Folk legend Maddy Prior talks about Christmas and carols.
More so than the German Market or even the smile on the face of Noddy Holder’s bank manager, Christms means Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band at Birmingham Town Hall.
Maddy, the Queen of Folk Music, will be joining up for the final time with the Carnival Band during the festive season for their unique celebratory show Carols & Capers. Together they mix renaissance, modern and ethnic instruments with a refreshing cavalier attitude and plenty of humour putting their inimitable stamps on a range of familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare. It’s a guaranteed Christmas party to remember, as Maddy explains.
How did you first get together with the Carnival Band?
“It was in the early 80’s. The Carnival Band had been asked to play on the BBC radio programme Pause for Thought. This was an early morning slot each morning for five minutes. Towards Christmas The Carnival Band were asked to play a carol a day for five days. The producer John Forrest knew of me from Steeleye and suggested that I would be ideal for the band. I was asked to sing Angels from The Realms of Glory. It was incredibly high and incredibly fast, it intrigued me, it was great. I sang with them that year, then the next and has done so ever since. We decided to record an album and follow that up with a tour. That was over 30 years ago now.”
What is special to you about appearing with The Carnival Band?
“They are all very skilled, mainly classically trained, musicians. They come from a different way of playing to Steeleye or myself. It makes for a very interesting way of working. I am a slow learner, and it takes me time to feel comfortable with a song, but once it all came together it was special.”
What does Christmas mean to you?
“Like for everyone it’s about family and a particular atmosphere at that time of year. I always tour right up until Christmas, so these days I go to another member of the family’s house. Now the celebrations are for my grandchildren, notably for my 4-year-old grandson. This year he will begin to understand what it is all about, which is very exciting.”
How do you celebrate the festive season?
“With family, but I also run a Christmas Weekend at Stones Barn between Christmas and New Year. It’s a course for people who love to sing. Some stay here, some locally and we all sing mainly less well-known carols, feast and generally have a great time.”
Do you have a favorite Carol or a few favorites and why?
“Angels from the Realms of Glory is one of the most energetic carols, and the Carnival Band do a fantastic arrangement of it. The lovely Angel Gabriel is also beautifully arranged.”
Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band are appearing on Tuesday 17th December at Birmingham Town Hall. Tickets: £36-£28. Box Office: 0121 780 3333