But, his work also conveyed plenty of humour, love and reflection. Now you can hear Weill's songs performed by baritone Peter Coleman-Wright and the Nexas Quartet, on Ballads of the Pleasant Life.

These classic songs seem to defy genre altogether, existing somewhere in the middle of one, two, or three styles.

MacColl founded Britain's first modern folk club - The Ballad And Blues Club - and his groundbreaking Radio Ballads, which championed the working-class hero, were broadcast to unanimous acclaim.