Of Shirley Collins | The Ballad

The life of Shirley Collins is often described as a tragic and triumphant ballad itself, marked by a legendary song-collecting journey, a devastating medical condition that silenced her for decades, and a late-life return to the stage .

She has since continued to record and perform, releasing further albums such as Heart's Ease and Archangel Hill , cementing her status as the "first lady" of English folk. The Ballad of Shirley Collins (2017) - IMDb

: She formed a duo with her sister, Dolly, who played the portative organ, creating a unique sound that blended tradition with Renaissance-style arrangements. The Ballad of Shirley Collins

: At age 80, she released Lodestar , her first new material in 38 years. The recording took place at her home in Lewes to help manage her lingering nerves.

: In 1964, she recorded the landmark album Folk Roots, New Routes with guitarist Davey Graham, which is credited with setting the template for the folk-rock movement. The life of Shirley Collins is often described

Born in Hastings, East Sussex, in 1935, Shirley Collins grew up in a family deeply rooted in traditional English song. In 1954, she met famed American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax in London and eventually became his lover and research assistant.

: Collins found herself unable to sing, even in private. She largely withdrew from the music world for nearly 40 years, taking low-level jobs and focusing on raising her children. The "Phoenix-Like" Return : At age 80, she released Lodestar ,

: The 2017 feature film The Ballad of Shirley Collins chronicles this remarkable comeback, juxtaposing her modern recording sessions with footage and stories from her 1959 trip with Lomax.