1998-2001

The band continues with no Maddy Prior for the first time

1998
Jump to: 1999 2000 2001

A return to a mainly part time existence

Steeleye Span 1998-2001

Peter Knight; Gay Woods; Bob Johnson; Tim Harries.Guest drummers - Gerry Conway; Dave Mattacks.

Cancelled early 1998 tour? (With Al Stewart)

There is a tour poster of a potential 'Musical Nomads Tour' in 1998 with no dates. As Liam is on the picture then it may be a tour that fell through because Liam left quite suddenly? (see 1997) Or, as it was promoted by Adrian Hopkins it may have tied into his departure.

1st May Bergen. Bergen Garage; Norway.
The debut of the new line up. Bootleg exists. No drummer at this concert, probably the first time since 1973.

The small line up made for a more relaxed, intimate but vocal audience and worked really well for the 'Go From my Window/Water is Wide' medley which had an extended improv piece in the middle including a Poem read by Gay. It also probably the only chance to hear 'All Around My Hat' & 'Thomas' with no drums, on which both Gay delivers superb vocals. All the songs in the set appeared in the last couple of tours.
Set List: Cadgwith Anthem; The Prickly Bush; Harvest of the Moon; Padstow; Erin; The Elf Knight; Twa Corbies; Seagull; Go From My Window/Improv./The Water is Wide; All Around My Hat; Thomas the Rhymer; Old Maid in the Garrett; Gaudete; Reels.

27th June Castelnuovo nei Monti, Italy. I assume no drummer again but have no info about this. An older Usernet group post confirms it was due to take place

July 18th: Maddy Prior presents 'In Good Voice' a series on BBC World Service about signing.

17th Album: Horkstow Grange

The first Steeleye Span album not to feature Maddy Prior which turns out to be the most acoustic album since the early days. Bob Johnson plays the acoustic guitar on a number of tracks. As usual the arrangements/melodies are mostly by the band Span based on mainly traditional songs. One track was written by Johnny Patterson in the 1920's (I Nish I Was Never Wed). The song 'Horkstow Grange' is where the name John 'Steeleye' Span originates from (Melody by Peter) Peter described it as a transitional album. Initially it was recorded with no drums but Peter said the band were so used to having drums that the album sounded like they had been lifted off! Dave Mattacks was brought in to add the 'missing' drums!

19 dates in October. 1st UK tour by the band since Maddy Left. Dave Mattacks on Drums (Dave was not a full time member). Long Lankin returns to the set for the first time since '94 and 8 new songs from the new album are introduced making a total of 8 from it as Erin was played in '97. The rest of the set is drawn from songs played in the last few years.

Simon Jones in his Froots review (Warrington) said 'If you came thinking too much of the previous Steeleye, then this was a different evening, but if you came with an open mind and no fixed ideas about what you were likely to hear or see then chances are you'd have left well chuffed..Peter confessed that they were never in doubt about Steeleye continuing and you have to credit with them for sticking with it when you can check just how effective Gay Woods operates centre stage. her vocal, wispish and willowy one moment, strident and evocative the next, handling both The Water is Wide and I Wish I Was never Wed on exactly those terms. Span left us tails up and raised more questions that they'd answers for. " We are just taking things one step at a time," Knight whispered after the gig. "it may take a while for us to bring the punters round, but we're determined to do it." Life in the old dog yet.

Another attendee (Gravesend) commented: They were a revelation, far more entertaining than recently. They have rejuvenated their set list, including some oldies but goldies (Long Lankin, Dark Eyed Sailor, Blackjack Davey). I am not knocking Maddy Prior, I hugely enjoyed her "& Friends" concert as well as the "Flesh and Blood" CD but the split seems to have done both Steeleye and Maddy good. The songs from Horkstow Grange made excellent additions to the live set. DM reminded me as to why I was so disappointed to hear he had left Fairport. His drumming was exemplary throughout and he seemed to be really enjoying himself, obviously developing a real rapport with Peter Knight. The attack he brought to Thomas the Rhymer made this the best live version I have heard and the punch he brought to All Around My Hat rejuvenated this whiskery oldie.

Long Lankin; The Prickly Bush; Erin Grá Mo Chroí (Bob on acoustic guitar) The Tricks of London (Bob on acoustic); One True Love (Bob on acoustic); The Dark-Eyed Sailor (Bob on acoustic); Horkstow Grange; [Interval] The Old Turf Fire; Seagull; Black Jack Davy (sung by Bob); Bonny Birdy; The Water Is Wide; Lord Randall; I Wish That I Never Was Wed; Thomas the Rhymer; The Old Maid in the Garrett; All Around My Hat; Jigs; Gaudete

2nd Oct Trinity Arts Centre, Tunbridge Wells
3rd Strode Theatre, Street
5th Millfield Theatre, Edmonston
6th Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe
7th Assembly Rooms, Derby
8th Municiple Hall, Colne
9th Parr Hall, Warrington
10th Corn Exchange, King's Lynn
11th Grand Opera House, York
14th The stables, Milton Keynes
15th Ferenham Hall, Fareham
16th Roses Theatre, Tewksbury
17th Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
19th Salisbury City Hall
21st Customs House, South Shields
22nd Beverley Picture House, Burton Pidsea
25th Corn Exchange, Cambridge
27th Woodville Halls, Gravesend
28th The Harlequin, Redhill

Maddy Prior Activity

Meanwhile in 1998 Maddy Prior had a 21 date Spring tour; a 19 date North American tour and 16 dates on a 'Spirit of the Tradition' tour with Jacqui McShee and Kathryn Tickell. Maddy's band - Maddy Prior & Friends' at the time was Nick Holland and Troy Donockey. Along with Terl Bryant they released the Album 'Flesh and Blood'. Click on image for more details.

1999

A few Summer dates and one large Autumn tour for the 30th Anniversary

'All Around My Hat' - Dutch TV Documentary

The 'Classic' line up (except Nigel) all record interviews for a Dutch TV series called 'Single Luck' (focusing on one hit wonders). The focus is of course Steeleye's hit single! The series was eventually broadcast in March 2001. I have uploaded the episode onto Youtube opposite.

April 3rd: 'Jig and Swig Festival', Leeds Exhibition Centre, Morley.

Feat. Lindisfarne/Oysterband. Steeleye headlined Saturday [over Easter] but due to time constraints had no time for encore, therefore no time for 'Hat', which is their usual festival encore. Dave Mattacks was on drums. [Thanks Jonathan Lee for info!]

Summer Tour

Still being billed as the 'Horkstow Grange Tour'. Not been easy to get these dates from what must have been a short Summer tour, must be a couple more at a guess. Described as "One of a 'handful' of warm up dates before 30th Anniv tour" (Nettlebed preview)

31st July Beaufort Theatre, Ebbw Vale.
1st Aug The Arena Theatre Sidmouth
2nd Aug. Nettlebed
5th Aug Dranouter, Belgium.

14th Aug. Maddy Prior and friends at Cropedy Festival
29th Aug. Steeleye: Bridgenorth festival

30th Anniversary UK Tour

24 dates across October & November. Gerry Conway was on drums 30 years after he appeared on Hark! as a guest drummer. He played on Black Jack Davy, reuniting with Gay Woods on this song. I think this was the tour that "Paul Clarvis also worked with us on a few gigs" per Peter Knight, talking when Gerry joined on a tour that Dave couldn’t make. This tour was recorded and filmed (Croydon), and according to Peter, to a good enough quality to release. However, due probably due to major line up changes in 2000/01 it never made it as a release. Another one for the box set.

The Set list is mostly carried over from 1998 but introduces 'Well Done Liar' (with a slightly different melody on the chorus and different dynamics throughout) and the Connemara Cradle Song from the next album, plus 'Stuttering Lovers' which did not make it to the next album so remains unreleased and is only available on bootlegs. Bob brings back 'Longbone' for the first time since the 80's. Erin has an extended outro. (On the album version is fades out quickly). The 'Water is Wide' has an extended improv intro.

THE PRICKLY BUSH; HARVEST OF THE MOON; ERIN (extended instrumental at the end); ONE TRUE LOVE; DARK EYED SAILOR; LONGBONE; HORKSTOW GRANGE; THE CONNEMARA CRADLE SONG; [interval] OLD TURF FIRE; BLACK JACK DAVY (sung by Bob); THE STUTTERING LOVERS; BONNY BIRDY; THE WATER IS WIDE; I WISH THAT I NEVER WAS WED; WELL DONE LIAR; THOMAS THE RHYMER; OLD MAID IN THE GARRETT; encore - ALL AROUND MY HAT; MASONS APRON; (Gaudete as a 2nd encore sometimes)

16th Oct. Rosehill Theatre Whitehaven
17th Town Hall Accrington
18th City Varieties Music Hall Leeds
21st Farnham Maltings Farnham
22nd Woodville Halls Gravesend
23rd The Stables Milton Keynes
24th Palace Theatre Newark
26th Civic Hall Guildford Pentangle
27th Civic Hall Stratford-Upon-Avon
28th Pavilion Theatre Rhyl
29th De Montfort Hall LeicesterPentangle
30th Sundial Theatre Cirencester
31st Octagon Theatre Yeovil
1st Nov. St Georges Hall Exeter
2nd Huntingdon Hall Worcester
6th Roses Theatre Tewkesbury
7th Concert Hall, Fairfield Halls Croydon with Pentangle - Filmed. Audience of 600 (capacity 1,800). Dropped 'One True Love', 'Harvest of the Moon'; 'Longbone'; 'Connemara Cradle Song'.
8th The Playhouse Harlow Pentangle
9th Dacorum Pavilion Hemel Hempstead
11th The Beck Theatre Hayes
12th Castlemilk Folk Festival, Glasgow
15th Maddermarket Theatre Norwich
16th The Town Hall High Wycombe
17th Cambridge Arts Theatre Cambridge

Live CD: 'The Journey'

Finally a recording of the 1995 concert made is way onto a double CD. Gay Woods commented later that rework was needed on many of the tracks to make it good enough for release. Gay mentioned Maddy's vocals needed some overdubbing, which, if true, would have been understandable given the vocal problems she was having at the time. Click on the image for full details including who played on each song.

Click 'here' to jump to 1995 in the timeline to read more about this historic concert.

CD: A rare collection 1972-1996

An interesting release by Raven Records in Australia as it did provide a lot of rare tracks. However, it was also controversial, as although Raven did get all the necessary permissions there was one track (I assume Betsy Bell and Mary Gray but I don't know for sure), that was given to Raven by Nigel Pegrum (who lives in Australia) as he owned a tape of a gig. Peter Knight confirmed that Nigel didn't seek approval from the other musicians on the track, and had no authority to give Raven permission to use it. Peter expressed his disappointment.

There was also the issue that it was released at the same time as 'The Journey' which the band were also unhappy about,

2000

A return to the US, a new album but Bob leaves to be replaced by another 'classic' line up member

Maddy Prior activity

APRIL/MAY: MADDY PRIOR AND FRIENDS TOUR.

Peter Knight joined for 4 gigs along with Rick Kemp. Peter said he enjoyed working with Rick again and I'm sure it helped make him the obvious choice to step in when Bob later left.

In addition during 2000 Maddy had a tour of Australia; festival appearances (including Cropedy); a big 30 date Autumn tour and a December Carnival Band Tour.

According to John Van Der Kiste's book it was probably the above 'Friends' tour and the 1999 'Ballads and Candles' tour, and in particular the shows with Peter and Rick, that caused some resentment in Gay, making her skeptical about Maddy's voice problems, feeling they were exaggerated and an excuse to pursue a solo career using Steeleye songs and musicians, almost trading off the Steeleye name. Of course none of this is substantiated, or particularity realistic given Maddy had been pursuing solo projects since the late 70's using Rick throughout that time. But it does highlight some of the underlying issues that must have been there when both Gay and Maddy were in the band.

Peter Knight: 'Working with Maddy'

Working with Maddy and her regular musicians on her December gigs along with June Tabor was a treat, and I was delighted when she asked me to join her for these few gigs in April/May. Maddy is singing better than ever. I've always enjoyed accompanying her and it was great to have the opportunity of playing on 'Hares' and 'Ravens'. Nick's accompaniment to her song 'Alex' was wonderful to improvise over, and in a perfect world I would have taken a twenty minute solo :) Only four gigs but all gems.

One of the bonuses of working with Maddy is that I also get to work with Rick again after quite a few years. His playing still intrigues me and I'd love to do some recording with him at some point to see what emerges. He's very similar to myself in some ways. It's good working with fearless musicians who aren't afraid to explore what's there. They say there's no such thing as a mistake; it's how you resolve it. Half the fun of making music is getting yourself out of trouble.

This is the second time I have played with Nick Holland and I have realised that his accompaniments to Maddy's songs are far more involved than meets the ear. He plays in such a fluid and natural way that the unusual harmonies were not obvious to me on the first hearing. His chords tend to be quite open which leaves a lot of scope for the melody or an improvised melody to weave its way through the song without having to adhere to the limitations of a closed chord progression. I have always felt totally free during my solos to explore beyond the obvious, and this is largely down to the way he plays. Thanks Nick

Summer festivals

2nd July: Ludlow festival.
Dave Mattacks joined the band on drums. There are some audio bootlegs available of various tracks on YouTube. 'Here' is the track Stuttering Lovers that has never been released.
Prickly Bush; Old Turf Fire; Black Jack Davy; Dark Eyed Sailor; The Stuttering Lovers; Bonny Birdy; Water is Wide I wish I was Never Wed; Well Done Liar; Thomas the Rhymer; Old Maid in the Garratt; All Around my Hat/Jigs.

3rd: Nettlebed Folk Club, Oxford. Dave Mattacks on drums.
21st July: Louvain, Belgium (did this happen? only seen it as a planned concert)

11th August: Broadstairs Festival, Kent.

Last ever concert with Bob Johnson

August: Interview with Gay Woods

The festival appearance above was the last time Bob Johnson performed in public. Nick Clark interviewed Gay not long after this concert and the after the news broke about Bob:

Broadstairs Folk Festival….

It was a lovely place. We had a very nice time, an absolutely superb gig. It was in a high Anglican Church with the altar behind us. We got a lovely reception; they were crazy for the music.

Did you play any of your new material?

No, that was our farewell gig of that set. We put a lot into it to give them a good send off. We’re going to America so we have to do some of the older stuff and Bob’s left of course. It’s a pity. I thought he might change his mind.

Did he record the album?

He just put a few tracks on as the final thing. So we have a new member…Rick Kemp. He’s coming in on bass and Tim’s going to take over the guitar. We are very much in tune and certainly in the studio we had a great time together. So let’s hope it works. It’s amazing to me in a band like this how the strength shifts. We are awaiting with interest when this record comes out. It’s quite different but folk rock has to evolve in the year 2000 as it did in the 1960’s – there’s no point in keeping with the same formula. I hope to do something myself now out of it because it’s really fired me up.

What’s your contribution to ‘Bedlam Born’?

There’s just one song on the new CD which I did the music for. It’s from a poem from one of the young men executed in the 1916 uprising and I’m just so happy with what I did there.

How do you compose?

I always get a rhythm first, in my head. I used to compose on the dulcimer, now I sing into my little cassette machine. I don’t write music.

What other types of music are on the album?

The contents of the songs are so interesting, that’s what I love about it, for instance, you know at the start of ‘The Water Is Wide’ is a poem, well more a piece of prose, we’ve done some of that. Peter has written some new stuff. They’re in his old style so there is a bit of a clash at times but that’s the way it’s done.

Will Rick stay with you into the autumn?

Well, we’re just doing the American tour first. It’s going to be him and Dave Mattacks – terrific; I’m looking forward to that rhythm section so perhaps he’ll come on the English tour. I’m sure that once we get through the rehearsals to the tour we’ll know exactly where we’re going…

Nick Clark talking to Gay Woods.

Bob Johnson Leaves

Bob Johnson announces (20th August) he will leave the band after finishing the next album. There was no statement by Bob giving reasons for his leaving, but one band member said that it was mainly due to 'Personality Differences'. After leaving Bob started up his own 'occupational therapist' practice and taught the guitar.
Peter: "I respected his decision to leave. We had shared a lot together both in our private and public lives and I was sad that our working relationship had come to an end. I thanked him for his wonderful music, the good times, the bad times, and his commitment to a band he loved."
Peter later said that Bob had had enough of touring and 'all the other stuff that goes with it'. He said that if Bob could be lifted from his home and put on stage he would be fine!

Rick Kemp rejoins

Rick was announced as replacement for Bob for the next tour at the same time as Bob leaving. Tim Harries would move across to guitar. Rick did not actually become a full member of the band until the 'classic line up' reunion in 2002.
Rick was invited in by Manager John Dagnell: "John Dagnell of Park Records called me on behalf of the band saying that Bob had left and that Tim was going to move ‘sideways ’ as it were, to play guitar. It was a surprise for many reasons, mainly I suppose, as I imagined that they would want a newer, younger person to replace Bob.".
He did also say he enjoyed being back - "If they decide that I’m the man for the job, I’ll be very, very happy – I think that I have a lot to offer for the future, most of which didn’t have time to show itself in the six weeks of touring. I have some radical ideas, to be adopted or not, about the future of my favourite band."

Sept: US Tour

Dave Mattacks on Drums, Rick on Bass for the first time since 1987. Back in the US three years after touring with Maddy but a shorter tour tour this time, albeit at similar venues. 'John Of Ditchford' and 'Who told the Butcher' both from the upcoming album are introduced but the rest of the set sees no real changes.

Two Act Set List: (Rams Head): The Prickly Bush; Dark-Eyed Sailor; Who Told the Butcher; Erin; Staring Robin; Horkstow Grange; The Stuttering Lovers; The Connemara Cradle Song; [Interval] The Old Turf Fire; John of Ditchford; Bonny Birdy; Poem; The Water is Wide; I Wish That I Never Was Wed; Thomas the Rhymer; Old Maid in the Garrett. Encore: All Around My Hat; Jigs
One Act Set List: (Bottom Line): Prickly Bush; Old Turf Fire; Who told the Butcher or One True Love; Dark Eyed Sailor; John of Ditchford; Horkkstow Grange; Erin; [Interval]; Staring Robin; Bonny Birdy; The Water Is Wide; Wish That I Never Was Wed; Thomas The Rhymer; Old Maid In The Garrett; All Around my Hat; Jigs and Reels.

19th Sept: Rams Head Annapolis
20th Sept: Birchmire Alexandria
21st Sept: New York The Bottom Line. 2 Shows
22nd Sept: Philadelphia Tin Angel
23rd Sept: Boston Folk Festival
24th Sept: Iron Horse, Northampton. Massachusetts

Boston Globe review: Celtic folk rockers Steeleye Span ended the festival on an upbeat note. Combining lush harmonies with guitar, violin, and a traditional rock beat, the British quartet played an innovative combination of 100-year-old songs, and others that span the group's 30-year history. Spirited Irish-flavored songs such as "The Prickly Bush" had the audience on its feet and helped dispel the stereotype that folk is just a quiet sit-down form of music. (Pictures from Archived Boston Globe Website)

18th Album: 'Bedlam Born'

25th Sept. A significant change in direction after Horkstow Grange with an emphasis on the 'rock' element of Folk Rock, although still mainly Trad.Arr. This time Dave Mattacks was brought in during the rehearsals to integrate the drums from the start. It was also however a very strained album with Bob effectively announcing in the liner notes that he was leaving the band. He recorded most of his parts on his own and did not get very involved with the recording. Peter: "Having made the decision to leave, Bob simply wanted to work on his songs and then go. I did say that I thought this album would be a good one to finish on and we were aware that they were to be his swan songs." Tim described the album as a 'A conference of alienation'! Rick said he thought it "amongst the best work ever produced by the band".

'Staring Robin' (Unused studio recording)

During the recording sessions for Bedlam Born the band recorded a Tim Harries song called 'Staring Robin' which had been popular live. Park Records recommended that the track was not included as it was closer to 'Punk Folk' and would detract from the rest of the album. Peter Knight has since said he felt that this was an incorrect decision (by the band to follow the recommendation). I have have a poor quality bootleg that I recorded myself (video below, audio only) and is interesting to listen to purely from an historical perspective. It is also thought that 'Stuttering Lovers' was recorded and an additional Tim Harries one as well that was not used - that may have been 'Through Moorfields' (see Cromer gig in 2001 below) but it is not known for sure.

Peter at the time: "Park Records are a good company who care about Steeleye and its music. I think they felt that 'Staring Robin' might in some way become the focus of attention and detract from some of the other songs. The band didn't share that view but we are not in the business of selling records. I'm sure that 'Staring Robin' will be released at some future date."

And a little later Peter said: " Park did not forbid it. They suggested that maybe it wasn't suitable material for that album. We had the choice. Either we could make a stand in which case it would have been included, or we could trust Park's judgement. We chose the latter. In hindsight I feel it was the wrong decision. Not because of a matter of principle, but because the song is a great song and perfectly suitable for Steeleye. Performing it on gigs proved that"

Autumn UK 'Bedlam Born' Tour

(23 dates). The first Steeleye tour with no Bob Johnson since 1978. Rick Kemp joins the band once again on bass while Tim Harries moved across to guitar. With Bob having left it impacted how many new album tracks were played although Rick's return did mean the return of 'Robbery with Violins' . I see His Blood upon the Rose, Beyond the Dreaming Place and White Cliffs of Dover were all introduced and the band continued to play Starting Robin and Stuttering Lovers despite neither making the grade for the album. I heard 'There was a Wealthy Merchant' played on this tour but I don't think it was played often. The 'Hat' song was dropped at points on this tour. This tour was also filmed but as per 1999 has never been seen, almost certainly due to the changes in 2001.

Press Release: Autumn 2000 will see the return to action of Steeleye Span with an extensive UK tour and a new studio album Bedlam Born, the follow up to 1998's Horkstow Grange. This was a record that reflected both the band's history as well as bringing a range of new influences. As Peter Knight puts it, "Horkstow Grange was very much the sound of four musicians marking their territory and coming out with something different to what's gone before". Last year the band celebrated their 30th Anniversary with a series of summer festival appearances (including a triumphant arena show at Sidmouth in front of over six thousand people) and a UK tour, as well as the release of The Journey, a live 26 track double CD, containing the many highlights from a very special 1995 concert at The Forum, London. Always in their element in the live arena, Steeleye Span bring over thirty years of experience to each concert performance. Bob's departure has signalled the return of another of the famous names from the band's history, Rick Kemp, who provided the bass during those classic years. Rick will be alternating on bass and guitar with Tim, giving the group yet another dimension. The show features a wealth of material ranging from their debut album of 1969 (including classics such as Thomas The Rhymer', 'Gaudete' and inevitably 'All Around My Hat') as well as more recent songs, from 1996's acclaimed 'Time', 'Horkstow Grange' and, of course, Bedlam Born. Steeleye Span have had a long and distinguished story, and this may well prove to be one of their most vital and fascinating chapters.

Set List: Horkstow Grange or Old Turf Fire; John of Ditchford; Who Told the Butcher; Prickly Bush (sung by Tim); Bonny Birdy; I see his Blood upon the Rose; Robbery with Violins; Stuttering Lovers; Old Maid in The Garrett (Not every time); Beyond the Dreaming Place; Staring Robin; Thomas the Rhymer; White Cliffs of Dover; encore: All Around My Hat; The Masons Apron.

1st Oct. Bath Theatre Royal
4th Bexhill De La Warr Pavillion
5th Rickmansworth Watersmeet
6th Gravesend Woodville Halls
7th Bewdly Festival Heath Hotel
8th Congleton Daneside Theatre
9th Derby Assembly Halls w.Pentangle
11th Stafford Gatehouse
12th Redditch Palace Theatre (Maddy Prior in audience)
14th Hunstanton Princess Theatre
15th Colchester Arts Centre
17th Bradford St Georges Hall
18th High Wycombe Town Hall
20th Barnstaple Queens Theatre
21st Paignton Paalce Theatre
22nd Milton Keynes The Stables
23rd Swindon Arts Centre
25th Tewksbury The Roses Theatre
26th Southsea South Parade Pier
30th Weston Super Mare The Playhouse
1st Nov Hayes The Beck Theatre
2nd Bolton Albert Halls (all Around My Hat not played "because we didn't want to" (Tim Harries), cheers Paul B for the info!
4th Canterbury Gulbenkian Theatre (Terl Bryant played drums at this concert)

Peter Knight discussing the tour and 'Staring Robin'

I came back to such a warm welcome from all of you who have written saying how much you enjoyed the gigs. We did too. The tour was an absolute joy, apart from the odd incident or two, like when the bar staff ran off with the band's food and drink at one of the venues. The band is definitely enjoying life again and considering the events of the immediate past that's good news.

There is a big difference between making music and selling it, and when Park Records suggested that 'Staring Robin', a song about an Elizabethan psychopath, should not be included on the 'Bedlam Born' cd, I knew that a good time for the music was approaching. In the early days the band was surrounded by controversy, not as some immature ploy, but because of the nature of the music and the commitment behind it. We played 'Staring Robin on the gigs both here and in the States and the audiences loved it. It may well be released at some future date. He has become conspicuous by his abscence.

Gay, Tim and myself have been through our fair share of 'weird' over the last few years and how good it feels to have come out of the other side raring to go. In reality I have no idea what the future holds, as none of us do, but I'm grateful for being here now to enjoy this time in the band's life.

A huge thanks to Rick Kemp and Dave Mattacks for joining us on the two tours. They were excellent.

Maddy Prior MBE

2001: Maddy became a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Traditional Music.

The Crisis of 2001/2002

Across the next year Tim Harries; Gay Woods would both leave the band leaving Peter Knight as last man standing as the band came close to finishing....

February 2001. Gay made the announcement before she had told the other members of the band, and news first appeared in an article. Her statement on her website was: "I will say that after the tour I'm afraid my dealings with the whole situation were not very nice so I decided it would be, for health reasons,....better just to leave it. So I'm just myself now "

No specific reasons have been given, but an article at the time said it was in part due to financial problems around publishing issues and royalties that Gay thought she was being excluded from. The strains of touring and being away from her family was also mentioned as reasons at the time by Gay.

Gay also made this amusing comment (To Nick Clarke) about when she joined Dr Strangely Strange: "In a way it was like joining Steeleye Span..... I rejoin and they break up or people leave. It seems to be a pattern in my life. Don't let Gay Woods join your band !"

This initiated a very tricky time for Band, and Peter in particular as at various points over the next year it was entirely possible that Steeleye would have finished at this point. As Peter later reflected (in a Richard Hollis Interview):

"As the last man standing, the future of Steeleye did rest with me and for a long time I wasn’t really sure what to do about it. The Band had been around for over thirty years and to be honest, that seemed as though it should be enough and time to call it a day anyway. So no, at that point I wasn’t confident about its survival and there were moments when I really didn’t want the Band to reform."

February 19th Peter Knight and Tim Harries (the remaining full time members (Rick Kemp had just joined for the last tour) make a joint statement that they will continue to work on new material and see where the music takes them before making a decision on new members later in the year.

Peter: "I am pleased to tell you that Tim and I have decided to work together and reform the band. This will be both exciting and challenging. We will be performing at Cromer on May 13th as planned and the line-up will include Rick Kemp on Bass. I will keep you informed of any developments. Thanks so much for all the email and for your continued support. Forever Forward. Peter."

Tim: "Thanks to everyone who's shown us the kind of genuine support we have grown to really appreciate. Once again awash with change, we've put our heads together and that's where they're going to stay, co-writing and demoing a new STEELEYE SPAN Album that we intend to have ready to record by the end of this year. All potential future Line-up decisions will be based on combining this new work with vintage Steeleye in the most volatile mix possible. After that we will saddle up and storm the gates in a clatter of rockin' bones"

Tamsyn Alexander, Tim Harries, Rick Kemp, Terl Bryant and Peter Knight.

This was a long standing booking that still needed fulfilling and the line up was formed just to play at this festival. Tamsyn was in the band "Sin'e" and had only a week to prepare. Tim 'led' the band with most of the vocals and intros. 'Wee Weaver' was a very Jazz influenced version which Tamsyn had sung with her band before, she also brought in 'Streets of Derry'. 'Through Moorfields' was a brand new Tim Harries song based on Trad lyrics.

A new low as Peter Knight is the only remaining member. His statement:

""Tim Harries has had a change of heart and has decided not to battle on against the odds. I don't feel at present that I want to reform the band alone, but I will live with it for a while before making a final decision."
In a later interview Peter made the comment that Tim said he had to leave in order for Maddy to return.

Maddy Prior activity

During this time in 2001/2002 Maddy remained incredibly busy. A 29 Spring tour in April 2001 to support new album 'Arthur the King' plus a further 17 date Autumn tour rounded off with a December Carnival Band Tour. In early 2002 Maddy toured with Troy Donockley and Nick Holland - UK/Australia/Japan; before embarking on a Spring tour with 'Maddy Prior and the Girls' (Abbie Lathe and Rose Kemp) supporting 'Bib and Tuck' Album. There was of course another Carnival Band tour in the Autumn.

'Keltic Fusion' Single - Gaudete

Dec 2001: 'Keltic Fusion' (Maddy Prior, Troy Donockley, Nick Holland, Rose Kemp, Jacqui McShee) release a single: Gaudete/Greenwood Side' (Park Records). This single release nearly derailed the proposed Steeleye Span reunion ........

February 2002

Peter Knight says on his website that there are delays to announcing the new line up, due to, in his words:
"I can't give you a positive answer to your Steeleye question. With no prior warning, and no pun intended, Park Records released another version of Gaudete by Maddy and her 'friends' which has created a variety of reactions and a conflict of interests. We have decided to wait for the dust to settle and talk again next year. Very unfortunate."

8th: Peter Knight Statement "There are plans to reform a classic Steeleye Span line-up. Talks have been going on for several months between myself and Park Records"
Line up:

Peter Knight, Maddy Prior, Bob Johnson, Rick Kemp and Liam Genockey.

"We were hoping to tour later this year but due to unforeseen circumstances this is now looking unlikely. I shall now concentrate on my solo work and remain optimistic that we will see Steeleye Span on tour next year."

July 2002

10th: A new statement from Peter that the Band will now tour in 2002 and release a new studio album that will consist of re-recordings of the classic Steeleye songs voted by fans in an online poll on the Park Records Website.

Peter also said: "Steeleye has had a rough ride for a while and it was time for those who care the most to lend a hand."

1998-2001

1998Jump to: 1999 2000 2001

Steeleye Span 1998-2001

17th Album: Horkstow Grange

'Horkstow Grange' UK Tour

Steeleye Span 1998-2000 (With Dave Mattacks)

Maddy Prior Activity

1999

'All Around My Hat' - Dutch TV Documentary

Summer Tour

30th Anniversary UK Tour

Live CD: 'The Journey'

CD: A rare collection 1972-1996

Maddy Prior: Ballads and Candles

2000

Maddy Prior activity

APRIL/MAY: MADDY PRIOR AND FRIENDS TOUR.

Peter Knight: 'Working with Maddy'

Summer festivals

11th August: Broadstairs Festival, Kent.

Last ever concert with Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson Leaves

Rick Kemp rejoins

Steeleye Span '2000'

Sept: US Tour

18th Album: 'Bedlam Born'

'Staring Robin' (Unused studio recording)

Autumn UK 'Bedlam Born' Tour

Peter Knight discussing the tour and 'Staring Robin'

Maddy Prior MBE

The Crisis of 2001/2002

Gay Woods leaves the Band

13th May: 'Folk on the Pier', Cromer

MAY: TIM HARRIES LEAVES THE BAND

A new low as Peter Knight is the only remaining member. His statement:

Maddy Prior activity

'Keltic Fusion' Single - Gaudete

March 2002: NEW 'CLASSIC LINE UP' ANNOUNCED

Peter Knight, Maddy Prior, Bob Johnson, Rick Kemp and Liam Genockey.

1989-97 / HOME / 2002-2010

A Celebration of Steeleye Span

1998
Jump to: 1999 2000 2001