Various Artists – The Wide Midlands

This is actually quite a new record to me, bought a few years ago, although it's from 1971, and released on the folk label, Topic, which I still can’t quite believe I’ve been released on as well. I was very conscious that I wanted to learn more about the traditional songs of where I’m from, and I was aware the West Midlands had an amazing history, including in terms of printed music. Birmingham was known for its printing presses, and a lot of the city’s wealth came from printing broadsides [folk ballads and narrative songs]. I was inspired by Jon Wilks, a folk musician from Birmingham [who runs the website Tradfolk] who has delved into broadsides, to find out more. The cover is gorgeous and reminds people that the countryside is so easy to get to around Birmingham, despite it being known for its industrial heartlands. I love the track ‘The Dudley Boys’, this great call and response song about these boys who rioted about the high prices of food, and the spirit of ‘The Birmingham Jack Of All Trades’. There’s even a spoken-word track about being an Aston Villa supporter!