[2015-12-04] Steeleye Span "Catch Up: The Essential" 2CD set (Park UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:22 pm

Description
When Steeleye Span released their 1996 record Time, it was a landmark for a number of reasons. Inspired by their epic 25th anniversary show in London, it not only saw the band return to recording after a seven year break but was the first release to feature vocalists Maddy Prior and Gay Woods since their ground breaking 1969 debut Hark! The Village Wait. It was also their first album with the Oxford based Park Records, an association that has been maintained for nearly twenty years. In many ways one of the most productive periods in their history, the band have released eight studio albums for the label – from Time up to 2013’s acclaimed Wintersmith collaboration with the late Sir Terry Pratchett - as well as a number of live albums and compilations. The pick of these have now been brought together in a new collection – The Essential Steeleye Span Catch Up. As the title suggests, it’s a chance to reacquaint yourself with one of the most prolific bands in British musical history. Featuring a selection of musicians synonymous with the band down the years (Prior, Bob Johnson, Peter Knight, Rick Kemp, Tim Harries, Liam Gennocky) alongside newer names, the album is rich with the musical styles that the band have made their own down the years – all built around the stunning re-telling of tales and stories from around the country and beyond. In addition, the collection includes not only some new recordings of a number of their most famous songs (including ‘Thomas The Rhymer’, ‘Gaudette’ and ‘All Around My Hat’) and the rare 'Golden Vanity' but a stunning unreleased a capella version of Kemp’s ‘Somewhere Along The Road’ – as heard on their most recent live tour. The perfect release for those new to the group or returning fans, The Essential Steeleye Span Catch Up is a snapshot of a band still at the peak of their creative powers.

Tracklist
[CD1]
1. All Around My Hat. - Taken from the album Present.
2. Thomas The Rhymer - Taken from the album Present.
3. Cam Ye O'er Frae France - Taken from the album Present.
4. Long Lankin - Taken from the album Present.
5. Gauldete - Taken from the album Present.
6. King Henry - Taken from the album Present.
7. Go Down - Taken from the album Present.
8. The Weaver and the Factory Maid - Taken from the album Present
9. The Elf Knight - Taken from the album Time
10. Corbies - Taken from the album Time
11. Creeping Jane - Taken from the album Cogs Wheels & Lovers
12. Gallant Frigate Amphitrite - Taken from the album Cogs Wheels & Lovers

[CD2]
1. Granny Aching - Taken from the album Wintersmith Deluxe Edition
2. The Dark Morris Song - Taken from the album Wintersmith
3. Wintersmith - Taken from the album Wintersmith
4. Summer Lady - Taken from the album Wintersmith
5. We Shall Wear Midnight - Taken from the album Wintersmith
6. Van Diemen's Land - Taken from the album They Called Her Babylon
7. Mantle of Green - Taken from the album They Called Her Babylon
8. Well Done Liar - Taken from the album Bedlam Born
9. Lord Randall - Taken from the album Horkstow Grange
10. The Golden Vanity - Taken from the album Best of British folk
11. Bonny Black Hare - Taken from the album Bloody Men
12. Cold Haily Windy Night - Taken from the album Bloody Men
13. Somewhere Along the Road - New Track 2015

Amazon USA
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017I7B1YQ/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017I7B1YQ/?tag=imwan-21

ranasakawa · 26 Jan 2007

I'm a big fan of Steeleye Span. This is far from the essential collection.

Its a compilation of songs from their later career. So the title essential is very wrong.

There are far better compilations out there of this band.

Grab: 'The Lark In The Morning' for a better example of this band at its peak.

Kid Bailey · 16 Jul 2006

The description of this release makes it clear that it is a compilation of their later work and not career-defining.
As such, I think it's good. They are one of the few bands whose late-career work at least at times stands up to what they did in their prime.

I don't like the word essential in the title of any collection, but "catch up " would be appropriate for anyone that hasn't listened in the last 20 or so years. I would have a somewhat different track selection, but I suppose one could say that about almost any comp.

Ocean Doot · 25 Oct 2007

I didn't realize they put out a new album in 2013. I'll have to pick that up, since I think I already own all the other material in this package. Still, I'm glad I clicked on this thread, so I know now to seek out Wintersmith ...

[2015-12-04] Steeleye Span "Catch Up: The Essential" 2CD set (Park UK)

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