Steeleye Span

4th. May 2006, White Rock Theatre, Hastings.

A review by Barry Howard

I must admit that I approached this concert with some trepidation.  I had heard mixed reports of this tour.  Cambridge apparently was a good gig but elsewhere ….. reports of “going through the motions” and “lack of passion”.  Even my own dear wife who saw the band the night before in Tunbridge Wells felt that they did not seem to be enjoying themselves. 

I had seen this malaise before and it had resulted in my not bothering to see the band for many years.  I was prepared for the worst.

What I got was one of the tightest, rockiest sets that Steeleye has produced in this incarnation.  From the blistering opening of “The Bonny Black Hare” the band performed with a mounting intensity and enjoyment, although there was obviously a little tension too.  For this tour primarily is about working up and bedding in material for the new album – and putting that new material in front of an audience. 

And there was a lot of new material – both traditional and self penned.  Despite this, there was no disappointment in the lack of the familiar, but excitement and pleasure in hearing the new, for it all carried the Steeleye trademarks and sound.  I noticed Liam Genockey taking backing vocals; I have not seen that before (possibly and oversight on my behalf) but those five part harmonies were the tightest that they have been since the reunion.  Maddy’s vocals on “Lord Gregory” were nothing short of mesmeric, “Bonny Black Hare” and “Demon In The Well” rocked with the best of them.  Ken Nicol – a shamefully overlooked and under-rated talent – continues his fascination with historic figures, this time concentrating on Lambert Simnel, pretender to the throne of Henry VII in “The Scullion King” whilst Rick Kemp has turned his attention to the Luddites.  All this intertwined with the swooping and soaring fiddle work of Peter Knight.

There were some staples of Steeleye history, too – Long Lankin is still with the band, as is Tam Lin.  There were some trips down memory lane with “Cold Haily Windy Night” and the welcome return of “Saucy Sailor” to the fold.  “Cam Ye O’er Frae France” and “All Around My Hat” were the encores.

Steeleye Span is alive and well, although admittedly getting older (Rick Kemp collects his pension in November) and maybe a little sedate on stage.  However, the intensity and passion is as strong as ever, the band is obviously enjoying itself after its 15 month break, and, above all, the integrity of the music remains intact.  As I wound my way home through the dark lanes of East Sussex and Kent I heaved a sigh of pleasure in the knowledge that I’d be rushing to buy the new album …. probably on the winter tour.