Singing Out: A Folk Narrative of Maddy Prior, June Tabor & Linda Thompson

Reading

A curate's egg of a book, that I was persuaded to buy after reading Mick Houghton's peerless book on Sandy Danny ('I've Always Kept a Unicorn'). I'm still not quite sure why David Burke just concentrates on Maddy Prior, June Tabor and Linda Thompson (although, presumably because the latter was only available via email, she does not feature as much as the other two) - but maybe these were the only people to whom he could gain access. However, even with 3 singers to cover, and some of the material 'copied and pasted' from other sources, the book only clocks in at 155 pages prior to the Discography, so it's hardly exhaustive and cannot have taken up too much of Mr. Burke's time.I did fear the worst near the beginning, with much folk 'worthiness' coming in, amongst phrases such as "June [Tabor] came out of Warwickshire, once part of the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. The heart of England." (Why not just say she came from The Midlands?!). However, it improved, and I found out a bit more about Tabor and Prior, much enjoying the latter's 'earthiness' in particular (I don't think she has much truck with ancient kingdoms or unicorns!). However, what I would have really enjoyed more would have been a full-blown biography of Prior and Steeleye Span, who, by my reckoning, have lived far too long in Fairport Convention's shadow and deserve the full 'treatment', especially following Tim Hart's relatively recent death.

It could’ve been better written and definitely edited better but it’s a good if uneven look at three women you’ve shaped trad and not music much more they’re given credit for.

The biographies themselves were insightful but could have gone into more depth. The book is probably best for discography.