Magna Carta

Magna Carta

Magna Carta is a British folk rock and progressive folk group from London, formed in April 1969 and active from 1969 to the present. The group is associated with British folk rock, contemporary folk, folk and progressive folk, and is known for bridging folk and folk rock with a gentle ballad style and often mythical subject matter.

Formation and early line-up

The group forms in London in 1969 with Chris Simpson on guitar and vocals, Lyell Tranter on guitar and vocals, and Glen Stuart on vocals. Their first concert takes place on 10 May 1969. The original trio records for Fontana Records and Vertigo Records.

1970s releases and personnel changes

The band gains particular success with Seasons. After Tranter returns to Australia, Davey Johnstone joins and records Songs From Wasties Orchard and In Concert before leaving to work with Elton John. Simpson and Stuart then work with Stan Gordon on Lord Of The Ages, which becomes one of the group’s best-known albums; texts from this album, together with those from Seasons, are used in the English syllabus in several European countries. Graham Smith plays on the sessions for Lord Of The Ages and is later added to the line-up, though he and Gordon both leave not long afterwards.

Further changes follow, with Simpson and Stuart adding a new rhythm section before moving on to a short-lived line-up with Tommy Hoy. Stuart later leaves to run a pet shop in Richmond, Surrey. Nigel Smith joins in time for the 1976 release Putting It Back Together. In 1977, Robin Thyne and Lee Abbott join, alongside former Natural Acoustic Band member Hoy. Pick Withers is then added briefly before leaving to join Dire Straits. Tom McConville appears on the live release Live In Bergen.

1980s and 1990s activity

By the early 1980s, the band line-up changes again and includes Al Fenn, George Norris and, between 1980 and 1982, Doug Morter, along with several drummers including Paul Burgess. The 1981 album Midnight Blue includes “Highway To Spain”, which becomes a popular radio track. Norris, Burgess and Morter later leave, with Morter going on to the Albion Band. During this period, Chris Simpson’s solo album Listen To The Man is released and features backing from Abbott, Linda Taylor and Willie Jackson.

Between 1984 and 1986, Simpson and Taylor spend time in the Middle East running a music club before reforming Magna Carta. By 1986, the line-up includes Simpson, Taylor, Abbott, Gwyn Jones, John Carey, Paul Burgess and Simon Carlton. One To One is released on the Tembo label in 1988, and Jones leaves that same year. In 1990, Simpson and Taylor marry and, with Abbott in semi-retirement, continue as a duo as well as with a larger touring line-up. The 1992 Dutch release Heartlands is followed by a sell-out tour of the Netherlands. The group maintains a busy live schedule through the decade, with several live albums appearing.

Later releases

Seasons In The Tide is released on the Gold Circle label in 2001. In 2011, Midnight Blue is issued again in a double album package with the live album Live & Let Live. The final album, The Fields of Eden, appears in 2015. The band plays a final farewell concert on 25 January 2020.

Membership

Members associated with the group include Glen Stuart, Davey Johnstone, Lee Abbott, Doug Morter, Gwyn Jones, Alan Eden, Spike Heatley, Will Jackson, Chris Simpson and Stan Gordon.