Record Reviews

STEELEYE SPAN ~ GOOD TIMES OF OLD ENGLAND: STEELEYE SPAN 1972-1983 CHRYSALIS 5060516098798 (Barcode: +506051609879) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1972 - 1983 Released: 2022 This magnificent Box Set combines the recordings by the seminal British Folk-Rock group Steeleye SpanFind albums by this artist, starting with their 4th album from 1972 and spanning all the nine albums released on the ChrysalisFind albums on this label label until 1983, which were: “Below The SaltFind albums with this title” (1972), “Parcel Of RoguesFind albums with this title” (1973), “Now We Are SixFind albums with this title” (1974), “Commoners CrownFind albums with this title” (1975), “All Around My HatFind albums with this title” (1975), “Rocket CottageFind albums with this title” (1976), “Storm Force TenFind albums with this title” (1977), “Live At LastFind albums with this title” (1978) and finally “Sails Of SilverFind albums with this title” (1980). Three additional CDs include the Australian only live album “On TourFind albums with this title” (1983) and two previously unreleased live concerts “Live At The Rainbow Theatre” (1974) and “Live At The Berklee Performance Centre, Boston” (1976), altogether twelve CDs of some the of the best music ever recorded on this planet. The original albums are all remastered and expanded with bonus tracks. An excellent booklet full of detailed information and retrospective look at these albums is also included. This release continues the much smaller Box Set entitled “All Things Are Quite Silent: Complete Recordings 1970-71Find albums with this title”, which collects the first three albums by the group, released in 2019 on the Cherry TreeFind albums on this label label. Fronted by the brilliant and charismatic vocalist Maddy PriorFind albums by this artist and featuring over the years the crop of the cream of the British Folk-Rock musicians, such as guitarists / vocalists Tim HartFind albums by this artist and Martin CarthyFind albums by this artist, bassist Rick KempFind albums by this artist, fiddler Peter KnightFind albums by this artist and others, Steeleye Span were undoubtedly the finest representatives of the genre of all time and their glorious recording legacy is an absolute treasure chest. The group performed original material written by the group members and traditional Folk material, always wonderfully arranged and beautifully balancing between the acoustic and electric approach and above all always perfectly sung and played. The music includes songs, instrumentals, a cappella vocalese, and anything imaginable, often groundbreaking and intellectually challenging, superbly demonstration the British music aesthetic. Overall, this is one of those Box Sets any serious music lover simply can’t ignore, even if he (most probably) already has the original albums in his collection. This fairly priced Box Set is simply elegant, and to be honest useful and space saving, not to mention essential, being worth its weight in gold and precious stones, etc. British Folk-Rock offered the world, or at least those who wanted to listen, some of the most honest, heartfelt music on this planet and Steeleye Span were simply a Godsend. This is beyond essential!

Updated: 14/07/2022Posted: 14/07/2022

CD 12 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend