Record Reviews

STEELEYE SPAN ~ ALL THINGS ARE QUITE SILENT: COMPLETE RECORDINGS 1970-71 CHERRY TREE 022 (Barcode: 5013929692206) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2019 This Box Set collects the reissues of the first three magnificent albums by the seminal British Folk-Rock group Steeleye SpanFind albums by this artist: "Hark! The Village WaitFind albums with this title" (1970), "Please To See The KingFind albums with this title" (1971) and "Ten Man Mop Or Mr. Reservoir Butler Rides AgainFind albums with this title" (1971). The group was formed by the Godfather of the British Folk-Rock movement bassist / songwriter Ashley HutchingsFind albums by this artist following his departure from Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist. The first lineup of the group, which recorded the first album in this collection, included also vocalist Maddy PriorFind albums by this artist, vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Tim HartFind albums by this artist, vocalist Gay WoodsFind albums by this artist and her husband multi-instrumentalist Terry WoodsFind albums by this artist. Following the departure of Gay and Terry, guitarist Martin CarthyFind albums by this artist and violinist Peter KnightFind albums by this artist joined the group and took part in the recording of the remaining two albums in this collection. Steeleye Span was the absolute epitome of British Folk-Rock, performing mostly traditional British music with very few exceptions. The superb arrangements, which are based on wonderful vocal harmonies and exceptional instrumental work, made the group truly invincible in their idiom, and these sublime recordings are absolutely timeless and sound wonderfully contemporary to this very day. Under Hutchings leadership the group showed deep respect towards the incredibly rich sources of traditional British music and brought it up to date with flair and elegance. Their approach was mimicked by many of their contemporaries and basically all Folk-Rock groups since can be referenced to these recordings. Prior´s exquisite vocals are an absolute treasure of this idiom and she remains invincible in her reign, with a long list of solo albums in addition to her work with Steeleye Span and other artists. Only the third album in this collection is expanded by four studio bonus tracks. All three albums were reissued individually in 2005 / 2006 by CastleFind albums on this label Records and the second and third albums were expanded with the inclusion of wonderful BBC sessions, sadly not present here. Overall this is an absolute essential material for all British Folk-Rock connoisseurs, since within the boundaries of that genre things don´t ever get better than what this Box Set offers.

Updated: 14/07/2022Posted: 14/09/2019

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

STEELEYE SPAN ~ HARK! THE VILLAGE WAIT CASTLE 1251 (Barcode: 5050749412515) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2005 1st album by the finest UK Folk-Rock band in all times - Steeleye SpanFind albums by this artist. Although Steeleye Span had fierce competition to the title of the leading force in UK Folk-Rock in their early days from bands like Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist and PentangleFind albums by this artist, in retrospect they proved to be the winners in the long rum and emerged as the only band still active 35 years later. Their spectacular recorded legacy over the years not only managed to sustain a level of excellence rarely met by any other musical outfit, but also contains a cannon and core of the genre’s essence. The band was formed in the late 1969, when bass player Ashley HutchingsFind albums by this artist left Fairport Convention (after recording the seminal Liege & LiefFind albums with this title album) to start his own band and pursue a more traditional route than his former band was taking. Hutchings joined forces with Tim HartFind albums by this artist, Gay WoodsFind albums by this artist, Terry WoodsFind albums by this artist and the singer Maddy PriorFind albums by this artist to form the first version of Steeleye Span, which lasted only a few months, but managed to record this exceptionally beautiful album. Hart and Prior (who were a couple) were to remain in all the future versions of the band, with the cream of the crop of UK Folk-Rock players joining them on a less permanent basis. As on all the early Steeleye Span albums, the material consists of traditional Folk tunes, arranged and often altered by the band members. Prior’s superb vocals, vocal harmonies with other band members and exceptional instrumental work are all present here and will be the band’s trademark for years to come. The incredible sensitivity and respect for the origins of the music and incredible musicianship guarantees an unsurpassed mark of quality. Absolutely essential!

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

STEELEYE SPAN ~ PLEASE TO SEE THE KING (EXPANDED EDITION) CASTLE 1253 ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2006 2nd album by Steeleye SpanFind albums by this artist Mk. II. After the recording of the debut album the couple Gay WoodsFind albums by this artist & Terry WoodsFind albums by this artist returned to their native Ireland and the band enlisted the services of two exceptional musicians, both of them members of the UK Folk-Rock elite: guitarist Martin CarthyFind albums by this artist and fiddler Peter KnightFind albums by this artist. With this enhanced lineup they recorded one of the ultimate Folk-Rock albums, present here. The incredible lead vocals by Maddy PriorFind albums by this artist and vocal harmonies with the four male members, as well as the intricate and highly sophisticated instrumental work all come together to create a true masterpiece. The material is all traditional Folk tunes, skillfully and ingeniously arranged by the band. This beautiful new edition almost triples the playing time of the album by including four BBC sessions recorded in late 1970 and early 1971, all previously unreleased. Absolutely essential!

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend