Fresh Maggots
Fresh Maggots | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Folk music duo |
| Years active | 1970–early 1970s, 2017–present |
| Known for | Folk music albums "Fresh Maggots" (1971) and "Waiting for the Sun" (2020) |
Fresh Maggots is a folk music duo originating from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, consisting of Mick Burgoyne and Leigh Dolphin. Their instrumental repertoire included guitars, tin whistles, glockenspiel, and various stringed instruments. They have issued two albums, one in 1971 and another in 2020, with enduring interest in their 1971 release leading to multiple reissues.
History
The name Fresh Maggots was inspired by a sports shop advertisement proclaiming "fresh maggots always available." The pair caught the attention of Mike Berry from Sparta Florida Music Company during their second performance at Wolvey village hall in September 1970, resulting in a publishing contract. Subsequently, RCA Records signed them and launched their first album in 1971 when both members were nineteen years old. This album was recorded over several months at Radio Luxembourg studios with a production budget of £1,500 under Berry's guidance. Although it garnered positive critical feedback, sales were modest, causing the pressing to cease prematurely. The duo performed two live sessions broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and released a single titled "Car Song" before disbanding.
A revival in folk music's popularity rekindled attention toward Fresh Maggots; their original album became a sought-after collector's item commanding high prices. This renewed interest led to a 2006 reissue named Fresh Maggots...Hatched, issued by the UK's Sunbeam label and Germany's Amber Soundroom, which included tracks from the "Car Song" single. The re-release was met with favorable reviews, earning three and a half stars from Allmusic and an 8 out of 10 rating from PopMatters. Critics highlighted the confident songwriting and enduring quality of the music.
Following an interview request from a German music publication in 2017, Fresh Maggots returned to composing new material. Their sophomore album, Waiting For The Sun, was unveiled in October 2020, marking exactly 49 years since their debut.
Studio albums
| Title | Album information |
|---|---|
| Fresh Maggots |
|
| Waiting for the Sun |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Album association |
|---|---|---|
| "Car Song" / "What Would You Do" | 1971 | Non-album single |
Compilation appearances
| Track title | Year featured | Compilation album |
|---|---|---|
| "Rosemary Hill" | 2004 | Gather in the Mushrooms (The British Acid Folk Underground 1968-1974) |
| "Dole Song" | 2009 | Shifting Sands: 20 Treasures from the Heyday of Underground Folk |
| "Rosemary Hill" | 2015 | Dust on the Nettles: A Journey Through the British Underground Folk Scene 1967-1972 |
| "What I Am" | 2019 | Strangers in the Room: A Journey Through British Folk-Rock (1967-1973) |
| "The House Carpenter" | 2020 | Sumer Is Icumen In: The Pagan Sound of British and Irish Folk 1966–75 |