Recordings made by Stan Mason in folk clubs in the north west between 1965-1976. Stan Mason ran a folk club in Nelson, Lancashire, and visited various other folk venues in Cheshire, Liverpool and Lancashire to record them live and document the folk revival.
The archive includes performances by many local artists like Ewan MacColl, the first female folk duo Jacqui & Bridie and Tony Murphy.
But Stan also recorded singers who were just passing through town, like David Campbell, Tom Paxton and Paul Simon.
Many of the most interesting recordings capture the atmosphere of the 1960s folk club, and the storytelling that was part of the tradition. Some recordings feature unknown local singers performing in open mic spots.
You can listen to the recordings at Manchester Central Library. British Library reference: UAP004. Local reference: GB124.MASON.