Silly Sisters (album)

Critical reception

This album has been regarded by some as the best English acoustic traditional folk album of the 1970s. The combination of Maddy's soprano voice and June's somewhat lower voice created thrilling harmonies. The songs cover a wide range of subjects - work, religion, sexual relations, humour, tragedy and the absurd. Maddy does a convincing Scottish accent on "Burning of Auchindoon".

Among the session musicians are several stars - Martin Carthy, Nic Jones and Andy Irvine have each recorded solo albums. Johnny Moynihan has recorded with Anne Briggs, Planxty and Sweeney's Men. Danny Thompson has recorded with Pentangle, Ralph McTell, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake and John Martyn, among many others.

Track listing

1. "Doffin' Mistress" (Traditional)
2. "Burning of Auchindoon" (Traditional)
3. "Lass of Loch Royal" (Traditional)
4. "The Seven Joys of Mary" (Traditional)
5. "My Husband's Got No Courage In Him" (Traditional)
6. "Singing The Travels" (Traditional)
7. "Silver Whistle" (Traditional)
8. "The Grey Funnel Line" (Cyril Tawney)
9. "Geordie" (Traditional)
10. "The Seven Wonders" (Traditional)
11. "Four Loom Weaver" (Traditional)
12. "The Game Of Cards" (Traditional)
13. "Dame Durden" (Traditional)

Personnel