America Over The Water 

In 1959 Shirley joined legendary musicologist Alan Lomax on a year-long journey through the musical heartland of the Southern States of America. During this field trip they recorded the music of religious communities, social gatherings, prisons and chain gangs, and discovered  the legendary bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell. These original recordings were featured in the Coen brothers’ film "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou".

Shirley’s book "America Over The Water" recounts this journey, intercutting and complementing the American narrative with an autobiographical account of growing up in Hastings during and after the war, and of her first meeting with Alan Lomax in London. The show of the same name includes readings by Shirley and by actor Pip Barnes, pictures of the singers taken on the journey and recordings made on the trip.

"America over the Water" was first published in 2004 by
 SAF Publishing. 

A new paperback edition was published in October 2006.

Buy both from our online shop.

'I found it very touching indeed....... truly moving' - David Attenborough

Forthcoming performances

Saturday August 16th 2008 at the Bakewell Arts Festival. More information will be available here soon, and from the Festival's own website, currently under construction.

Saturday September 6th at the Festival Letteratura in Mantova, Italy. More information will be available here, and from the Festival's own website, soon, 

Saturday October 11th at the West Yorkshire Playhouse as part of an American season in partnership with Opera North. More information soon.

Sunday 19th October at the American Museum, Bath. Details at www.americanmuseum.org

If you are interested in booking "America Over The Water" for 2008 please contact us.