Lui Collins

Lui Collins (born in 1950 in Barre, Vermont) is a contemporary folk singer-songwriter. She attended the University of Connecticut and played her first gigs as a student there. She began touring in the mid-1970s as part of a duo with Horace Williams, Jr.. Her first two albums consisted of cover songs, after which she moved on to writing original songs. Her albums have included some children's music, some of which she co-wrote with children's author Jane Yolen. In 1997 Collins relocated to the Pioneer Valley in western Massachusetts, immersing herself in music. In addition to her solo performances in concerts, festivals and schools, Collins has performed extensively with singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dana Robinson. Together they released two limited edition collaborative recordings, Paired Down and Paired Down Vol. 2, in 1998 and 1999 respectively.

Collins took up clawhammer banjo in 1999, and has continued to delve deeply into southern Appalachian music. This traditional influence is evident on her 2000 solo recording Leaving Fort Knox. Dirty Linen's assessment, "Quite simply, this is the best Lui Collins recording, ever," is a clear affirmation of the continuing vitality, after 30 years, of Collins' art. This vitality expresses itself in her live performances, as Collins blends her original songs, dynamic readings of her poetry, and traditional banjo tunes, in an intimate conversation with her audience. Now, in addition to touring Collins is also focused on teaching Music Together classes.

Discography

*"Made in New England" (1978)
*"Baptism of Fire" (1981)
*"There's A Light" (1985)
*"Moondancer" (1993)
*"North of Mars" (1995)
*"Stone by Stone" (1997)
*"Leaving Fort Knox" (2000)
*"Closer" (2006)

External links

* [http://www.luicollins.com/ Official Website]