https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001hph9 Metal City

Sunday Feature Metal City BBC Radio 3 Sunday 5 February 2023

Gregory Leadbetter’s poem traces this story from the discovery of ore in the Staffordshire hills, through the Staffordshire Hoard, the Birmingham Pieces from the Knights Templar, the establishment and development of Birmingham as a great metalworking centre becoming the Toyshop of the World, the development of steam power by Matthew Boulton, being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the City of a Thousand Trades, all the way to the birth of Heavy Metal Music.

Vocal Music:
‘Ommer ‘Ommer ‘Ommer – a nail maker’s verse set to music by Caroline Price. Sung by Stream of Sound.
Final Chorus of Mendelssohn’s Oratorio Elijah, famously premiered in August 1846 in Birmingham’s Town Hall.
Song of Steam – a Birmingham broadside ballad set to an old Hymn tune and arranged by Caroline Price. Sung by Stream of Sound.
Metal City – a specially composed song based on the old Jack of All Trades broadside ballads. Words and music by Caroline and Matt Price. Sung by Stream of Sound.

Stream of Sound was one of the first UK folk choirs. Based in Stourbridge, they have a particular interest in the folk music of the West Midlands.