Silly Sisters
Country of origin:
England
Type of music generally:
Traditional folk with some electric stuff
Status:
This is a side project of Maddy Prior and June Tabor, who both currently have strong solo careers. There is no indication that they have any plans to record new albums together, but no indication that they never will, either.
See also:
The Ectophiles' Guide entries for: Maddy Prior, who also sings with Steeleye Span and with Tim Hart and The Carnival Band; June Tabor does solo work and has sung with The Oyster Band.
Comparisons:
Steeleye Span, though less electric, more humourous. (Neile)
Covers/own material:
Arrangements of traditional and neo-traditional songs
General comments:
The voices of Maddy Prior and June Tabor are a match made in heaven, and these are really fun albums. Great vocals, humourous and tragic songs. (Neile)Combining two of the finest voices in British folk music virtually guarantees interesting albums. While they are both worth listening to on their own, there is something special about how their voices blend and contrast that makes the Silly Sisters a notable side project. (neal)
Recommended first album:
Either, though Silly Sisters might be slightly livelier than No More to the Dance. (Neile)
Recordings:
Silly Sisters
Release info:
1977; reissued 1988--Shanachie Records, P.O. Box 208, Newton, NJ 07860, U.S.A. --SH 79040
Availability:
Wide in U.S.
Ecto priority:
Must have for electric folk lovers. (Neile)
Group members:
Maddy Prior--vocals
June Tabor--vocals
Guest artists:
Danny Thompson--bass
Nic Jones--fiddle, guitar
Brian Golbey--5-string fiddle
Martin Carthy--guitars, drum
Tony Hall--melodeon
Andy Irvine--hurdy-gurdy, mandolins
Johnny Moynihan--bouzouki, whistle
Gabriel McKeon--uillean pipes
John Gillaspie--bombard, bassoons, sopranino
Produced by:
Robin Black
Comments:
This album is a delight--funny songs, tragic songs, and both Maddy Prior and June Tabor in fine form. Essential for lovers of traditional and neo-traditional folk. (Neile)
No More To The Dance
Release info:
1988--Shanachie Records, P.O. Box 208, Newton, NJ 07860, U.S.A.--SH 79069
Availability:
Wide in U.S.
Ecto priority:
Must have for folk lovers. (Neile)
Group members:
Maddy Prior--vocals
June Tabor--vocals
Guest artists:
Dan Ar Braz--guitar
Huw Warren--keyboards, piano
Sileas (Patsy Seddon & Mary MacMaster)--clarsachs
Jim Sutherland--percussion
Rick Kemp--bass guitar
Andrew Cronshaw--Chinese flutes, whistles, bombarde, concertina Paul James--soprano saxophone, half-long bagpipes
Nigel Eaton--hurdy-gurdy
Bernard O'Neill--cello
Mark Emerson--violin
Patsy Seddon--Camac electro-harp
Produced by:
Andrew Cronshaw
Comments:
Another wonderful collection of songs and two great voices. Essential for lovers of traditional and neo-traditional folk. (Neile)This is the only Silly Sisters album that I have, and it has provided me a great amount of enjoyment over the years. The arrangements and style are very traditional, but have a spark to them that highlight how timeless the music is. They do seem a bit serious to be called Silly though. (neal)
Thanks to neal Copperman for his work on this entry.
