Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)

Subject: Billy Bragg on Shirley Collins' new book
From: Vic Smith
Date: 20 Jun 18 - 08:10 AM

In this week's New Statesman there is a review by Billy Bragg of the new book All in the Downs: Reflections on Life, Landscape, and Song by Shirley Collins. Click here to read it.

Subject: RE: Billy Bragg on Shirley Collins' new book
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Jun 18 - 08:44 AM

Thanks for that, Vic. Those who know me can't understand my love of Shirley Collins' singing. I don't try to analyse it too much myself. The records she made in her prime were wonderful, especially the ones she made with Dolly (and of course, Anthems in Eden). Oh, and No Roses...

Subject: RE: Billy Bragg on Shirley Collins' new book
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 20 Jun 18 - 09:06 AM

Hearing Shirley and Dolly brought me back into folk
after about a decade immersed in 1980s / 90s electronica, funk, soul, and vintage rock 'n' roll...

Subject: RE: Billy Bragg on Shirley Collins' new book
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 20 Jun 18 - 10:45 AM

Thanks Vic.

Subject: RE: Billy Bragg on Shirley Collins' new book
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 21 Jun 18 - 04:11 AM

Thanks for pointing out the review Vic.

As someone who regularly attended and later ran a Soho club in the late 50's which operated under the title Ballads & Blues I am intrigued to know where the club which Shirley refers to as Folk & Blues operated at the same time. I don't recall ever hearing of it. I find the knife story a little hard to believe.

She also apparently was not a fan of MacColl at that time and vice versa but was quite willing to sit and sing alongside him on record and in a publicity shot in The Ramblers skiffle group in 1957.

Subject: Shirley Collins - All in the Downs(book)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 09 Jul 18 - 09:08 PM

Shirley Collins new memoir ALL IN THE DOWNS has just been
published, available in the US from MIT PRESS and in the UK from STRANGE ATRACTOR.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/18/all-in-the-downs-by-shirley-collins-review-the-english-folk-revivalists-revival

https://www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/book-extracts/read-an-extract-from-all-in-the-downs-reflections-on-life-landscape-and-song

https://uk.lush.com/article/all-downs-revealing-memoir-folks-first-lady

A beautifully written paean to the tradition bearers and collectors who preceeded her, her love of the land and traditions of Sussex, as well as the story of her life in the folk revival of the 1950's through 1970's, her work during the years when she lost her voice,
and the resumption of her musical career in the last decade.

A delight to read!

As assistant to Alan Lomax, her previous book AMERICA OVER THE WATER details the field trip across the deep south whic produced the monumental SOUTHERN FOLK HERITAGE SERIES recordings released by Atlantic, Prestige and New World.


Cheers, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 01:09 AM

I hope the book sells well

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Jul 18 - 03:28 AM

She also apparently was not a fan of MacColl at that time and vice versa but was quite willing to sit and sing alongside him on record and in a publicity shot in The Ramblers skiffle group in 195"
perhaps she was coerced or did nothave a lot of choice

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 05:01 AM

Dick,

I don't believe either Alan Lomax or Ewan ever "Shanghaied" singers.

They were obviously all just riding the Skiffle craze and hoping to reach a wider audience.

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: GUEST,Bombay Grab
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 06:14 AM

Alan may have exercised his charm, that is different from"Shanghaied"

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 08:41 AM

Can we please ignore Dick's attempt to introduce MacColl into this thread? I can't believe it'll be helpful to engage with him on the topic.

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 12:10 PM

Guest Mark Bluemel,. you owe me an apology, when will you start reading properly,
MacColl was introduced in this post and not by meFrom: GUEST,Hootenanny - PM
Date: 21 Jun 18 - 04:11 AM

Thanks for pointing out the review Vic.

As someone who regularly attended and later ran a Soho club in the late 50's which operated under the title Ballads & Blues I am intrigued to know where the club which Shirley refers to as Folk & Blues operated at the same time. I don't recall ever hearing of it. I find the knife story a little hard to believe.

She also apparently was not a fan of MacColl at that time and vice versa but was quite willing to sit and sing alongside him on record and in a publicity shot in The Ramblers skiffle group in 1957.

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 12:11 PM

You can't blame Dick for that. I think I was the first to bring the name into this thread. I was referring to Shirley's comments according to the review which I read.

I can't see why anyone should take offence at that but I do understand where you are coming from.

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 12:26 PM

Guest Mark Bluemel, people like you are a feckin joke , will you please learn to read before you start having a go at me,accusing people of introducing topics that they did not is completely unhelpful for this topic.

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 12:29 PM

I'm about a half way through it and very surprised when I read my name in it! Looked at the index and saw there were several refences to Tina and I.

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 01:21 PM

Dick, you might have waited to see if I apologised before the insults.

I withdraw my attribution willingly, but you can whistle for an apology.

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jul 18 - 01:35 PM

Mark,in future, read more carefully, as for your last remark it reflects ill only on one person, yourself, you have neither the good manners or generosity of spirit to apologise

Subject: RE: Review: All in the Downs (book by Shirley Collins)
From: GUEST,EnfieldPete
Date: 13 Jul 18 - 08:35 AM

I recently read this book and loved it. Having recently experienced two family bereavements (Mum and Brother) in the space of a couple of months I found the book to have wonderful therapeutic effect on me. Enjoyed every page.