Reviews
GOODE TIMES OF OLDE ENGLAND
EDINBURGH
Reviewed by Ian Cranna
© New Musical Express
20 Nov 1976
Because of their adherence to traditional songs for their recorded material, Steeleye Span's standing on record has progressed remarkably little. Their concerts, however, get better and better and this latest show is their best yet.
Starting with "London', they sailed through a set drawn from ’All Around My Hat’ and ‘Rocket Cottage’ with a couple of old favourites thrown in for good measure, Highlights were .’London’, ‘The Royal Forester' (a surprise choice as second encore, and Hard Times Of Olde England, which Maddy introduced as a song which persists in remaining topical, to no sympathy whatsoever, a notable absentee was ‘Thomas The Rhymer’, replaced by new Scottish signing ‘Sir James The Rose’.
Those into light fantastics will be pleased to know that Maddy still dances, Worried observers had only noted the occasional, disco twitch until late into the set when she blossomed forth on the excellent "Cam Ye O'er Frae France", drawing the loudest applause of the night.
The band were in fine form and voice, lots of attack in the delivery, Rick Kemp's bass propels the songs forward while Bob Johnson's energetic, advances to ‘The Sligo Maid’ resulted in a broken string. However, a question mark still hangs over Nigel Pegrum's persistently heavy approach to the drumming, subtler touches are a must on the slower numbers.
Maddy remains the focal point of the band, but to a reduced extent. The guys are coming forward and claiming their share of the limelight and vocals. Strung out across the stage, they contribute flawless parts to ‘The Bosnian Hornpipe’, while Kemp takes the lead on, ’Twelve Witches’, for instance. Their instrumental numbers need no recommendation from me.
Extra bonus points for a good PA, excellent lighting, non-deafening volume and no, ’Gaudete’ out of season, The group seemed relaxed and happy and looked genuinely pleased with their enthusiastic reception,
The show was opened by Martin Simpson, a dextrous young guitarist with an odd collection of traditional and contemporary songs from both sides of the Atlantic. While it's good to see a Trailer artist on a big tour, he seemed out of place and lacking in stage presence and would undoubtedly come across better in a club.