At the beginning of Shirley Collins's recording career, in 1959, she recorded a series of limited 7 EPs for Collector Records, which have since become quite rare. This remastered edition of English Songs (the second of her Collector EPs), it's first reissue as a vinyl EP, is presented in a front-laminated, flipback sleeve, just like the original, and an illustrated inner bag with period reviews from the archives. This release, along with a reissue of The Foggy Dew EP (WING 1001EP), precedes a concert to celebrate Shirley Collins's 80th birthday, on Sunday, July 5th, 2015, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London. What comes through is sincerity, purity of instinct, and a tremendous depth of feeling. -Alan Lomax.