*. Anne Briggs .* (Reissue)

Album: Sing a Song for You (1973)(Reissue 1996)
Genre: Prog Folk (English Folk/Contemporary Folk)  /  UK

Like Davey Graham, the English guitarist hailed as an influence by Jansch, Renbourn, Page, Townshend, et al, Anne Briggs is known today principally for her influence on a whole school of British female folksingers, most famously Sandy Denny but also including Jacqui McShee, Norma Waterson, Maddy Prior, June Tabor, etc. And, as with Graham, with the passage of time it's hard to see exactly what all the fuss was about. Briggs had a beautiful soprano, it's true; she also had a hard time  staying anywhere near the notes she was supposed to be singing and on at least one track here she's just flat. Recorded in 1973, this record mixes traditional material with self-penned songs, and a few of these -- "I Thought I Saw You Again", the title track and especially the wonderful "Summer's In" -- are real quality. At the same time, it's hard to dispel the thought that if Briggs hadn't made her sudden withdrawal from music just before the scheduled release of this album (which was then delayed for almost a quarter of a century), she may not have achieved the same cult status. Review by "BradL" (Rate Your Music).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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