor | Fiddle | 0:39 | |
54 | The Self | Country Dance | Geordie Taylor | Fiddle | 0:40 |
55 | The Circassian Circle – first figure | Geordie Taylor | Fiddle | 0:36 | |
56 | The Circassian Circle – second figure | Geordie Taylor | Fiddle | 0:20 | |
57 | Roxburgh Castle | Country Dance | Jimmy Hunter | Mouth Organ | 0:38 |
58 | Caddam Woods | Jimmy Hunter | Mouth Organ | 1:15 | |
59 | Jack Heron's Waltz | Waltz | Jimmy Hunter | Mouth Organ | 0:53 |
60 | The Circassian Circle | Jimmy Hunter | Mouth Organ | 1:40 |
The album consists of a CD and a DVD of recordings made by Peter Kennedy in Suffolk during the 1950s and selected by Reg Hall.
The film on the DVD has also been issued on the BFI DVD "Here’s a Health to the Barley Mow". The filming took place mainly on 19 November with some additional shots and part of The Nutting Girl on 10 December 1955 in the Ship Inn, Blaxhall.
The album consists of three CDs recorded by Peter Kennedy and Sean O’Boyle in 1952 and 1953.
CD1
The CD contains a mixture of dance tunes and songs from the two counties, Fermanagh and Donegal
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | Lough Erne Shore | Paddy Tunney | voice | 2:04 |
2 | The Mountain Streams Where The Moorcocks Crow | Brigid Tunney | voice | 3:54 |
3 | Untitled Polka | Joe Tunney | accordion | 1:04 |
4 | Pat Hart's | Joe Tunney | accordion | 1:06 |
5 | Miss Monaghan / The Gree Mountain / The Scholar | Joe Tunney | accordion | 0:38 |
6 | My Charming Buachall Roe | Annie Lunny | voice | 1:54 |
7 | Deartháirin ó mo Chroi | Annie Lunny | voice | 2:36 |
8 | Bundle and Go | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 0:43 |
9 | Miss McLeod's Reel | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 1:14 |
10 | Gusty's Frolics | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 1:15 |
11 | Moorlough Mary | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 4:27 |
12 | Marry When You’re Young | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 1:06 |
13 | Boney Crossing the Alps | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 1:10 |
14 | The Last Figure of The Lancers | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 0:58 |
15 | The Rollicking Boys Around Tandragee | Mick Gallagher | voice | 2:25 |
16 | Buachaillin Donn | Maureen Melly | voice | 2:04 |
17 | Paddy Shinaghan's Cow | Maureen Melly | voice | 1:32 |
18 | Farewell Green Erin | Maureen Melly | voice | 1:04 |
19 | The Blackbird | Paddy Tunney | voice | 3:39 |
20 | The Loughanure Tune | Neilidh Boyle | fiddle & voice | 2:25 |
21 | Seán sa Cheo | Neilidh Boyle | fiddle & voice | 1:32 |
22 | Pleoid ar an Fharraige is i átá Morl | Neilidh Boyle | fiddle & voice | 1:51 |
23 | Sráid na mBúrcach | Neilidh Boyle | fiddle & voice | 1:21 |
24 | An Seanduine Dóite | Sheila Gallagher | voice | 1:54 |
25 | In Aimsir Bhaint an Fhéir | Sheila Gallagher | voice | 0:34 |
26 | The Wearing of the Britches | Pat Bell Keown | voice | 2:08 |
27 | The Blackbird of Avondale | Maureen Melly | voice | 2:13 |
28 | My Dark Slender Boy | Maureen Melly | voice | 1:20 |
29 | Bonnie Kate | Simie Doherty | fiddle | 0:53 |
30 | Cuffe Street | Simie Doherty | fiddle | 0:39 |
31 | The Pigeon on the Gate | Simie Doherty | fiddle | 1:11 |
32 | The Tullaghan Lasses | Simie Doherty | fiddle | 0:57 |
33 | Mooney's Favourite | Simie Doherty | fiddle | 0:58 |
34 | The Heathery Hills | Brigid Tunney | voice | 3:07 |
35 | The Soldier and the Sailor | Brigid Tunney | voice | 1:22 |
36 | Wee Paddy Molloy | Brigid Tunney | voice | 1:33 |
37 | The Atlantic Roar | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 1:07 |
38 | Rocking The Cradle | John Doherty | fiddle & voice | 3:26 |
CD2 Dance Music
Track | Title | Artist | Instrument | Length |
1 | The Basket of Oysters / Jackson's Rum Punch | Johnny Pickering | fiddle | 1:44 |
2 | Green Grow The Laurels O / Love, Will You Marry Me | Johnny Pickering, Jimmy Pickering, Unidentified | fiddle, accordion & lilting | 1:24 |
3 | Biddy The Bowl Wife / I Lost My Love & I Care Not/ King of the Cannibal Islands | McCusker Brothers Ceili Band | 3:10 | |
4 | Untitled / Untitled / Jenny Lind | McCusker Brothers Ceili Band | 3:19 | |
5 | The First of May | Vincent & John McCusker | fiddles | 1:03 |
6 | 3 untitled mazurkas | Vincent & John McCusker | fiddles | 1:36 |
7 | Monymusk / Kafoozalum / Maggie Pickens | McCusker Brothers Ceili Band | 3:10 | |
8 | Tatter Jack Walsh | Vincent & John McCusker | fiddles | 1:00 |
9 | The Princess Royal | Vincent & John McCusker | fiddles | 1:00 |
10 | The Man from Newry / The Barndance | McCusker Brothers Ceili Band | 3:10 | |
11 | Jockey to the Fair | Vincent, John & Benignus McCusker | fiddles and accordion | 2:05 |
12 | The Orange Rogue | John McCusker | fiddle | 1:53 |
13 | McKenna's / The Tinker's Apron / The Antrim | McCusker Brothers Ceili Band | 3:16 | |
14 | The Sweets of May | McCusker Brothers Ceili Band | 3:17 | |
15 | The Gosson that Beat his Father | John Maguire | tin whistle | 1:13 |
16 | The First House In Connaught | John Maguire | tin whistle | 1:21 |
17 | Lovely Nancy | John Maguire | tin whistle | 1:09 |
18 | The Maid of the House | John Maguire | tin whistle | 1:11 |
19 | The Boys of Leefive | John Maguire | tin whistle | 1:20 |
20 | The Cuckoo's Nest | John Maguire | tin whistle | 1:21 |
21 | All The Way To Galway | Paddy McLuskey | fiddle | 0:41 |
22 | Napoleon Crossing the Alps | Paddy McLuskey | fiddle | 0:59 |
23 | The Cuckoo's Nest | Paddy McLuskey | fiddle | 0:52 |
24 | The Ewe with the Crooked Horn | Paddy McLuskey | fiddle | 1:06 |
25 | Coming Home from Reilly's Party | Danny McNiff | flute | 1:22 |
26 | The Clap Dance / The Soldier's Joy | Eddie Moor | fiddle | 1:02 |
27 | Unidentified / Monymusk | Philip Breen | fiddle | 1:41 |
28 | Woodland Whispers | Philip Breen | fiddle | 1:00 |
29 | The Flax In Bloom / The Dairymaid / The Galway Rambler | Philip Breen | fiddle | 3:09 |
30 | The Sailor's Bonnet / Kiss The Bride / Roaring Mary | Sean Maguire, Liam Donnelly, Tom Turkington, Bill Montgomery & John Maguire | fiddles & tin whistle | 3:05 |
31 | The Flax In Bloom / The Millstone / The Dairymaid | Sean Maguire & Bill Montgomery | fiddles | 4:28 |
CD3 recordings made of the Travelling People
All the tracks are unaccompanied voice including the hornpipe.
Track | Title | Artist | Length |
Instrumentalists
Group | Artist | Instrument | track |
John Fraser | fiddle | ||
Peter Pratt | tin whistle | tracks 12 – 16 | |
fiddle | tracks 29-31 | ||
Bill Greave | fiddle | ||
William Clyne | guitar | ||
Tom Thomson | fiddle | ||
Jim Leslie | piano-accordion | ||
Ronnie Aim | fiddle | ||
John Burgess | fiddle | ||
Mary Ormand | fiddle | ||
Billy and Jimmy Meil | fiddles | ||
The Garson Trio | Jimmy Garson | fiddle | |
Iris Nicholson | Piano-accordion | ||
John Nicholson | guitar | ||
The Orkney Strathsey and Reel Society | Ronny Aim | fiddle | |
Several fiddles | |||
possibly piano-accordion | Track 25 | ||
Piano | |||
Guitars | |||
The Anderson Brothers Band | Jim and George Robson | Fiddles | |
Alan, Robin and Jim Anderson | Piano-accordions |
Track | Title | Artist | Length |
1 | The Greeny Hill March | The Garson Trio | 1:18 |
2 | King William's March | The Garson Trio | 2:03 |
3 | The Garson Trio | The Victoria Waltz | 3:31 |
4 | Napoleon Crossing The Rhine | John Fraser | 1:05 |
5 | Rory O’More | John Fraser | 0:32 |
6 | The Foursome Reel | John Fraser | 1:07 |
7 | Two Wedding Marches | John Fraser | 2:45 |
8 | Scapa Flow | The Anderson Brothers’ Band | 1:08 |
9 | Untitled Waltz | Billy & Jimmy Mell | 1:26 |
10 | Byrne's / The Elk's Festival | The Orkney Strathspey & Reel Society | 1:42 |
11 | Untitled / Untitled | The Orkney Strathspey & Reel Society | 2:21 |
12 | Two Quadrille Tunes | Peter Pratt | 1:11 |
13 | Miss Brown's Horning | Peter Pratt | 0:43 |
14 | The Morning Star | Peter Pratt | 0:45 |
15 | Kitty My Navel | Peter Pratt | 0:39 |
16 | Paddy Carter | Peter Pratt | 1:37 |
17 | Bob Johnstone's Strathspey & Reel | Bill Grieve & William Clyne | 1:39 |
18 | Deerness Quadrille Tune | Tom Thomson & William Clyne | 1:08 |
19 | The Venus Polka | The Garson Trio | 1:28 |
20 | Off She Goes / Dumfries House / Unidentified | The Garson Trio | 1:37 |
21 | The Red House | Jim Leslie | 0:45 |
22 | The House On The Hill | Jim Leslie | 1:05 |
23 | The Glimps Holm March | Ronnie Aim & William Clyne | 1:28 |
24 | Untitled March | Ronnie Aim | 0:43 |
25 | The Grand March | The Orkney Strathspey & Reel Society | 2:32 |
26 | Smith's A Gallant Fireman | John Burgess, Mary Ormand & Tom Thomson | 0:42 |
27 | Unidentified / Patience Quadrille | John Burgess, Mary Ormand & Tom Thomson | 1:29 |
28 | The Grand March | John Burgess, Mary Ormand, Tom Thomson & Jimmy Laird | 1:18 |
29 | Archie o’ Lamb Holm /Unidentified | Peter Pratt | 2:00 |
30 | The Bride's Reel | Peter Pratt | 0:50 |
31 | Tune for the quadrille | Peter Pratt | 1:02 |
32 | The Monymusk / The Iron Man | The Garson Trio | 1:40 |
33 | The House of Skene / The Four Stringer / MacDonald Black | The Garson Trio | 4:37 |
Fourth Series
On 16 March 2016 Topic Records issued 2 more albums in the series to commemorate the traditional music of the 'London-Irish'. These two albums were compiled by Reg Hall. Both albums consist of 3 CDs and contain collections or rare recordings from Topic Records own archive, the Peter Kennedy archive in the British Library and many private collections. The albums areIt was mighty - The early days of Irish Music in London
It was great altogether - The continuing Tradition of Irish Music in London.