Search - Shirley Collins, Dolly Collins :: Anthems in Eden

An innovative approach, ahead of its time

Dr Hilary Rhodes | Erskineville, NSW Australia | 04/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shirley Collins has an interesting vocal timbre and often sounds quite ingenuous, with a hint of unsureness and breathiness. This quality adds to the charm of this collection of English folk and medieval music.



It is a remarkable production for its time, as Collins not only includes her sister Dolly who plays the portative organ, but The Early Music of London (EML), directed by the late David Munrow, wind player extraordinare. This collection was produced in the mid 1970s when this distinguished group was not as well known as it is today. It is a very happy marriage between the sounds of the instruments used in Renaissance and Medieval music, accompanying the traditional folk songs (traditionally unnacompanied). The arrangements are remeniscent of Vaughan Williams' folk song suite and work very well with the melodic line. The cornetto (renaissance wooden trumpet, fingered like a recorder gives a beautiful counter melody to the vocal line, its timbre being much like the human voice.



A collector's album."

5 Stars not enough

B. W. Thew | Australia | 02/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For a long time this album was my absolute favourite. Over thirty years later it stills sounds fresh, adventurous and ahead of most music. Shirley Collins is backed by sympathetic musicians creating something exciting and different. Very little music is this good, almost nothing is better. Give it a listen, you'll love it."