The cover is in great condition, I have only given it a VG+ due to some minor marks on the bottom of the back cover (please see photos). The spine is clearly legible and the labels are superb. The vinyl plays as if new and is beautifully clear and rich. Cleaned on a VPI Cyclone RCM. For photos and music review, see my .com site

VINYL: Ex

LABEL: Ex

COVER: VG+

Side 1

1. The rosemary
2. Wedgefield wakes
3. Travelling people
4. The bad squire
5. The Lancashire lads
6. Wife for sale

Side 2

1. Poverty knock
2. The grinders
3. Hold the fort
4. The nailmaker’s strike
5. Jolly Joe the collier’s son
6. You won’t get me down in your mine
7. The Blantyre explosion

Released on the Bill Leader’s fabulous TRAILER label, this was Jon Raven’s fourth album, but his only release on TRAILER. He was very ably assisted by folk royalty in Nic Jones and Tony Rose on this album, although it was clearly one of Jon’s pet projects. The insert that comes with this album is critical, as it was written by Jon and gives a brilliant overview of what he was trying to achieve and also really clear backgrounds behind each song and then details about the song itself. These notes are really illuminating and allows you to draw so much more from the songs when you listen to the album.

As a result, the album is a magnificent historical recording of how folk songs were used to reflect the feelings of many individuals in post Industrial Revolution Britain. The songs deal with subjects such as the misery, but necessity of poaching in rural areas, the downturn in fortunes for canalmen and nailmakers to the sordid practices of cock fighting and wife selling (although I guess this latter practice may have some merit). There are songs regarding early efforts on forming trades unions, as well as the plight of miners and iron grinders.

Of course, the singing and music is of the highest order, especially when you take into consideration the class line up and I promise you will not be disappointed even if you have high expectations. This is not just a work of art, it has tremendous historical importance as far as the songs and the subjects are concerned. Marvellous.