Search - Steeleye Span :: Commoners Crown

One of Steeleye's best

04/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Commoner's Crown," Steeleye's seventh album, was first released on vinyl in the US on the Chrysalis label in 1977 (two years after it's initial release in England). Today, it is only available on CD by import. This is a real shame as it ranks with the Steeleye's best.The songs this time out tend to fall well within the term eerie. "Little Sir Hugh," which kicks off the album may seem a bright little ditty on first listen, but the cheery melody is in direct contrast to the song's woeful tale of murder. (It also has an acapella break that'll make the hair on the back of your neck stand at attention). "Long Lankin" still haunts with its tale of uprising and violence. In "Demon Lover" a young woman learns (the hard way) the true identity of the man who has been courting her, and "Elf Call" offers the odd comfort of an elf king taking pity on a woman who has lost her child.Not all here is so bleak and spooky. The album ends with a good natured "New York Girls' that is complete with a ukulele solo (and backing vocals) from Peter Sellers, and offers a humorous send off for what otherwise just might be the ultimate album for All Hallow's Eve! get it now while you still can!!!"

Poorly distributed in the US, Great recording

02/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quick capsule review: This recording was never available on vinyl, except as an import. Coming after the transitional Now we are six record, Commoner's Crown offered a mature and focused Steeleye Span. If your favorite Steeleye Span period is the Below the Salt, Parcel of Rogues and All around my Hat period--get this CD. You will not be disapointed"

One of Their Two Best

Moldyoldie | Motown, USA | 11/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must take exception to those previous reviewers who find this album either boring or uninspired. I've owned and listened to all Steeleye Span albums through Back In Line; this is the one I've returned to the most over the years.

One thing about Old English folk tunes is that they can all sound the same after awhile. What the group managed to do during this period was arrange these songs into either rollicking or haunting "modern" folk tunes using various timbres of the instruments of their time while performing them in the spirit of a former time. Every song comes off well, especially the sublimely haunting "Long Lankin" and the a cappella "Weary Cutters". The ensemble singing during the chorus of "Demon Lover" punctuated by the electric guitar statement is sweet. "Galtee Farmer" manages to be both haunting and rollicking at once, driven by a superb guitar and bass line. Granted, "New York Girls" seems out of place but it serves to end the album on a humorous note after the more severe and somber tunes that precede it.

If I recall correctly, this album wasn't made widely available in America upon its original LP release; perhaps that's why it doesn't garner as much of a reputation among American listeners. No matter, because this along with Below the Salt are in my opinion the best examples of Steeleye Span's studio recorded output. I'll also grant that this CD seems a bit pricy, but what can one do about that except buy it used."