This is a compilation of tracks mostly from 78rpm Topic records. The container is plain manila cardboard. The disc itself is 12" with what appears to be a hand-drawn label with “Topic” and above it “Workers' Music Association London”. The matrix numbers are RPL 627 and RPL 628.

Musicians

Ewan MacColl, vocals [1-2, 4-7, 9-16];
Isla Cameron, vocals [3];
Al Jeffery, banjo [3-5, 12], guitar [6, 8];
Una Brandon-Jones, Hertzel Goldbloom and Martin Lawrence with the Topic Singers, pipe and tabor; accompaniment conducted by Arnold Goldsbrough [17]

Tracks

Side 1: Ewan MacColl, Isla Cameron

Side 2: Ewan MacColl, The Topic Singers

[EM] Asphalter's Song (TRC39, 1950) [EM] I'm Champion at Keepin' 'em Rolling (TRC39, 1950) [IC, AJ] The Fireman's Not for Me (TRC51, 1951) [EM, AJ] Poor Paddy Works on the Railway (Roud 208) (TRC50, 1951) [EM, AJ] The Coal-Owner and the Pitmans Wife (TRC55, 1951) [EM, AJ] Collier Laddie (Roud 3787; G/D 5:991) (TRC48, 1951) [EM] Four Loom Weaver (Roud 937) (TRC40, 1950) [IC, AJ] Cannily, Cannily (TRC50, 1951) [EM] Jamie Foyers (Roud 1941; G/D 1:106) (TRC55, 1951)

[EM] As I Went Out One May Morning (Roud 277; Laws O17; G/D 4:791; Henry H152) (TRC46, 1951) [EM] The Burning of Auchendoun (Roud 4010; Child 183) [EM, AJ] Brewer Laddie (Roud 867; G/D 4:916) (TRC49, 1951) [EM] The Keach in the Creel (Roud 120; Child 281; G/D 2:317; Henry H201) (TRC46, 1951) [EM] Van Diemen's Land (Roud 221) [EM] Blow the Candle Out (Roud 368; Laws P17) [EM] The Sheffield Apprentice (Roud 399; Laws O39; G/D 5:998; Henry H31; TYG 71) (TRC56, 1952) [UB, HG, ML] The Cutty Wren (Roud 236) (TRC7, 1940)

I don't know of the origin of tracks 11, 14 and 15.

The CD sleeve claims that the CD is digitally remastered but it was obviously copied from a very worn LP full of scratches and hisses. And there are no sleeve notes at all so we don't even know who accompanied Isla Cameron on guitar.

Musicians

Isla Cameron, vocals;
??, guitar [1, 3, 8, 12, 14, 17, 19]

Tracks

Side 1

Side 2

Keel Row (Roud 3059; G/D 4:771) (1.00) Through Bushes and Briars (Roud 1027) (2.04) The Seeds of Thyme (Roud 3; G/D 6:1180) (1.43) The Lark in the Morning (Roud 151) (0.49) To the Begging I Will Go (Roud 286; G/D 3:488) (1.42) Lord Randal (Roud 10; Child 12; G/D 2:209; Henry H814) (3.01) Sandgate Nursing Song (2.03) The Water Is Wide (Roud 87; Child 204) (2.14) Scots Curse (1.06) Soldier, Soldier (Roud 489) (1.27)

Sweet Scented Lavender (Roud 854) (0.32) Johnny Todd (Roud 1102; G/D 8:1583) (1.14) Died for Love (Roud 60; Laws P25; G/D 6:1170; Henry H683) (1.33) The Frog and the Crow (Roud 7520) (1.47) Christ Child Lullaby (2.09) Baloo Baleary (1.45) The Lowlands of Holland (Roud 484; G/D 6:1116; Henry H180) (2.28) The Cherry Tree Carol (Roud 453; Child 54; G/D 2:327) (3.20) Croodin Doo (Roud 10; Child 12; G/D 2:209; Henry H814) (1.30)

All tracks trad. except
Track 7 words Robert Nunn (1808-53), music trad.

Note

For the history of the Tradition / Transatlantic / Rykodisk copyrights and licences on this recording, see Fred McCormick's letter “Ennis on Ember—reply” in the Musical Traditions letters.

See also Nick Guida's Tradition Records discography.

Edited by Kenneth S. Goldstein;
Cover design and produced by Paul Bacon, Ken Braren and Harris Lewine;
Recorded at Topic Studios, London, England;
Sleeve notes by A.L. Lloyd

Musicians

Ewan MacColl, vocals [1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12-14, 16, 18], accompanied by Peggy Seeger, banjo, guitar;
Isla Cameron, vocals [2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17], accompanied by Ralph Rinzler, banjo, guitar

Tracks

Side 1

Side 2

[EM] Will Ye Gang to the Hielands (Geordie) (Roud 90; Child 209; G/D 2:249) (3.27) [IC] The Bonny Miner Lad (Roud 2599) (1.35) [EM] The Foggy Dew (Roud 558; Laws O3; G/D 7:1496) [IC] The Sprig of Thyme (Let No Man Steal Your Thyme) (Roud 3; G/D 6:1180) (3.27) [EM] It Was Under My Love's Window (Roud 21234) [IC] Still I Love Him (Roud 654; TYG 33) (2.01) [EM] The American Stranger (Roud 1081; G/D 7:1469) (2.14) [IC] Blackbirds and Thrushes (Roud 12657) [EM] O Sally My Dear (Roud 329)

[IC] Whistle, Daughter, Whistle (Roud 1570; G/D 7:1334) (2.10) [EM] Blow Away the Morning Dew (Roud 11; Child 112; G/D 2:301) [IC, EM] To the Weavers Gin Ye Go (Roud V22409) [EM] The Bird in the Bush (Roud 290) [IC] The Waters of Tyne (Roud 1364) (1.20) [EM] The Bleacher Lassie of Kelvinhaugh (Roud 3325; G/D 5:1041) (4.04) [IC] Geordie (Roud 90; Child 209; G/D 2:249) (1.43) [EM] Are Ye Sleeping, Maggie? (Roud 4897) (3.05)

Most (10) of the tracks are also on Still I Love Him, so it seems safe to assume that both albums were drawn from the same studio recordings. I wonder, though, why the Topic album has been released two years after the Riverside album.

See also Nick Guida's The Balladeers website.

Musicians

Isla Cameron, vocals [1-2, 4-5, 7-9, 11-12, 14], accompanied by Ralph Rinzler, banjo, guitar;
Ewan MacColl, vocals [3, 6, 10, 13], accompanied by Peggy Seeger, banjo, guitar

Tracks

Side 1	Side 2
[IC] Whistle, Daughter, Whistle (Roud 1570; G/D 7:1334) (2.10) [IC] Once I Had a True Love (Roud 170) (2.34) [EM] The American Stranger (Roud 1081; G/D 7:1469) (2.14) [IC] My Bonny Miner Lad (Roud 2599) (1.35) [IC] Let No Man Steal Your Thyme (Roud 3; G/D 6:1180) (3.27) [EM] Geordie (Roud 90; Child 209; G/D 2:249) (3.27) [IC] Buy Broom Besoms (Roud 1623; G/D 3:489) (1.04)	[IC] Geordie (Roud 90; Child 209; G/D 2:249) (1.43) [IC] The Maid on the Shore (Roud 181; Laws K27) (3.10) [EM] Are Ye Sleeping, Maggie? (Roud 4897) (3.05) [IC] Still I Love Him (Roud 654; TYG 33) (2.01) [IC] The Waters of Tyne (Roud 1364) (1.20) [EM] The Bleacher Lassie of Kelvinhaugh (Roud 3325; G/D 5:1041) (4.04) [IC] Bobby Shaftoe (Roud 1359) (1.24)

Acknowledgements

Thank you very much for Alistair Banfield for the second cover picture.

Recorded by The City of London Studios;
Produced by Kenneth S. Goldstein and Ewan MacColl;
Notes by Ewan MacColl

Musicians

Isla Cameron, vocals [1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16];
Louis Killen, vocals [2, 4-6, 8-9, 11, 13, 15];
Peggy Seeger, guitar [1, 4, 10, 12], banjo [3, 6, 9, 11, 14]

Tracks

Side 1	Side 2
[IC] The Waters of Tyne (Roud 1364) [LK] Buy Broom Buzzems (Roud 1623; G/D 3:489) [IC] Doon the Waggon Way (Roud 3480) [LK] Cushie Butterfield (Roud 3504) [IC, LK] The Oak and the Ash (Roud 1367; G/D 5:1058) [LK] Blaydon Races (Roud 3511) [IC] Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom (Roud 161; Child 1) [LK] The Black-Leg Miners (Roud 3193)	[LK] The Sandgate Lass's Lament (Roud 3170) [IC] Cannily, Cannily [LK] The Oakey Strike Evictions (Roud V35760) [IC] Sandgate Nursing Song [LK] The Banks of the Dee (Roud 3484) [IC] Keep Your Feet Still, Geordie Hinny (Roud 6862) [LK] The Cruel Sister (Roud 8; Child 10; G/D 2:213) [IC] Dance to Your Daddy (Roud 2439; G/D 8:1562)

All tracks trad. except
Tracks 4, 6 George Ridley (1835-1864);
Track 10 Ewan MacColl (1915-1989);
Track 11 Tommy Armstrong (1848-1920);
Track 12 Robert Nunn (1808-1853);
Track 14 Joe Wilson (1841-1875)

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Alex Lioubimov for sending me the cover picture and album details that he found somewhere on the net.

See also Nick Guida's Tradition Records discography.

Produced by Nathan Joseph;
Cover: Brian and Sally Shuel

Musicians

Isla Cameron, vocals [1-2, 4, 6, 8, 10-11, 13, 15-16, 18];;
Tony Britton, vocals [1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16-17, 19];;
Stephen Sedley, Ralph Trainer, guitars;
Geoffrey Pratley, spinet

Tracks

Side 1	Side 2
[TB, IC] Oh, No John, No John, No! (Roud 146) [IC] Ophelia's Song [TB] Not All Can Do It That Will [IC] Died for Love (Roud 60; Laws P25; G/D 6:1170; Henry H683) [TB] The Art of Love [IC] Westron Wynde (Roud V18833) [TB] The Logical Song [IC] Let No Man Steal Your Thyme (Roud 3; G/D 6:1180) [TB] On His Mistress Going to Bed [IC] Take Me Out of Pity	[IC] My Mother Choose My Husband [TB] The Wanton Country Maid [IC] John Anderson (Roud 16967) [TB] After the Pangs of a Desperate Lover (Roud V13097) [IC] As I Roved Out (Roud 3479; G/D 6:1165) [TB, IC] Wha's Been Here Afore Me Lass? [TB] To His Coy Mistress [IC] Still Growin' (Roud 31; Laws O35; G/D 6:1222) [TB] Blow the Candles Out (Roud 368; Laws P17; G/D 4:788)

All tracks trad. except
Track 2 William Shakespeare;
Track 3 François Villon;
Tracks 5, 14 John Dryden;
Track 9 John Donne;
Track 12 Thomas Campion;
Track 16 Hugh MacDiarmid;
Track 17 Andrew Marvell

Recorded by Peter Kennedy;
Notes by Reg Hall

Musicians

Isla Cameron, vocals [1, 4, 6, 9, 12, 17];
Bob Davenport, vocals [1-2, 5-6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 19];
Jack Armstrong, Northumbrian small pipes [1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13-14, 16, 18-19], fiddle [2, 15];
The Rakes [2, 6, 8, 10, 15]:
  Michael Plunkett, fiddle, whistle;
  Paul Gross, fiddle;
  Reg Hall, button key accordion

Tracks

Side 1	Side 2
[IC, BD] My Bonny Lad (Roud 204) [BD] Cushie Butterfield (Roud 3504) Bonny at Morn (Roud 3064) [IC] Three Ravens (Roud 5; Child 26) [BD] Buy Broom Besoms (Roud 1623; G/D 3:489) [IC, BD] The Harrin's Heids (Roud 128; TYG 31) Salmon Tails [BD] Keep Your Feet Still, Geordie, Hinny (Roud 6862) [IC] Dame Get Up and Bake Your Pies (Roud 497) / Lavender's Blue (Roud 3483) / Bonny Shaftoe (Roud 1359)	[BD] The Bonnie Lass of Benwell Redesdale Hornpipe [IC] Willie's Rare (Roud 206; Child 215; G/D 6:1227) [BD] Chevy Chase (Roud 223; Child 162) The Wild Hills o' Wannies [BD] Durham Gaol (Roud 822) Whittingham Green Lane / Ward's Brae [IC] O Can Ye Sew Cushions (Roud 5527) Lads of Alnwick / Johnnie Armstrong (Roud 76; Child 169) [BD] The Border Widow's Lament (Roud 199; Child 106; G/D 1:163)

All tracks trad.

Produced by Nathan Joseph;
Cover: Brian and Sally Shuel

Musicians

Isla Cameron, vocals;
Martin Carthy, guitar [1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12];
Jack Fallon, bass [11]

Tracks

Side 1	Side 2
Glass of Water (2.19) My Parents Raised Me Tenderly (Roud 262; Laws P1; G/D 5:1059; Henry H188) (1.47) Johnny I Hardly Knew You (Roud 3137) (2.27) Turtle Dove (Roud 422) (3.15) Bushes and Briars (Roud 1027) (2.05) Pirate Jenny (2.05)	It Ain't Me Babe (3.15) He's Like the Swallow (Roud 2306) (1.45) Old Man Rockin' the Cradle (Roud 357) (2.10) Yarrow (Roud 13; Child 214; G/D 2:215) (3.40) Willow Waley (1.15) Fare Thee Well (2.55)

Track 1 Sydney Carter;
Tracks 2, 4, 5, 9, 10 trad.;
Tracks 3, 8 trad. arr. Martin Carthy;
Track 6 Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill;
Tracks 7, 12 Bob Dylan;
Track 11 Dehn, Auric