Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs (1972)

Swaddling Songs is the First and Only Album by the Irish Progressive-Folk Band Mellow Candle.

When Mellow Candle made their first release in 1968, a Single called "Feelin' High", the ages of the members of the Band ranged from 15 to 16 (they were a Duo at the time), extremely young, even though they were not the only ones. The Band then started getting attention in the Traditional Movement when they were invited to play at the Club Andy Irvine managed, and ended up getting involved with the whole thing. The changes in Line-up where constant, with people coming in and out, never getting a steady Formation. When they were called to record some Demos for Deram Records (with Caravan's Drummer Richard Coughlan), the choice was made, they joined Deram right away and relocated to London in the beginnings of 1971. They lived in extreme poverty, spending all they had on Music and living many times of other peoples generosity and sharing apartments with many different persons. It wasn't until December of that year that they were brought into Studio and quickly recorded Live the Songs they had prepared. All the efforts culminated unfortunately in a commercial disaster and the Label parted ways with them. They tried to live for a while but it was the end and the Band parted ways, with some of the Members going on to play for other British Bands like Fairport Convention.

Best Tracks - "Heaven Heath", "Sheep Season", "Silver Song", "The Poet And The Witch", "Reverend Sisters", "Break Your Token", "Buy Or Beware", "Vile Excesses", "Lonely Man" and "Boulders On My Grave". Mellow Candle probably shared the stage with all of the greatest British Folk acts like Fairport, Steeleye Span and early Thin Lizzy. They were also heavily influenced by Jethro Tull and The Incredible String Band, whose sounds transpire to all of their Songs. I was not expecting this Album to be as good as it is, and also not as heavy. Fortunately it proved me wrong. A Copy of the Original (it has been re-edited) is worth 500$ nowadays. If you want to read more i recommend this. Some of the Songs remind me of Earth And Fire.

Mellow Candle:

- Clodagh Simonds - Lead and Back-Vocals, Piano, Harpsichord, Mellotron.

- Alison Williams - Lead and Back-Vocals.

- David Williams - Guitar, Back-Vocals.

- Frank Boylan - Bass, Back-Vocals.

- William Murray - Drums, Percussion.

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