Gareth Williams is a professor at the Centre for Modern and Contemporary Wales at the University of South Wales.

'A hearty welcome is in order for this book, however belatedly expressed ... the book is richly packed with facts and perceptive anecdotes which illuminate the narrative without loosing sight of the overall drive and development ... This is a well-researched volume which is written in a racy and occasionally thought-provoking manner, tempting the reader to explore may side-issues as well as follow the main thrust of the historical perspective. Nicely produced as a particularly solid paperback, it is an useful acquisition for anyone's shelf of treasured books.' (Welsh Music) 'social history at its best.' Planet 'the best book to be written about the subject.' Social History Bulletin 'a most entertaining book, erudite but with an eye for telling detail that puts choral singing into a vivid social context.' Western Mail '...Gareth Williams has made an important contribution to the history of popular music in Britain.' European Journal of Communication

Gareth Williams is a professor at the Centre for Modern and Contemporary Wales at the University of South Wales.

'A hearty welcome is in order for this book, however belatedly expressed ... the book is richly packed with facts and perceptive anecdotes which illuminate the narrative without loosing sight of the overall drive and development ... This is a well-researched volume which is written in a racy and occasionally thought-provoking manner, tempting the reader to explore may side-issues as well as follow the main thrust of the historical perspective. Nicely produced as a particularly solid paperback, it is an useful acquisition for anyone's shelf of treasured books.' (Welsh Music) 'social history at its best.' Planet 'the best book to be written about the subject.' Social History Bulletin 'a most entertaining book, erudite but with an eye for telling detail that puts choral singing into a vivid social context.' Western Mail '...Gareth Williams has made an important contribution to the history of popular music in Britain.' European Journal of Communication

Gareth Williams is a professor at the Centre for Modern and Contemporary Wales at the University of South Wales.

'A hearty welcome is in order for this book, however belatedly expressed ... the book is richly packed with facts and perceptive anecdotes which illuminate the narrative without loosing sight of the overall drive and development ... This is a well-researched volume which is written in a racy and occasionally thought-provoking manner, tempting the reader to explore may side-issues as well as follow the main thrust of the historical perspective. Nicely produced as a particularly solid paperback, it is an useful acquisition for anyone's shelf of treasured books.' (Welsh Music) 'social history at its best.' Planet 'the best book to be written about the subject.' Social History Bulletin 'a most entertaining book, erudite but with an eye for telling detail that puts choral singing into a vivid social context.' Western Mail '...Gareth Williams has made an important contribution to the history of popular music in Britain.' European Journal of Communication