I'm fond of both Fairport and Steeleye. Especially the trad oriented work. Fairport had better songwriters for their contemporary songs. The original workings of Steeleye Span didn't do much for me. What I particularly liked about fairport was the fact that they knew how to play electric instruments when they went into their traditional experiments. I liked what Steeleye Span did in that respect as well. Some of the bands that followed, I felt, plugged in before they really knew what they were doing.

Case in point, in my opinion, was the first Five Hand Reel recording. I love the recording, don't get me wrong. But, I don't think they had quite all the nuances down that electric instruments were capable of. I recently got the CD version of Liege & Lief and was reminded of how great a recording that is. As far as Steeleye goes, the records you can't touch for quality are anything in the early Carthy line up through Commoners Crown. Below the Salt and Parcel of Rogues are particular favorites.