Go to FTX-331 formerly

FTX-210 - THE FOUR HORSE CHARA'

JOHN FOREMAN The Broadsheet King

John's abiding interest and his long-standing research into Music Hall, and the fact that he is a London cockney and still performing these songs at pubs and clubs regularly, makes this programme a very authentic traditional record. A printer by trade, through his work of publishing song collections, John became known as THE BROADSHEET KING. Here are 11 songs, learned both from his parents & from hearing them from post-war Music Hall Revival singers, particularly at Unity Theatre, London

1. THE FOUR HORSE CHARABANC - 2.39

2. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE 'OUSES IN BETWEEN - 3.19

3. YOUR BABY 'AS GORN DAHN THE PLUG-HOLE - 2.15

4. MARR-I-ED TO A MERM-A-I-D - 2.05

5. PRETTY POLLY PERKINS - 2.26

6. FATHER'S 'OB-NAILED BOOTS - 1.43

7. I LIVE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE - 3.45

8. DOWN THE ROAD AND AWAY WENT POLLY - 3.30

9. THE AMATEUR WHITE-WASHER - 2.10

10. VILLIKENS AND HIS DINAH - 3.02

11. PICKIN' ALL THE BIG ONES OUT (THE WINKLE SONG) - 1.19

Recorded 1966 & edited by Peter Kennedy and first published by Folktrax 1975.

Composers and publishers (where known);- #1. Corney Grain/ #2. Le Brunn (Francis, Day and Hunter)/ #3. Spade (Dash Music)/ #6. Weston and Barnes (Day and Hunter)/ #7. Murphy/ #8. Gilbert/ #9. Murray and Leigh (Aschenberg)

JOHN FOREMAN, born near Euston Station, regards himself as a true "Cockney". In spite of the War-time "Blitz", he says he had a happy childhood in the city streets. There was theatrical talent in his own family: his father's mother, Elsie Naish, danced with and under-studied Adeline Genee, and through his mother, formerly a Miss Harper, he is related to Victoria Lytton. She worked the Halls and teamed up with Arthur Cunningham, a noted singer and whistler. His mother's Uncle Charlie worked as a clown and her grandfather was a circus ring- master.

Most of John's songs were learned from his parents, but he also acquired others from visiting the old Music Halls, "whenever he had a bob or two". He got more from watching, listening and performing at Unity Theatre, which was established between Camden Town and King's Cross as a working man's theatre. It was there he learned THE FOUR HORSE CHARABANC from Laurie Davies.

For a time he worked as a doorman at The Metropolitan in the Edgware Road, and, for a time, was a bottler with a Punch-and-Judy man, Professor Alexander. (The bottler collects the money, does front-of-house and bangs the big drum to draw a crowd). Frequently John has operated as a busker and sold song-sheets in "Petticoat Lane". He has taught in many different types of school in London, prints his own song-sheets and broadside collections. He is a founder-member of The British Music Hall Society and helped to dismantle Collin's Music Hall when it was burned down.

Other recordings with Music Hall songs:-

FTX-130 FRED JORDAN: THE SHROPSHIRE LAD

FTX-331 & FTX-332 LUCKY LUCKHURST: LONDON SONGS AND CUSTOMS

FTX-133 & 134 TOM BROWN.