It was only a few years ago that the future of Steeleye Span looked bleak indeed. One by one, various members had left until only stalwart fiddler Peter Knight remained. A number of their songs have contained a magical element, however, and in 2002 that magic worked on Steeleye itself when out of the ashes, they reformed with a classic lineup and began life again as a recording and touring band.
Move forward two years to 2004 and the band celebrated its 35th anniversary with a world tour. By this time, health concerns had necessitated long-time guitarist and singer Bob Johnson’s departure; his place taken by ex-Albion Band member Ken Nicol who slotted easily into the position, and took little time in making it his own. If any evidence was needed that the current line-up is as strong as any that went before, this double live CD will easily provide it.
With a few exceptions, most of the tracks were recorded at the Southampton Guildhall, UK in May ’04. The audio seems to have been taken from soundboard recordings, which provides a certain rawness and enhancement of the live feel. However, there is very little stage chatter included, apart from band members saying “well done” to each other at various times, and Maddy Prior’s congratulating the audience on their sing-along chorus on some song about a hat.
I assume this was a deliberate move to focus the listener’s attention on the music itself, which is probably wise as the “talking bits” on live recordings can wear thin on repeated listenings.
The music itself? The best thing that can be said is that it sounds like Steeleye Span, with all that entails. The title of the CD is Folk Rock Pioneers In Concert, and both the folk and rock sides of the statement are treated with equal importance. I’m not sure if it’s just my ears, but Ken Nicol seems to enjoy rocking out on the electric guitar a bit more regularly than Bob Johnson, whether on his own songs such as “They Called Her Babylon” or classics like “Sir James The Rose.”
On the other hand, the gentler songs such as “Mantle Of Green” and “Betsy Bell and Mary Gray” show that Steeleye’s folky side is just as strong. The latter track is one of many that show Peter Knight’s soaring violin work to great effect; in this case, there is obviously a huge degree of feeling and concentration.
“Prince Charlie” is one of the earliest Steeleye tracks, which has a better-developed arrangement these days (probably not surprising after a few decades) and I swear Knight makes his violin sound like bagpipes in this version!
Rick Kemp’s bass work is alternately tasteful and funky when required, and he also provides lead vocals on a few songs including his own “Samhain” – which also happens to show off Liam Genockey’s rock drumming credentials! Oddly, the two bonus tracks “London” and “Cold Haily Night” have Kemp on vocals as well, although the original recordings had Prior in that role. I’m one of those who think his vocal style is better suited to harmony than lead but these are still very good versions, again showing the development of the arrangements over time.
Another example of this progression is “Tam Lin.” Its first appearance by Steeleye was also a live version, about fifteen years ago. On Folk Rock Pioneers the performance is even more sure of itself, with a musical ending that makes more sense to me (repeating the first verse), resulting in one of the highlights of the CD.
“Cam Ye O’er Frae France” – a perennial audience favourite – features some excellent interplay between Knight’s violin and Nicol’s guitar. Each plays lead simultaneously but in a totally complementary fashion, resulting in a very powerful performance.
As might be gathered, the material is a mix of early and recent. The consistency in sound is a tribute to the band and indeed the songs themselves. Inevitably, there are songs that were originally recorded by very different versions of Steeleye Span which were valid in their way then and are equally valid now. From more recent times, it’s a pleasure to hear Peter Knight’s “Who Told The Butcher?” back in the repertoire. I’ve always liked this song with its chorus exhorting us to “tie old Kate McLaren to the point” which sounds a little mysterious until the realisation dawns that the song is about fly-fishing! This is the only song on the CD from the Prior-less years, so it is interesting to hear her in the backing vocal role rather than Gay Woods.
Maddy Prior of course has been a major focal point of the band for the vast majority of its lifetime. Naturally, it is her voice that soars on most tracks here although there do seem to be times when the original arrangements call for her to reach higher than she might be comfortable with nowadays. Then again, it’s those arrangements that people expect to hear, so what’s a band to do? There are not many times when this sounds like any great issue, although some straining is noticeable on “Padstow” for example.
However, the strength and passion in her voice is still very much in evidence throughout the recording; “Long Lankin” being a particularly emotive performance. The combined harmonies, always a Steeleye trademark, are still strong and distinctive.
As mentioned earlier, the band sounds as you would assume, in the sense that any expectations are certainly lived up to. Not only with the harmonies but also the typical mix of songs with fun and dramatic themes (“Four Nights Drunk” versus “King Henry” for example). The end result is a combination that sounds right for this group of musicians and as part of the continuing history of Steeleye Span.
Folk Rock Pioneers they certainly were – although maybe not actually the first! – and with this memorable CD, Steeleye show they are still able to live up to, and expand upon, such a lofty title.
(Park Records, 2006)
