Steeleye Span's latest release, Time, is the newest offering from the folk / rock genre. This album has been long awaited by fans of Steeleye Span. While it has been a long delay, the final result is very much worth it.
Steeleye Span is now composed of Maddy Prior, Gay Woods, Bob Johnson, Peter Knight, Tim Harries and Liam Genockey. Gay Woods, who had performed on earlier Steeleye works, is back, and the vocal combination of her voice and the voice of Maddy Prior is both beautiful and haunting.
The studio quality of this album is phenomenal. The stereo separation and vocal / instrumental effects make this an ideal album for headphone listening. Music swells around you as Steeleye Span continues their rendition of folk music with modern instruments. Along with some of the more classicly based folk tunes are some new creations that transcend the traditional.
The album begins with "The Prickly Bush", which is based on a story about the imminent hanging of a maiden whose honor has been tarnished. This reviewer cannot help but think of "Gallows Pole" by Led Zeppelin when listening to this track. The maiden implores her family for gold (the symbol of integrity / virginity), but cannot get it from them.
"The Old Maid In The Garrett" is destined to become yet another Steeleye Span classic. This tale tells of a not-so-young woman worrying about not getting married and being doomed to becoming an old maid. This is a vibrant and punchy tune that has a rolling feel. "Harvest Of The Moon" is a more reflective style ballad that has a formal feel and a slower tempo than most of the album.
"Underneath Her Apron" is another good story of sex, children, and trying to hide both. This is one of the more traditionally Steeleye songs on the album. Those familiar with Steeleye Span's other work will see that this fits very well into much of their other songs.
And then there is "The Cutty Wren". It is a tradition in England at Christmas to hunt down a wren. Similar in concept and in story to the a capella work "The King", "The Cutty Wren" adds an entirely new dimension. The story is simple, as are the lyrics, but the performance is astounding! This is a song for headphones: the instrument placement, separation and vocal positioning engulfs the listener in a wave of sound. Headphones are a must here.
"Go From My Window" is a traditional ballad style arrangement. The combined voices of Gay Woods and Maddy Prior give this song texture. From here, we go to "The Elf Knight". This is another song for headphones. The traditional lyric is set to an inspired instrumental, surging with emotion. The battle of good against evil (in this case, the Lady Isabel vs. the Elf Knight) is well portrayed in the emotion of the music. Sex, violence, bewitchment and murder are the themes here. All with the depth of sound that was also seen in "The Cutty Wren".
"The Water Is Wide" is a love ballad. The typical story of life being an ocean to be sailed by a boat made for two. Again, terrific vocals in a very nice instrumental background. This track, along with "Go From My Window" remind this reviewer of the solo work of Annie Haslam.
From there we go to "You Will Burn". Nice contrast. Steeleye Span wanders from a sweet love song into the middle of a witch burning. Nice. Imagine a happy driving tune, such as "Padstow" from Tempted And Tried, combined with a rather violent lyric that takes Rush's "Witch Hunt" to its deadly conclusion.
"Corbies" is a "Two Corbies" / "Twa Corbies" revisit from previous traditional songs. The old english lyrics are a nice touch to the swelling bass and overwhelming music. Another headphone track. The image of two crows, feeding on a dead knight whose hawk / hound / lady have deserted is such a pleasant image of the mutability of things. Those familiar with the earlier version of "Two Corbies" are in for a surprise with this one.
Finally, "The Song Will Remain" is a sentimental closing song, similar in lyric and emotional content as Fairport Convention's "Meet On The Ledge". An excellent closing song, filled with emotion.
Steeleye Span have crafted a work of art in Time. This album has much of the traditional feel of earlier Steeleye Span work, but with a polish and power that was only hinted at in Tempted And Tried. The instrumentation and vocals of Time leave the listener awestruck at times. The clarity and power of this album make it worth the wait for Steeleye Span fans everywhere.
