Park Records [Release date 23.05.25]
Always good to have a new album from folk rockers Steeleye Span and this is their 24th studio album. Still led by singer Maddy Prior, the rest of the band consists of Julian Littman (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Liam Genocky (drums), Andrew ‘Spud’ Sinclair (guitars), Roger Carey (bass) and Athena Octavaia (violin).
Maddy Prior on the album – “All traditional singers have sung modern and self- composed pieces alongside old songs. This album follows in that tradition. Some of these songs are from centuries past, and some from the last century, which, given the massive shift in our lived lives, I consider now almost traditional themselves, since the references are now obscure to most people. Yet others are totally new and address our immediate concerns.
We have named this album Conflict, as much to reflect the times we find ourselves in, but also the stretch and tear of our relationship with this planet that hosts us.”
Their take on the traditional ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’ was released prior to the album and is a perfect example of folk rock. ‘Sound of the Drum’ proves Steeleye Span could have hit singles, if only they got heard outside of their fanbase and specialist music shows.
‘Low Flying’ is a fun listen featuring Julian Littman on vocals. Loving the chorus arrangement on this one and easy to see why this is already a live staple.
Steeleye go ska! Yes they do indeed on ‘Honeybee’, which has an infectious ska groove and has a timely lyric about saving the bees. A band, that despite their roots in traditional folk music, always wrote timely and thought provoking lyrics.
A few songs on here have appeared on solo albums, namely ‘Blow Boys, Blow’ on Maddy Prior’s ‘Bib & Tuck’ album and ‘Genocide’, which appeared on a solo outing by former Steeleye Span bassist Rick Kemp. The latter is a fiery beast of a rocker with some sterling guitar. They also revisit an older Steeleye Span song in the shape of ‘Dogs & Ferrets’, sung a capella on this version.
Steeleye Span, once again in their ‘rockier’ mode, have produced another fine album that meets and exceeds the band’s own high musical standards. Grab this album and go see them live if they play near you as you won’t be disappointed. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
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