Again With One Voice

Book excerpt: The middle of the 18th Century saw the birth of a century of striving for political reform in England; not coincidentally, it was also the golden age of the broadside ballad ¿ inexpensive songsheets sold on the street, often targeting popular figures and spreading the word of reform efforts. Scholar and singer Dick Holdstock traces the history of this tumultuous period with a collection of 120 songs from the popular presses of the day, all with appropriate tunes, extensive commentary, and rich illustrations from contemporary publications.