Snapshots

This beautiful 22-track collection represents the music of British folksinger Shirley Collins from 1966-1979. Here are many of the songs she has become so well known for, such as “All Flowers in Broome,” “The Murdered Woman,” “The Gypsy’s Wedding Day,” and 19 others. Collins plays guitar and banjo and performs in the company of her late sister Dolly (on piano and organ) as well as a number of others. While this is hardly a definitive collection, it is nonetheless a fine one, especially for the price. The music here traces the British folk boom in its formative and bountiful years, and makes a profound argument for Collins, not Sandy Denny or Maddy Prior or anyone else, being the true queen of British folk. – Thom Jurek