They Don't Have Titles Like This These Days

The second Steeleye Span album in my collection and the other one featuring their optimum line up, Ten Man Mop or Mr Reservoir Butler Rides Again. The rather obscure title has origins in material at Cecil Sharp House, the famous folk song centre in London. The album must be about 35 years old now but it still comes up as fresh as paint and would more than hold its' own with any of the nu-folk acts creating a stir currently. The playing is excellent but what made this lineup of Steeleye special was the song selection and especially the singing, both harmony and solo. Martin Carthy and Ashley Hutchings continue to make music and by now are revered figures, Maddy Prior is still part of a version of Steeleye Span that is maybve more of a party band than a serious ongoing artistic endeavour but there is a fine legacy.