It was recorded in the summer of 1971 and produced by Sandy Roberton and Ashley Hutchings, who was Collins' husband at the time.

"The Murder of Maria Marten", a lengthy song about the Red Barn Murder, is broken into segments, with parts of British folk rock alternating with more traditional parts featuring Shirley Collins' voice and a hurdy-gurdy drone.

Shirley Collins had used a similar technique on "One Night As I Lay on My Bed" on "Adieu to Old England".

In fact, Fairport Convention member Ashley Hutchings appears on all, Simon Nicol and Richard Thompson on eight, and Dave Mattacks on three of the nine songs on this album.

Both drummer Roger Powell and pianist Ian Whiteman previously played together in the band Mighty Baby.