Folk icon Shirley Collins to release her first album in 38 years

To celebrate the news, Collins has revealed first single "Cruel Lincoln" - it features guest vocals from the wild birds found behind Collins' cottage.

Lodestar will feature a collection of English, American, and Cajun songs from the 16th-20th century. It was recorded in Lewes by Stephen Thrower and Ossian Brown of Cyclobe and produced and musically directed by Ian Kearey.

Speaking about "Cruel Lincoln" Collins says: “This is an ancient ballad, found only rarely in England. The theory is that Cruel Lincoln was a mason who was not paid for the work he did for ‘the Lord of the Manor’ and so extracted a terrible revenge.”

The record will be out 4 November via Domino. It will be available as a deluxe vinyl set with a 24-page booklet and sleve notes by comedian/writer Stewart Lee. Speaking about Collins, Lee comments: “Shirley is a time traveller, a conduit for essential human aches, one of the greatest artists who ever lived, and yet utterly humble...”

Check out "Cruel Lincoln" below.

Tracklist:

1. Awake Awake – The Split Ash Tree - May Carol - Southover
2. The Banks of Green Willow
3. Cruel Lincoln
4. Washed Ashore
5. Death And the Lady
6. Pretty Polly
7. Old Johnny Buckle
8. Sur le Borde de l’Eau
9. The Rich Irish Lady/Jeff Sturgeon
10. The Silver Swan