Reviews
Tonight’s The Night – Live!
Simon Jones
© Folk Roots No.111
Sept 1992
They've been saying it for long enough, perhaps a live album will convince that this version of Steeleye are their own entity. Quieter perhaps, certainly less flash, and there's no mega-folkies pumping up the sound, but considering the recent ravages on membership that Span are around to deliver is enough. 'Tonight's The Night' is a staging post, it reflects and predicts, watch the moves and see if you're right.
While it would be stupid for Prior, Knight and Johnson not to acknowledge their own past, done here in especially convincing style on the click, clack and harmonics of 'Fighting For Strangers', less so with 'Weaver And The Factory Maid', and yes... 'All Around My Hat', the real pointers come on new material. When you're talking massed vocals 'Ten Long Years' has all the edge and sharpness of say, 'Rogues In A Nation' or 'Cadgwith Anthem' and it fits in snugly in the new Steeleye folksy philosophy, Knight writing, Maddy digging up the trad, though new arrival Tim Harries could, given his spurs, prove a useful conspirator. His work may be less noticeable but is distinctive.
Opening in frothy bounce, with Peter Knight's title sailing round the harbour, Span sound confident, and closing with as characteristic a slice of Maddy Prior as you'll hear - 'Dawn Of The Day', then it's left to the sackcloth and ashes for grandad 'White Man' to carry the middle ground of the set. Which brings me to Tam Lin. Done in three movements, I would have thought it a natural to let Bob Johnson get his teeth into -'Long Lankin' and all that - but puzzingly they've stuck very much to traditional form, only the initial segment shifts and I'm unsure as yet of the overall impact. I'll reserve judgement on it.
With a studio follow-up due swiftly, there'll be more answers to the questions this raises. Meantime, Bob Johnson, please bring back that no-holds-barred lead you do so well. 'Tonight' finds Steeleye chipper and in fettle, moreover in character, there's the rub.
*Click here to see the cover & track listing.