Prog Folk Britannia: 1972 (Part 2)

String Driven Thing. Originally released on the famous Charisma label, this record deserves much more attention due to its great mix of styles, musicianship, and captivating vocals that together present a rich landscape of sound. If you enjoy underrated gems in music, you won't want to miss this gem. While it leaves space for both acoustic and electric components, its acoustic tunes are brimming with country feels and balladic tone that is congruent with British folk music tradition. The electric pieces unveil Graham Smith's trance-inducing violin in an entirely new perspective, no less entrancing, as an experience so elegantly transitioning through moods and genres. To top it all off, the sleeve design is lovely and stylish.

Psychedelic Paul wrote: Logan wrote: Nice poll. This would be my top five, and going with Nick Drake, which I have returned to quite recently and appreciate more than ever. Nick Drake - Pink Moon Gnidrolog - In Spite of Harry's Toenail Mark Fry - Dreaming with Alice Gnidrolog - Lady Lake Amazing Blondel - England There's an even better line-up promised for tomorrow in Part 2 with two albums by Jethro Tull right at the top of the list.

Actually I prefer Part 1. Anyway, here's my somewhat predictable top five:

Jethro Tull - Living in the Past*
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Magic Carpet - Magic Carpet
Pentangle - Solomon's Seal
Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs

*of course not an album as such. But I can't not vote for an album packed with timeless classics from my favorite Tull era.

I too prefer the original 1972 poll, but I like six of these considerably, and while I like Jethro Tull and the music is folky on many of his albums including Thick as a Brick, he is not one of the names that most readily springs to my mind for these early 70s years when I hear folk. I have not heard the Living in the Past compilation album (I know it's on youtube).

Although I have not listened to it in quite some years, I go with Mellow Candle's Swaddling Songs. "Sheep Season" off it needs no remembering, it's been one of my favourite songs for the past 20 or more years.



Mellow Candle does have an ABBAish thing going on with it on the album with its double-female vocal duries

Here is my top six from the list (plenty I don't know or know well, just noticed how Christmasy "know well" sounds).

Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs
Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick
Magic Carpet - Magic Carpet
Quintessence - Quintessence
Strawbs - Grave New World
Spirogyra - Old Boot Wine (my least fave of its albums but still like it)

Most egregiously missing form my collection: Pentangle - Solomon's Seal

Thick as a Brick.  It all started with a tuna melt and a pair of hot pants.