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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBRIGGS, Anne Patricia(b 29 Sep. '44, Toton, Notts) UK folk singer, songwriter; one of the most infl. of '60s revivalists on acts as diverse as Fairport Convention, Bert Jansch (who learned 'Blackwater Side' on his '66 LP Jack Orion from her, in turn appropriated by Led Zep from him), Christy Moore and June Tabor. She sang in a decorated style, like many others of the era, but was significant for innovation: with her accompanist Johnny Moynihan, their early use of the bouzouki. Involved with Centre 42, financed by UK trade unions to decentralize multimedia arts from London; noticed by A. L. Lloyd, who used her with others on his The Iron Muse '63 on Topic (reissued '93), a major examination of industrial folk music, which led to Briggs EP The Hazards Of Love '63, LP Anne Briggs '71 on Topic. Also worked with Lloyd on his The Bird In The Bush '66 and with Frankie Armstrong. The Time Has Come '72 on CBS incl. 'Fine Horseman' (written by Lal Knight); appeared on Lal and Mike Waterson's Bright Phoebus '72 on Trailor (her version of the title track already covered by Pentangle on Sweet Child '68). 'Wishing Well' was co-written with Jansch. Her third LP '73 combined her own songs with some trad. material, arrangements with Barry Dransfield on fiddle and Ragged Robin, a quartet fronted by Steve Ashley; it was not released at the time because she didn't like it (finally as Sing A Song For You '96 on Fledg'ling) and she retired to raise a family, also involved in conservation, growing herbs and wild plants. She performed at a memorial concert for Lloyd '83 and occasionally since; renewed interest followed a retrospective article on her in English mag Swing 51 '89; she toured supporting a reunion of Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick '90; June Tabor, herself one of the UK's favourites, said, 'I don't think there's anyone to touch Annie on the English side of the water.' Her entire Topic output was reissued as The Classic Anne Briggs '91 on Fellside. She took part in a TV documentary about Jansch, and duetted with him on 'Go Your Way My Love' on its spinoff CD Acoustic Routes '93 on Code 90/Demon. |