The sweet primeroses

"To choose Shirley Collins as one of the three first releases of this celebratory run by Topic Records (the other two being Anne Briggs and Martin Simpson) was a given. As with Anne Briggs, Shirley's unadorned style was new, refreshing and at the same time, made the song the important feature. Shirley has often expressed how important it is for the words to tell the story and the tale not to be lost in a paroxysm of vocal contortions. Even when surrounded by the nascent folk-rock of the Albion Band, Shirley's voice rings out true, true to the tune and true to the song. It still rings out true today and what a most fitting album to present to a new generation to listen to and learn from".

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