Anne Briggs

RSD 2024 pressing of the eponymous 1971 debut album by Anne Briggs - widely regarded as a pillar of any folk collection - This 2024 vinyl re-issue has been newly remastered from the original quarter- inch tapes by Calum Malcolm and includes 'The Lost Tape,' a bonus 7" single of 4 previously unreleased tracks from the 1971 album sessions.

The artwork for the 7" was designed by the original album sleeve designer, Humphrey Weightman and features a previously unseen illustration of Anne Briggs by Eammon O'Doherty, from 1967. This release is part of the Topic Treasures series - the label's classic and notable albums expanded in deluxe format with rare images, new liner notes (by esteemed journalist, Ken Hunt) and an introduction by Anne Briggs herself. 'Anne Briggs' heralds a huge resurgence of interest in this most reclusive of folk doyennes. This debut album contains some of Briggs' most notable songs, including 'Blackwater Slide,' which she famously taught to Bert Jansch, (who recorded it on his 'Jack Orion' album) and 'Go Your Way,' co- written with Jansch. As with the 1971 original, the sleeve here contains song notes by the highly-regarded English folk singer and collector of folk songs, A.L. Lloyd. Anne Briggs began singing in local folk clubs in her teens. In 1962, she became part of the Centre 42 - a leftist group of artists, writers, actors and musicians whose aim was to make arts and culture accessible to the masses. Ewan MacColl first heard Briggs' remarkable voice and persuaded her to join the group and tour. There Briggs met MacColl's comrade, A.L. 'Bert' Lloyd who became her mentor, producing her debut EP, 'The Hazards Of Love,' and recording Briggs for Topic landmark albums, 'The Iron Muse' and 'The Bird In The Bush.' Briggs went on to record a follow-up album, 'The Time Has Come,' for CBS which, at the time, sold poorly and was rapidly deleted. Two years later, she recorded again but blocked the subsequent album's release, disheartened as she was by her singing. She retired from the limelight only to resurface in the mid 90's to perform only momentarily with Bert Jansch for a TV documentary. Unreleased track 'The Cruel Mother,' was included on the 15 track, Uncut magazine Topic Records covermount in January. 6 page interview with Anne Briggs confirmed in March issue of Mojo magazine plus album review in the following issue. Special RSD 2024 release - Limited to 1000 copies - Remastered from the original 1/4 inch tapes - Includes bonus 7", 'The Lost Tape,' of 4 previously unreleased recordings.