No Roses - SHIRLEY COLLINS & THE ALBION COUNTRY BAND***

Claudy Banks/The Little Gipsy Girl/Banks Of The Bann/Murder Of Maria Marten/Van Dieman's Land/Just As The Tide Was A Flowing/The White Hare/Hal-An-Tow/Poor Murdered Woman

By the time of the release of No Roses the English traditional folk singer Shirley Collins had been recording for more than a decade. No fewer than 27 musicians provided the backing credited to The Albion Country Band.

“An essential album for anyone interested in English folk-rock. Shirley Collins is the quintessential English female folk voice, her sound and voice was steeped in the English tradition. There is a real love of the music she was making here with her then recording partner Ashley Hutchings. This sits alongside Liege & Leaf as an essential part of any folk-rock collection. In fact, Fairport Convention are to be found supporting Shirley on this collection of songs.”

“Shirley Collins goes folk-rock, abandoning the approach of her previous two albums which employed a mini-orchestra of medieval instruments. Here, with her then husband Ashley Hutchings, formerly of Fairport Convention, she assembles a who's who of contemporary English folk music and records an album that's definitely grounded in the early 70s English folk revival scene. This is one of the most accomplished folk-rock albums I've ever heard. Shirley is a bastion of good taste.”

“More than one person has been disappointed with this work. Shirley Collin's singing is such that either you really like it or really hate it. She's an acquired taste, so repeated listening might win you over. Despite the predominance of Fairport players, the song arrangements and playing are more reminiscent of Steeleye's first album. If you like that, this should be a sure thing. The arrangements vary between pleasant and engaging. Thompson's guitar is represented well in the mix and will give the listener another opportunity to hear the master's earlier playing. I personally like the album, but understand its detractors' criticisms.”

“I return to it again and again - uplifting, sad and liltingly happy in equal measures. Shirley Collins' outstanding voice is strong and true. Listen to the melodic beauty that underpins the tragic sadness of the words on Banks Of The Bann or Van Dieman's Land. You'll understand the fundamental English connection with traditional Irish and American ballads. Such quality, depth and musicianship, with variety and inspired innovation for it's time.”