Winter
There is a kind of inevitability about Steeleye Span doing a
Christmas album. Their first hit single Gaudete was a Christmas song, and was
backed by a lovely version of the carol '˜The Holly and the Ivy'. Maddy Prior
has over the years recorded several albums of traditional carols and Christmas
themed music. Steeleye are very much a going concern at the moment so the time
was right. But does it work? Yes, in parts. There are three main types of
material here, firstly popular carols given the Steeleye treatment, of these I
think 'See Amid the Winter's Snow' works best and 'Good King Wensceslas',
rattled out like the Pogues on speed, works worst. Generally the sparser
arrangements have the edge, and the more beefy backings flounder. Hark the
Herald Angels Sing with a soft rock backing sounds like . . . well . . . Hark
the Herald Angels Sing with a soft rock backing. This is a far cry from the
highly imaginative arrangements of Carols Maddy produced with the Carnival
Band.
Secondly there are two original songs written and sung by Ken Nicol. The
words of these point out the pagan origins of many Christmas traditions.
'Unconquered Son' a romanticised vision of the Sol Invictus cult which was a
popular alternative to Christianity in the last days of Rome is genuinely
uplifting, however a slight smell of lamp oil flavours the lyrics and this is
more pronounced on 'Mistletoe Bough' which sounds like a cross between the
number about 'Stone Enge' on 'This is Spinal Tap' and the kind of songs
minstrels sing in cod-medieval comedy sketches.
Thirdly there are the medieval songs and less well known carols. These are
the real gems. 'Down in Yon Forest' retains its sense of mystery and wonder. 'Chanticleer'
makes you want to dance while 'Sing We the Virgin Mary' is as Maddy says 'beautiful'
I would like to know where this song came from. Some of the lyrics seem to
echo parts of 'I sing of a maiden that is makeless' though clearly the
language has been modernised, but by who? 'Bright Morning Star' is a stirring
addition to the great a Capella numbers Steeleye have performed over the
years, but the real vocal triumph is 'Blow Your Trumpet Gabriel'. Maddy sings
solo against a simple percussion backing with more soul than a gospel choir.
Finally Winter, a new composition by Peter Knight is charming without being
spectacular. Elsewhere on the album Knight's fiddle holds the same charm,
especially when accompanying 'In the Bleak Midwinter'. The musicianship is
good and the arrangements are tight. While not Steeleye's best work this is
certainly worth a listen.
Footnote: having now listened to this throughout the 12 days of Christmas I
can now say that the rock carols have grown on me; especially 'The First Nowell';
and my six year old daughter loves this version of 'Good King Wensceslas'.
Dave Ferguson
2005
