Shirley Collins is the ‘grand lady’ of British folk. The singer and banjo player celebrated her 80th birthday in July. The reason for a grand tribute concert and a special triple album ‘Shirley Inspired’. An album especially created by and for an new batch of (neo) folkies. We present a selection from this album.
Shirley Collins worked with field worker Alan Lomax in the beginning of her career. Solo albums like ‘Sweet England’, ‘False true Lover’, ‘Adieu to old England’ and ‘Thé sweet Primroses’ are popular albums. Especially because of the simpicity and directness of the songs, the historical value. Because Collins was often the first one to sing an unknown song. In 1964 she was working together with the innovative guitar player Davy Graham and they recorded the legendary album ‘Folk Roots, New Routes’. Another, long-term cooperation she had with sister Dolly, who accompanied her on portative organ, and took care of the arrangements. Famous are the albums ‘Anthems in Eden’, ‘Love, Death & the Lady’ and ‘For as Many as Will’. In the early sixties the notoriety of Shirley Collins was boosted by her marriage and cooperation with (now) ex Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span bassist Ashley Hutchings. ‘No Roses’ was released under Shirley Collins & The Albion Country Band. It would be the first cooperation with the folk-rock band. Later on ‘The Prospect before Us’ and some ‘Morris On’ albums followed. Also the strictly acoustic ‘Etchingham Steamband’ is on her credo. In recent years only a few new albums were released, but her older albums were reissued many times.
01. Shirley Collins – Dabbling In The Dew. (trad) 1.44. Within Sound – Fledg’ling Records NEST 5001.
02. Trembling bells – Richie’s Story. 3.46.
03. Alasdair Roberts & David McGuinness – A Blacksmith Courted. 3.31.
04. Meg Baird – Locks and Bolts. 3.11.
05. Ela Stiles – The Murder of Maria Marten. 5.34.
06. Rachael Dadd – Polly Vaughan 3.11
07. The Owl service & Laura Cannell – Edi Beo. 3.35.
08. Crying Lion – Shepherd’s Arise. 3.06.
09. Sally Timms & The mini Mekons – Go From My Window. 2.55.
10. Sharron Kraus – Gilderoy (Heart’s Delight). 4.06.
11. Olivia Chaney – Oxford Girl. 3.30.
12. Belbury Poly – Cambridgeshire May Carol. 2.42.
13. Jack Sharp – Adieu to Old England. 3.09.
14. Marco Pirroni & Jen Vix – Turpin Hero. 2.53.
15. Sam Gleaves – Greenwood Laddie. 3.54.
16. Shirley Collins & Albion country Band- Claudy Banks. (trad). 4.32. No roses – Mooncrest CREST CD 011.
Tracks 2 t/m 15: Various artists – Shirley Inspired – Earth Recordings.
All tracks: trad.arr.
