The return of Shirley Collins after a 38 year silence. ‰Û÷Lodestar‰۪ is a collection of English, American and Cajun songs dating from the 16th Century to the 1950s, recorded at Shirley‰۪s home in Lewes by Stephen Thrower and Ossian Brown of Cyclobe and produced and musically directed by Ian Kearey. Though Shirley Collins (MBE) has been absent from the music scene for many years, her impact has not diminished. The likes of Graham Coxon, Jonny Greenwood, Stewart Lee and Angel Olsen laud her and a documentary, ‰Û÷The Ballad Of Shirley Collins‰۪, is currently in progress. Additionally, she was given the Good Tradition award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2008, elected President of the English Folk Dance & Song Society in the same year and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Sussex University this year. Shirley released her first memoir, ‰Û÷America Over The Water‰۪, in 2004 and is currently working on her second book. ‰ÛÏShirley is a time traveller, a conduit for essential human aches, one of the greatest artists who ever lived, and yet utterly humble‰۝ - Stewart Lee The CD comes in a capacity wallet with a 28 page booklet containing a full and extended essay by Stewart Lee, with notes and annotations from Shirley Collins. This edition will be for first press only before reverting to a standard jewel case format. The deluxe LP comes with a 24 page 12‰۝ booklet containing a full and extended essay by Stewart Lee with notes and annotations from Shirley Collins, plus a copy of the album on CD in a printed card wallet.
