Parcel of Rogues

Steeleye Span

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1973
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B000000E79
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,416 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #17 in	Music > Indie Music > Folk > Folk Rock
  #52 in	Music > Folk > Traditional British & Celtic Folk > British Folk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rockin' with Steeleye, January 9, 2001

By	S. GODFREY "Stuart" (Risca, South Wales) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Probably the most direct and accessible of Steeleye Span's many fine albums, this starts out in fine style with the sprightly "One Misty Moisty Morning" - Maddy in typically powerful and melodic voice, solid support from the band and Bob Johnson providing some of the most elegant wah-wah guitar this side of Jimi Hendrix. "Alison Gross" is even rockier, crunching riffs and howling lead guitar...a more focussed cousin to the scary "King Henry" from "Below the Salt". This album is not just a guitar showcase, however, as Maddy contributes an amazing vocal tour de force on "The Weaver & the Factory Maid" - in fact she is unstoppably brilliant throughout. Rick Kemp's bass is well up in the mix - check out "Robbery with Violins", and Tim Hart is still there to add some more subtle touches: "The Bold Poachers" would not be out of place on one of Tim & Maddy's own albums. "Rogues in a Nation" is a weary song of proud resignation which highlights the group's fine ensemble singing, but the predominant tone of this album is relatively upbeat - my personal favourite being the energetic and amusing "Ups and Downs". Definitely one to sit back and enjoy - play it LOUD!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Their Two Best, August 15, 2000

By	C. H Smith (Bowling Green, Kentucky United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Along with "Below the Salt," "Parcel of Rogues" must be considered Steeleye Span's finest work. The band still sounds like a folk string band at this point (they added a drummer on their next release, "Now We Are Six"), but they use amplification where appropriate and verge on having a pop feel. The individual cuts on the album are all excellent, especially 'The Weaver and the Factory Girl' (with a stunning performance by Maddy Prior), and 'Alison Gross,' a good bad witch story if there ever was one. This album was a success when it was released and still sounds fresh to my ears, in part due to the band's uncanny arrangement talents.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their fifth (and probably last great) album, April 23, 2000

By	Terry Saundry (Keysborough, Vic, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although I'm always keen for artists to progress, I must admit that I found the opening tracks a little too much at first in 1973. On subsequent listens, however, my fears were allayed - it's a corker! Can't agree with the fuss about "Robbery With Violins" - listen to Rick Kemp on bass. A word of warning, though: Shanachie reissues are notoriously ordinary. As this record has always had a trebly sound, you don't need it sounding any harsher. I got this and the just as good (if not better) "Below The Salt" as BGO (UK) remasters. While not state-of-the-art, they are very good.