Released 55 years ago this October
No Roses
Shirley Collins · 1971
35 min · 9 tracks · traditional folk music
Ethereal vocals blend with traditional folk instrumentation, creating a hauntingly beautiful exploration of British folk narratives.
Top tracks — play these first
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Murder of Maria Marten — This track showcases Collins' storytelling ability through a dark narrative that captivates listeners, blending historical themes with emotional depth.
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Banks of the Bann — The song features an intricate arrangement that highlights Collins' ethereal vocals and connects deeply with regional folklore, enhancing its cultural resonance.
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Claudy Banks — As an opening track, it sets the tone for the album with its melodic beauty and introduces listeners to Collins' unique interpretive style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's innovative arrangements and storytelling create a unique experience within British folk music.
What we noticed
- Shirley Collins' ethereal vocals are often layered with harmonies, enhancing the haunting quality of the narratives presented in the lyrics.
- Each track maintains a consistent tempo, with subtle shifts in dynamics that emphasize the emotional weight of the stories being told.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- haunting tales of loss
- short narratives with depth
- ethereal vocal harmonies shine
- evocative stories of heritage
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat tempos
- prefer modern production styles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the release of No Roses in October 1971, Shirley Collins had established herself as a significant figure in the British folk revival. This album followed her critically acclaimed collaboration with Davy Graham on Folk Roots, New Routes (1964) and marked her return to solo work after several years, further solidifying her influence in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anne Briggs· Bert Jansch· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Claudy Banks 4:37
- 2 The Little Gypsy Girl 2:15
- 3 Banks of the Bann 3:38
- 4 Murder of Maria Marten 7:27
- 5 Van Dieman’s Land 4:59
- 6 Just as the Tide Was A’Flowing 2:12
- 7 The White Hare 2:43
- 8 Hal-An-Tow 2:53
- 9 Poor Murdered Woman 4:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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