Steeleye Span - current status & future?

Subject: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 05:38 PM

I copied this from the FAQ. Welcome to the Mudcat Cafe, Mutton Chops!
-Joe Offer-

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Subject: RE: Mudcat FAQ - Newcomer's Guide
From: GUEST,Mutton Chops (well-peppered)
Date: 25-Jul-01 - 09:08 PM
Shop: Clues
Just discovered the Mudcat cafe - thanks to Mr. Red, he of Pencil Sharpening Shanty notoriety. I like the way you described this site, Amos, and I will gather my comments and questions in the blues/folk vein for later postings. .....actually, I have one now. It would seem that Steeleye Span has imploded as a working group. Peter Knight is the only one left standing in the rubble. Anyone heard any news lately? Perhaps Maddy and he should start again. Or perhaps not. How about enlisting Sheila Chandra, and making some new noise in an English/Indian trad slant. Peter, are listening? Or how about a young unknown singer......any ideas? Saw the Spanners at Bridgnorth Festival in 1999, and I'd hate to lose this band!

All for now,

Mutton Chops (well-peppered)

(ps - guess the origin of the handle I chose! By gummy, this could spark a whole conversation! If no-one gets it, I'll post clues)

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: JohnB
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:27 PM

Welcome, oh faded hairy lipped one. JohnB, with a full set.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Bugsy
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 11:32 PM

get rid of the sideburns and we could call you "Handlebars".

By the way was it a bright ginger when you were younger??

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: GUEST,Mutton Chops
Date: 27 Jul 01 - 02:30 AM

Hullo John B, - actually I am facially hairless. Thanks for reply, what about Steeleye Span? They currently seems to be without a span to anywhere. And what about the origin of my handle - need a clue?

Bugsy - ya made me laugh out loud, thank ye. However, I have never had red hair of any kind in my life, regardless of affiliation with Mr. Red. (...the only red hair I ever had was of the soft nether-variety - on a liason with a hot redder sometime in summer, early 1990's - but I don't think that counts!) See above for pertinent questions.

(ps - which side of the Atlantic are you two from?)

Chops

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Bugsy
Date: 27 Jul 01 - 03:12 AM

I'm from Western Australia.

I did hear recently that Steeleye were contemplating a tour to Aus and there was a rumour of June Tabor joining the band.

I'll talk to an agent manager friend of mine tonight and see if I can get any more up to date information.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Cappuccino
Date: 27 Jul 01 - 04:09 AM

I've got a terrible feeling I'm letting myself in for it here... but what I would have always loved to see from Steeleye was a little light-heartedness. They always struck me as musically fine, but so serious. - Ian B

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 27 Jul 01 - 05:18 AM

Ian B, I don`t think they ever bettered Hark!The Village Wait. This LP had everything including humour. Just listening to it now and it still sounds great, one of the few LP`s in which every song was a winner. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: JohnB
Date: 27 Jul 01 - 11:54 AM

Saw Steeleye a couple of times at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester (England, if you are new to this place, you might as well learn now, people all over the world have little imagination when it comes to naming towns. You frequently have to stipulate the country as well.) The last time I remember seeing them they had a huge scaffolding thing set up as a stage within the stage. Half way through the show there were four bubble machines which started up, filling the hall with bubbles. Whilst they sang "I'm forever blowing Bubbles" light enough for Yah?? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is also on one albumn I have. Now on living in Canada. My son just picked up a new SS cd a couple of weeks ago but has not lent it to me yet. As for their future, I know noyhing. JohnB

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: GUEST,Mutton Chops (well-peppered)
Date: 28 Jul 01 - 10:54 AM

June Tabor, on lead vocals, might be a fab addition! Here's an idea....get Sharon Shannon to join, on accordion, she'd get the new Span cooking! Rick Kemp said (on the Peter Knight site) that he'd be thrilled to rejoin, so there's a bassist. Dav Mattacks would likely stay in, so all we're missing in this imaginary new lineup is a guitar player (if in fact one is needed!) Yo don't suppose Martin Carthy might have another go round?

All Mudcatters - help me build a new Steeleye Span on paper - and I'll send a email to Peter Knight with our ideas! Ya never know!

Mutton Chops

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Peg
Date: 28 Jul 01 - 08:31 PM

I'd jump in as their lead singer if they'd have me!

Peg

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mutton Chops (well-peppered)
Date: 29 Jul 01 - 01:12 AM

Peg,

I assume you are female?

Are you really a singer?

What country to you live in?

Does your voice fit their style?

What songs do you sing?

(p.s. - just wondering, I have no pull)

Do you want to try and guess the origin of my handle? If so I will provide clues........

Mutton Chops (well-peppered)

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Peg
Date: 29 Jul 01 - 11:44 AM

I am female, really a singer (a good one if my fellow Mudcatters are to be trusted), live in Boston, and Maddy is one of my vocal inspirations (along with Karen Matheson, Karan Casey, Mairead ni Dhomnail, and Annie Haslam)...in fact I am contributing a cover of one of Steeleye's songs to a CD being produced with some of Boston's finest vocalists later this year...but aspiring to sing with a legendary group like Steeleye is beyond even *my* fantasy ego trips...

I have no idea of the origin of your handle and can't say it matters to me, really...maybe you should start a separate thread about it?

peg

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: MAG
Date: 29 Jul 01 - 12:13 PM

You've got nutton chop whiskers which are salt-and-pepper?

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mr Red
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 04:43 AM

mag'
If I hinted to the "Trout Inn" at Lechlade it would be a Red Herring as far as you could tell.
I am sworn to keep my "Chops" shut but if I tell you it is a bit obscure I could not be accused of hyperbole.
Think Poetry.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Deni
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 06:12 AM

is mutton chops anything to do with ladies of a certain age?

cheers

deni the duck

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 09:10 AM

your not a sheep farmer or a slaughterman are you?. Failing that are you female with a penchant for those strange victorian blouses with the large sleeves?

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 11:10 AM

Are you auditioning singers for Span, Mutton? If so, count me in! ;D

Does my style match theirs? Not on your life, but as long as we're dreaming here, why not dream big!

My style: Operatic, but I sing folk. Not all of us were gifted with the pipes of Mary Black (don't I wish!!). But I still love folk, even if I don't fit the mould. So far, so good though! I have yet to see grimaces in the audience. :D

As for your name, I am pathetic at playing clue. Sorry, but no score here either.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mr Red
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 10:13 AM

I think I better give a counsinly (adjective someone) prompt.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mutton Chops (well-peppered)
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 03:01 PM

Dear cats,

Some neat comments on Span - thanks!

I am only trying to create a new imaginary Steeleye line-up, but if we get a good combo I'm serious about emailing Peter Knight. It can't hurt - and ya never know.

Thanks also for playing guess-the-handle! It's not really important, it's just that there is a great little story behind the name. OK, since some of you have bit......here's some clues.......

Summer in 1815

a boatride down te Thames to Lechlade

a major Romantic poet on board, eating only bread an butter all day

Thomas Love Peacock also on board

Peacock writes a short commentary about the day

Good luck! (P.S. I am not female, though I have great love and respect for the fairer sex!)

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mr Red
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 06:04 PM

There's a great little tune too folks. I was there when it was just a rustle of the guitar case catches. Outside the church at Lechlade, moonlight August night. Just Mr Red, Mutton Chops & Miss Red and the verger's cat.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mutton Chops (well-peppered)
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 06:34 PM

well.......?

Re: Mutton Chops handle --- Mr. Red is providing pertinent clues. Romantics arise!

Still, back to the thread,

New imaginary Steeleye Span lineup ------------

Vocals - Maddy Prior, June Tabor, Sheila Chandra ?????

Fiddle - Peter Knight (naturally)

Drums - Dave Mattacks

Bass - Rick Kemp

Guitar - ??????? (Martin Carthy, Maart Allcock?)

Accordian - Sharon Shannon

Any ideas? (please add or delete)

Roamantics forever,

Chops

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mutton Chops (well-peppered)
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 08:16 AM

Anyone with any last ideas about new suggestions for potential Steeleye Span members? If not, I guess I'll email Peter Knight with above list.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 08:23 AM

I don't know, but my prediction is as follows: Vocals/Guitar: Simon Nicol
Fiddle: Chris Leslie
Fiddle: Ric Sanders
Drums: Gerry Conway
Bass: Dave Pegg
Call me a cynic if you like...

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Peg
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 10:37 AM

and for female vocals????

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 11:18 AM

annA Ryder going by Cropredy the last few years. Christine Collister. Maggie Boyle. Anyone will doooo....

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mr Red
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 05:32 PM

Christine Collister --- ooooer.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Peg
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 11:03 PM

I nominate me!

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Deni
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 12:18 AM

Anywhere we can hear you on the net Peg? Deni

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: GUEST,Longarm
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 04:52 AM

If you want more humour in a new steeleye line up forget about June Tabor!! Nearly agree about Hark The Village Wait being the best album but I think that their "Time' album is on par with it. I remember waiting for Steeleye to come on at Cambrige festival many years ago. It was a long wait and a fair quantity of grog had been consummed. They started by singing 'Lyke Wait Durge' in the dark and as the song exploded into light and sound with Maddy coming on in her mummers outfit I passed out and missed the whole bloody set!!!!!

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Martin S
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 11:48 AM

Having seen span several times over the years, I reckon all they need is a good front man/woman to bring back the good old days. I nominate John Otway. If you've seen him, you'll know why!

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 12:29 PM

I'll leave home to sing with Maddy any day, just ask my wife. Having heard Peg sing, I'll second her own nomination, as long as I can come too. Richard Thompson could play guitar for me. JohnB

Subject: Steeleye Span
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 01:02 PM

I'm lousy on leads, but I'm a KILLER rhythm guitar player (if the recent grapevine press is to be believed)... and I'd kill people I know and love to get into S.Span!!

LOL!!!

Give me an excuse to finally LEARN King Henry, like I've been meaning to do for years now...

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Peg
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 11:04 PM

Nah Deni; I am still trying to figure out how to post to mp3.com! (hmm now that I have SoundJam maybe i will give it another shot...but usualy my browser shuts down before I can download it to a website).

I do have a demo tho...and there are a few Mudcatters who have heard it...there is even a thread about it somewhere...

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 08:47 PM

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: AliUK
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 09:02 PM

If ever a man a wooing went that lacketh thinges threee...

do I get the job?

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 12:28 AM

I thought the like was...

"LET never a man..."

???

:-)

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Mutton Chops (well-peppered)
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 10:49 AM

Well......on perusing Peter Knight's website, it would seem that Seeleye Span will tour in 2002. I don't know the lineup, but have asked Peter about it in his chat room, and if he'd like to hear our suggestions.

Mutton Chops

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 20 May 02 - 09:56 PM

New line up suggestions June Tabor, Maddy Prior, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Sharon Corr, Billy Bragg (bass)

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: bobby's girl
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:05 PM

Maddy is currently touring with her (and of course Rick Kemp's)daughter,Rose,and another girl called Abbie Lathe as Maddy Prior and the Girls. We saw their first night at the first Weymouth Folk Festival on May 12th and they were excellent. If you are looking for female singers for a new Steeleye, Rose Kemp would be well worth considering

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:51 PM

Cor you lot is thick-mutton chops is another sheep shagger-welcome to the madhouse cafe. What sort of sheep?-never had a marino.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Claire M
Date: 25 Sep 12 - 04:02 PM

Hiya,

Hmm. Dad & I were discussing this – we are dreading it. He is 67 & has loved them since he was 28. I don't think a new line-up will work. If they haven't got Maddy on board they should pack up. I think it'll be sooner rather than later to be honest. They've been going for years.

That said I loved the 2 Iron Maiden albums without Bruce, but they haven't been loyally with me for years like Steeleye have

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 12 - 02:25 PM

We saw Steeleye at Ludlow Castle in 1999 or 2000 with Gay Woods singing (no Maddy) and Dave Mattacks on drums - a great line up!

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: GUEST,Folknacious
Date: 27 Sep 12 - 11:33 AM

I saw them a couple of weeks ago in Newark. They had Maddy, Peter Knight & Rick Kemp, Liam whatshistrousers the drummer, and various others I didn't recognise. As a one-time fan I can only say they were beyond awful. Maddy was screechy strident and embarrassingly off key. The lead guitarist was a parody of rock dreadfulness. The drumming was less than unimaginative. Not long after that I saw the live Fairport concert on TV. I think we can safely read the last rites to that generation of folk rock. get out some wooden crosses and garlic and bury the body face down. It's such a shame when bands don't know that they ought to retire gracefully and not destroy their reputations. 1970s Folk Rock RIP.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Claire M
Date: 27 Sep 12 - 12:48 PM

Hiya,

Hope there's some garlic left for me!!

Depends who the band is. I've just got tickets to see Steeleye. I can't wait.

My disability has got in the way of quite a few concerts, & also means I've seen older bands later on in their career, when it could be said that they weren't worth seeing, so I can't tell good from bad.

When I go to a concert I want to be riveted. When I saw their last gig I was. I cried. My stomach churned. I couldn't breathe, my chest hurt. I felt sick. I can't play 'Now We Are 6' now.

They were just so, so good. Or maybe they were actually crap, & because I was/am so in awe of them I didn't notice.

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Bainbo
Date: 27 Sep 12 - 03:19 PM

Funny. I'm reading the latest of Walter Mosley's detective novels featuring Leonid McGill, a black private investigator in present-day New York (not an irrelevant comment - race is a big feature in the books) who tends to dwell a lot on fate and our roles in life. I've just read this passage:

"I took a subway toward midtown and my office. The second-to-last car of the A train was empty enough that I could sit on the end, next to the sliding doors. I put in earbuds connected to an ultra-thin MP3 player and listened to the seventies album, Below the Salt, by Steeleye Span, the English folk band. Nasally and dark, mystical and mysterious, the tones seemes to fit my predicament, telling me that the path of my life had been traveled for centuries and who was I to feel so special?"

(I know some of the grammar doesn't quite make sense. It can't be Mosley's fault - he's a great writer. I'm transcribing it from the Kindle edition, so it may have got garbled in the transition).

Subject: RE: Steeleye Span - current status & future?
From: Claire M
Date: 29 Sep 12 - 04:48 PM

Hiya,

Their gig changed my whole life. I knew of Steeleye & that I liked them. I thought it was because I was only little when I 1st heard them & didn't know better.

I used to have a drama tutor that did a bit of singing as well. Whenever she was taking said classes, everything was fine, but when she did said singing I froze, felt ill, couldn't breathe ….... just couldn't work out why.   Since I've been re-acquainted with said band, I now know it was because she had the same sort of voice. I went to loads of concerts, but I felt like something wasn't right. I suppose my heart wanted my old favourites. I get teary-eyed just thinking of them now.