Brian Rayner Cook, bartione ; Stephen Levine, violin ; Roger Vignoles (in the 1st-17th works), Peter Lawson (in the 18th work), piano
Title on booklet cover: The soul of steel : settings of Blake, Shakespeare and other English poets ; Legend : for violin and piano.
Songs for baritone and piano, previously issued, Auracle AUC 1003 (1983); Legend, previously issued on Auracle AUC 1002 (1982).
Recorded March 14 and April 13, 1982, Wigmore Hall, London (1st-17th works) and Dec. 14-15, 1981, Craxton Studios, London (18th work).
When icicles hang by the wall (2:11) ; Take, o take those lips away (1:03) / Shakespeare -- Sorrow song / Samuel Daniel (3:52) -- The message / Donne (2:22) -- Farewell / Bishop Reginald Heber (4:42) -- Care-charmer sleep / (4:42) Since love is dead / Frederick G. Bowles (2:50) -- The soul of steel / C.M. Masterman (4:52) -- Why dost thou wound and break my heart? / Herrick (2:53) -- On parting Lady Ellayne (1:51) ; Renunciation (3:34) ; Love is a merry game (1:45) / Temple Keble -- Piping down the valleys wild (2:03) ; The chimney sweeper (2:56) ; The land of dreams (4:01) ; The defiled sanctuary (2:57) / Blake -- Legend : for violin and piano (5:47)