Customer Reviews

Sing a Song for You

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After the disappointing The Time Has Come Anne Briggs took the unprecendented step of forming a studio band - Ragged Robin - for her third and last album "Sing A Song For You".

The move, in a strange way, worked exceptionally well, because "Sing A Song For You" was a complete return to the emotion and beauty of "Anne Briggs" and her early a capella recordings. Whether she was unaccompanied or not, the beautiful, bell-like tone of her voice produced a surprising degree of feeling, most notably on the charming a capella "The Bonambuie" and the joyful, band-played "Summer's In", which showed that, despite working with a band, Briggs remained completely a traditional folk singer. The outlaw song "Sovay" was perhaps even more impressive, whilst "Sing A Song For You" was as touching as her wonderfully intimate "Living By The Water" and "I Thought I Saw You Again" was surprisingly childlike for a woman who already had had a substantial career.

All through, the performances of Anne and Ragged Robin never overstate the songs, always finding the utmost virtue in their sheer simplicity without resorting to childish desire for aggression.

Maybe the fact that Anne knew she was no longer the wandering child she wished she would always be compelled her to retire from music and marry, but her entire canon should be part of any comprehensive collection.

I've always enjoyed Anne's singing and have been lucky enough to play on the same bill with her on several occasions. Although I feel that her style and her bird-like voice are more appropriate in a folk club or pub and that her recordings don't do her justice, there are some strong entries here. The solos, "Sovay", "The Bonambuie" and "Bird In The Bush" are all performed in her own inimitable style with those beautiful embellishments that would cause even the drunks at the bar to stop and listen. She has strong backing here from Steve Ashley on "Travelling's Easy" and with Steve, Barry Dransfield et al on "Sullivan's John". If you want more, and perhaps better Anne Briggs, get the Fellside Recordings' "Classic Anne Briggs - The Complete Topic Recordings"

A nice lost gem from a hugely influential artist who recorded very little during her long career. Word has it that this is actually an unfinished album which Briggs herself put the nix on back in the 1973. Apparently she was pregnant at the time, and felt unable either to devote her full attention to the recordings, or to hit her full range while carrying her child. So, the album was cancelled, and the tracks remained a bit rough. Nonetheless, there are lovely moments here, and it's a nice chance to hear her working with a full band, rather than with her usual a capella style or bare-bones accompaniment. A rare glimpse at Briggs working in a very different style... also highly recommended!