Below The Salt
by Steeleye Span

"Below the Salt" was Steeleye Span's fourth album, but probably the first where the sound that gave the band their greatest successes is predominant. Producer of the first albums Sandy Robertson has been replaced by Jerry Boys, and the two founder-members Ashley Hutchings, Martin Carthy are replaced by Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson. Later also the drummer Nigel Pegrum was added to the band and it was this 6 man line-up which with the album and the single "All Around my Hat" achieved the greatest commercial successes..

On "Below the Salt", the group has found eight old songs and given them a new and different life. Most surprising is the fact that the group actually achieved a single hit with the old Roman church-song "Gaudete".

Otherwise it is old English folk songs which in addition to the acoustic instruments mandolin, fiddle and banjo also have been added electric bass and electric guitar.

Vocally it is obviously Maddy Prior who is fronting the band, but all members beautifully take a part in the vocals and a couple of numbers are purely a capella.

It may now be difficult to understand that the group, along with Fairport Convention, actually were the leading force in folk-rock, and that this kind of music was attective to a vast audience. Today, this genre is probably only a niche, and this album may also seem somewhat dated.

Besides the fine "Gaudete", I think still enjoy "Saucy Sailor" very much , the song oozes atmosphere. It not that the rest of the album is uninteresting, quite the contrary, it's probably more about that part of the magic of the folk-rock is gone.

From neilgee 02/22/2016 13:03 | #160484 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Thanx for that very comprehensive comment, Rovers. I know what you mean about the magic of folk-rock. There's something so endearingly honest about this album, although it is the line up that went on to achieve success with "All Around Mike Batt" this isn't a blatant attempt to render the band commercial. Not that I don't like their commercially successful stuff, I do, but there's definitely a purity here that is lost later. (Edited)

Probably the best album recorded by Steeleye Span. Settle in for a musical trip through the past, gorgeously reproduced and executed. Music from people who simply love music, made and played for love, like all of the best is. (Edited)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with "Please To See the King." But I purged it any way-- why? Because when I'm in a Steeleye mood, I listen to "Below the Salt" or "Parcel of Rogues." If I don't listen to something at least every three years, someone else out there wants it more than I do. No issue at all on this one...

From Jboy56 05/05/2023 09:04 | #296626 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

I just cannot get into this folky thing, for Britons only.. (Edited)