Swaddling Songs
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| Swaddling Songs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | April 1972 |
| Recorded | December 1971 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 42:57 |
| Label | Deram Records |
| Producer | David Hitchcock |
| Singles from Swaddling Songs | |
| |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
Swaddling Songs is the only studio album by Irish progressive folk rock band Mellow Candle, originally released in 1972 by Deram Records.
Commercially unsuccessful at the time of release,[3] Swaddling Songs has since received critical acclaim[4][5] and original vinyl copies are highly collectable.[6][7][8] It has been re-released multiple times on various labels since 1989, including a 50th anniversary release by Deram in 2023.[9]
In 2022 the album's 50th anniversary was marked by the RTE radio documentary Swaddling Songs at 50.[3]
Swaddling Songs is notable for its multi-layered vocal harmonies and complex arrangements. It has become regarded a classic of the progressive folk genre.
A collection of demos and sessions for the album recorded 1969–1971 was released in 1996 as The Virgin Prophet.
All tracks written by Clodagh Simonds except where noted.
- "Heaven Heath" (Alison Williams) – 3:00
- "Sheep Season" (Simonds, A. Williams, David Williams) – 5:01
- "Silversong" – 4:26
- "The Poet and the Witch" – 2:51
- "Messenger Birds" (A. Williams) – 3:38
- "Dan the Wing" – 2:45
- "Reverend Sisters" – 4:21
- "Break Your Token" – 2:27
- "Buy or Beware" (D. Williams) – 3:04
- "Vile Excesses" (D. Williams, William Murray) – 3:14
- "Lonely Man" – 4:30
- "Boulders on My Grave" – 3:40
Bonus tracks
The CD re-issue includes the following bonus tracks, originally released as a single in 1968:
- "Feeling High" (Simonds) – 2:23
- "Tea with the Sun" (Simonds) – 3:18
Singles
- "Feeling High" / "Tea With The Sun" (Snb (2) 55–3645, 1968)[10][11]
- "Dan The Wing" / "Silversong" (Deram DM 357, 1972).[12] "Silversong" was covered (as "Silver Song") by All About Eve as a B-side to some versions of their single "Farewell Mr. Sorrow".[13]
Personnel
Mellow Candle
- Clodagh Simonds – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano, harpsichord, mellotron
- Alison Williams (Alison Bools) – lead vocals, backing vocals
- David Williams – guitar, backing vocals
- Frank Boylan – bass guitar, backing vocals
- William Murray – drums, percussion
Production
- David Hitchcock – producer
- Derek Varnals – engineer
- Kevin Fuller – engineer
- Recorded at Tollington Park Studios
