Both LP sets are fascinating collections with bags of tracks by various artists not available anywhere else, but sadly long out of print.

Co-ordination and executive producer: Richard Digance;
Additional producers: Ashley Hutchings, John O’Connor, Dave Pegg, Richard Hill

Tracks

Side 1

1. The Catsfield Steamers: 79^th Highlanders Farewell to Gibraltar (1.32)
2. Martin Simpson: The Foxhunters Jig (0.46)
3. Dougie MacLean: Dungathol / Doo’s Nest (2.25)
4. Stuart Moffat: Saddle the Pony / Smash the Window (2.56)
5. Colin Reece & Ian Cutler: Made Behind the Bar (3.14)
6. Dave Pegg: O’Carolan’s Draft (3.49)
7. Chris Newman: Biddlestone’s Hornpipe / I’ll Get Wed in My Old Clothes (3.00)

Side 2

8. Martin Simpson: Fair Flower of Northumberland (Roud 25; Child 9; G/D 6:1149) (1.34)
9. Richard Digance: The Collier’s Farewell (2.27)
10. Stuart Moffat: Banks of the Sweet Primroses (Roud 586; G/D 8:1841) (2.46)
11. Dave Pegg: Lord Mayo (3.46)
12. Dougie MacLean: Farewell to Whisky (3.26)
13. Colin Reece & Ian Cutler: The Swan (4.29)

Side 3

14. The Albion Dance Band: The Quaker’s Wife / Little Burnt Potato (3.10)
15. The Hooligan Band: The Waltz That Carried Me to My Grave (4.23)
16. Eavesdropper: Irish Girl (3.54)
17. John O’Connor: Curragh of Kildare (3.24)
18. The Albion Dance Band: The Norfolk Long Dance (2.59)

Side 3

19. Dave Shepherd: The Glocestershire Miner (2.54)
20. Nigel Pickles: The Carabineer (4.06)
21. John James: Cadair Idris (3.03)
22. Simon Haines: Everything and Nothing All Over Again / Andrew’s March (3.57)
23. Dave Shepherd & Dave Roberts: Sellenger’s Round / Peacock Follow the Hen (3.21)
24. Richard Digance: Draw the Curtain (1.51)

Selected Sleeve Notes

The Albion Dance Band: The Quaker’s Wife / Little Burnt Potato

(Trad. arr. Bullock, Gregory, Hebbert, Hutchings, Tams, Taylor - Albino Music)

Two tunes recorded in 1976 when the Albion Dance Band were exactly that, generating interest around the colleges and universities of Great Britain with the music till then unheard by the young students. Line up: John Tams, melodeon; Pete Pullock, clarinet, baritone saxophone; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Michael Gregory, drums; Graeme Taylor, electric guitar; Michael Hebbert, concertina. Although vintage Albion Dance Band tracks, they are previously unissued and we acknowledge wih thanks the co-operation and permission of the aforementioned musicians to release the tracks for this record.

The Albion Dance Band: The Norfolk Long Dance

(Trad. arr. Bullock, Gregory, Hutchings, Tams, Taylor - Albino Music)

Recorded by the Albion Dance Band in 1976, and from the same session as The Quaker’s Wife and Little Burnt Potato, this is also previsously unreleased. The musicians have moved on to other projects, some to Home Service and others remaining with The Albion Band, and are all significant figures on the British folk scene.

Co-ordination and executive producer: Richard Digance;
Additional producers: Ashley Hutchings, Mike Warren for the Oysterband, Eavesdropper, Chris Newman, Rod Stradling.

Tracks

Side 1

1. Martin Simpson: Prince William (1.32)
2. The Oysterband: Mrs. Foster’s / The First of May (4.08)
3. The Albion Dance Band: Clare Dragoons (3.18)
4. Ian Cutler and Steve Moreham: Cooley’s Reel (2.05)
5. Rick Kemp: Frogmarch (3.27)
6. Doug Morter: General Taylor (Roud 216) (4.27)

Side 2

2. Alistair Anderson: Father Murphy (2.06)
3. Richard Digance: I Live Not Where I Love (Roud 593) (2.53)
4. Martin Simpson: Donal Óg (Roud 3379) (2.43)
5. Doug Morter and Martin Simpson: Loving Hannah (Roud 454; G/D 6:1192; Henry H625) (3.03)
6. Steve Moreham: The Seal (2.26)
7. The Traders: The Butterfly (2.41)
8. Mick and Sarah Graves: The Memory / Hennessy’s Polka (4.24)

Side 3

14. The Albion Dance Band: High Level Hornpipe / Uncle George’s (1.32)
15. Tiger Moth: The Belfast Polka (4.08)
16. The Hooligan Band: Going Home (3.18)
17. Alistair Anderson: Golden Eagle / The Teetotaller Goes Astray (2.05)
18. The Traders: My Darling Asleep / Behind the Haystack / Morrison’s Jig (3.27)
19. Dave Sheperd and Stuart Moffat: Barham Down (4.27)
20. Eavesdropper: Martin Wynne’s / The Golden Ring (2.06)

Side 4

21. Ian Cutler: Abbots Bromley Horn Dance (2.53)
22. The Prospectors: Marquis of Lourne / The Durham Rangers (2.43)
23. Mick and Sarah Graves: Walpole Cottage / Come Dance and Sing (3.03)
24. Chris Newman: Atholl Highlanders / The Black Bird (2.26)
25. Stuart Moffat: Martial Air (2.41)
26. The Kipper Family: Strip the Widow (4.24)

Selected Sleeve Notes

The Albion Dance Band: Clare Dragoons

(Trad. arr. Albion Dance Band - Albino Music)

Another previously unreleased track from the same 1976 Albion Dance Band sessions that provided the tracks for Buttons & Bows Volume 1. Line up: John Tams, melodeon; Michael Hebbert, concertina; Pete Bullock, baritone saxophone; Graeme Taylor, electric guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Michael Gregory, drums.

Rick Kemp: Frogmarch

(Rick Kemp - Kempire Music Limited)

A track specially recorded for this compilation by Steeleye Span’s bass player, on which Rick plays all the instrumentation. Due to his work with Steeleye Span and Michael Chapman he is regarded as the top bassist from the folk scene roots and this track shows why. Recorded in Carlisle, Cumbria and produced by Rick Kemp.

The Albion Dance Band: High Level Hornpipe / Uncle George’s

(Trad. arr. Cooper, Cann, Bullock, Taylor, Hutchings, Gregory - Albino Music)

Best and most accurately described as jam session from two of Britain’s most respected and talented traditional musicians and some members of the Albion Dance Band in 1976. Sadly Jimmy Cooper is now dead but happily Bob Cann continues to play, dance and call. The full line up of the session is: Jimmy Cooper, hammered dulcimer; Bob Cann, melodeon; Pete Bullock, piano; Graeme Taylor, electric guitar; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar; Michael Gregory, drums and percussion.

The Kipper Family: Strip the Widow

Dick Nudds, Chris Sugden - Dambuster Music Limited

A muddley of tunes from the Trunch dance tradition. It is unusual to find the Kipper Family in instrumental mood, and it is not certain when this rare recording was made. Henry Kipper suggests just before closing time. Line up: Len Kipper, one row melodeon; Henry Kipper, 1/2 row melodeon, short step dancing; Sid and George Kipper, Trunch blow pipes; Kevin Kipper, whistle; Annie Kipper, mandolin; Dot Kipper, tambourine; Joe Spratt (a distant relative from Cornwall), Joe’s harp.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Brent W Burhans and Tony Rees for the album details.