Shirley & Dolly Collins

Never Again (1978)

Sisters Shirley and Dolly Collins, from the rolling hills of Sussex, created a quintessentially English folk music, drawing on traditional song but also writing their own tunes as well as adapting the words and music of some contemporary artists, such as this fine version of Richard Thompson's 'Never Again'. There is a kind of resilient sadness that is peculiarly inspiring to much of the music they made both together and as artists in their own right. Shirley, who began her singing career in earnest in the late 50's, is now generally recognised as the true 'Queen of English folk music', though she has long retired from performing due to a problem with hysterical dysphonia, a psychologically based voice disorder. Dolly, a multi-talented instrumentalist and composer, sadly died in 1995. Shirley and Dolly are the crown jewels of English folk who demand to be heard.