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DVD review by Pete Fyfe
Due to ill health I unfortunately had to forgo the pleasure of seeing Steeleye on the Winter leg of their 2004 tour still, I hadn't reckoned on the resourcefulness of John Dagnell at Park Records in producing this tremendous DVD. As a record of Steeleye's current line-up I personally don't think they could better the filming. It has all the quality of a major production unlike some of the their previous visual outings. Each shot is crystal clear and the sound is excellent. What with CGI and special effects etc visual art comes in many forms these days but by sticking to the tried and tested formula of good close-ups on the instrumental dexterity and swooping camera angles beloved of so many musical documentary makers this representation captures the band at their best. As has already been documented the band have found a new lease of life with Ken Nicol's sparkling guitar work standing alongside the established vocals of Maddy Prior, Peter Knight's violin and all underpinned by the rhythm section of Rick Kemp on bass and drums of Liam Genockey. With obligatory 'hits' such as 'King Henry', 'All Around My Hat' and 'Long Lankin' performed alongside the newer material including the beautiful 'Mantle Of Green' and 'Who Told The Butcher' there's a bit of something for everybody. As with most DVDs this one comes with a couple of extras including a short interview with each of the band members plus the inclusion of two encores (not included in the set list) a rather buoyant 'Cam Ye O'er Frae France' featuring the duelling jig-a-jig of Knight and Nicol and what Steeleye set wouldn't be complete without 'Gaudette'? All in all I'd say this is the best visual representation of Steeleye to date and if, like me you missed the actual tour this will do nicely as a runner-up prize! Further information from www.parkrecords.com Pete Fyfe
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