To celebrate the 85th anniversary of the oldest independent label in the world, Topic Records have released a very special, remastered vinyl re-issue of the classic, 1971 eponymous album from Anne Briggs.

Widely regarded as an essential pillar of any discerning folk record collection, Briggs’ debut counts amongst one of the most influential records of the era and has continued to inspire ever since.

Remastered from the original tapes by Calum Malcolm, this Topic Treasures release (the label’s classic and notable albums expanded in deluxe format) will also include a bonus 7” single, ‘The Lost Tape,’ containing 4 previously unreleased tracks from the debut album sessions.

Anne Briggs began singing in local folk clubs in her teens. In 1962, she became part of the Centre 42 tour which was a leftist group of artists, writers, actors and musicians whose aim was to make arts and culture accessible to the masses. Ewan MacColl first heard Briggs’ remarkable voice and persuaded her to join the group and tour. There, Briggs met MacColl’s comrade A.L. ‘Bert’ Lloyd who became her mentor. Briggs’ debut EP, The Hazards Of Love, was produced by Lloyd. Lloyd also recorded Briggs for Topic released albums The Iron Muse and The Bird In The Bush.

        Anne Briggs at the recording of Topic Records’ ‘The Iron Muse’ in                                  Hampstead, London, 1962 by Brian Shuel

In 1971, Anne Briggs recorded this, her debut, eponymous, full-length album with Sean Davies, produced by A.L. Lloyd, with Johnny Moynihan (of Sweeney’s Men) playing bouzouki on ‘Willie o Winsbury.’

Famously, Briggs taught Bert Jansch the song ‘Blackwater Side’, which he recorded on his classic 1965 debut album; the next year his pivotal traditional album Jack Orion largely comprised songs he learnt from Briggs who helped him understand the structure of folk song.

Briggs and Jansch also wrote a handful of songs together, ‘Go Your Way’ being one of them. Briggs went on to record a follow up album The Time Has Come later that same year for CBS. Two years later she recorded again but blocked the album’s release because she was so disheartened by her singing and retired from the limelight only to resurface in the mid 90’s to
perform with Bert Jansch for a TV documentary. Since then, she has enjoyed something of a civilian life, far from the spotlight, although her legacy is undoubtedly brighter now than ever.

This Topic Treasures release, remastered by Calum Malcom from the original quarter-inch tapes for the first time since its original 1971 release, expands on the 2019 vinyl reissue, including original album artwork by Humphrey Weightman plus notes by A.L. Lloyd, music journalist Ken Hunt and Anne Briggs herself.

The release incudes a Bonus 7″ of four previously unreleased tracks, exclusive artwork and rare liner notes by Anne,  with additional photographs and track by track notes.

For further details please visit: www.topicrecords.co.uk/2024/04/anne-briggs-lp-with-the-lost-tape-7-rsd