The best I’ve played, very close to Excellent, just faint background crackle in parts. It is very slightly rubbed in places and there is a hint of the ring of the record showing but otherwise for a 50 year old piece of cardboard you have to say it’s in excellent condition. There are some brown glue marks showing on the inner sleeve but otherwise it too, is in fabulous condition

VINYL: VG+

LABEL: Ex

COVER: Ex

Side 1

1. Blackwater side
2. The snow it melts the soonest
3. Willie o Winsbury
4. Go your way
5. Thorneymoor Woods

Side 2

1. The cuckoo
2. Reynardine
3. Young Tambling
4. Living by the water
5. Maa bonny lad

There is not a massive back catalogue for the folk singer that is Anne Briggs. Several of the tracks are unaccompanied which is pretty brave for anyone. An influencer on Eliza Carthy and Kate Rusby amongst others, she clearly did not travel the commercial arm of the music industry. But that should not put you off at all. If you want to hear a classic folk musician whose voice epitomises English folk at its best, then look no further. She was apparently a pretty wild woman in the 60’s but the music on here is at the opposite end of the scale. Melodic, calm, harmonious and homely you don’t have to do much other than sit back and soak in the warmth of each offering. A 10 1/2 minute solo unaccompanied track anyone? You will love ‘Young Tambling’ if that is the case.

The vinyl is 50 year old, or thereabouts, but it is in great condition and looks perfect. I’ve never played a record with so little distraction to the music, with just minor crackle on a couple of tracks if you listen closely. Apart from a single revolution on Track 1 side 2 and T3 where you hear a single click on each track, the remaining songs sound like the master tape. And as a bonus the inner sleeve is the original Mono sleeve which offers helpful tips about how to sight your turntable and what stylus to use. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sleeve like this one.

What a voice, what an album.