ALBUM REVIEW: Shirley Collins – Archangel Hill

Domino Recordings

Released: 26.05.23

The return of Shirley Collins after decades of silence (as unexpected as it was magical – seeing her rapturous reception at Supersonic Festival was a beautiful thing), Archangel Hill is her third album since her reappearance and while it has some wonderful moments it perhaps doesn’t have the same impact as Lodestar or Heart’s Ease did.

This is partly because at 87 years old her voice is quite faltering now, although it still has a purity to it, and a desire to service the songs. Perhaps also the arrangements and song choices are a little obvious (for example, this is her third recording of Hares On The Mountain, and it’s not the best). But tracks like Lost In The Wood and Oakham Poachers still have a beautiful simplicity.