Steeleye Span - Please To See The King - VINYL LP

Please to See the King by Steeleye Span returns to vinyl-a groundbreaking album that helped redefine British folk music in the early 1970s. Originally released in 1971, this was the band's second album and the first without founding member Ashley Hutchings. It marked a bold departure from traditional folk instrumentation, stripping away drums and instead building a dense, hypnotic sound driven by electric guitars, layered vocals, and ancient balladry. Steeped in English folklore and medieval tradition, the album presents a stark, electrified take on traditional songs. Tracks like InchThe King,Inch InchThe False Knight on the Road,Inch and InchBoys of BedlamInch are haunting and intense, performed with raw harmonies and darkly textured arrangements that give these centuries-old songs a new and powerful urgency. Maddy Prior's voice-clear, commanding, and timeless-leads the ensemble with grace and fire, backed by Tim Hart, Martin Carthy, and Peter Knight, whose interplay of guitars, mandolin, fiddle, and vocals is both intricate and forceful. This reissue captures the spirit of a band pushing boundaries, marrying electric folk with the ritualistic drama of England's musical heritage. A cornerstone of the electric folk movement, Please to See the King is a must-have for lovers of folk-rock and innovative traditional music.

Released in December 1971, Ten Man Mop is Steeleye Span's third studio album and a defining statement in British folk rock. Recorded at Sound Techniques in London, it captures the band's transition from acoustic purity to a more electrified, experimental sound. The lineup - Maddy Prior, Tim Hart, Martin Carthy, Peter Knight, and Ashley Hutchings - delivers a rich blend of traditional balladry and bold instrumental interplay. The album's title references a medieval job fair, reflecting the band's playful yet scholarly approach to folklore. It's subtitle honors Reservoir Butler, a little-known folk singer whose name the band felt deserved preservation. This was Hutchings' final album with the group, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new sonic direction. The production, overseen by Sandy Roberton, balances authenticity with studio sophistication. With textured gatefold packaging and extensive liner notes, the original was a labor of love-so much so that the band lost money on each copy sold. Ten Man Mop remains a collector's treasure, prized for it's historical depth and musical integrity. Ideal for fans of Fairport Convention and Pentangle, it's a cornerstone of the UK folk revival. A timeless blend of tradition and innovation, this album continues to resonate with discerning listeners.

Double red colored vinyl LP pressing. Steeleye Span is amongst the biggest and most commercially successful folk-rock bands. Their career, spanning over 50 years, has seen them achieve 4 Top 40 albums and 2 Top 20 singles as well as countless sold out live shows. Through an everchanging line up, their popularity has continued to this day. This concert features the band at the height of their powers playing to a sold out audience at London's Rainbow Theatre in November 1974 in support of the Now We Are Six album . Included are many Steeleye classics such as the Top 20 single InchGaudeteInch and InchThomas the RhymerInch.