Swaddling Songs ~ Remastered and repackaged

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-10-20 rating:
Everything they say is true
Everything the other reviewers say about this extraordinary CD is true. Along with the work of Pearls Before Swine (who might almost be their chilled-out twins), this represents the very best of the strange "baroque folk" explosion of the early 1970s that is largely forgotten. Truly wonderful music.

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review by: peter60780 date: 2008-04-13 rating:
Worth lighting again...
Folk that rocks as evidenced by the likes of Fairport, Trees, Steeleye was lifting nicely when this came out in 1972 - so it remains baffling as to why 'Swaddling Songs' didn't take off, too. With successful progressive/psych undercurrents, it is distinguished by a twin-female vocal attack of bite and first rate harmonising driven by twitchily baroque instrumentation. Perhaps it's the relative absence of metaphorical sunshine. Eschewing hippy 'hello skies, hello flowers' whimsy, the Dublin-based band's strong and original material dipped into pagan pastorality evoking more the blasted heath than the sun-kissed riverbank. Produced for Decca's progressive subsidiary Deram by David Hitchock, this died a death on release and snuffed out Mellow Candle. Hindsight rightly favours it as one of the finest of the genre. Bring matches.

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review by: jonny*karma date: 2003-11-14 rating:
A cult classic. An all too brief spectral dream.
Anyone who ever liked Fairport or The Trees, or even Kate Bush will love this album. This otherworldly English folk masterpiece has long been highly valued in collectors circles, vinyl copies changing hands at hundreds of quid. Every now and then its briefly avaible on CD, and I believe Acme are about to re-issue it again. Don't miss this opportunity next time. Perfect album for when you want to creep under the ivy, or escape into the mist.

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review by: date: 2003-09-18 rating:
One "lost classic" which deserves its reputation
Like most people, I'm wary when someone says "Listen to this, you'll love it", but I am grateful to the friend who, knowing my fondness for Incredible String Band/Fairport/Steeleye etc loaned me a copy of "Swaddling Songs". After the first track I had to collect my eyebrows from the ceiling and my jaw from the floor. Forgive the hyperbole, suffice to say before the second track had finished I was online placing an order for my own copy of this terrific album. Its a stunner. It seems amazing to me that an album of such evident quality was largely ignored when it came out in 1972, especially as the aforementioned folk-rock groups were doing such big business back then. The music is tight, with Rush-like precision and drama in many of the instrumental passages. Baroque, folk, mystical and just plain wierd flourishes abound (all of which is fine by me), but the real eye-opener is the quality of the vocals. These two girls sing with individual brilliance and frequently breathtaking harmonies. Among the more gentle, reflective tracks "Reverend Sisters" and "Silver Song" are standouts, while "Dan the Wing", "Buy or Beware" and especially "Boulders on my Grave" are wild uptempo pieces delivered with great flair. The wole album is hugely entertaining, and yes, I do recommend it to anyone with an interest in classic folk-rock.


review by: date: 2001-12-17 rating:
Medieval Magic
The medieval melodies on most of these trcks is hypnotic. Definately a must have. The singing is angelic and on a par with Susan Mckeown and Sian James. My favorite album ever after Raingods with Zippos by Fish.

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