Jeremy specialises in English popular and dance music from 1550 to 1750, and also has a particular interest in the illustration of music and social dance over the centuries.

The Broadside Band

'I should like to be in a pub, dancing to the infectious grace and vigour of the Broadside Band.'

The Guardian

Jeremy Barlow formed the Broadside Band 1979, to specialise in 17th and 18th-century popular and dance music, especially from England. The group has toured widely in Britain, and in France, Sweden, Austria and Germany. The list below gives the principal recordings, in chronological order of release.

Image of Popular Tunes in 17th Century England CD cover

Popular Tunes in 17th Century England

Harmonia Mundi HMA 1901039

'A winning debut for the group on record'
BBC Record Review
'Infectious melodies, beguilingly played and beautifully recorded'
Stereo Review (USA)
'I found myself smiling again and again...more reminiscent of the Chieftains than the average 'classical' early-music band'
Fanfare (USA)
Image of The Beggar's Opera CD cover

The Beggar's Opera: Original Songs and Airs with Patrizia Kwella (soprano) and Paul Elliott (tenor)

Harmonia Mundi HMA 901071

'A fascinating musicological romp...this is an unusually inventive record'
The Gramophone
'We go from surprise to surprise, as Scottish dances succeed French songs to produce a marvellous pot-pourri'
Diapason (France)

Country Dances: John Playford's English Dancing Master 1651

Harmonia Mundi HMA 1109

'One of the most enjoyable and refreshing records to reach me in recent months...Make no mistake the Broadside Band is something special in the field of early music'
Fanfare (USA)
'An enjoyable and instructive collection'
BBC Record Review
Image of Danses populaires francaises CD cover

Danses populaires francaises: Arbeau's Orchesographie 1588

Harmonia Mundi HMA 1901152

'It is certainly the first time that I have taken such pleasure in listening to these dances'
Diapason (France)
'Music-making of great vigour, buoyancy and enthusiasm'
Hi-Fi News
Image of John Playford's Popular Tunes CD cover

John Playford's Popular Tunes

Amon Ra CD-SAR 28

'These tunes are infectiously memorable...Barlow has assembled an interesting selection which presents the music in an extremely attractive light'
The Gramophone
'The Broadside Band have made this particular repertoire their specialty and they perform it with great verve'
Continuo (USA)
Image of Il Ballarino: Italian Dances c.1600 CD cover

Il Ballarino: Italian Dances c.1600

Hyperion Helios CDH 55059

'Early music listeners will enjoy the record immensely...enthusiasts will recognise several favourite 16th-century tunes'
Early Music
'The four members of the Broadside Band play the music attractively, with a considerable variety of sound and scoring'
The Gramophone
Image of The Beggar's Opera CD cover

The Beggar's Opera: Complete recording, with cast including Bob Hoskins and Sarah Walker

Hyperion CDA 66591/2

'This delightfully vivid performance of The Beggar's Opera with Barlow directing nine excellent soloists, a gang of thieves and a bevy of loose women, accompanied by the Broadside Band, comes on two very generous CDs'
BBC Record Review
'A pure pleasure to listen to'
Opera Now
Image of English Country Dances: Playford 1651-1703 CD cover

English Country Dances: Playford 1651-1703

Saydisc CD-SDL 393

'Jeremy Barlow's arrangements are delightful listening - highly recommended'
Folk Roots
Image of Songs and Dances from Shakespeare CD cover

Songs and Dances from Shakespeare: With Deborah Roberts (soprano) and John Potter (tenor)

Saydisc CD-SDL 409

'It is good to hear such earthy music on this enterprising disc'
Daily Telegraph
Image of Old English Nursery Rhymes CD cover

Old English Nursery Rhymes: With singers Vivien Ellis and Tim Laycock

Saydisc CD-SDL 419

'Here everything is right without being self-consciously so'
Early Music News
Image of Airs for the Seasons by James Oswald CD cover

Airs for the Seasons by James Oswald 1710-69 (Scotland's leading baroque composer)

Dorian DIS80164

'The emotional range of the playing, from expressive affettuossimo to comic allegro is striking; this is a fine performance of some particularly interesting music, making this a highly recommendable disc'
Gramophone Early Music
Image of Airs for the Seasons by James Oswald CD cover

Dances of Court and Country

Classical Communications CD858