Here's a link a very interesting programme from Radio 4 Extra https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002mbpb
"Jeffrey Richards tells the story of Paul Graney who dedicated his life to recording audio of 20th century history."
Paul Graney came from the Manchester area and the programme has recordings of various singers and performers from that area (for example Harry Boardman).
1 hour long and available to listen again now.