During the period 1968-71, Tim Hart and Maddy Prior released three albums together (outside of Steeleye Span). These consist of downstripped and very traditional folk music. ‘Summer Solstice’ was the third of these albums, and it’s a true delight from start to finish. Their interpretations of old traditionals – like the opener ‘False Knight on the Road’, ‘Dancing at Whitsun’ and ‘Cannily Cannily’ – are truly spirited, and of course: Maddy Prior sings like a goddess, as always. Tim Hart also sings, and while his vocals are perhaps more of an aquired taste, I quite like it. The chemistry between them is very evident, but of course these two were no strangers – they were both members of the well known folk rock band Steeleye Span, that made some truly legendary albums early on. I always feel like I’m transported to an age old, magical and far more innocent England when I listen to this album. Perhaps even an England that never really existed, but it’s not any less fascinating for that reason. As I mentioned, the music here is very traditional, but what an atmosphere! I love the whole album, but my absolute favourite has to be ‘I live not where I love’. The melody is simple, but so incredibly beautiful. Very few, if any, could sing this in a better and more fitting way than Maddy. She truly lives for this kind of music, and it’s very understandable that she is regarded as one of the absolute best folk singers that has ever graced this planet. The album also has a nice variety, even though it’s all very downstripped folk. As well as deeply melancholic and sometimes mystical songs, you get uplifting numbers like ‘The ploughboy and the cockney’ and ‘Three drunken maidens’. Treat yourself with a glass of wine or two while listening to this album – preferrably on a late summer evening, while you watch the cows gracing nicely in pastoral surroundings, not worrying about a thing in this world.
Tim Hart & Maddy Prior – Summer Solstice (B & C 1971)
