"Before forming Steeleye Span with Ashley Hutchings in 1969, Tim Hart and Maddy Prior had recorded two albums, FOLK SONGS OF OLDE ENGLAND VOL. 1 and VOL. 2 in 1968. After recording the first three Steeleye Span albums, Hart and Prior returned to the studio in 1972 to record this minor classic of traditional English Folk.
Unlike the rock elements (drums and electric guitars) introduced into Steeleye Span recordings, this is an unplugged affair with Hart on guitars and dulcimer. Vocal chores are split between Hart and Prior, sometimes singing solo (Prior on the delicate "The False Knight on the Road" and "I Live Not Where I Love," Hart on "The Ploughboy and the Cockney" and the haunting "Dancing at Whitsun") and occasionally singing duet ("Of All the Birds," "Westron Wynde," "Sorry the Day I Was Married" and "Adam Catched Eve").
Hart and Prior are augmented by Andy Irvine on mandolin (he would later form the celtic band Planxty), John Ryan on string bass, Gerry Conway on percussion and bells, and Pat Donaldson on electric bass.
All told, this is English folk of the highest order. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"
Folk duo's best album as a duo
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 05/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tim Hart and Maddy Prior were founder members of Steeleye Span in 1969 and remained with the group until its first disbandment in 1978. Before that, Tim and Maddy had recorded a couple of albums of old English folk songs. They were recorded cheaply on primitive equipment and sound as close as you are ever likely to get on record to raw, traditional folk music. After forming Steeleye Span, it came as a surprise that they recorded this third album of old English folk songs in 1972. Unlike the previous two albums, this was recorded professionally and includes three non-traditional songs. While the music is still clearly traditional (albeit more polished) with none of the rock influence of Steeleye Span, there are none of the mistakes that you can find on the first two.
Maddy does nearly all the singing although Tim gets some solos (The ploughboy and the Cockney, Dancing at Whitsun) and joins Maddy on other songs (Of all the birds, Westron wynds, Sorry the day I was married, Adam catched Eve). Tim is mainly preoccupied playing guitars, dulcimer, harmonium, psaltery and tabor. Other musicians (not from Steeleye Span) play mandolin, string bass, percussion, bells and electric bass. This may seem a lot of instruments for a traditional folk album but of course, they aren't all used on the same tracks. Quite rightly, the dominant instrument here is Maddy's superb voice, one of the finest that has ever graced the world of folk music.
Among the highlights are The false knights on the road, I live not where I love, Three drunken maidens and Serving girls holiday. If you enjoy traditional folk music, you will surely enjoy this fine collection."
Ahh! Maddy!
Michael G. Batcho | McAdoo, PA (USA) | 06/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This will be a brief and short review: Buy this album! -- the track "Dancing At Whitsun" is more than worth the price of this cd! It is perhaps the best track you wil; ever hear on any cd by an artist of any genre! I love it! Maddy Prior and Tim Hart have made a great contributioin to celtic/folk/rock traditional music in Steeleye Span . . . and this is equal to anything they did in that group! :)"
Timeless. Not Just For Renaissance Revival Fair Loonys!
Jim Neill | Los Angeles, CA USA | 02/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lilting and romantic collection conjuring images of formalized courtship from the time of maidens, knights, chastity belts and men in tight. The passion that lay beneath the rituals burns through with Maddy and Tim. Not overtly historical or folky if you know what i mean. You will be moved. Merlin! My scepter and bong! At once!"
