A Calling-On Song/The Blacksmith/Fisherman's Wife/Blackleg Miner/Dark-Eyed Sailor/Copshawholme Fair/All Things Are Quite Silent/The Hills Of Greenmore/My Johnny Was A Shoemaker/Lowlands Of Holland/Twa Corbies/One Night As I Lay On My Bed
Hark The Village Wait was the debut album from the British folk group Steeleye Span who combined traditional songs with an electric backing. Boosted by the appeal of main vocalist Maddy Prior they would become the most popular group in the British folk scene of the 1970s.
“Twelve good songs of electric folk and intelligent, delicate, serious soft rock played on standard rock instruments augmented with liberal servings of autoharp, concertina, mandola, banjo, electric dulcimer and harmonium. Lots of beautiful singing, every track is a traditional folk song yet, at the same time, the overall effect is quite contemporary.”
“So sublime and understated, this is a folk rock caress of the finest singing and delicate electric guitar one could ever hope to find. It's a true friend for life, a timeless compendium of song magic.”
“Steeleye Span's debut album is basically twelve perfect songs. They evocate a definite and magic atmosphere, and feature some immortal melodies (they survived during centuries for a good reason). They're played with a fervent, original, touching interpretation.”
“This is the only one of the group's albums to feature the sublime vocals of both Maddy Prior and Gay Woods at a time when both were singing at or near their peak. Their harmonies are outstanding. The song choices, nearly all adaptations of traditional material, are excellent and the basic folk rock arrangements fit the tunes perfectly.”
“This first Steeleye Span album is folkier and less rock-influenced than their later work. The gutsy yet finely-honed voices of Maddy Pryor and Gay Woods never let you down, either separately or in rich harmony. This album bursts with energy; the tunes are memorable and they always make me want to sing along.”
“Steeleye Span were perhaps the band who were more faithful to tradition among those prominent in the electric folk phenomenon, and that's why their style is most striking. This album is extremely innovative, especially for the cutting-edge guitar sound, and the unpredictable drum patterns and basslines.”
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