# Three Score and Ten

Three Score and Ten: A Voice to the People is a multi-CD box set album issued by Topic Records in 2009 to celebrate 70 years as an independent British record label.
The album consists of a hardback book containing the seven CDs and a paper insert detailing the Topic release list, complemented by a card insert to balance the release list.
The boxed set provides examples of recordings from the beginning of the label in 1939. Topic Records headlines their web site as Traditional and Contemporary Folk from the British Isles but in its history many other genres have appeared on the label. The album provides many examples including tracks from British Music Hall, blues, roots and World Music amongst others.
The album was curated, researched and produced by David Suff$^{:108}$ of Fledg'ling Records.

## Promotion

David Suff gave an interview to Simon Holland for Properganda on 27 July which included details of the research and length of time involved in compiling the boxed set. Simon then interviewed Tony Engle on 7 August about the album and the work of Topic records. This interview included a track from each of the CDs in the boxed set.
Mike Harding interviewed Tony Engle about the album and anniversary on 2 September 2009 on his BBC Radio 2 folk music show.
Topic Records co-hosted three concerts at London's South Bank to celebrate the 70 year anniversary and promote the boxed set. These were held on Friday 11 September 2009 at the Royal Festival Hall featuring The Waterson Family and the Eliza Carthy Band, Thursday 17 September 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall featuring the Martin Simpson Big Band and Friday 18 September 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall featuring June Tabor.
There were 2 additional concerts as part of this celebration. Saturday 19 September 2009 at the Purcell Rooms featuring Folklahoma and the Magpies Nest. Friday 25 September 2009 at the Kalamazoo Klub at the Union Chapel, London featuring Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Songlines | |
| The Guardian | |
| The Telegraph | |
| Observer Music Monthly | |
| Allmusic | |
The box set was received with much very positive comment by the general and specialist press

### Commendations

Songlines review by Tim Cumming said "its one of the finest boxed sets I have ever seen".
Robin Denselow in the Guardian said "the oldest truly independent record label in the world, and the most important company in the story of British folk music, celebrates its 70th birthday this summer, and this fascinating, thoughtfully produced seven-CD set and 108-page hardback book marks the anniversary in style".
The Doug Spencer on Australian ABC Radio National's Weekend Planet said "This is one of the more remarkable boxed compilations, ever. It has many English gems, but not only English ones".
Redlick said "This is obviously a huge labour of love and a wonderful tribute to a record label respected the world over".
Charles de Lint in the Green Man review said "This is timeless music that will undoubtedly sound just as good and relevant in another seventy years".

### Awards

The album won fRoots Reissues and Compilations of the Year and Best Packaged Album of the Year in 2009.

## Packaging

The package consists of a 108-page hard-backed book with 4 CDs in the front cover and 3 CDs in the back cover together with a booklet cataloguing all the recordings issued by Topic up to the publication in 2009 and a card insert to balance the recordings list.
The dust jacket shows a photograph of Louis Killen and Frankie Armstrong and the book cover shows Reg Hall and Scan Tester.
The book details the history of Topic records with a number of spotlight studies of key albums, and brief biographies relating to Topic of artists and other personnel involved in the record label from the start up to the date of issue of the album.

### Hardback book
#### Introduction

The hardback book provides a history of Topic Records from its start as a subscription label run by the Workers Music Association issuing 78rpm shellac records, through the introduction of vinyl and its associated formats to CDs and subsequent to the boxed set the release of some of the older albums as downloads. The book contains pictures of album covers and artists that recorded them for Topic with a chronological history of the label up to 2009.
As part of this history there are spotlight studies of classic records and short biographies of key personnel and performers.

#### Spotlight Studies of Classic Records

| Title | Artist(s) | Reference | Year |
| Her Mantle So Green | Margaret Barry and Michael Gorman | 12T123 | 1965 |
| The Iron Muse (A Panorama of Industrial Folk Song) | Various Artists | 12T86 | 1963 |
| Frost and Fire: A Calendar of Ceremonial Folk Songs | The Watersons | 12T163 | 1965 |
| Paddy in the Smoke Irish Music from a London Pub | Various Artists | 12T176 | 1968 |
| For Pence and Spicy Ale | The Watersons | 12T265 | 1975 |
| Penguin Eggs | Nic Jones | 12TS411 | 1980 |
| Handful of Earth | Dick Gaughan | 12TS419 | 1981 |
| Aqaba | June Tabor | 12TS449 | 1988 |
| Waterson:Carthy | Waterson–Carthy (Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy) | TSCD475 | 1994 |
| Unity | John Tams | TSCD508 | 2000 |
| The Voice of the People | Various Artists | TSCD651 – 670 | 1998 |
| Anglicana | Eliza Carthy | TSCD539 | 2002 |
| Prodigal Son | Martin Simpson | TSCD567 | 2007 |

#### Biographies

| Name | Reason for Inclusion |
| Alan Bush | Helped found the WMA in 1936 and was elected the first president of the association in 1941 |
| A L Lloyd | Was appointed artistic director of Topic records which was officially only for one year but was a powerful influence over many years with Ewan MacColl. |
| Ewan MacColl | With Bert Lloyd was a driving force behind the folk revival after the second world war. |
| Bill Leader | Recording engineer and producer who recorded a lot for Topic records and other companies before setting up his own record company with 2 labels, Leader and Trailer. |
| Dick Swettenham | Electronics engineer who worked with Bill Leader and developed the first transistorised control desk in the world |
| Gerry Sharp | Accountant and business manager who kept the business on a financial even keel in its early days |
| Reg Hall | Musician associated with Topic records since 1963 as an accompanist, compiler and annotator of many recordings. |
| Tony Engle | Joined Topic in 1963 and took over the label in 1973 following Gerry Sharp’s death |

### Catalogue of releases

The catalogue details all the releases from the first record through to 2009. Each record is assigned a number starting from 1 with a prefix that denotes the format of issue.
| Prefix | Format | First Issue | Last Issue | Comments |
| TRC (Topic Record Club | 78rpm record | 1939 | 1958 | |
| TRL | 12 Inch Long Playing Record | 1956 | 1956 | |
| 12T | 12 Inch Long Playing Record | 1958 | 1990 | an S after the T signifies a stereo recording |
| 10T | 10 Inch Long Playing Record | 1957 | 1960 | |
| T | 10 Inch Long Playing Record | 1956 | 1956 |
| 8T | 8 Inch Long Playing Record | 1957 | 1957 | |
| 7T | 7 Inch microgroove LP (playing at 33 1/3rpm) | 1957 | 1958 | Only 3 records issued |
| TOP | 7 Inch microgroove EP | 1958 | 1958 | S prefix indicates a stereo record. This prefix was used in 2014 for a special issue. Some of the titles appear to be single records. |
| TPS | Sampler | 1964 | 1973 | Length and size not specified |
| 12TFRS | Free Reed label recordings | 1975 | 1977 | |
| SPD | Special Delivery | 1987 | 1995 | |
| TSCD | Compact disk | 1990 | present day | If the album was originally issued as a record then the number is re-used |
The catalogue details The Voice of the People series separately.
Ewan MacColl’s Radio Ballads which were originally issued by Argos are listed as they are available though Topic.
A separate section details the Topic World Series CDs. A section details the only recording issued under the WMA heading.
Three further sections detail the Impact and String labels.

## Track listing

The seven CDs are themed covering different aspects of the Topic catalogue with a title appropriate to the content.
The composer of the track will be displayed under the track name with Traditional when appropriate. A reference to external numbering systems for songs will be used where identified for traditional songs. The references 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. The original recordings are detailed in the listings. Many of these were not available at the time of issue but are now available as downloads from the usual sources with the original sleeve notes being made available by Topic from their web site.

### Disk one – . . . a selection of treasures from the Topic catalogue

The disk contains a range of the music from various parts of the English speaking world that Topic Records has issued over its 70-year history. These include English folk songs, instrumentals including dance music, American blues, music hall and a recent composition that is regularly played by Irish folk groups. Track 2 is an instrumental issued as part of a joint album with Alexis Korner. This track and track 4 are now available as digital downloads of either the track or the full recording. Track 3 is a dance tune played on the Jew's Harp. Track 10 is from an album in the series "The Voice of the People" and is from a traditional English singer as is track 13. Track 12 was originally issued by Fontana in 1969 and is licensed to Topic by Polygram through Gama Records. The tracks are mainly from recordings issued in a variety for formats by Topic with track 15 from a Special Delivery album.
| Track | Title/Composer | Artist(s) | Original Album/Reference | Year of Issue | Length(Mins) |
| 1. | The Humpback Whale | Nic Jones | Penguin Eggs | 1980 | 5:49 |
| 1. | Robertson | Nic Jones | 12TS411 | 1980 | 5:49 |
| 2. | Angi | Davy Graham | 3/4 AD | 1963 | 2:25 |
| 2. | Davy Graham | Davy Graham | TOP70 | 1963 | 2:25 |
| 3. | The Shaskeen Reel | John Wright | The Lark In The Clear Air | 1974 | 3:03 |
| 3. | Traditional | John Wright | 12TS230 | 1974 | 3:03 |
| 4. | The Lancashire Toreadors | The Oldham Tinkers | Best O’ T’ Bunch | 1974 | 3:12 |
| 4. | George Formby | The Oldham Tinkers | 12TS237 | 1974 | 3:12 |
| 5. | Sullivan’s March | Pat Mitchell | Pat Mitchell - Uilleann pipes | 1976 | 1:40 |
| 5. | Traditional | Pat Mitchell | 12T294 | 1976 | 1:40 |
| 6. | San Francisco Bay Blues | Jesse Fuller | Working on the Railroad | 1959 | 3:32 |
| 6. | Jesse Fuller | Jesse Fuller | 10T59 | 1959 | 3:32 |
| 7. | Country Gardens | William Kimber | The Art Of William Kimber | 1974 | 2:09 |
| 7. | Traditional | William Kimber | 12T249 | 1974 | 2:09 |
| 8. | Tamlyn | Mike Waterson | Mike Waterson | 1977 | 10:58 |
| 8. | Traditional(Roud 29; Child 39) | Mike Waterson | 12TS332 | 1977 | 10:58 |
| 9. | The Air for Maurice Ogg / Jumping Jack / The Air for Maurice Ogg | Alistair Anderson | Steel Skies | 1982 | 5:19 |
| 9. | Alistair Anderson/Traditional | Alistair Anderson | 12TS427 | 1982 | 5:19 |
| 10. | Creeping Jane | Joseph Taylor | The Voice of the People – 8: A Story I'm Just About To Tell | 1998 | 3:01 |
| 10. | Traditional(Roud 1012; Laws Q23) | Joseph Taylor | TSCD658 | 1998 | 3:01 |
| 11. | Wasps In The Woodpile | Andrew Cronshaw | Till The Beasts’ Returning | 1988 | 3:42 |
| 11. | Traditional | Andrew Cronshaw | 12TS447 | 1988 | 3:42 |
| 12. | Prince Heathen | Martin Carthy with Dave Swarbrick | Prince Heathen | 1977 | 6:54 |
| 12. | Traditional(Roud 3336; Child 104; Laws C104) | Martin Carthy with Dave Swarbrick | 12TS344 | 1977 | 6:54 |
| 13. | The Bonny Labouring Boy | Harry Cox | The Bonny Labouring Boy | 2000 | 3:26 |
| 13. | Traditional(Roud 1162; Laws M14) | Harry Cox | TSCD512D | 2000 | 3:26 |
| 14. | Rawtenstall Annual Fair | Lea Nicholson | Deep Lancashire | 1968 | 3:03 |
| 14. | Weston & Lee | Lea Nicholson | 12T188 | 1968 | 3:03 |
| 15. | Music For A Found Harmonium | Patrick Street | Irish Times | 1990 | 2:40 |
| 15. | Simon Jeffes | Patrick Street | SPDCD1033 | 1990 | 2:40 |
| 16. | Bitter Withy | John Tams | The Reckoning | 2005 | 6:42 |
| 16. | Traditional(Roud 452) | John Tams | TSCD551 | 2005 | 6:42 |

### Disc two - England Arise!

The second disk contains English folk music and includes a number of traditional singers providing a link to the time when this music was the popular music of the country. The disk has the first of two tracks from "The Sweet Primeroses". Track 1 features an excerpt from the music used for an English folk custom dance performed each Easter in Bacup. All the recordings were originally issued on Topic albums either vinyl or as a CD.
| Track | Title/Composer | Artist(s) | Original Album | Year of Issue | Length(Mins) |
| 1. | The Nut Dance (excerpt) | The Britannia Coconut Dancers | The Voice of the People – 16: You Lazy lot of Bone-Shakers | 1998 | 2:18 |
| 1. | Traditional | The Britannia Coconut Dancers | TSCD666 | 1998 | 2:18 |
| 2. | Spencer The Rover | Bob & Ron Copper | Come Write Me Down – Early Recordings of The Copper Family of Rottingdean | 2001 | 3:21 |
| 2. | Traditional(Roud 1115) | Bob & Ron Copper | TSCD534 | 2001 | 3:21 |
| 3. | All Things Are Quite Silent | Shirley Collins | The Sweet Primeroses | 1967 | 2:34 |
| 3. | Traditional(Roud 586) | Shirley Collins | 12T170 | 1967 | 2:34 |
| 4. | Blackwater Side | Anne Briggs | Anne Briggs, currently available on A Collection | 1971 | 3:48 |
| 4. | Traditional(Roud 312; Laws O1) | Anne Briggs | 12T207 | 1971 | 3:48 |
| 5. | The Two Magicians | A L Lloyd | The Bird in the Bush (Traditional Erotic Songs) | 1966 | 4:44 |
| 5. | Traditional(Roud 1350; Child 44) | A L Lloyd | 12T135 | 1966 | 4:44 |
| 6. | Scan’s Polkas | Oak | Welcome To Our Fair | 1971 | 2:13 |
| 6. | Traditional | Oak | 12TS212 | 1971 | 2:13 |
| 7. | The Crafty Maid’s Policy | Frankie Armstrong | Lovely On The Water | 1972 | 2:13 |
| 7. | Traditional(Roud 1624) | Frankie Armstrong | 12TS216 | 1972 | 2:13 |
| 8. | A Place Called England | June Tabor | A Quiet Eye | 1999 | 4:40 |
| 8. | Maggie Holland | June Tabor | TSCD510 | 1999 | 4:40 |
| 9. | When I Die | Peter Bellamy | Both Sides Then | 1979 | 2:44 |
| 9. | Traditional(Roud 7697) | Peter Bellamy | 12TS400 | 1979 | 2:44 |
| 10. | The Bold Princess Royal | Sam Larner | A Garland For Sam | 1974 | 3:41 |
| 10. | Traditional(Roud 528; Laws K29) | Sam Larner | 12T244 | 1974 | 3:41 |
| 11. | Hal-An-Tow | The Watersons | Frost and Fire: A calendar of Ritual and Magical Songs | 1965 | 2:05 |
| 11. | Traditional(Roud 1520) | The Watersons | 12T136 | 1965 | 2:05 |
| 12. | We Shepherds Are The Best of Men | Fred Jordan | Songs Of A Shropshire Worker | 1967 | 3:41 |
| 12. | Traditional(Roud 284) | Fred Jordan | 12T150 | 1967 | 3:41 |
| 13. | The Rose Of Britain’s Isle / Glorishears | John Kirkpatrick & Sue Harris | The Rose Of Britain’s Isle | 1974 | 4:39 |
| 13. | Traditional(Roud 1796; Laws N16) | John Kirkpatrick & Sue Harris | 12TS247 | 1974 | 4:39 |
| 14. | Riding Down To Portsmouth | Tom Willett | The Roving Journeyman – The Willett Family | 1962 | 3:40 |
| 14. | Traditional(Roud 1534) | Tom Willett | 12T84 | 1962 | 3:40 |
| 15. | Higher Germany | Pheobe Smith | Once I Had A True Love | 1970 | 3:18 |
| 15. | Traditional(Roud 170) | Pheobe Smith | 12T193 | 1970 | 3:18 |
| 16. | The Ideal Schottische | The Cheviot Ranters | The Cheviot Hills | 1973 | 4:06 |
| 16. | Traditional | The Cheviot Ranters | 12TS222 | 1973 | 4:06 |
| 17. | The Methody Parson | Roy Harris | Champions Of Folly | 1975 | 2:27 |
| 17. | Traditional | Roy Harris | 12TS256 | 1975 | 2:27 |
| 18. | The Maid And The Palmer | Brass Monkey | Brass Monkey | 1983 | 5:33 |
| 18. | Traditional(Roud 2335; Child 21) | Brass Monkey | 12TS431 | 1983 | 5:33 |
| 19. | Hopping Down In Kent | Louie Fuller | Green Grow The Laurels | 1976 | 2:04 |
| 19. | Traditional (Roud 1715) | Louie Fuller | 12TS285 | 1976 | 2:04 |
| 20. | The Devil And The Farmer’s Wife | Walter Pardon | A Country Life | 1982 | 2:53 |
| 20. | Traditional(Roud 160; Child 278) | Walter Pardon | 12TS392 | 1982 | 2:53 |

### Disk three - Ireland Boys, Hurrah

The third disk concentrates on the Folk music of Ireland, including traditional musicians from all the provinces. The disk features more instrumental tracks that the other national disks. A number of the tracks were recorded outside Ireland from members of the Irish diaspora. Track 8 features an unnamed slow air before the Blackbird. Track 23 features the unusual folk music instrument the hammer dulcimer. All the recordings were originally issued on Topic 12 inch vinyl albums except track 9 which was issued on a 10-inch vinyl record.
| Track | Title/Composer | Artist(s) | Original Album | Year of Issue | Length(Mins) |
| 1. | The Rising Sun / The Pope’s Toe | Jackie Daly | Music from Sliabh Luachra Vol. 6 | 1977 | 2:36 |
| 1. | Traditional | Jackie Daly | 12TS358 | 1977 | 2:36 |
| 2. | The Waterford Boys | Paddy Tunney | A Wild Bees’ Nest | 1965 | 3:40 |
| 2. | Traditional(Roud 3107) | Paddy Tunney | 12T139 | 1965 | 3:40 |
| 3. | The Banks Of Red Roses | Sarah Makem | Sarah Makem : Ulster Ballad Singer | 1968 | 3:02 |
| 3. | Traditional(Roud 603) | Sarah Makem | 12T182 | 1968 | 3:02 |
| 4. | Gillan’s Apples / The Prize Jig | John Doonan & John Wright | The Lark In The Clear Air | 1974 | 2:05 |
| 4. | Traditional | John Doonan & John Wright | 12TS230 | 1974 | 2:05 |
| 5. | Slieve Gallon Brae | The McPeake Family | Irish Traditional Folk Songs & Music | 1962 | 2:00 |
| 5. | Traditional(Roud 1420) | The McPeake Family | 12T87 | 1962 | 2:00 |
| 6. | Paddy Ryan’s Dream / Mamma’s Pet | Seamus Tansey with Reg Hall | The Breeze From Erin | 1969 | 2:15 |
| 6. | Traditional | Seamus Tansey with Reg Hall | 12T184 | 1969 | 2:15 |
| 7. | My Irish Molly O | The Flanagan Brothers | The Flanagan Brothers | 1979 | 3:02 |
| 7. | E Schwarz(Roud 2168) | The Flanagan Brothers | 12T365 | 1979 | 3:02 |
| 8. | The Blackbird | Seamus Ennis | The Wandering Minstrel | 1974 | 4:16 |
| 8. | Traditional | Seamus Ennis | 12TS250 | 1974 | 4:16 |
| 9. | The Factory Girl | Margaret Barry | Street Songs & Fiddle Tunes Of Ireland | 1958 | 3:18 |
| 9. | Traditional(Roud 1659) | Margaret Barry | 10T6 | 1958 | 3:18 |
| 10. | Roaring Mary / The Old Torn Petticoat | The Irish Country Four | Songs, Ballads & Instrumental Tunes From Ulster | 1971 | 2:29 |
| 10. | Traditional | The Irish Country Four | 12TS209 | 1971 | 2:29 |
| 11. | Spailpin a Rún | Sean Mac Donnchadha | More Grand Airs From Connemara | 1971 | 2:32 |
| 11. | Traditional | Sean Mac Donnchadha | 12TS202 | 1971 | 2:32 |
| 12. | The Choice Wife | Willie Clancy | The Breeze From Erin | 1969 | 3:06 |
| 12. | Traditional | Willie Clancy | 12T184 | 1969 | 3:06 |
| 13. | The Tinker’s Old Budget | Mary Ann Carolan | Songs From The Irish Tradition | 1982 | 3:12 |
| 13. | Traditional(Roud 2993) | Mary Ann Carolan | 12TS362 | 1982 | 3:12 |
| 14. | Paidriag O’Keefe’s/ Con Cassidy’s | The Boys of the Lough | In The tradition | 1981 | 1:45 |
| 14. | Traditional | The Boys of the Lough | 12TS422 | 1981 | 1:45 |
| 15. | Dowd’s Favourite | Hugh Gillespie | Classic Recordings of Irish Traditional Fiddle Music | 1978 | 2:54 |
| 15. | Traditional | Hugh Gillespie | 12T364 | 1978 | 2:54 |
| 16. | Wife Of The Bold Tenant Farmer | Joe Heaney | Irish Traditional Songs In Gaelic & English | 1963 | 3:05 |
| 16. | Traditional(Roud 5164) | Joe Heaney | 12T91 | 1963 | 3:05 |
| 17. | The Music In The Glen / The Greenfields Of America | The O’Halloran Brothers | Men Of The Ireland | 1976 | 2:18 |
| 17. | Traditional | The O’Halloran Brothers | 12TS305 | 1976 | 2:18 |
| 18. | The Knight Templar’s Dream | Len Graham | Wind And Water | 1977 | 3:55 |
| 18. | Traditional(Roud 21138) | Len Graham | 12TS334 | 1977 | 3:55 |
| 19. | The Yellow Tinker / The Humours Of Scarriff | Sean O’Shea & Bobby Casey | Paddy In The Smoke | 1998 | 1:53 |
| 19. | Traditional | Sean O’Shea & Bobby Casey | 12T176 | 1998 | 1:53 |
| 20. | He Rolled Her To The Wall | Frank Harte | Through Dublin City | 1973 | 3:31 |
| 20. | Traditional(Roud 36; Child 46) | Frank Harte | 12T218 | 1973 | 3:31 |
| 21. | The Heather Breeze / The Traveller | The Russell Family | The Russell Family of Doolin, County Clare | 1975 | 2:29 |
| 21. | Traditional | The Russell Family | 12TS251 | 1975 | 2:29 |
| 22. | The Patriot Game | Dominic Behan | Easter Weekend and After: Songs of the IRA | 1959 | 4:01 |
| 22. | Dominic Behan(Roud 18464) | Dominic Behan | 12T44 | 1959 | 4:01 |
| 23. | The Belfast Hornpipe / The Rights Of Man | John Rea | Traditional Music on the Hammer Dulcimer | 1979 | 3:41 |
| 23. | Traditional | John Rea | 12TS373 | 1979 | 3:41 |
| 24. | Bridie Morley / Duignan’s Favourite | Packie Duignan & Seamus Horan | Music From County Leitrim | 1978 | 2:20 |
| 24. | Traditional | Packie Duignan & Seamus Horan | 12TS339 | 1978 | 2:20 |

### Disk four - Scotia The Brave

This disk covers Scottish folk music with both traditional and revival artists included. All the recordings are from Topic releases in a variety of formats from singles through vinyl albums to CDs.
| Track | Title/Composer | Artist(s) | Original Album | Year of Issue | Length(Mins) |
| 1. | Miss Drummond Of Perth / Fiddler’s Joy / Traditional Reel / The Shetland Reel | Battlefield Band | Stand Easy | 1979 | 3:22 |
| 1. | Traditional | Battlefield Band | 12TS404 | 1979 | 3:22 |
| 2. | Come All Ye Fisher Lasses | The Fisher Family | The Fisher Family | 1966 | 1:45 |
| 2. | Ewan MacCollCRoud 12504) | The Fisher Family | 12T137 | 1966 | 1:45 |
| 3. | Queen Among The Heather | Belle Stewart | Queen Among The Heather | 1977 | 4:24 |
| 3. | Traditional(Roud 375) | Belle Stewart | 12TS307 | 1977 | 4:24 |
| 4. | Cullen Bay / Jig O’Slurs / Seagull | Kentigern | Kentigern 12TS394 | 1979 | 4:24 |
| 4. | Ian Duncan/G S MacLeman/Donald MacLeod | Kentigern | 12TS394 | 1979 | 4:24 |
| 5. | Wi My Roving Eye | Norman Kennedy | Scots Songs and Ballads | 1968 | 3:31 |
| 5. | Traditional(Roud 866, Laws O17) | Norman Kennedy | 12T178 | 1968 | 3:31 |
| 6. | Blue Bleezin’ Blind Drunk | Cilla Fisher | Cilla And Artie | 1979 | 3:13 |
| 6. | Traditional(Roud 6333) | Cilla Fisher | 12TS405 | 1979 | 3:13 |
| 7. | Soldier’s Joy | Tom Anderson & Aly Bain | The Silver Bow | 1976 | 2:21 |
| 7. | Traditional | Tom Anderson & Aly Bain | 12TS281 | 1976 | 2:21 |
| 8. | The Dowie Dens Of Yarrow | Gordeanna McCulloch | New Voices from Scotland | 1965 | 4:12 |
| 8. | Traditional(Roud 13; Child 214) | Gordeanna McCulloch | 12T133 | 1965 | 4:12 |
| 9. | Erin Go Bragh | Dick Gaughan | Handful Of Earth | 1981 | 4:28 |
| 9. | Traditional(Roud 1627; Laws Q20) | Dick Gaughan | 12TS419 | 1981 | 4:28 |
| 10. | Young Jimmy Foyers | Sheila Stewart | A Story I'm Just About To Tell | 1998 | 2:46 |
| 10. | Traditional(Roud 1941) | Sheila Stewart | TSCD658 | 1998 | 2:46 |
| 11. | Kempy Kaye | Jock Tamson’s Bairns | The Lasses Fashion | 1982 | 3:43 |
| 11. | Traditional(Roud 32; Child 33) | Jock Tamson’s Bairns | 12TS424 | 1982 | 3:43 |
| 12. | Lady Eliza | Winnie Campbell | The Singing Campbells 12T120 | 1965 | 3:12 |
| 12. | Traditional(Roud 112; Child 269) | Winnie Campbell | 12T120 | 1965 | 3:12 |
| 13. | Tilley Plump / Auld Foula Reel / Oot And In Da Harbour | Curlew | Fiddle Music From Shetland And Beyond | 1985 | 2:37 |
| 13. | Traditional | Curlew | 12TS435 | 1985 | 2:37 |
| 14. | Herd Laddie O’ The Glen | Willie Scott | The Shepherd’s Song | 1968 | 3:40 |
| 14. | Willie Scott | Willie Scott | 12T183 | 1968 | 3:40 |
| 15. | The Fireman’s Not For Me | Isla Cameron | Moses Of The Mail / The Fireman’s Not For Me | 1951 | 2:35 |
| 15. | Traditional | Isla Cameron | TRC51 | 1951 | 2:35 |
| 16. | Dance With Me, Morag | Isabel Sutherland | Vagrant Songs Of Scotland | 1966 | 1:00 |
| 16. | Traditional | Isabel Sutherland | 12T151 | 1966 | 1:00 |
| 17. | The Wind That Blew The Bonnie Lassie’s Plaidie Awa’ | Jimmy McBeath | Wild Rover No More | 1967 | 3:42 |
| 17. | Traditional(Roud 2574) | Jimmy McBeath | 12T173 | 1967 | 3:42 |
| 18. | MacCrimmon’s Lament | Jeannie Robertson | Jeannie Robertson | 1959 | 4:19 |
| 18. | Traditional(Roud 5134) | Jeannie Robertson | 10T52 | 1959 | 4:19 |
| 19. | The Gallant Forty Twa | Ian Manuel | The Dales Of Caledonia | 1977 | 3:20 |
| 19. | Traditional(Roud 1877) | Ian Manuel | 12TS301 | 1977 | 3:20 |
| 20. | The Twa Corbies | Ray & Archie Fisher | Far O’er The Forth | 1961 | 2:05 |
| 20. | Traditional(Roud 5; Child 26) | Ray & Archie Fisher | TOP67 | 1961 | 2:05 |
| 21. | Boulavogue | Davie Stewart | Davie Stewart | 1978 recorded in 1954 | 3:48 |
| 21. | Traditional(Roud 2356) | Davie Stewart | 12T293 | 1978 recorded in 1954 | 3:48 |
| 22. | The Wandering Piper | John D. Burgess | King of the Highland Pipers | 1969 | 2:10 |
| 22. | Traditional | John D. Burgess | 12T199 | 1969 | 2:10 |

### Disk five - The Singer & The Song

This disk concentrates on compositions in a traditional style with the composer often singing the song. All the recordings were issued on either Topic or Special Delivery.
| Track | Title/Composer | Artist(s) | Original Album | Year of Issue | Length(Mins) |
| 1. | Unity (Raise Your Banners High) | John Tams | Unity | 2000 | 4:47 |
| 1. | John Tams | John Tams | TSCD508 | 2000 | 4:47 |
| 2. | The Dominion Of The Sword | Martin Carthy | Right Of Passage | 1988 | 3:32 |
| 2. | Traditional, new words Martin Carthy | Martin Carthy | TSCD452 | 1988 | 3:32 |
| 3. | The Sun Is Burning | The Ian Campbell Folk Group | The Sun Is Burning single | 1963 | 2:23 |
| 3. | Ian Campbell | The Ian Campbell Folk Group | STOP102 | 1963 | 2:23 |
| 4. | Go Down Ye Murderers | Ewan MacColl | Chorus From The Gallows | 1960 | 3:25 |
| 4. | Ewan MacColl | Ewan MacColl | 12T16 | 1960 | 3:25 |
| 5. | Police Patrol | Bob Davenport | The Common Stone | 2004 | 1:45 |
| 5. | Bob Davenport | Bob Davenport | TSCD552 | 2004 | 1:45 |
| 6. | Two Tears | Eliza Carthy | Dreams Of Breathing Underwater | 2008 | 4:14 |
| 6. | Eliza Carthy & Ben Ivitsky | Eliza Carthy | TSCD571 | 2008 | 4:14 |
| 7. | Never Any Good | Martin Simpson | Prodigal Son | 2007 | 5:20 |
| 7. | Martin Simpson | Martin Simpson | TSCD567 | 2007 | 5:20 |
| 8. | Both Sides Of The Tweed | Dick Gaughan | Handful Of Earth | 1981 | 3:38 |
| 8. | Dick Gaughan(Roud 8913) | Dick Gaughan | 12TS419 | 1981 | 3:38 |
| 9. | George’s Son | John Kirkpatrick with Brass Monkey | See How It Runs | 1986 | 4:56 |
| 9. | John Kirkpatrick | John Kirkpatrick with Brass Monkey | 12TS442 | 1986 | 4:56 |
| 10. | Reconciliation | Ron Kavana | Home Fire | 1991 | 4:34 |
| 10. | Ron Kavana | Ron Kavana | SPDCD1043 | 1991 | 4:34 |
| 11. | Stumbling On | Lal Waterson & Oliver Knight | Once In A Blue Moon | 1996 | 4:05 |
| 11. | Lal Waterson & Oliver Knight | Lal Waterson & Oliver Knight | TSCD478 | 1996 | 4:05 |
| 12. | Acceptable Losses | John B Spencer | Out With A Bang | 1986 | 2:56 |
| 12. | John B Spencer | John B Spencer | 12TS444 | 1986 | 2:56 |
| 13. | Ships Of Shame | Steve Ashley | Time & Tide | 2007 | 3:36 |
| 13. | Steve Astley | Steve Ashley | TSCD569 | 2007 | 3:36 |
| 14. | The Land Of Three Rivers | Vin Garbutt | Eston California | 1977 | 2:48 |
| 14. | Vin Garbutt | Vin Garbutt | 12TS378 | 1977 | 2:48 |
| 15. | No Telling | Linda Thompson | Fashionably Late | 2002 | 4:58 |
| 15. | Linda Thompson | Linda Thompson | TSCD821 | 2002 | 4:58 |
| 16. | Dust | Johnny Handle | The Collier Lad | 1975 | 2:51 |
| 16. | Johnny Handle | Johnny Handle | 12TS270 | 1975 | 2:51 |
| 17. | Two-Fisted Heroes | Bill Caddick | The Wild West Show | 1986 | 4:16 |
| 17. | Bill Caddick | Bill Caddick | 12TS441 | 1986 | 4:16 |

### Disk six - The People’s Flag

This disk covers the music that closely reflects the origins of Topic records with the Workers Music Association. Both sides of the original record issued by Topic are featured on this disk as track 1 and track 8. Versions of track 3, Joe Hill, are the third most popular selection on the radio show Desert Island Discs for British Labour Party Politicians, with this version being selected by Ed Miliband. Track 11 is the second track from the Sweet Primeroses album in the compilation. The title track of the album by the Watersons is on this CD with the original album available as a download. All the recordings were issued on either Topic or Special Delivery.
| Track | Title/Composer | Artist(s) | Original Record | Year of Issue | Length (Mins) |
| 1. | The Man Who Watered The Worker’s Beer | Paddy Ryan | The Man Who Watered The Worker’s Beer 78 | 1939 | 2:42 |
| 1. | Paddy Ryan/Traditional | Paddy Ryan | TRC1 | 1939 | 2:42 |
| 2. | Talking Union Blues | Pete Seeger | Dark As A Dungeon | 1956 | 2:51 |
| 2. | Woody Guthrie | Pete Seeger | TRC92 | 1956 | 2:51 |
| 3. | Joe Hill | Paul Robeson | Joe Hill / John Brown’s Body | 1956 | 3:00 |
| 3. | Traditional | Paul Robeson | TRC95 | 1956 | 3:00 |
| 4. | Masters Of War | Martin Simpson | Grinning In Your Face | 1983 | 5:29 |
| 4. | Bob Dylan | Martin Simpson | 12TS430 | 1983 | 5:29 |
| 5. | The Red Flag | Bob Smith’s Ideal Band | Better Than An Orchestra | 1983 | 3:30 |
| 5. | Connell | Bob Smith’s Ideal Band | 12T320 | 1983 | 3:30 |
| 6. | The Blackleg Miners | Louis Killen | The Iron Muse | 1963 | 1:17 |
| 6. | Traditional(Roud 3193) | Louis Killen | 12T86 | 1963 | 1:17 |
| 7. | No Power On Earth | Billy Bennett | Almost A Gentleman | 1978 | 3:50 |
| 7. | Billy Bennett | Billy Bennett | 12T387 | 1978 | 3:50 |
| 8. | The Internationale | The Topic Singers & Band | The Internationale | 1939 | 2:48 |
| 8. | Degetyer | The Topic Singers & Band | TRC1 | 1939 | 2:48 |
| 9. | To The Begging I Will Go | Ewan MacColl | The Manchester Angel | 1966 | 2:34 |
| 9. | Traditional | Ewan MacColl | 12T147 | 1966 | 2:34 |
| 10. | The Hand-Loom Weaver’s Lament | Harry Boardman | Deep Lancashire | 1968 | 2:40 |
| 10. | Traditional | Harry Boardman | 12T188 | 1968 | 2:40 |
| 11. | The Rigs Of The Time | Shirley Collins | The Sweet Primeroses | 1967 | 3:09 |
| 11. | Traditional(Roud 867) | Shirley Collins | 12T170 | 1967 | 3:09 |
| 12. | Greedy Landlord | Stan Kelly with Leon Rosselson | Songs For Swinging Landlords To | 1961 | 2:48 |
| 12. | Fred Dallas/Traditional | Stan Kelly with Leon Rosselson | TOP60 | 1961 | 2:48 |
| 13. | Time To Ring Some Changes | Richard Thompson | Hard Cash | 1990 | 3:42 |
| 13. | Richard Thompson | Richard Thompson | SPDCD1027 | 1990 | 3:42 |
| 14. | Sixteen Tons | Ewan MacColl with Brian Daly | Sixteen Tons / The Swan-Necked Valve | 1956 | 2:01 |
| 14. | Traditional(Roud 15162) | Ewan MacColl with Brian Daly | TRC97 | 1956 | 2:01 |
| 15. | Peat Bog Soldiers | The Ian Campbell Folk Group | Songs Of Protest | 1962 | 1:40 |
| 15. | Unknown | The Ian Campbell Folk Group | TOP82 | 1962 | 1:40 |
| 16. | Aa’m Glad The Strike’s Done | The High Level Ranters | The Bonny Pit Laddie | 1975 | 3:06 |
| 16. | Traditional | The High Level Ranters | 12TS271/2 | 1975 | 3:06 |
| 17. | Three Score And Ten | The Watersons | New Voices | 1965 | 3:29 |
| 17. | William Delph/Traditional(Roud 16873) | The Watersons | 12T125 | 1965 | 3:29 |
| 18. | Dirty Old Town | Ewan MacColl | Dirty Old Town / Sheffield Apprentice | 1952 | 2:44 |
| 18. | Ewan MacColl | Ewan MacColl | TRC56 | 1952 | 2:44 |
| 19. | The Liverpool Barrow Boys | The Spinners | Songs Spun In Liverpool | 1961 | 1:25 |
| 19. | Traditional | The Spinners | TOP69 | 1961 | 1:25 |
| 20. | The Weaver’s March | The Celebrated Working Men’s Band | The Iron Muse | 1963 | 0:50 |
| 20. | Traditional | The Celebrated Working Men’s Band | 12T86 | 1963 | 0:50 |
| 21. | We Poor Labouring Men | Waterson–Carthy | Broken Ground | 1999 | 5:48 |
| 21. | Traditional(Roud 1394) | Waterson–Carthy | TSCD509 | 1999 | 5:48 |
| 22. | Perfumes Of Arabia | Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick | Skin & Bone | 1992 | 3:07 |
| 22. | Maggie Holland | Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick | SPDCD1046 | 1992 | 3:07 |
| 23. | Hot Asphalt | Bob Davenport & The Rakes | Wor Geordie | 1962 | 2:01 |
| 23. | Bob Davenport | Bob Davenport & The Rakes | TOP83 | 1962 | 2:01 |

### Disk seven - . . . even more treasures from the Topic catalogue

The seventh and last disk in the set contains more tracks from the Topic records catalogue and features a number from non-English speaking countries. Three of the tracks feature music from the Balkans, two of the albums collected by A. L. Lloyd and one by Wolf Dietrich. Acts from the United States are well represented. All the recordings were issued on Topic except track 18 which was issued on a Free Reed album. and include 1 of the Topic World Series Albums.
| Track | Title/Composer | Artist(s) | Original Album | Year of Issue | Length (Mins) |
| 1. | Skye Crofter’s / The Swallow Tail | Billy Pigg | Wild Hills O’Wannie – The Small Pipes of Northumbria | 1974 | 3:22 |
| 1. | Traditional | Billy Pigg | 12TS227 | 1974 | 3:22 |
| 2. | While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping | June Tabor | Airs & Graces | 1976 | 1:44 |
| 2. | Traditional(Roud 363) | June Tabor | 12TS298 | 1976 | 1:44 |
| 3. | Boi Se Otvori | Roza Tsetkova | Folk Music of Bulgaria | 1964 | 1:20 |
| 3. | Traditional | Roza Tsetkova | 12T107 | 1964 | 1:20 |
| 4. | John Barleycorn | Tim Van Eyken | Stiffs Lovers Holymen Thieves | 2006 | 6:07 |
| 4. | Traditional(Roud 164) | Tim Van Eyken | TSCD565 | 2006 | 6:07 |
| 5. | The Girl On The Greenbriar Shore | Tom Paley & Peggy Seeger | Who's Going To Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot? Who's Going To Glove Your Hand | 1964 | 2:31 |
| 5. | Traditional(Roud 17338) | Tom Paley & Peggy Seeger | 12T113 | 1964 | 2:31 |
| 6. | The Happy One-Step / Green Willis | The House Band | Word Of Mouth | 1988 | 2:46 |
| 6. | Traditional | The House Band | 12TS451 | 1988 | 2:46 |
| 7. | Clyde Water | Nic Jones | Game Set Match | 2006 | 6:02 |
| 7. | Traditional(Roud 91; Child 216) | Nic Jones | TSCD566 | 2006 | 6:02 |
| 8. | Baranca | Vlado & Nikola Robanovski | Folk Music of Yugoslavia | 1973 | 2:34 |
| 8. | Traditional | Vlado & Nikola Robanovski | 12TS224 | 1973 | 2:34 |
| 9. | Georgie | Levi Smith | Songs of the Open Road | 1975 | 1:28 |
| 9. | Traditional(Roud 90; Child 209) | Levi Smith | 12T253 | 1975 | 1:28 |
| 10. | Jenny Lind | Scan Tester & Rabbidy Baxter | Boscastle Breakdown | 1974 | 1:59 |
| 10. | Traditional | Scan Tester & Rabbidy Baxter | 12T240 | 1974 | 1:59 |
| 11. | Worcester City | Eliza Carthy | Anglicana | 2002 | 4:48 |
| 11. | Traditional(Roud 218, Laws P30) | Eliza Carthy | TSCD539 | 2002 | 4:48 |
| 12. | Talking Dustbowl Blues | Ramblin’ Jack Elliott | Woody Guthrie's Blues | 1957 | 2:54 |
| 12. | Traditional(Roud 16650) | Ramblin’ Jack Elliott | 8T5 | 1957 | 2:54 |
| 13. | Kaba Vençe | Refki Taho, Hysen Zizolli & Ahmet Metolli | Folk Music of Albania | 1966 | 3:01 |
| 13. | Traditional | Refki Taho, Hysen Zizolli & Ahmet Metolli | 12T154 | 1966 | 3:01 |
| 14. | The Green Banks Of Yarrow | Alison McMorland & Peta Webb | Alison McMorland & Peta Webb | 1980 | 2:28 |
| 14. | Traditional(Roud 172; Child 24) | Alison McMorland & Peta Webb | 12TS403 | 1980 | 2:28 |
| 15. | Johnny, Will You Marry Me? | Dan Sullivan’s Shamrock Band | Dan Sullivan’s Shamrock Band | 1979 | 2:54 |
| 15. | Traditional | Dan Sullivan’s Shamrock Band | 12T366 | 1979 | 2:54 |
| 16. | Hamburger – polka fra hardanger | Vestlandsgruppa | Folk Music of Norway | 1977 | 1:55 |
| 16. | Traditional | Vestlandsgruppa | 12TS351 | 1977 | 1:55 |
| 17. | Hedger And Ditcher | The Silly Sisters | No More To The Dance | 1988 | 2:41 |
| 17. | Traditional(Roud 846) | The Silly Sisters | TSCD450 | 1988 | 2:41 |
| 18. | Burren No. 1 / Chris Droney’s Favourite | Chris Droney | The Flowing Tide | 1975 | 2:39 |
| 18. | Traditional | Chris Droney | 12TFRS503 | 1975 | 2:39 |
| 19. | Nna hamu | The Jauharah Orchestra | Poetry and Languid Charm – Swahili Music from Tanzania | 2007 | 2:40 |
| 19. | Shariff Twahir Ahmed | The Jauharah Orchestra | TSCD936 | 2007 | 2:40 |
| 20. | Little Sadie | Hedy West | Ballads | 1967 | 2:45 |
| 20. | Traditional(Roud 780, Laws I8) | Hedy West | 12T163 | 1967 | 2:45 |
| 21. | Fulmine | Andy Cutting (Blowzabella) | Vanilla | 1990 | 2:39 |
| 21. | Riccardo Tesi | Andy Cutting (Blowzabella) | SPDCD1028 | 1990 | 2:39 |
| 22. | No One Stands Alone | Blue Murder | No One Stands Alone | 2002 | 4:49 |
| 22. | Jim Davis | Blue Murder | TSCD537 | 2002 | 4:49 |