Customer Reviews

The Hills Of Greenmore: An Anthology

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Surprisingly, all of Steeleye Span's Seventies studio albums are still in print. What is a shame is that their anthologies are not. 1977's "The Steeleye Span Story" was a excellent overview of the band's first ten albums. 1995's "Spanning the Years" expanded that anthology through the early Nineties with 35 tracks. Sadly those two career retrospectives are out of print. The single disc "A Rare Collection 1972-1996" was released last year and is still available, but overlooks everything from Steeleye Span's first three albums. That is what makes "The Hills of Greenmore" such a treasure as it contains those three albums--"Hark, the Village Wait," "Please To See the King" and "Ten Man Mop"--virtually in their entirety. [There is only one track missing from each of these three albums, but to make up for it you also get seven non-album tracks from the era (1970-1971), including a stunning a cappella treatment of Buddy Holly's "Rave On."]

Founded by ex-Fairport Convention bassist Ashley Hutchings, Steeleye Span was firmly rooted in the British folk tradition even though they would add rock elements like drums and the occasional electric guitar. Their debut album produced classics like "A Calling on Song," "Blackleg Miner" and "My Johnny Was a Shoemaker." The vocal stylings of Maddy Prior would become an integral part of Steeleye Span's sound throughout the decade.

On the next two albums, Martin Carthy (guitar) and Peter Knight) would come on board after the departure of Gay and Terry Woods. The band would continue recording traditional folk material like "Lovely on the Water," "Four Nights Drunk" and "The King."

Over the years Steeleye Span has gone through numerous personnel changes, this is essential listening from two of its classic lineups. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This two-CD set is a good over-view of the band's early work. Like Spanning The Years, another Steeleye Span Anthology, this set realy hits the high points. I would sugest it to any fan who doesn't have the budget to buy lots of CD's.

This album is one of my all-time favourites. I'm not ordinarily a fan of folk, but the music made by these people, at least amongst their "classic" albums, are sheer magic. The songs collected here - "Blackleg Miner", "The Blacksmith", "Black Dog, Sheep Crook", "When I was on Horseback" amongst others, are amongst the finest I have ever heard, but every song on the 1st CD is worthy of 5 stars, every one amongst the most haunting and memorable I have ever heard. Disc 2 is perhaps not quite up to the same impossibly high standard, but there is still the wonderful "Gower Wassail" as a clear standout.

These songs are performed in the folk tradition, and if you are expecting expert musicianship etc you are going to disappointed, with the exception of Maddy's wonderful voice. Rather, the utterly haunting, compelling quality of the songs is what shines through, and is all the better for it. One of my desert island discs that I simply could not do without.