Steeleye Span - Sails of Silver

Title: Sails of Silver Artist: Steeleye Span Release Date: 1980 Re-Released On: 7/25/2002 Label: Beat Goes On Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPC: 5017261203717 Genre: Folk Styles: Psychedelic, Folk-Rock, British Folk, Sea Shanties, British Folk-Rock Moods: Gentle, Intimate, Organic, Restrained, Reverent, Bittersweet, Autumnal, Earnest, Earthy, Poignant, Wistful Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 6 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Sails of Silver
2. My Love
3. Barnet Fair
4. Senior Service
5. Gone to America
6. Where Are They Now
7. Let Her Go Down
8. Long Bone
9. Marigold/Harvest Home
10. Tell Me Why

Year Type Label Catalog # 2002 CD Beat Goes On 371

Sails of Silver [Bonus Tracks]

The first of Steeleye Span's many comebacks, Sails of Silver restores the classic lineup from their mid-'70s pinnacle. After not appearing on Storm Force 10 and Live at Last, guitarist Bob Johnson and multi-instrumentalist Peter Knight unseat their onetime replacements, Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick. The result is a surprisingly well-crafted yet largely overlooked album. In 1980, re-formed '60s and '70s bands of marginal renown did not receive the headlines -- the new rebellious and controversial acts did. At the urging of producer Gus Dudgeon, Steeleye Span wrote all of the songs on this album, the first release that didn't include several if not solely traditional numbers. After a decade of reconstructing English and irish folk songs, something must have taken hold of this band; several selections -- including "Sails of Silver," "Barnet Fair," "Let Her Go Down," and "Longbone" -- definitely possess a traditional feel, both in melody and lyric. Expectedly, this album wouldn't compete directly with the fashionable and tiresome music trends of 1980, but it was also a grossly underrated album that, in retrospect, proves to be a key release in the history of this storied band -- particularly when considering all of the transformations they subsequently underwent. [The 1997 Park Records reissue contains live takes of "Thomas the Rhymer," "My Johnny," and "The Lark in the Morning," culled from concert dates circa 1996 and 1997.] ~ Dave Sleger, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bob Johnson Vocals, Group Member, Arranger, Guitar, Guitar, Vocals Gordon Vicary Mastering Gus Dudgeon Producer Jerry Boys Engineer John Tobler Liner Notes Maddy Prior Group Member, Vocals Martyn Goddard Photography Nigel Pegrum Group Member, Percussion, Woodwind, Flute, Drums Peter Knight Violin, Keyboards, Vocals Rick Kemp Vocals, Group Member, Bass Steeleye Span Arranger Tim Hart Vocals, Guitar, Dulcimer, Arranger, Group Member