Love, Death and the Lady
Shirley Collins · 1970
65 min · 17 tracks · traditional folk music
A haunting blend of traditional folk melodies and poignant storytelling, evoking the timeless themes of love, loss, and mortality.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Death & The Lady — The title track sets a darkly enchanting tone with its exploration of death intertwined with romantic themes, showcasing Collins' captivating vocal delivery.
-
→
Young Girl Cut Down in Her Prime — This track stands out for its stark narrative focus on tragedy and loss, illustrating Collins' ability to evoke deep emotions through traditional storytelling.
-
→
Geordie — A classic ballad performed with raw intensity, this song exemplifies Collins' skill in bringing historical narratives to life through her interpretations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional folk storytelling with varied tempos, showcasing Collins' distinctive voice and narrative style.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of traditional folk instrumentation, primarily acoustic guitar and fiddle, throughout its tracks.
- Each song is structured around a narrative, with lyrics that tell distinct stories of love and loss, often drawing from historical or folkloric themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- evocative storytelling through song
- haunting melodies for reflection
- late-night introspection and solitude
- narrative-driven listening experience
- gentle pace with emotional depth
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party vibes
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1970, 'Love, Death and the Lady' marked Shirley Collins' return to the music scene after a brief hiatus following her acclaimed album 'Anthems in Eden'. At this point in her career, Collins was solidifying her role as a key figure in the British folk revival, using her voice and interpretation to breathe new life into traditional songs.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anne Briggs· Bert Jansch· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Death & The Lady 4:08
- 2 Glenlogie 3:47
- 3 The Oxford Girl 2:01
- 4 Are You Going to Leave Me? 2:53
- 5 The Outlandish Knight 5:05
- 6 Go From My Window 2:35
- 7 Young Girl Cut Down in Her Prime 3:41
- 8 Geordie 4:59
- 9 Salisbury Plain 2:40
- 10 Fair Maid of Islington 2:17
- 11 Six Dukes 2:29
- 12 Polly on the Shore 3:10
- 13 Plains of Waterloo 8:03
- 14 Sailor From Dover 3:20
- 15 Young John 6:24
- 16 Short Jacket & White Trousers 2:59
- 17 The Bold Fisherman 4:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.