70s, outfit Steeleye Span, will be visiting Oxford’s New Theatre, and a whole host of other UK venues this Autumn for a tour that will revisit some of their classic material.
The band will be playing a lot of material from “Below the Salt” and Parcel of Rogues, 50 years on. They are looking at the early material of the Chrysalis albums of the 70’s, revisiting them and rethinking them.
A spokesperson said of the band: “Pioneers of folk-rock, Steeleye Span changed the face of folk music forever, taking it out of small clubs and into the world of gold discs and international tours.
“Five decades on and the band, led as ever by the iconic vocals of Maddy Prior and a line-up featuring some of the most skilled musicians on the UK music scene, celebrate fifty years of these famous albums, playing key tracks from all three as well as favourites and gems from their long and glittering career.”
The present Steeleye line-up is: Maddy Prior (vocals), with long term member Liam Genockey (drums), Julian Littman, guitar/keyboards and vocals) Andrew Sinclair (guitar), Violeta Vicci (violin and backing vocals), and Roger Carey (bass)
Maddy Prior is described as a true legend of folk and popular music.
The band’s spokesperson continues: “Maddy’s voice swoops and soars in harmony and melody. Her voice is still remarkable. It is hard to think how Steeleye will survive without her at the helm when she eventually does decide to hang up her hat (the one with the green willow around it). But let us bask in her glory, she still dances infectiously to the jigs, as happy in the moment as she has ever been.
“Sitting at the back with his long beard looking every inch the hippy figure is Liam Genockey on drums. Liam uses his kit to create sounds and atmospheres which are far more than hitting a stick against a skin. He utilises the metallic edges, the case – any part of the drum kit he thinks can add a particular moment to a song. His playing is very subtle and always beautiful.
“Julian Littman has been a part of the band since 2011 and has a huge pedigree of playing with some top-rated artists including David Bowie. He is a bit of a jack of all trades being an actor, singer, musician, song writer – you name it he does it. Julian plays guitars, keyboards and vocals.
“Another now seasoned member of the band is Andrew ‘Spud’ Sinclair. Playing superb guitar and impressive on vocals too, he clearly is an excellent fit.
“Roger Carey has had a long association with the band – having formed a duo with fiddle player Peter Knight in the 1980s and played alongside drummer Liam Genockey on numerous occasions.
“Last but certainly not least, Violeta Vicci, a virtuoso violinist, who skilfully steps in when Jesse Mae Smart is unable to tour.”
A link to the band’s live performance of All Things Are Quite Silent can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf-0yrsL2h0
A full list of the band’s Autumn tour dates can be found below:
October:
Wed 5th – Tyne Theatre & Opera House Newcastle
Fri 7th – Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
Sat 8th – RNCM Manchester
Sun 9th – The Baths Hall Scunthorpe
Mon 10th – King George’s Hall Blackburn
Wed 12th –Town Hall Dudley
Thurs 13th – Historic Lavenham Church
Fri 14th –St Nicholas’ Chapel Kings Lynn
Sun 16th – Spinney Theatre Northampton
Mon 17th – The Stables Milton Keynes
Tue 18th – Cheese & Grain Frome
Thurs 20th – Old Town Hall High Wycombe
Fri 21st – Exeter Corn Exchange, Exeter.
Sun 23rd – The Y Theatre Leicester
Mon 24th – The Tivoli Wimborne
Tue 25th – New Theatre Oxford
Thurs 27th – Chequer Mead Theatre East Grinstead
Sat 29th –The Pavilion Hailsham
Sun 30th – Town Hall Cheltenham
Mon 31st – Wyvern Theatre Swindon
November:
Tue 1st November – The Haymarket Basingstoke
More information about Steeleye Span can be found on its website at https://steeleyespan.org.uk/