Performer Notes

Personnel: David Williams , David E. Williams (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Clodagh Simonds (vocals, piano); Frank Boylan, Alison Williams (vocals).
Audio Remasterer: Paschal Byrne.
Liner Note Authors: Jon Wright; John Reed.
Recording information: Tollington Park Studios (12/1971).
The lone official Mellow Candle release from their early '70s heyday, SWADDLING SONGS disappeared upon release but eventually became a favorite of rare-record collectors. While classifiable as British Isles folk rock, the Irish quintet embraced a piano-driven prog-folk sound more in common with the Horslips and Comus than more traditional genre stalwarts like Fairport Convention. However, with lyrics about witches, unicorns, and all things druidic--courtesy of singer-lyricists Clodagh Simonds and Alison Williams--there is no mistaking that their hearts were clearly at the Rennaissance Faire. Simonds and Williams intertwine leads and trade thrumming harmonies on stand-outs such as "The Poet and the Witch," "Sheep Season," and album opener, "Heaven Heath," which also features a hypnotic accordion and harpsichord interplay. Despite its lack of commercial viability, SWADDLING SONGS remains a resonant, lost gem of the electric folk era.

Professional Reviews

Uncut (p.102) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[R]arely does an album tread so expertly between psych, gothic folk and progressive rock. The girls' vocal harmonies are exquisite..."

The Wire (p.42) - "For Mellow Candle, the wilderness offers an enchanted antidote to the crushing enervation of city life."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.75) - "The highpoints of SWADDLING SONGS are among the most spine-tingling performances from anyone..."

Mojo (Publisher) (6/01, p.153) - "...The quintessential acid-folk artefact bursting with baroque fatalistic tunes about unicorns, witches and...ravens crying 'Beware!'"

Record Collector (magazine) (p.92) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "There isn't a simple song here: layering instruments and voices and always switching rhythms, these cats can make Steeleye Span sound like a stripped-down club act....Masterful."

Fishpond works with suppliers all over the world to bring you a huge selection of products, really great prices, and delivery included on over 25 million products that we sell. We do our best every day to make Fishpond an awesome place for customers to shop and get what they want — all at the best prices online.

About Fishpond

You can earn a 8% commission by selling Swaddling Songs on your website. It's easy to get started - we will give you example code. After you're set-up, your website can earn you money while you work, play or even sleep! You should start right now!

Are you the Author or Publisher of a book? Or the manufacturer of one of the millions of products that we sell. You can improve sales and grow your revenue by submitting additional information on this title. The better the information we have about a product, the more we will sell!

Submit Information