 | | Reviews | | |  SHIRLEY COLLINS
Within Sound (4-CD Box Set)
Fledg'ling FLED3033-3036
Here's another in the recent flush of luxury long-box format CD sets; must be a seminal folk artist, then. And indeed it is. Shirley Collins' long career (1955 to the 1980s) is showcased here in 84 tracks plus the now-familiar bonuses: unreleased, rare and live cuts; booklet brimming with biographical essay, track details, song notes, photos and contributions from such folk luminaries as Bob Copper, Billy Bragg and Alan Lomax; the indispensable Peter Frame family tree.
I've always been undecided about Shirley Collins. For years simultaneously charmed and repulsed by her truly unique voice (variously described as 'natural' and 'unaffected'), the prospect of listening to four CDs at once was daunting but on balance proved curiously rewarding. Simply numbered One to Four, the disks of Within Sound progress chronologically from the early days of Shirley alone with her 5-string banjo, guitar, autoharp and dulcimer or sparsely accompanied by Seamus Ennis, Robin Hall or Perry Friedman. As time passes the likes of Richard Thompson, Robin Williamson, Mike Heron, Nic Jones, Peter Bellamy and The Albion Country and Etchingham Steam Bands add colour and texture, but it's with the groundbreaking guitar work of Davy Graham or the many voices of sister Dolly's portative organ that her best work emerges.
Collins' preferred world is the improbably romantic rural England of shepherds, prim(e)roses, maidens and true-lovers' knots distilled through her own family-bred love of this country's indigenous folk song via Cecil Sharp's rose-coloured reality filter. Yet her embracing of American influences, involvement in early folk-rock and groundbreaking collaboration with British guitarist Davy Graham have justly contributed to her reputation as one of the folk revival's most important contributors.
Rustic carols, ancient wassails, magical ballads; songs sourced from gypsies, octogenarian farmworkers or her own schooldays - all grist to the mill for this singer for whom the words of the song are paramount. Collins' voice may not be to everyone's taste but she's the genuine article, as evidenced by the booklet's well-written biography and song notes. And aurally … whether it's the pastoral idyll of The Sweet Primeroses or the fabulous sackbuts, crumhorns and harpsichords of The Gower Wassail or The Bonny Cuckoo, these sounds of England Past have a resonance that's beguiling in today's world.
Mel McClellan - March 2003
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 I thought the review was grudging, of a talent and voice that was so important in returning English Folk music to its rightful place as a source of so much folk music around the world. The Scots and Irish have their location in the firmanent, but Shirley Collins is one of our brightest stars. I have listened to her since the mid 60s, and her freshness is refreshing still.
Flo Woods, Hampshire
What I know about traditional folk music fits on the back of a postage stamp but whenever I hear Shirley Collins I know I'm listening to a great singer. In her way she is as emotive as Howlin' Wolf or Aretha Franklin. If you listen to the subject matter of her chosen material it's far more gritty & at times macabre than the common cliche'd image of "the improbably romantic rural England of shepherds, prim(e)roses, maidens and true-lovers' knots" this reviewer would have you believe. This is a wonderful compilation by a singular, sincere & wonderfully gifted interpreter & singer.
Richard, Bovingdon, Herts
Sorry I don't agree with the review. The reviewer has not helped the reader to understand the significance of Shirley Collins, who is the finest vocalist this country has produced since the dawn of recorded music, What Shirley has contributed to English music is immeasurable and this is 4 CD set is a worthy tribute to her. When growing up I was bombarded with a diet of Frank Sinatra and Rock n Roll, so music nearly passed me by as something of no significance in life. Then one day I heard Folk Roots, New Roots (Shirley and Davy Graham) and I realised just how wonderful music could be. I've collected music ever since and would urge anybody who has not heard Shirley to listen to her singing and this box set is great place to start. You'll be rewarded if you do and if you don't then you may go through your life without knowing just how wonderful music can be.
Kevin, Gloucestershire | | | | | | |  |
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Folk & Acoustic
