Ravenchild

Nicky Holland, Maddy Prior | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 5, 1999)
• Original Release Date: May 8, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Park Records
• ASIN: B00000JO9V
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,604 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Ravenchild is something of a landmark; not only is it Maddy Prior's thirty-­fifth release but its release in 1999 also marked her thirty-fifth year as a singer. It arrived two years after her previous solo album Flesh & Blood and again sees her working with Nick Holland (keyboards & vocals) and Troy Donockley (uilean pipes, whistle, guitar, cittern and vocals). The trio are joined by guests Terl Bryant on percussion and Nick Beggs on chapman stick. In keeping with much of Maddy's previous work, but maybe not many people's preconceptions, Ravenchild delves into the darker, more serious, side of traditional material and the tragedy behind the tales. Throughout her career, Maddy has always striven to introduce her audience to a side of folk music that they perhaps didn't realize was there. "I've never thought of folk music as light, one has been fighting the fact that the genre is considered fol de rol. If people who dismiss traditional music took the time to get their heads round it they might be pleasantly surprised" - Maddy Prior.

The source material for Ravenchild is varied, taking in English tradition (Twanky Dillo, Bold Poachers), Scottish (Great Silkie Of Sules Skerry), history (With Napolean In Russia) and contemporary issues (Rigs Of The Time). At the album's heart is In the Company of Ravens, a major piece dealing with the role of the raven in cultures such as Celtic and native American, its behavior and its relationship with man. "The audience has grown used to this idea that folk music is comfortable and not relevant and I don't believe that - I wouldn't have spent thirty-five years doing something that was totally irrelevant. I want to make the connection between the traditional and the modern, the forward looking." - Maddy Prior, 1999.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maddy Triumphs Once Again, June 21, 2000

By 

Jay Immel (Otley, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ravenchild (Audio CD)

Maddy Prior, England's greatest folk vocalist, employs her tremendous talents to make a magnificent album, "Ravenchild". This work features Prior's elegant and powerful singing, her intelligent song selection, and her insightful and clever songwriting. Her suite of songs, "In the Company of Ravens", is intriguing, educational, and at times, downright funky. Troy Donnockley's and Nick Holland's superb musicianship and smooth production also make this CD a wonderful listening experience. "Ravenchild" is a great album of traditional and contemporary folk.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of England's Finest, September 7, 2004

By 

Callie "chroi" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ravenchild (Audio CD)

I discovered Maddy through the NPR program The Thistle and the Shamrock, where I heard a few songs from her famous "In the Company of Ravens" song cycle. Her talent can't be argued. Her alto is one of the best, for she has a very wide range. Most of her music is based on traditional English melodies and Maddy herself brings such a British quality as she sings. I must confess that it draws me near to my British heritage. She also writes excellent arrangements as well as her own compositions. Many of her lyrics have a very dark quality to them and the music fits in perfectly with the words. Maddy's bandmembers each make superb contributions on keyboard/piano, uillean pipes, pennywhistle, electric guitar, and backing vocals. These are the songs that can be found on this great album:

1. Twankydillo-this is one of my top three favorites. Maddy's voice is great, as well as the percussion, and the melody and lyrics make this traditional English song timeless.

2. Bold Poachers-another traditional English song and a very sad one. The story is engaging and the arrangement is very beautiful.

3. Boney-this song begins the "Napoleon in Russia" cycle. The tune is traditional and the lyrics are Maddy's own, but her words make it sound like an age old folk song.

4. Scortched Earth-this song is educational in a way with its description of history. It shares many ballad characteristics. I like how Maddy deals with the subject of Napoleon in Russia. It is very poignant.

5. Loot-this song is also one of my top three favorites. It is actually three songs together in one, first a fast based rhythm of several verses(by Maddy's own hand), then one last verse where Maddy sings in a very traditional folk/Celtic style, and then it ends with a pretty piano solo.

6. Rigs of Time-Well, no one is perfect. I didn't like this song because the lyrics seemed rather dull. Still, the music is nice and so is Maddy's voice.

7. In the Company of Ravens-these songs were written as a soundtrack for a nature documentary. This is one of the best. Maddy's voice is supreme and so are the instrumental arrangements. Her lyrics are a masterpiece.

8. Young Bloods-I loooooooove this song! Words can't describe Maddy's voice and attitude in singing this. I love to imagine the imagery of the lyrics. The beat is so moving.

9. Masts of Morrigan-describes a raven woman of Celtic mythology. Dark, eerie, well sung, well written. Ooooooo.

10. Rich Pickings-sorry, but I didn't like this song either. I didn't like the gross lyrics. Maddy's voice is still great.

11. Ravenchild-a wonderful, perfect song. This song makes me cry everytime. It's so beautiful. It portrays ravens whispering sweet "nothings" to each other. The words and music really touch the heart and Maddy's voice says it all.

12. Dance on the Wing-this is my MOST favorite song on the CD. It's a love song. It portrays two mated ravens flying together, where there is beauty and carefree up in the skies. It makes me imagine flying in a loop to loop. I've even used my imagination to pertray other situations in this song(I like to imagine dragons flying in the sky). Maddy just speaks for herself. It's a perfect song in everyway.

13. Great Silkie of Sules Skerry-finally, the album ends with a ballad from Scotland. It's so beautiful and makes a worthy conclusion.

I never would have thought that a Brit could so well bring out the heart of the Celts! My introduction to Maddy Prior is not a diappointment. She is true in everyway.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soaring, beautiful--one of my favorite of Prior's albums.., February 9, 2006

By 

R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ravenchild (Audio CD)

There are two sets to this CD. Part is Bonapart's invasion. The second is based on raven research and written for a documentary. The music is widely varied from bleak to soaring. Maddy's been making beautiful music for years and this is one of the pinnacles. May she soar for many more years to come.