Folk Roots New Routes

Personnel includes: Shirley Collins (vocals); Davy Graham (guitar).
Personnel: Davy Graham (guitar).
Arrangers: Shirley Collins; Davy Graham.
Often cited as one of the most influential 1960s folk records to come from England, FOLK ROUTES, NEW ROUTES left Jimmy Page and Bert Jansch awestruck in its wake. Bear in mind that Shirley Collins was present when Alan Lomax discovered Fred McDowell, the ferocious slide-guitar bluesman. Most of the songs on FOLK ROUTES, NEW ROUTES are traditional reworkings with Shirley channeling old souls.
"Reynardine" is an expressively haunting tale; Collins' voice hovers and wraps around dazzling finger-picking. Graham's unique tunings, which utilize Middle Eastern modalities, are prominent on tracks like "Hares on the Mountain" and "Boll Weevil Holler." The instrumental "Rid Mountain" allows for Graham's playing to truly shine. A definite high-water mark in the folk revival canon, FOLK ROUTES, NEW ROUTES is a timeless work waiting to be rediscovered.