TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Below The Salt" - Steeleye Span (1972)

"Below The Salt" - Steeleye Span (1972)

     I don’t dislike the medieval Renaissance music, I do.  I just don’t actively seek it out.  But I will occasionally pick one up if it’s the good stuff.  I had recently read about Steeleye Span in the AMG and remembered "Below The Salt" was one of a couple of their albums that received 5 stars.  So when I saw a beautiful copy in a box on the floor with a two-dollar price tag, I couldn't leave it behind.  The album doesn't go for big money anyway, but $2 is still a win.

     The album sounds like one might expect...except it doesn't.  The bar is higher.  You can hear it especially in the sound of the instruments, cast from long ago and electrified, adding a little meat to the bone.  And you can also hear the love of the song in their voices.  Especially, and those in the know, already know...Maddy Prior...who somehow slipped through a time-crack from 400 years past to deliver the honest-to-goodness.  No doubt capable of breaking your heart and slitting your throat at the drop of a penny.  Steeleye Span is both fresh and ancient...and I'll take all of this ya got.

     Active listening is how I like to enjoy my Steeleye.  First, I grab meself some ale. Whatever I have on hand, I pour into me mug. (The ale must be poured.)  I then drop the needle, and the Renaissance window opens, and it's 1623 again, and I'm another commoner sitting inside of the alehouse.  Forty minutes later, I return having had meself a wonderful time.

"Below The Salt" - Steeleye Span (back)

"Below The Salt" - Steeleye Span (inside gatefold)

Favorites include:
"King Henry"
"Royal Forester"
"Saucy Sailor"
"Sheep-Crook And Black Dog"

      This copy is an original gatefold on the green Chrysalis label pressed in Terre Haute.  The median price on Discogs is only $5.00, so nothing to get hung about.  Try to find one in the best condition possible if you decide to wield your sword.  "Below The Salt" was a phrase used to describe visitors of a very low social position, meaning no salt was to be left on the table for them to use.  And who hasn't felt like that at one time or another, right?

Chrysalis Records label

Cat #
CHR 1008
SIDE A  DEADWAX
T1 CHR-1008  31524-1-2
SIDE B  DEADWAX
T1 CHR-1008  31525-1-2  ꓥ5

"King Henry" - Steeleye Span / "Below The Salt" (1972)

TRACKS:
A1  "Spotted Cow" 3:01
A2  "Rosebud in June" 3:36
A3  "Jigs: The Bride's Favourite / Tansey's Fancy" 3:06
A4  "Sheep-Crook And Black Dog" 4:39
A5  "Royal Forester" 4:29
B1  "King Henry" 7:03
B2  "Gaudete" 2:21
B3  "John Barleycorn" 4:42
B4  "Saucy Sailor" 5:45

PERSONNEL: 
Maddy Prior - vocals
Tim Hart - vocals, Appalachian dulcimer, guitar
Peter Knight - violin, viola, mandolin, banjo, piano, vocals
Rick Kemp - bass, drums, vocals
Bob Johnson - guitar, vocals

Good stuff.

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