91福利社

Lal Waterson's voice was stark but captivating.

It's been said that the songs she wrote were close to German cabaret or chanson. They were lyrically ambitious and melodically powerful.

Since her death in 1998, her reputation has grown and now she is placed alongside the great singer song-writers like Nick Drake and Richard Thompson.

She was a member of the famous Waterson family and numbered among other relatives the folk singer Martin Carthy and his daughter Eliza.

Robin Denselow explores Lal's life and legacy - and assesses her impact on song-writers today.

Producer: Emma Kingsley

First broadcast on 91福利社 Radio 4 in November 2010.