Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band

Maddy Prior has the most beautiful voice. She used to be lead singer with Steeleye Span in the 70’s and I always loved their music – remember the hit All Around My Hat?

I saw Steeleye Span perform live at the open air concert at Cardiff Castle where 10CC were topping the bill. It had rained all afternoon and we were all soaked but as Maddy Prior took the stage the rain stopped! I didn't really know her at that time but ...
...that he went to see Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band a couple of years ago and he asked me who she was. I said I remembered her from her Steeleye Span days so he got tickets for the gig. He wasn't really convinced about going until he actually saw and, more importantly, heard her - now he is always on the look out for gigs near enough for us to attend! We're going to see them at the Civic in Wolverhampton in October, and we've got front row seats!
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Maddy Prior has the most beautiful voice. She used to be lead singer with Steeleye Span in the 70’s and I always loved their music – remember the hit All Around My Hat?

I saw Steeleye Span perform live at the open air concert at Cardiff Castle where 10CC were topping the bill. It had rained all afternoon and we were all soaked but as Maddy Prior took the stage the rain stopped! I didn't really know her at that time but the music was brilliant and her voice was so clear.

Well, now she sings with The Carnival Band, a group of 5 musicians who can play an amazing number of instruments. As you take your seats for the performance the stage is littered with guitars, fiddles, drums of all sorts, bagpipes (Irish and Flemish), oboe and many instruments I’d never even heard of!

Dave's boss had suggested that he went to see Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band a couple of years ago and he asked me who she was. I said I remembered her from her Steeleye Span days so he got tickets for the gig. He wasn't really convinced about going until he actually saw and, more importantly, heard her - now he is always on the look out for gigs near enough for us to attend! We're going to see them at the Civic in Wolverhampton in October, and we've got front row seats!

They play basically mediaeval music updated in their own style. Ms Prior does most of the singing but they are also quite capable of a lovely 6 part acapello harmony and the band do one or two instrumentals too.

They are in touch with the audience and obviously good friends with one another, as they tell stories about the songs with a great deal of affection and humour.

During the interval you'll find Ms Prior out in the foyer talking to fans and autographing CD's.

The whole concert is conducted with a relaxed air of good fun and I really do come out feeling good about life. I know that sounds really trite but they're that sort of act.

We went to see the Christmas concert of ‘Carols and Capers’ last year and her daughter sang a couple of the songs with her. She takes after mom for her voice! It was a wonderful way to begin the Christmas festivities.

 

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