| Maddy Prior |
Article Index for Maddy |
Website Links For Maddy |
Information AboutMaddy Prior |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT MADDY PRIOR | |
| maddy prior albums | |
| english female singers | |
| 1947 births | |
| living people | |
| members of the order of the british empire | |
| people from blackpool | |
| electric folk musicians | |
|
EARLY LIFE Born in Blackpool , England , Maddy Prior moved in her teens to St Albans , where she befriended the young Donovan Leitch and Mac MacLeod . She later formed a duo with MacLeod called Mac & Maddy. She became a roadie for visiting American musicians, including Reverend Gary Davis . They gave her useful advice about singing British Folk songs instead of American songs. She decided not to copy the repertoire of Joan Baez , as Baez was already the undisputed mistress of it. MADDY'S FATHER Maddy's father, Allan Prior , was co-creator of the police drama '' Z-Cars ''. Allan Prior also wrote ''Stookie'', a 6-part series for television, about a boy with his arm in a sling. Maddy sang the title song, which was released as a single in 1985. It reappeared on the Steeleye Span album ''Rarities 1972 - 96''. SINGING CAREER In 1966 she began performing with Tim Hart , another St Albans resident, and together they recorded two albums before becoming founding members of Steeleye Span in 1970 . They were the backbone of the group until the early 1980s when ill-health forced Tim into semi-retirement. Apart from the Tambourine Prior doesn't play an instrument, but she always gives a sprightly performance of her individual dances. In 1974 Ralph McTell wrote "Maddy Dances" in her honour, included on his album "Easy". Prior married bassist Rick Kemp . Although best known as the powerful Contralto in Steeleye Span , Prior has recorded session work, albums of her own songs and eclectic styles from medieval, through Electric Folk , Prog-rock and Traditional songs, including session work on Mike Oldfield 's '' Incantations ''. She left Steeleye Span in 1997 but returned in 2002 . The 1999 album "The Journey" was recorded in 1995, when Maddy was still in the band but not released until four years later. She was also one half of the duo Silly Sisters , which helped to launch June Tabor 's career as a folk singer. Since 2003, Prior has run and hosted an Arts Centre called Stones Barn in Cumbria . Working with fellow singers and performers like Abbie Lathe and Rose Kemp, Maddy has offered residential courses focusing on singing, meditation, cookery and performance. Other events, hosted by other teachers, include classical Indian dances, painting and drumming. Maddy campaigns on behalf of the charity Cancer UK. TOURS AND FORTHCOMING ALBUMS Maddy is on the road with the Carnival Band in May 2007 on their "Music for Tavern and Chapel" tour. They will be celebrating the 300th anniversary of one of the key influences on their work, Charles Wesley. She will be making a guest appearance with The Levellers at the Solfest Festival in Cumbria in August 2007. AWARDS In 2001 Prior was awarded the MBE for services to folk music. ALBUMS On recent albums Troy Donockley has been a co-producer. DISCOGRAPHY With Steeleye Span Maddy Prior was on all the Steeleye Span albums from ''Hark! The Village Wait'' (1970) to ''Time'' (1996). She then returned for '' Present--The Very Best Of Steeleye Span '' (2002) and subsequent albums. Solo albums
COMPILATION
Tim Hart and Maddy Prior
Maddy Prior and Tim Hart
Maddy Prior and June Tabor
Maddy Prior, John Kirkpatrick and Sydney Carter
Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band
Maddy Prior and Martin Carthy
As a session or guest singer She appeared on these albums:
EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|