The fantastic debut of Steeleye Span – a legendary British group formed by bassist Ashley Hutchings after his departure from Fairport Convention! The style here is a great continuation of that mode that the earlier group worked out on their Liege & Lief album – a reworking of older British folk modes, but with the compelling addition of electric bass at the bottom – an instrument that gives this subtle pulse to the music amidst the more acoustic instrumentation, in ways that are indescribably haunting, and really keep the whole thing from sounding like any sort of standard folk! Maddy Prior sings most lead vocals, and the instrumentation includes plenty of guitars, fiddle, harmonium, concertina, and mandolin – and titles include "A Calling-On Song", "My Johnny Was A Shoemaker", "All Things Are Quite Silent", "Copshawholme Fair", "Dark Eyed Sailor", "Blackleg Miner", and "Twa Corbies".
(Mid 70s green label pressing. Cover has some ring and edge wear, stain at the bottom left corner, and is bent at the top left corner.)