Madden and Harris
| Company type | Music duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 in Sydney, Australia |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Albums, singles |
Madden and Harris was an Australian folk music pair established in 1972, featuring multi-instrumentalist Peter Harris and his former pupil David Madden. They issued the album Fool's Paradise in May 1975, along with the 1974 single "Remember Me," before parting ways later that same year. Following the split, Harris released a solo record titled Ruby through Ritz Grammaphone/Festival in 1975.
History
The folk duo originated in Sydney in 1972 when David Madden, once a student of music educator Peter Harris, joined forces with him. Harris contributed vocals and played various instruments such as guitar, bassoon, cello, harpsichord, mellotron, and saxophone, while Madden provided vocals alongside guitar and bass duties. Their style of progressive folk stood apart from the dominant local genres at the time, which included pop and blues.
In 1974, they launched their first single "Remember Me" under Albert Music. Music critic Richie Unterberger from AllMusic observed that their sound combined elements of British folk-rock and progressive rock. That year, the duo made three appearances on ABC-TV’s music program GTK.
During 1974, Madden and Harris recorded their debut album Fool's Paradise, enlisting session players such as bassist Paul Baker and drummers Nick Churkin, Doug Gallagher, and Ross Rignol. The album was subsequently released in May 1975 by Jasmine Records.
Critics characterized Fool's Paradise as a meticulously arranged song cycle featuring polished compositions reminiscent of UK folk artists like Nick Drake and Mellow Candle, infused with influences from The Moody Blues and early King Crimson. Unterberger awarded the album three-and-a-half stars, emphasizing its fusion of British folk-rock with classical and progressive rock elements.
The partnership dissolved in 1975; that same year, Harris issued his solo album Ruby. Reviewers Jordie and David Kilby commended Ruby for integrating progressive folk with synthesizer textures, highlighting its uniqueness within the Australian music scene at the time.
Albums
- Madden and Harris
- Fool's Paradise (May 1975) – Jasmine Records (RRCS 1735)
- Fool's Paradise (1994 reissue featuring bonus tracks) – Vicious Sloth Collectables
- Peter Harris
- Ruby (1975) – Ritz Grammaphone/Festival Records
Singles
- "Remember Me" (1974) – Albert Music (AP-10445)