On her first electric album, collaborating closely with then husband Ashley Hutchings, Shirley Collins pits her quintessentially English voice against an impeccable assembly of Brit-folk musicians. Members of Fairport, Steeleye, The Watersons, The Dransfields and Nic Jones head a distinguished cast playing and acting out epic English ballads.

Although itโ€™s far less well known, No Roses is easily the match of Fairportโ€™s Liege & Lief (1969), with its centrepiece song, โ€œMurder Of Maria Martenโ€, outstripping even Unhalfbrickingโ€™s โ€œA Sailorโ€™s Lifeโ€ for passion and electricity. Collins is fearless, singing louder than ever required of her, but pitch perfect and drawing out every ounce of drama and emotion.