MK037

MAGGIE HOLLAND
CIRCLE OF LIGHT

This is a review of Maggie's latest CD from the Daily Telegraph, no less, on 6th December 2003:

".. in her hands, Leon Rosselson's World
Turned Upside Down is fresh, Al Stewart's Manuscript  compelling, and Billy
Bragg's Between The Wars a sympathetic reading of a great song.
Holland's view of the world becomes clear as the album progresses. But while
war gets lots of mention (she doesn't approve), so do the kinds of England
and Englishness that she appreciates; Twyford Down pops up not once but
twice. Perhaps best of all, though, is one of several songs from Robb
Johnson, a seasoned (and gifted) polemicist, in gentler mode for Texas
Prison Songs, describing the old field recordings that a dying friend chose
to listen to through earphones as a mercifully peaceful end approached."

And from David Thorpe:

"The first line of the first song-It was always summer- and you are off into songs of nostalgia, passing time, Robbie Burns, old men in cafes, the Diggers' movement and much more besides. This is Maggie's fifth solo record and follows the pattern set by her previous recordings-a collection of mainly contemporary songs, two self written and a couple of traditional songs.
She is an experienced performer and knows exactly how to put the well-chosen material across. She does songs of wistful melancholy as well as anybody else around. Robb Johnson's song 'Night Café' about people's broken dreams has a fade out banjo, which sounds like an old clock and works perfectly. Similarly her version of 'World Turned Upside Down' brings out her sorrow at the plight of the Diggers rather than the anger of Dick Gaughan's classic version.
The disc is well produced with sparse but entirely appropriate accompaniments - her version of Bob Dylan's 'Dream' is underpinned solely by Wendy Weatherby's cello and is a gem. She is not a prolific songwriter but the two songs of her own are up to her previous high standard. 'Number 4071 Private Bennett' tells the sad story of a young soldier shot for deserting his post in the First World War and here again the cello is used to give a poignant setting to the end of the song.
In essence this recording represents the best of the present contemporary folk scene. A collection of classy songs, which are sung in total sympathy with the lyrics coloured by minimal but entirely, suitable accompaniments. This is one of those understated recordings that does not necessarily grip on first hearing but reveals it's charms slowly and will get plenty of repeat plays over the years. "

St Ives End Lane
Roving on a Winter's Night
Cold Night on Bernard Street
Between The Wars
Shepherds
Manuscript
Time To Kill
Number 4071, Private Bennett
Night Café
World Turned Upside Down
Bob Dylan's Dream
Texas Prison Songs
Time Is Flying
Permanent Free Zone
Sunlight and Snow

A new album from Maggie features her on guitar, banjo and acoustic bass alongside Malcolm Ross on electric guitar and lapsteel, and Wendy Weatherby on cello.A collection of thought provoking (though no less entertaining  for that) songs from Maggie herself and such diverse writers as Billy Bragg, Al Stewart, Robb Johnson, Alan Tunbridge, Leon Rosselson, Bob Dylan and old  favourite Dave Evans.

If you enjoyed 'Getting There' you'll certainly enjoy this! 

 
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