The vinyl is in great shape, although there was a faint bit of background noise on a couple of tracks toward the end of Side 2. Nothing, however, that will spoil your enjoyment of this lovely compilation. The cover and labels are fantastic for such an old record. Great album.

VINYL: VG+

LABEL: Ex

COVER: Ex

Side 1

1. The keeper – The Settlers
2. Black is the colour of my true love’s hair – Davy Graham
3. Bahama lullaby – One, Two and Three
4. Johnny, I hardly know you – Robin Hall and Jimmie MacGregor
5. Come all ye tramps and hawkers – Nigel Denver
6. Ratcliffe highway – The Dubliners
7. Mary Ann – Marianne Faithful

Side 2

1. Masters of war – Julie Felix
2. The long black veil – The Malcolm Price Trio
3. Hurricane Hattie – Nadia Cattouse
4. Whistle daughter whistle – Val Doonican
5. Pretty Saro – Shirley Collins and Davy Graham
6. Wimoweh – The Thameside Four and Davy Graham
7. Drill ye tarries drill – Ian Campbell Folk Group

This is one of the early compilation albums produced by record labels. On this album, Decca advertise their rich stock of folk talent on their books. Some of this talent were to become legends of the folk world and this album showcases some of their early offerings on this great album. The legends include the genius of Davy Graham on 3 tracks. The Dubliners deliver a great version of Ratcliffe Highway, while Marianne Faithful shows her roots were firmly in folk with a great song. Julie Felix gives a really emotional rendition of Bob Dylan’s ‘Masters of war’. Nadia Cattouse is a great singer and brilliantly delivers ‘Hurricane Hattie’. Shirley Collins is of course one of folk’s nobility and the combination of her emotional singing and Davy Graham’s intricate guitar work on ‘Pretty Saro’ is exquisite. The Thamesiders (including Martin Carthy and Marion Grey) are joined by Davy Graham on guitar give a very different ‘Wimoweh’ to the Tight Fit version most are more familiar with, and for that I am very grateful. The album is completed by a stirring version of ‘Drill ye tarries drill’ from the Ian Campbell Folk Group, who also included Dave Swarbrick amongst their numbers.