Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

September 29, 1944 in Totnes, Devon, England

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Opera

 

Anne Briggs is a British folk singer and songwriter who was born on September 29, 1944, in Toton, Nottinghamshire, England. She is known for her unique and powerful voice, as well as her contributions to the British folk revival of the 1960s and 1970s. Briggs grew up in a musical family, with her father playing the fiddle and her mother singing in a choir. She began singing at a young age and was influenced by traditional folk music, as well as jazz and blues. She was also inspired by the music of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, who were popular in the United States at the time. In the early 1960s, Briggs moved to London and became involved in the folk music scene there. She began performing at folk clubs and festivals, and quickly gained a reputation as a talented and passionate singer. She was known for her powerful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her music. In 1963, Briggs recorded her first album, "The Iron Muse," which featured traditional folk songs and ballads. The album was well-received and helped to establish Briggs as a rising star in the folk music world. She continued to perform and record throughout the 1960s, releasing several more albums and becoming a popular figure in the British folk scene. One of Briggs' most notable performances was at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival in the United States. She was one of the few British folk singers to perform at the festival, which was a major event in the American folk music world. Briggs' performance was well-received and helped to introduce her music to a wider audience. In 1971, Briggs released what is considered to be her masterpiece, "Anne Briggs." The album featured original songs written by Briggs, as well as traditional folk songs. The album was praised for its raw and emotional quality, and is still considered to be one of the best folk albums of all time. Despite her success, Briggs was known for her reluctance to perform and record. She was a private person and often shied away from the spotlight. In the mid-1970s, she retired from music and moved to Scotland, where she lived a quiet life and worked as a gardener. In recent years, Briggs' music has experienced a resurgence in popularity. Her songs have been covered by a new generation of folk musicians, and her influence can be heard in the music of artists such as Joanna Newsom and Laura Marling. In 2018, a documentary film about Briggs' life and music, "The Ballad of Shirley Collins," was released to critical acclaim. Briggs' legacy as a folk singer and songwriter is undeniable. Her powerful voice and emotional performances continue to inspire and influence musicians today, and her contributions to the British folk revival of the 1960s and 1970s will always be remembered.

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