PRESS RELEASE
A Selection of Nineteenth Century
• BROADSIDE BALLADS •
from Collections in Manchester
J.E. Reid
• Monday 27th April 2015 • eBook • £1.99 •
Ind us try as niver s to ps ,
Is it sha wls o r w hippet dog s,
Or is it ju st the ring o’ clog s!
A Selection of Nineteenth Century Broadside
Ballads from Collections in Manchester is a
considered introduction to the subject of
historical newsprint and song from the preeminent broadside balladress of the
Manchester region - Jennifer Reid. In this - her
debut title - she attempts to communicate the
relevance of Victorian verse in light of today’s
social and political trends. Through her
learned commentary over 15 ballads she
stresses the versatility of poetry regardless of
the era, and hopes to inspire others to delve
into this compelling period of Mancunian
history.
Available from pariahpress.com, Amazon,
Smashwords, Kobo and Apple, et al. from
April 2015.
Jennifer Reid has appeared across the UK at venues including: Oxford University's Bodleian
Library, Halle St. Peter’s, Manchester Art Gallery, Chetham's Library, the Working Class
Movement Library and Nottingham Castle Art Gallery & Museum. Her performance of A
Prophecy for 1973, as part of Jeremy Deller's All That Is Solid Melts Into Air exhibition, was
broadcast by the BBC on Newsnight in 2013. Recently, she made an appearance on the BBC’s
The
Hairy
Bikers
The
Pubs
That
Built
Britain.
In May 2015, Jennifer will be performing ballads and clog steps from Sam Sherry’s Intermediate
Waltz at 56th Venice Biennale: All the World’s Futures, as part of the exhibitions: All That is
Solid Melts Into Air and Factory Songs curated by Mr. Deller. Prepublication praise for
• A Selection of Nineteenth Century Broadside Ballads from Collections in Manchester •
"Jennifer as a performer and writer breathes life back into these fascinating songs that vividly describe
the tulmultous environment of the industrial north west. Taking their subject matter from the urban
street and people the ballad effectively bridges the gap between folk and pop music as we know it
today."
Jeremy Deller - artist
"Jenn's extensive research to unearth hidden ballads is impressive. To then hear her pure strong voice
singing them is a joy indeed. Everyone at the Working Class Movement Library is delighted to be
associated with her."
Lynette Cawthra - Manager, Working Class Movement Library
"Jennifer's passion for these amazing songs and the people who created them is evident throughout
this work. This publication is not only insightful, but also intelligently put together featuring a superb
collection of some of the best broadside ballads."
Gavin Sharp - CEO, Band on The Wall
"I have enjoyed studying her carefully selected ballads and noting the themes that link them together. I
shall certainly be adding some to my own repertoire for future performance."
Mike Dowling - The Oldham Tinkers
"Jennifer Reid has two great qualities... She has the most authentic interest in the arts of the industrial
revolution, which are so often songs, passed on in performances, sometimes written; the lives of the
working people who crushed into our industrial cities can be touched by the rhythm of the cotton
looms and the sound of clogs on cobblestones. Most importantly, she is a performer who sings her
songs with a presence and makes them come alive. As a singer Jennifer leaves us with the thought that
we are listening to these tunes, and these histories, this qualifies her as an artist and I much admire her.”
Ed Hall – Trade Union & campaign banner maker
Jennifer Reid is available for interview and to write pieces.
For more information please contact Jonathan Walsh at
[email protected] or call - 07858832085