Commoners Crown (studio album) by Steeleye Span

Ocho temas tradicionales y uno propio hacen a este álbum el mejor de Steeleye Span, en mi opinión, y quizás la cima del folk británico.

I picked this up many years ago in a cut-out bin on 8-track tape not knowing anything about the album other than it was the same label as Jethro Tull. I wore the 8-track tape out, which for those not familiar with this format, was not very many times, but I soon replaced it with vinyl, then CD, and now digital.

It's easily my favorite of Steeleye Span's catalog, which I have since delved into because of this album.

The album is folk music as played by a rock band. I can't really say there is a weak song on the album, the first three being my favorites, but the rest of the album easily holds my attention, and closes with New York Girls on which Peter Sellers assists on Ukulele.

"All Around My Hat" from 1975 was Steeleye Span's follow-up album to the artistically very successful "Commoner's Crown". A new producer, Mike Batt, had been hired and there is generally a harder and less polished sound on this album. "All Around My Hat" was the be the band's best selling album. The title-track single was also their most succesful hit-single reaching number 7 on the UK charts.

The songs are mostly new band compositions to old traditional lyrics, a concept the band had followed for some years at this point. Like on "Commoners Crown" the songwriting is generally great, with great melodies such as "Wife of Usher's Well", "Black Jack Davy", "Bachelors Hall" and of course "All Around My Hat".

"Hard Times of Old England" is a traditional tune in the same boogie beat as the title track, and almost as catchy. "Cadgwith Anthem" is another traditional tune, performed in Steeleye Span's wellknown and impressive a capella style.

A few tracks come out slightly light weight, which is the reason that I don't rate the album quite as highly as "Commoners Crown" and "Parcel of Rogues"; but it's still easily worth five stars.