Wintersmith

Album reached 77 in the official UK Charts

Steeleye release a concept album with a set of original songs centred around the Terry Pratchett Discord Novels. Principally about  the teenage trainee witch, Tiffany Aching. After an album of completely traditional songs this was an album full of original compositions. The only traditional element is the 'Flower of Edinburgh' tune used in the Wee Free Men. Guests Kathryn Tickell and John Spiers feature along with the backing vocals of ex member Bob Johnson who contributed two songs (The band knew he was a big Terry Pratchett fan). Terry Pratchett himself was a big fan of the band and after Steeleye played at his 60th birthday party the idea started for an album set around his novels. Terry thought Wintersmith would be perfect to be put to music. 

New member Julian Littman (who replaced Ken Nicol in 2010) has a background in musical theatre and contributed three songs, as did Peter and Maddy. Rick contributed four. The 6th member of the band is Pete Zorn who joined in 2009 initially to replace Rick Kemp on tour.
Maddy and Terry did a number of Tv and Radio interviews to support the album, including The Jools Holland Show where they played a video clip of The Dark Morris Song.

The album also marked the return of an external Producer, in this case Chris Tsangarides, a very well known producer of Rock/Hard Rock, including Judas Priest among many others. The led to the album having a much heavier feel than its predecessor. 

The success of the album led to a 'Deluxe' CD release in 2014. 4 new songs were recorded for this CD (see below) and included Jessie May Smart on Fiddle, replacing Peter Knight who left after the Wintersmith UK Tour in December 2013. There were also the superb Bob Johnson demo versions of Ancient Eyes and The Wee Free Men, along with liver versions of most of the original album.

Only 'Dark Morris Song' and 'Wintersmith' have survived in the live set since the new line up formed in 2017