Steeleye Span

After three decades, Steeleye Span's rocket-fueled version of traditional British music is still strong and fresh. Maddy Prior's voice is better than ever, even if dancing around the club during an instrumental break can leave her breathless these days. Their new fiddler player is fantastic, the substitute bass player (who learned the set in an afternoon several shows ago) is rock steady, and the long time guitarist and drummer are still great, too. An added bonus was hearing new songs from the record "Wintersmith" they did last year with Sir Terry Pratchett, based on some of his Discworld books: original music rooted in trad and beautifully conveying Pratchett's signature wacky but profound writing style.

We have been fans of Maddy Pryor and Steeleye Span for 40+ years, here and in Britain. It was great to hear the old songs again, as well as new ones. Her interpretations always change slightly, so the songs never seem old, and her voice is as clear as ever. We brought my sister from Arizona along for this performance - she had never heard of them, but ended up buying a CD and getting an autograph. Incredibly enjoyable evening.

As a Steeleye Span fan since discovering them in 1972, I have to say that this show was worth the 43-year (gulp) wait! Their musicianship is superb and their harmonious vocals... well let me just say that lead singer Maddy Pryor, if anything, sounds even better now than she did the first time I heard her sing. The group still performs their irresistible and infectious blend of traditional ballads backed by electric instruments, and they sound as timeless as ever. A highlight of the show for me was "All Around My Hat," one of my favorite of their songs. Maddy asked the audience to sing the chorus with her, after reciting it, and mentioned how embarrassing it was when she made this request at a festival and no one participated. She didn't have that problem at the Birchmere - not only did the audience participate, she stopped singing and the group stopped playing at the end, and let the audience sing the chorus entirely unassisted. If I ever have the chance to see Steeleye Span again I'm definitely going to take it. This one one of the best shows I've ever seen.

My wife, a fan of Span, and I went to the Birchmere to hear them and were blown away! They did lots of their traditional stuff and were wonderful. Maddy Prior is charming and sings beautifully; more alto than she used to be, but wonderful. And, in the second half of this show, they did some "modernized' versions of traditional stuff. They went into much heavier, rockier style, and Wow!! There are bands today who couldn't match them! I could feel the music deep in my gut. Just OUTSTANDING!

Superb. Stupendous. Awesome. Breathtaking. There aren't enough over-the-top words to convey how good Steeleye's live show was. Maddy Prior's voice is still as clear and strong as it was 40 years ago. And -- although longtime fans will probably consider this heresy -- new fiddle player Jessie May Smart is every bit as electrifying as Peter Knight ever was.

First off, we're huge fans of the Birchmere. So that's a given. Steeleye Span and Maddy Prior are favorites of my husband (I have no idea of the number of albums he has of theirs, but it is a lot). Having little familiarity with the band, but great appreciation for the music, I left having had a wonderful time, a skip in my step, and another great evening to remember!

I have enjoyed the music of Steeleye Span for years.. The concert was great with Maddy Priors vocals.

I've been waiting 40 years to see this band and finally got to. The show was excellent - Maddy Prior was in fine voice. The addition of the young violinist was most excellent!

We've followed Steeleye Span, and like groups like the Pentangle and Fairport for 40+ years. The Birchmere is a gruesome venue to get to from Md. First act was fantastic. Second act, as their voices got weaker, the electronic amplification got louder, to an almost painful level. Why can't they stay acoustic? Birchmere - onion straws were excellent, rest was mediocre. Very annoying with the servers continuously going among the tables during the performance. Super group. Dated performance. Horrible drive. Stick with your memories, and albums and CDs

Loved the show. They were great. My husband who isn't a fan really liked that they explained each song and said a little about it before singing. I liked the new versions of some old songs. For example When I Was on Horseback was never really a favorite but this time they really made the instrumentals dramatic, a beautiful counterpoint to Maddy's singing, which was superb as ever. she also did autographs and pictures after, which is just above and beyond.

They did a fabulous show, and played really well. Maddy's voice is as beautiful as ever.

Peter Knight was fantastic and the song selection was great! Good to see them back in fine form!

Steeleye Span rarely appears in the US. They were in great form Wednesday at The Ark in Ann Arbor. All the band members were in fine form, and Peter Knight (fiddle and mandolin) was absolutely amazing. Maddy Prior's vocals were great. Peter Knight and guitarist Ken Nicol did fine singing as well.

AFTER 40 YEARS MADDY PRIOR CAN STILL HIT ALL THE NOTES. MY ONLY COMPLANT WAS THAT THE SOUND SYSTEM CAUSED THE INSTRUMENTS TO OVERWHELMED THE VOCALS AT TIMES

My chance of a lifetime, as it was a 14 hour drive for me to The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. It was worth every minute on the road! I was so impressed - blown away, really - as Steeleye's live sound so closely resembles thier recorded music. I don't know. I guess I just conceded that they would have "lost it," a little over the years. But holy hell if they didn't sound as sweet as the first time I played one of their vinyls 30 years ago! Well, since it WAS their 40th annivesary tour, I imagine they've had plenty of time over these years to practice and refine, a bit. :) And Peter Knight: HOT, HOT, HOT!!! (Yes Peter, not just your playing: you look hot, too! - and I promise not to put those pic's of your ass on Facebook,...)

If you've ever heard Steeleye Span, you would be amazed to see how they produce their amazing sound! I have to point the finger at Peter Knight--an amazing virtuoso with the violin or various simulacra thereof. I don't know if or when they might do another tour in America, but do not miss it!!!

Great venue, wonderful show. Great to see this wonderful band back in the states.

Maddy Prior's voice is terrific and the band members do magic on guitars, drums, fiddle and even tin pipe

Steeleye Span has been my favorite group for 40 years. I saw them at the Ark a few years ago, and they gave a stunning performance. Last night I saw them again and they outdid themselves. What a magnificent group! Maddy Prior's wondrous voice has always been their greatest asset, with musicanship coming in closely behind. Maddy's voice can still thrill, and the group's musicianship is awe-inspiring: especially the violinist, who played with a frenetic genius, producing sounds at times that were other-worldly--what a gifted, inspired artist! This group is nothing short of dazzling. I applaud the Ark for allowing us to experience this spectacular music: what a privilege!

Unlike many groups that have been around for 40 years, Steeleye Span has held up extremely well. The voices may not be quite as clear as they were 40 years ago but the musicianship is if anything improved. Steeleye continues to write and perform new material that reflects the current folk scene. The show was a mix of new material and old favorites and was a thoroughly good time. Maddy's voice remains strong and distinctive. Peter Knights fiddling is extraordinary. Guitarist Ken Nicol fits right in with the longer term members

I've been watching Span in it's various incarnations since before I was born. This was a strong line-up with a very strong set from their extensive repertoire spanning 40 years (forgive the pun). The quality of musicianship was excellent, Maddy's voice has matured well and the overall gig was superb.

The Birchmere venue was good, with exceptional service and easy parking. Would definitely attend another event at this location. The Steeleye Span concert was outstanding.

I was so looking forward to this show, I love their old songs - but this was a HUGE disappointment. They didn't do any of their oldies - except all the way at the end, as an encore: All Around My Hat. Too little too late I say. 3 hours of my life that I'll never get back.

Unfortunately, Steeleye Span seemed old and tired. Maybe they are. But the show *was* billed as the "40th Anniversary" tour of a Rock & Roll band that plies its trade with a lot of Irish & Brit "jumpy", rockin' folk songs. It would have been nice to see Maddy Prior dance just a bit and certainly not see her sit down during the two liveliest numbers of the first set -- a medley of 2 reels. Hope sprung with their closing number in the first set, "Thomas The Rhymer", but alas, it did not portend "jumpier" music, as the second set was almost as slow and "dirgey" as the first. They didn't appear to be infirm or too old, so I would have preferred to have the music "kicked up a few notches" . . . I've seen them before and I have their eponymously titled DVD, so I know they can rock . . . and jig . . . and dance. I found the show sleepy and boring.

BRING THEM BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN.....WE LOVE THEM!!!!

Band looked, acted and dressed as if this was just a job another gig, tired of their own sound and faces. Totally not into the crowd, it was forced at best, The sound man should be fired, His mixing made most of the entire show unbearably loud with voluminous bass distortion from the fiddle player, ear drum breaking actually and to the determent of the other members performance, couldn't hardly hear not understand but a few words during the vocals.

Great show of old rocking English songs. Instrumentals are worth the show alone, but great voices are an added attraction.

The personnel has changed over the years, and even for this tour, but the power of Maddy Prior's voice and the longtime dynamic fiddling of Peter Knight transcends the passage of time.

Great concert for this perpetual band! The songs were great and Maddy Prior does not disappoint. The drummer was a throwback to either the 1960's of the 1300's (or both) and the crowd was delighted. The venue leaves a lot to be desired as the sound was pretty poor and the menu overpriced. Its kind of nice to be stuffed at tables with folks you dont know(there are no such things as strangers-only friends you have not met yet). All in all- a splendid time was had!

Wonderful. As good as they were 40 years ago. Maddy is still wonderful.

Maddy still has an awesome voice. Peter still the master magister of a musician. Some old favorites, some new tunes, all brilliant. Great venue for really LISTENING to music without all the accompanying craziness. Good food too, and great waitstaff. Worth every minute of traffic to get through the tunnel!