THE MADDY PRIOR BAND/HOOKED ON WINNING PLR 036 (-82) UK

Her third solo LP. In style much reminding of the former "Changing Winds" from three years earlier. They're labeled as a band, but most of all I get the impression of a collaboration between Prior and bassist Rick Kemp, a fellow Steeleye Span member and at the time her husband. All twelve tracks are self-penned, six by Prior and six by Kemp, and the production is credited to The Maddy Prior Band and engineer Dave Cook. I like the songs but not the sound. It's way too elegant and even the bounciest numbers comes through rather edgeless. Maddy Priors voice does best surrounded by spunk and she doesn't get enough of that here. I don't care much for the raggae or the two rockers, but the rest of the tracks are just fine with soft melodic ballads and folky pop. With less synths and more edge it would have been great. Favorite tracks - "Anthem To Failure" and "Roll On The Day". Don't know of any original US issue. CD re-issue 2011(coupled with "Going For Glory") on Park Records (PRKCD 110). UK release on Rick Kemps own Plant Life Records with label as shown here and thin glossy cover. (BRYF*)(FÄV*)(SÖPX*)