Search - Steeleye Span :: Bedlam Born

Always Steeleye Span

Jerome Clark | Canby, Minnesota | 02/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steeleye Span is back with a worthy follow-up to the excellent Horkstow Grange, in which it returned to the acoustic sounds of its early-1970s youth. In places Bedlam Bound echoes those pleasingly spare atmospherics, but for the most part this time it's electric guitars and shimmering electronica (nowhere more so than in the loving reinvention of the English patriotic anthem "White Cliffs of Dover"). Happily, what we have here is still the recognizable Steeleye sound, only updated, with the band's usual exquisite taste and restraint everywhere apparent. As always the song selection -- of traditional songs, rewritten traditional songs, and originals all but indistinguishable from traditional songs -- is a marvel. I like them all but am especially grateful for the gorgeous "Connemara Cradle Song," the unfamiliar Irish variant of the familiar American "Down in the Valley." (I heard it last on Tommy Makem's first solo album, released in the 1950s. It may have been recorded since, but if so, rarely enough for me to miss it.) As it heads into its fourth decade, Steeleye Span has become a treasured British institution. Long may it record and prosper."

Steeleye Raises the Bar

Mark Cloud | Murrieta, CA USA | 11/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With "Bedlam Born" Steeleye Span have once again raised the bar for what all of us who consider ourselves folk/rockers should aspire to. There simply is not a weak cut on this record and I expect to be listening to, and enjoying it, for years to come. Some of the finest and most emtoional performances of Steeleye Span's long carrer."

Well Done Steeleye!

Brian | London, England | 10/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steeleye Span return to the fray with a superb new album. Whereas "Horkstow Grange" was a relatively gentle, semi-acoustic affair, "Bedlam Born" restores the rock element to their music. You can tell they mean business from the start, as "Well Done Liar!" blasts out with some great Bob Johnson guitar work and a driving drumbeat from guest drummer Dave Mattacks, who plays on most of the tracks here.It's a very varied album. Other rockers like "John Of Ditchford", which is the heaviest thing Steeleye have ever done, and "The Beggar", sit alongside ballads such as the beautiful "Connemara Cradle Song" and "There Was A Wealthy Merchant". There are also some experimental tracks. "Arbour" has a minimalist feel to it, while "White Cliffs Of Dover" (that's right - the Vera Lynn song) is given a slightly disturbing electronic arrangement. The instrumentation is excellent throughout (particularly Peter Knight's violin solos), and the lead vocals are shared between Peter, Tim Harries, and Gay Woods on various tracks. Gay's backing vocals are also very effective, and Tim emerges in a major role. He contributes some great songs, and also adds lead guitar to his usual bass and keyboards."Bedlam Born" shows Steeleye Span on top form. It's a powerful piece of work, and can stand alongside their best albums of the past. Not to be missed!"