 | | Reviews | | |  STEELEYE SPAN
They Called Her Babylon
Park Records PRKCD70
Was there a time when we didn't have this bunch with us? Well, it mightn't seem that way, but prior to 1969 the name Steeleye Span was known only to those familiar with Horkstow Grange, a song noted in Lincolnshire by Percy Grainger in the early 20th century. Over their 35-year, ahem, 'span', the sterling folk-rockers have been through sometimes patchy and fuzzy years (Rocket Cottage anyone?) but even at their worst they were way better than much of what passed for the 'New Steeleye' take of their various supposed successors. The inevitable line-up changes have brought the prodigiously talented Ken Nicol (guitar/vocals) lately from the Albion Band into the fold, contributing a palpable energy and verve to an exceptional set of music.
It's been a long time, to these ears, that the band has played with such an engagement
from the moment it leaps into a version of Van Diemen's Land told from the female passenger Sue Summers' point of view, to the closing bars of Life Of A Man. ("Like a leaf we must wither and soon fade away" - unlike the unit itself, which has just completed a nationwide tour celebrating its ongoing longevity!)
Not just business as usual then, there's a beauty to this cohesive collection, with an assured swagger that's consistently absorbing. Listen to the broken-token Mantle Of Green with Maddy's silvery vocal glinting above Pete Knight's fiddle threads for an object lesson in uplifting low-key charm. Elsewhere Samain rocks out in unrestrained fashion to namecheck the pre-Christian/pre-Halloween autumn festival of that name, and the time of year that has "black skeletal trees under slate grey skies".
There's much here that's moving, in addition to being impressive, and okay here comes own-up time - it's years since I listened to a new Steeleye album and Babylon was approached with a ho-hum mindset, but this was a genuine surprise. Forget better than expected, this is good, period.
Clive Pownceby - June 2004
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 Agree entirely. "They Called Her Babylon" is the best the band have played for years, and a welcome return-to-form after a couple of lacklustre albums. Excellent.
Eric Liggins, Farnham, UK
I couldn't agree more. Maddy Prior's voice is as perfect as ever and new member Nicol fits in well. A Steeleye fan from 1970 to 1975, I considered their "Commoners Crown" album the last decent effort until the release of "Bedlam Born". Now with "They Called Her Babylon" I am well and truly hooked again. This is almost as good as my favourite, "Parcel of Rogues".
Julian Foulger, Micklethwaite, Cumbria, UK
I had 20 years off from listening to Steeleye but my daughter who swims loves the Anthem "swim for your lives" and whilst competing in Manchester found Babylon on a shelf. I was surprised at the quality of the album especially the title song and my children who are all teenagers love it. Is it Nigel Pegrum on drums? Sounds like it.
Matt Davies, Ludlow | | | | | | |  |
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Folk & Acoustic
