Steeleye Span
Swan Theatre, The Moors, Worcester – Sunday 19th May
Doors: 19:30. Tickets: £30.00 Box Office: 01905 611427 or online
Steeleye Span, pioneers of folk-rock, forever altered the genre’s landscape by propelling it from intimate clubs to the realm of gold records and global tours. Even after five decades, the band continues to honour their illustrious past alongside recent achievements. Their newest offering, The Green Man Collection, amalgamates tracks from recent albums with fresh interpretations of three Steeleye classics, including a revamped version of ‘Hard Times’ featuring Status Quo’s Francis Rossi, and a cover of Elvis Costello’s ‘Shipbuilding’. Of particular note to Steeleye aficionados is the title track, penned by Bob Johnson, a founding member renowned for crafting many timeless ballads during the band’s early years. Lost for four decades, the song anticipated the urgency of climate change long before it seized global attention.
To support their latest release, Steeleye Span embarks on a comprehensive UK tour, marking their first live appearances of the year. Joining the ensemble is new member Athena Octavia, formerly of indie folk band Iris & Steel and celebrated as a classical violinist. As always, their performances promise a blend of tracks spanning their extensive catalogue, interspersed with cherished fan favourites.
The early 1970s heralded a golden age for music, birthing an era that would leave an indelible mark on the world. For Steeleye Span, this period cemented their status as a formidable creative entity. By the close of 1973, they had not only unveiled their seminal debut album, “Hark The Village Wait,” but also released three subsequent records— “Please To See The King,” “Ten Man Mop,” and “Below The Salt”—marking the onset of an enduring musical odyssey. Unlike many of their contemporaries, the band refused to rest on their laurels, embarking on a journey that has seen them enjoy one of their most inventive periods in the past two decades. Notable achievements include the acclaimed collaboration with Sir Terry Pratchett, “Wintersmith,” in 2013, and “Dodgy Bastards” in 2016. Helmed by Maddy Prior, the lineup featuring Andrew Sinclair, Roger Carey, Liam Genockey, Julian Littman, and former violinist Jessie May Smart has been lauded as one of the band’s finest, injecting fresh energy into classic repertoire while delivering the 2019 album, “Est’d 1969,” which rivals their earlier work in quality.
“The Green Man Collection” stands as Steeleye Span’s latest offering, available for purchase at parkrecords.com and all reputable music outlets.
Find out more on the Steeleye Span website.