Another Parcel of Steeleye Span (Their Second Five [Import]

The most enduring British folk-rock band, Steeleye Span recorded 10 albums for the Chrysalis label, the first five included on the other EMI 3-CD box set. This welcomed second volume includes the next five albums recorded by the band for EMI Records: "Rocket Cottage" (1976), "Storm Force Ten" (1977), "Live at Last" (1978), "Sails of Silver" (1980) and "Tempted and Tried" (1989).

After a huge success with the album and the single "All Around My Hat" in 1975, Mike Batt was invited to produce the next album and the result was another cracker: "Rocket Cottage" is a wonderful album, full of energy and good songs, although it was not fully appreciated at the time of its release. The upbeat "London" (penned by Rick Kemp), the stunning "Sir James the Rose" and the instrumental "Sligo Maid" are the highlights, but all the songs are delightful.

In 1977 the line-up changed, with the departure of Peter Knight (fiddle) and Bob Johnson (guitar) to work on another project: "The King of Elfland's Daughter". They were replaced by Martin Carthy (guitar and vocals) and John Kirkpatrick (accordion), and the band was completed with Maddy Prior (vocals), Tim Hart (guitar and vocals), Rick Kemp (bass) and Nigel Pegrum (drums and flute). This incarnation recorded the next two albums, "Storm Force Ten" and the live album (more acoustic than the usual electrified rock sound, a very different texture).

In 1980 Peter Knight and Bob Johnson returned to the band, to replace Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick. The two eighties' albums included here are very interesting and varied. The first one was produced by Gus Dudgeon and consists of mainly original songs. The album was underrated at the time of its release, but in retrospect I think it's quite good. "Tempted and Tried" is a mix of traditional and original songs, even better than "Sails of Silver".

In 1986 the band recorded "Back in Line" for another label, but the album was not a high point in their discography. It was the first album without Tim Hart, who left the band in 1980.

Not as good as the first box set, even thus indispensable.

I've been on a mission to collect all of the early and middle work of this band, one of the finest of the British folk-rock revival era. This three-disc set complements two other sets, "Lark in the Morning" and "A Parcel of Steeleye Span", which include all of their first eight albums. This collection is comprised of albums nine through twelve plus their fourteenth. During this period there were several personnel changes and at least two breakups. One thing that remained constant, though, was Maddy Prior's distinctive voice. Although as a whole these five albums are not as consistently brilliant as their earlier work, there is still plenty of first-rate music to satisfy this fan.

"Rocket Cottage" (1976, ***1/2) is a bit over-produced and uneven, but earns an extra half a star for including two of their best songs ever, "London" and the relatively experimental "Fighting for Strangers". Also worthwhile are the brief but excellent a capella "The Bosnian Hornpipes" and the rousing "Sir James the Rose". Closing the album is the demo-like "The Drunkard", which is prefaced by some silly studio hijinks and rather sloppy version of "Camptown Races". The song itself, once it gets under way, is quite fine.

"Storm Force Ten" (1977, ****) is a significant departure musically and personnel-wise: gone are fiddler Peter Knight and guitarist/vocalist Robert Johnson; in their place are folk stalwarts Martin Carthy and accordionist John Kirkpatrick. This gives the album a decidedly folkier flavor than the last few albums, and Kirkpatrick's squeeze box is so virtuosic that we almost don't miss Knight's fiddle. Highlights: "Sweep, Chimney Sweep" (another a capella tour de force), "The Victory", and "The Black Freighter" (a.k.a. "Pirate Jenny") from Kurt Weill's "Threepenny Opera".

"Live at Last" (1978, ****) is, as the name implies, the band's first live album, featuring the same lineup as "Storm Force Ten". Ironically, the band broke up just days after this performance. Highlights include the epic suite "Montrose", and "False Knight on the Road".

"Sails of Silver (1981, ***) was their "reunion" album, and in my opinion more subdued and less inspired than most of their other albums. It carried a nautical and a bit of a "New World" theme and featured mostly original rather than traditional songs. Peter Knight is back in the fold on fiddle, too, though not featured as much as in prior albums. Still, there are highlights: "My Love" (one of the most beautiful songs they've recorded), "Gone to America", "Marigold/Harvest Home", and "Tell Me Why".

For some reason the set skips over 1986's "Back in Line" in favor of 1989's "Tempted and Tried" (****), an energetic album which is somewhat of a return to form. Highlights include "Padstow", "Jack Hall", and "Two Butchers".

Also included are two rare singles, 1977's Christmas single "The Boar's Head Carol" and 1978's rock n' roll cover "Rag Doll." All in all, it's a fine bundle of music that, with the other two aforementioned releases, mostly completes the first twenty years of recordings from this prolific and accomplished band.

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