DAN THE WING / SILVER SONG

Having already reviewed the sole album Swaddling Songs (1972) of this Irish band long ago, with the addition of this single I take the opportunity to pick their name up again. Mellow Candle were a very talented group but sadly their album failed commercially at the time. Deservedly it has later become a classic in the folk rock genre, easily appealing to the friends of stellar acts FAIRPORT CONVENTION, STEELEYE SPAN and PENTANGLE.

Both songs here were taken from the album, and rewardingly they represent two different aspects of their oeuvre. 'Dan the Wing' is a lively and rollicking song, reminding of the more uptempo songs of Steeleye Span. The dual female vocals of Alison Williams and the main songwriter Clodagh Simonds function nicely together, not unlike Agnetha and Frida in ABBA.

'Silver Song' is a dreamily mellow song in a peacful tempo, and personally more up to my taste. The vocals are absolutely beautiful and the arrangement has lots of little nuances, making this song a pure delight at least for folk rock listeners appreciating delicacy.