Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Anthems of Eden
Company: Harvest
Catalog: SHVL 754
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: UK pressing; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $200.00
Although highly respected in folk circles, English singer Shirley Collins remains a virtual unknown to Americans. Gifted with a wonderful voice and an enthusiastic love for traditional English folk music, she's largely responsible for opening the doors for such acts as The Albion Country Band, Fairport Convention, Pentangle and Steeleye Span.
Having recorded a number of early-60s solo efforts, as well as having worked with guitarist Davey Graham, for a number of years Collins wanted to record Renaissance-period material with an orchestra playing traditional instruments (cornett, crumhorn, sackbut, etc.). Her initial opportunity came as a result of an offer from BBC Radio 1. The station agreed to fund a 30 minute special entitled "The Anthems" which found Shirley and sister Dolly exploring Renaissance-styled arrangements. The resulting publicity saw the Collins go into the studios, resulting in 1969's Austin John Marshall produced "Anthems of Eden". With backing from a slew of period-instrumentalists, including members of The Early Music Consort, the LP offered up a concept-piece that melded medieval folk music with a series of original instrumental bridges. Exemplified by material such as "A Denying - The Blacksmith" and "Rambleaways", it's all quite appealing - though certainly not for anyone expecting psych or rock efforts.
"Anthems of Eden" track listing:
1.) Song-Story
A Beginning (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
A Meeting - Searching for Lambs (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
A Courtship - The Wedding Song (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
A Denying - The Blacksmith (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
A Forsaking - Our Captain Cried (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
A Dream - Lowlands (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
A Leavetaking - Pleasant and Delightful (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
An Awakening - Whitsun Dance (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
A New Beginning (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) -
2.) Rambleaways (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) - 4:23
3.) Ca' the Yowes (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) - 3:28
4.) God Dog (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) - 3:25
5.) Bonny Cuckoo (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) - 1:56
6.) Nellie the Milkmaid (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins)
- 2:42
7.) Gathering Rushes in the Month of May (Dolly Collins - Shirley
Collins) - 3:30
8.) The Gower Wassail (Dolly Collins - Shirley Collins) - 2:52