TIME

Following the 1989 album "Tempted and tried", Steeleye Span became dormant again for several years. The 25th Anniversary of their formation took place in 1995, the occasion being marked by a reunion concert featuring virtually everyone who had at one time been a member. With the "Tempted and tried" line up brought back together, they decided to record some material for a new album. Meanwhile, drummer Nigel Pegrum had decided to emigrate to Australia, his place being taken by Liam Genockey, formerly of Gillan.

Around this time, Maddy Prior was experiencing problems with her voice, so the opportunity was taken to bring founding member Gay Woods back on vocals too, resulting in the only album ever recorded by Steeleye Span to feature two lead female vocalists. Whether it was because of Wood's influence alone, or a common desire by the band as a whole, "Time" sees them reverting to the inclusion of more traditional material than of late, some of which comes from Ireland.

Listening to the opening acapella harmonies of "The prickly bush", we are reassured that Prior's voice is still very much intact, the main reason for Woods return apparently being to ease the load on Prior on tour. The song has the feel of a continuation of the "Now we are six" album, Johnson's lead guitar nuances in particular being from that era. The song, and esepcially its infectious chorus, provides immediate reassurance that Steeleye Span are still committed to their folk roots.

Woods and Prior combine superbly on "Old Maid in the Garrett" a finely crafted song of some amusement which demands the deadpan delivery it is afforded. Woods use of the bodhran here introduces a welcome addition to the percussion. The latter part of the track is the traditional "Tam lin" jig (which also appeared many years previously on Fairport's "Liege and Lief").

"Harvest of the moon" is an absolutely wonderful mid-paced camp-fire song with a superb melody and harmonies to die for. For me this simple refrain, which is made perfect by the way it is arranged, is an undoubted highlight of the album. "Underneath her apron" tells a traditional tale of a father's reaction to an unplanned pregnancy in typically candid fashion. Once again, the song takes us back to the Steeleye Span of the early 1970's.

"The cutty wren", sometimes titled "The hunting of the wren" is a traditional song of disputed origin and meaning. Once again the opportunity is taken to add a complex vocal arrangement, the sparse arrangement being accentuated by Woods contribution on bodhran. "Go from my window" is a variant of the traditional "One Night As I Lay On My Bed", a song covered by many noted musicians on either side of the Atlantic. Steeleye Span had recorded the song previously as "One night.." for the "Hark, the village wait" album. The song is delivered as a light ballad with picked accompaniment. Here, Prior's voice does sound slightly fragile, but this only adds to the appeal of the song. The unusual (for Steeleye Span) guitar sounds here are very effective.

The longest track on the album is the 8½ minute "The elf knight". While the lyrics here are from the traditional "Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight", the music is composed by band member Bob Johnson. The song tells a tale in traditional ballad form about a lady being lured by an evil elf, and of how she manages to overcome him where others have failed. Once again, the arrangement of the song is strong, this being the closest the album comes to a genuine prog folk piece.

"The water is wide" will for many be the most familiar of the traditional songs here. This 7½ minute version serves as a fine vehicle for the violin playing of Peter Knight. Maddy delivers her most emotive performance of the album, the only surprise being that it has taken so long for this song to find its way onto a Steeleye Span album. "You will burn" is really the only prosaic song here. There's nothing particularly wrong with this mid-paced dirge, it just fails to find a spark.

"Corbies" is another reworking of a track from "Hark, the village wait", there being titled "Twa corbies" (itself a variant of the traditional "The three ravens"). The closing "The song will remain" (not the similarly titled Led Zeppelin song "The song remains the same") is a suitably melancholy song of farewell. The male vocal lead suits the song well, the ladies providing harmonic backing. Beautiful.

"Time" is a welcome surprise. It is the best album recorded by the band since their early pioneering days, and indeed one of their finest albums. Those who thought that Steeleye Span's great days ended in the 1970's will surely reconsider after hearing this album.

Recommended.

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