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40 years from the release of 'Folk Songs of Old England Vol. 1' in 1968 Maddy Prior returns to her english traditional roots with 'Seven For Old England'.
Long acknowledged as one of the most important voices in English folk music, the reality of Maddy Prior's career may come as a surprise to many.
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Since forming in 1992, Rock Salt and Nails have established a solid reputation as one of the most energetic and original groups to emerge from the roots-rock scene, with 6 albums to their name, and tours throughout the world. Not bad for band who formed, in their own words, as a "musical excuse to party."
While the band have always sought to capture the energy of live performance in their studio recordings, it is on the stage, playing off an audience that they are in their element. If you've experienced them live, you'll know what it's about. And if you haven't, then this is what you've been missing. Recorded live in September 2004, this is a formidable live band at their peak. Fresh, raw, full of energy & hugely appealing, this is live music as it should be.
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'Strange But True' is not a new Kathryn Tickell album in the strictest sense, yet nor is it the standard compilation. As Kathryn herself puts it, “It's really a kind of retrospective - looking at a few of the collaborations I've been involved in over the years, ranging from the sublime (I hope) to the ridiculous...and yes, there are some strange moments on it”.
Put together over the course of a year, it features a range of musical styles from the pure tradition that we have come to expect (instrumental duets with Karen Tweed and Catriona Macdonald) to work with jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, Norwegian brass ensemble the Brazz Brothers, harpist Corrina Hewat and Folkestra, a collection of young folk musicians of whom Kathryn has been the artistic director for the past six years.
In amongst it all, however, is the passion, feeling and joy that has marked all of Kathryn’s work since she first emerged as a teenager. Few have done so much for the traditional music of this country, both in terms of performance and making a contribution to its future.
'Strange But True' is another chapter in this amazing story, one that demonstrates that if Kathryn Tickell is determined to do anything, it’s to keep moving forward. “I think it's important to understand that, just because I go and do some weird collaboration with someone, it doesn't mean that I've turned my back on traditional music forever”, she says, before laughing. “It just means that I did a weird collaboration!”
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'Ringing The Changes' is an apt title for an album that sees Maddy and The Carnivals eschew their usual approach of adapting music from earlier centuries, in favour of all self-penned material.
Though still a Christmas record in the tradition of 'Carols And Capers' and 'A Tapestry Of Carols', this is an album that takes a look at all aspects of what the season means today.
The result is a collection of contemporary reflections on the festive season with fresh musical ideas to match. They show that amid the frantic materialism, the fragility of family life and the questioning of beliefs there is still room for quiet contemplation, generosity, awe and wonder, a pint and a carol or two!
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This is one of the earlier collaborations between Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band. They play a bewildering array of instruments: medieval shawms and Flemish bagpipes, drums of all sorts, a double bass.
'Carols and Capers' is a fine mix of old and new, a perfect Christmastide treat.
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An Evening of Carols and Capers
PRKCD86
Artist: Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band
Label: Park Records
Recorded at Oxford Town Hall as part of the 'An Evening of Carols and Capers' tour, this double-length release really captures the magic and delight of these Christmastide songs and tunes - played on renaissance instruments!
