Released 50 years ago
Silly Sisters
Maddy Prior · 1976
41 min · 13 tracks · folk rock
Traditional folk melodies intertwine with vibrant harmonies, creating an inviting yet nostalgic atmosphere throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Grey Funnel Line — This track stands out due to its poignant lyrics reflecting on the lives of sailors, embodying the emotional depth and storytelling central to folk music.
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Geordie — Geordie captures the essence of ballad tradition, utilizing dynamic vocal harmonies that resonate with themes of fate and resilience, making it a memorable highlight.
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My Husband's Got No Courage in Him — This track showcases wit and clever narrative, presenting a unique perspective on gender roles through its playful yet critical lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and contemporary folk elements, showcasing strong vocal harmonies but varying in cohesion.
What we noticed
- Tracks often employ intricate harmonies, with several songs featuring call-and-response structures between the two singers.
- The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a lively tempo while others slow down to create a reflective mood.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- evocative storytelling through song
- playful melodies for gatherings
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- rich harmonies to sing along
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long immersive pieces
- prefer modern production styles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1976, Silly Sisters features Maddy Prior alongside fellow folk musician June Tabor, marking a significant collaboration during Prior's established solo career. This album followed Prior's successful tenure with Steeleye Span and showcased her commitment to traditional British folk music while expanding her artistic range.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sandy Denny· Fairport Convention· Pentangle
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Doffin' Mistress 2:12
- 2 Burning of Auchidoon 1:08
- 3 Lass of Loch Royal 4:07
- 4 The Seven Joys of Mary 3:17
- 5 My Husband's Got No Courage in Him 3:10
- 6 Singing the Travels 2:49
- 7 Silver Whistle 4:11
- 8 The Grey Funnel Line 3:04
- 9 Geordie 4:00
- 10 The Seven Wonders 4:33
- 11 Four Loom Weaver 2:37
- 12 The Game of Cards 3:19
- 13 Dame Durdan 3:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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