The longtime musical partner of English leftie folk satirist Leon Rosselson, Roy Bailey is a British sociology professor (now emeritus) with a deep reserve of socialist political conviction, as well as a wonderfully resonant, robust voice, applied to great use on his many records. If you like your left-wing politics uncompromising and undiluted, then this is an artist you'll want to explore...

The Three City Four "Smoke And Dust (Where The Heart Should Have Been)" (CBS Records, 1967) (LP)
(Produced by Bill Leader)
The relationship between Roy Bailey and Leon Rosselson spans back to this short-lived topical folk ensemble, which also featured singers Marian McKenzie and Ralph Trainer; Martyn Carthy had also been in the band, and plays guitar on all but one track on this, their lone album. Roy Bailey joined the group after it was already established -- this was their second album -- and his inclusion was balanced by the the departure of guitarist Martyn Carthy, who plays on this album, though no longer toured with the band.

Roy Bailey "Roy Bailey" (Trailer Records, 1971) (LP)
(Produced by Bill Leader)

Roy Bailey & Leon Rosselson "That's Not The Way It's Got To Be: Songs Of Life From A Dying British Empire" (Fuse Records, 1975)
Even with Martin Carthy and John Fitzpatrick adding instrumental backing, most of this album is a bit dry and belaboured. However, it does have the original version of the Diggers Song ("World Turned Upside Down"), as well as two excellent short spoken word pieces, "School Taught Me" and "Time And Motion Study." Hard-hitting leftie politics, though not as savory as some of Rosselson and Bailey's other albums.

Roy Bailey & Leon Rosselson "Love, Loneliness And Laundry" (Fuse Records, 1977) (LP)
Rosselson and Bailey's masterpiece. A sardonic meditation on modern alienation, this audio equivalent of a Mike Leigh film features the classic atheist anthem, "Stand Up For Judas," and several other gems. From start to finish, this is a high-calibre album, in no small part due to excellent guitar work by Martin Carthy, who adds a sprightly bounce to big bummer songs such as "Let Your Hair Hang Down" and "Don't Get Married Girls." Other favorite tunes include the a capella version of Blake's poem, "The Garden Of Love" and "Invisible Married Breakfast Blues," a genuinely chilling look at a relationship gone flat. Highly recommended!

Roy Bailey "New Bell Wake" (Fuse Records, 1976)

Roy Bailey & Leon Rosselson "If I Knew Who The Enemy Was" (Fuse Records, 1979) (LP)

Roy Bailey "Hard Times" (Fuse Records, 1982) (LP)
Of his solo albums, this is perhaps the best, with Bailey throwing himself wholeheartedly into such songs as Utah Phillips' famous defense of old folks, "All Used Up," and the related "When This Old Hat Was New." There's also the slightly histrionic antifascist paranoia ballad, "No Time For Love In The Morning," which, frankly, loses its appeal over the years. One the other hand, there is the chilling depth of "Roses Of Eyam," a genuinely haunting ballad which depicts a Renaissance village being ravaged by the plague; equally strong is the historical ballad, "Song Of The Leaders," which tells of the sad dismemberment of a 15th Century English peasant rebellion, led by Wat Tyler. On most of this album, John Kirkpatrick accompanies on accordion and concertina.

Roy Bailey "...Freedom Peacefully" (Fuse Records, 1985) (LP)
A typically nice sounding, traditionally-oriented, politically intense album, with songs critiquing unemployment, poverty, environmental disaster and militarism (in particular, the recently concluded British sortie over the Malvinas/Falkland Islands). Bailey draws heavily on the work of likeminded American folkies such as Charlie King, Charlie Murphy, and union organizer Si Kahn, who contributes a full three songs to this set. Lyrics that could be thematically dreary and grinding are made compelling by the sheerly musical elements -- Bailey's sonorous, heartfelt vocals, and in particular the meticulous traditionalism of Brit-folk stalwarts John Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris. Nice stuff!

Roy Bailey "Why Does It Have To Be Me?" (Fuse Records, 1989)

Roy Bailey "New Directions In The Old" (Fuse Records, 1997)

Roy Bailey "Past Masters" (Fuse Records, 1998)

Roy Bailey "Coda" (Fuse Records, 2000)

Roy Bailey "Up The Wooden Hill" (Fuse Records, 2002)

Roy Bailey & Tony Benin "The Writing On The Wall: Live At Cambridge, 2000" (Fuse Records, 2003)

Roy Bailey/John Kirkpatrick/Martin Simpson "Sit Down And Sing" (Fuse Records, 2005)

Roy Bailey "Below The Radar" (Fuse Records, 2009)

Roy Bailey "Tomorrow" (Fuse Records, 2010)

Roy Bailey "What You Do With What You've Got" (Fuse Records, 1992)
A best-of collection covering 1975-1991.