| Ref No | MS 4000/5/1/4/11 |
| Title | Recording of Arthur James of Wednesbury singing traditional songs and talking about his background, working life, 'death and dividend' club and children's games and entertainment. |
| Level | File |
| Date | 19 July 1963 |
| Description | Interview by Charles Parker of Arthur James (AJ) of Wednesbury singing traditional songs and talking about his background and working life. Recording from end of Track 6 onwards at meeting of the 'death and dividend' club in a public house [Leather Bottel]: background noise.
Track 1: Duration (min/sec): 0.10 Description of track: [silent start to tape]
Track 2: Duration (min/sec): 0.40 Description of track: AJ sings ['Oh give me your smile' first line]
Track 3: Duration (min/sec): 0.39 Description of track: AJ sings ['I wake him every morning when the clock strikes eight' first line]
Track 4: Duration (min/sec): 1.15 Description of track: AJ sings ['For on Sunday night is my delight' first line]
Track 5: Duration (min/sec): 0.44 Description of track: AJ sings ['Where are the boys of the village tonight?' first line]
Track 6: Duration (min/sec): 1.19 Description of track: AJ sings ['Oh down go down in the mine dad' first line] [tape test and change of location to 'death and dividend' club meeting at end of track]
Track 7: Duration (min/sec): 6.49 Description of track: AJ talks about children's games eg 'Three Merry Devils' and 'Tin Can Lakey' and marbles
Track 8: Duration (min/sec): 1.56 Description of track: talks about Sunday School, church club activities, parochial clubs and social evenings where would meet girls; no antagonism between church and chapel
Track 9: Duration (min/sec): 0.49 Description of track: talks about starting work; boys went to work aged 14 years; AJ was a pattern maker for iron or steel castings
Track 10: Duration (min/sec): 1.31 Description of track: describes the meeting they are at of the 'death and dividend' club of which AJ is secretary; they meet every Friday and the money is banked in the name of the brewery
Track 11: Duration (min/sec): 0.57 Description of track: talks about fairs and wakes
Total duration: (min/sec): 16.49 |
| Physical Description | Listening copy: 1 x CD-R serial number PF219 T030 0174
Original tape:
Size: 5" tape reel
Gauge: 1/4" tape (0.625cm)
Speed: 7.5ips (19cm/s);
EQ Curve used: IEC
Track configuration: Half Track Mono
Dubbing Date: 12/02
Notes: Some tape damage |
| Access Status | Open |
| Language | English |