One Misty Moisty Morning
 Oct 24th, 2004
Advantages:
Great variety of songs, enough tracks to keep anybody occupied for some time .
Disadvantages:
Slightly genre - specific, I suppose .
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money
more
  emma-regina
About me:
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a public schoolboy, preferably one born in about 1905. Sub...
Member since:23.10.2004
Reviews:22
Members who trust:1
Review rated by 12 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
What is there to say about Steeleye Span to the unacquainted? The immediate comparison that leaps to mind is to the contemporary British folk-group, Fairport Convention, but it is unlikely that many of Fairport's fans will have managed to miss out on Steeleye altogether, and they, too, have faded rather into obscurity, rendering the comparison quite useless. Therefore, to start from the beginning: Steeleye Span are one of those groups who don't seem to be able to keep a static line-up for more than two albums at a time. That said, the thing about Steeleye is that it doesn't matter what incarnation of the band you are listening to, they are *always good*. My RealOne Player informs me that they fit into the category of 'folk-rock', but with the exception of a few songs - such as the techno-enhanced Thomas The Rhymer - I would say that the emphasis is a great deal more on the folk.
Over the years, Steeleye Span have recorded an incredible number of songs, many of which have been traditional English folk-tunes. Some of these they have recorded faithfully to the original accepted renderings, but many they have altered with their inimitable electric edge. Further songs are American folk-tunes, while there are also a considerable number that the band wrote for themselves. The most famous of Steeleye Span's songs, however, is probably Gaudete, a monastic chant in Latin usually associated with Christmas albums. ('Gaudete' means 'Rejoice'; the line is 'Gaudete, Gaudete! Christus est nostus...' which means, 'Rejoice, rejoice, for Christ is born!') Gaudete is certainly a worthy song to buy the album for on its own, presided over as it is by Maddy Prior's pure, Celtic-inspired voice singing what would ordinarily be the choirboy's part. However, this album contains a further thirty-four tracks, most of which will not be familiar in this form to those of the public who do not venture into the folk-music scene. They are an eclectic mixture, of which my personal favourites are the heart-rending 'Lovely on the Water'; the gloriously mischievous 'Marrowbones'; 'Long Lankin', the band's take on the Northern folk-story; the wonderfully bouncy 'All Around My Hat'; and 'John Barleycorn', an electrified folktune whose melody established itself recently in my head and refused to decamp for a fortnight.
I cannot say whether this album would be accessible to the general public, given that I am personally a fan of folk-music. What I can say, however, is that Steeleye Span are never static in their style, and that there is enough variety on this album that even the biggest sceptic is sure to find something to like. And, besides - have you ever *tried* modern folk-music? You might just be surprised. And with Maddy singing, you really can't lose.
Compare Prices
sorted by Price
Products you might be interested in
 |
Live Concert At The Forum - Barbra Streisand
Classic Pop Vocals - LiveRecording - 1, 2 CD(s) - Label: Columbia - Distributor: Sony Music/Arvato Services - Released: 07/1997, 27/09/2004, 10/1994, 18/09/2000 - 5099748794321, 5099748048820, 5099747759925, 4250079731497, 5099720234494, 5099749743526
1 review
Buy Now
|
![101 [SACD] - Depeche Mode](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/598/101_SACD_Depeche_Mode__43598.jpg) |
101 [SACD] - Depeche Mode
Synth Pop - Studio, LiveRecording - 2, 1 CD(s) - Label: Mute, Mute Film - Distributor: EMI Operations/CEVA Logistics - Released: 02/02/2004, 01/1989, 05/12/2005 - 724359470726, 5016025611010, 94634465861, 0724349087392
4 reviews
Buy now for only £ 6.97
|
 |
(What's The Story) Morning Glory - Oasis
Brit Pop - StudioRecording - 1 CD(s) - Label: Big Brother, Creation - Distributor: PIAS UK/Sony DADC, Sony Music/Arvato Services, Vital/TEN - Released: 06/03/2000, 11/1996, 02/10/1995 - 5055019600722, 5017556100011, 5017556601891, 5099748102027
87 reviews
Buy now for only £ 5.18
|
|
|
05.07.2005 13:28
Good review of a great band (regardless of line up as you say) really must dig out my albums of theirs...saw them live once, Maddy was great! Ewan
25.10.2004 08:59
After listening to Austrian folk's music and nearly losing my ears, I decided I'd pass. - Luis
25.10.2004 00:00
Nice review. Best wishes, Rish