Peter Fyfe reviews the Steeleye album They Called her Babylon

There's nothing like feeling comfortable in the knowledge that what you see is what you get and that couldn't be truer of the opening track from Steeleye Span. The trademark violin of Peter Knight soaring majestically above the rhythm section and now, firmly established in his role as guitarist Ken Nicol (even though his settings are [thoughtfully] lodged in Bob Johnson territory) creates the dynamic tension we have come to expect from the band. Likewise Maddy Prior's vocal on 'Van Dieman's Land' nestles snugly alongside the riff-laden bass of husband Rick Kemp and rugged interjection from Hastings finest drummer/percussionist Liam Genockey. If (judging by the sleeve credits) the main arrangement of this particular track belongs to Ken then more power to his elbow for tapping on the tricky danceable tune interpretation of the main melody at the end of the song. Even without the visual to accompany it you can just see Maddy dancing. 

Now, Dave Brubeck had a lot to answer for when he utilised the rhythm 5/4 for his classic jazz instrumental 'Take Five' and dare I say it that Mr Knight has now done the same for the folk world. The stand-out track featuring this awesome rhythm and those oh, so dusky vocals (maybe the band should think seriously about releasing it as a single this Christmas!) is the hypnotic 'Bride's Farewell'. The track is innovative and not a little inspiring and will, I'm sure create a sense of smugness amongst the British folk community that we can lead the rest of the world in the art of producing real music for real music lovers.

I don't know why but the documentary series The Tower (about the Tower Of London) comes to mind when I hear the stately pomp-rock treatment of the title track and for some reason I keep expecting a solo trumpet to accompany the crashing chords or maybe that's just the delirium of writing this review at 2:57am; now how sad is that? Still, it's given me a chance to listen to the whole album undisturbed and whilst I suppose there are those that would say in general the album is slightly ponderous it's hard to find a band that can roll with the punches after 35 years in the business!

Pete Fyfe. April 2004