COMMONERS CROWN

When it comes to Steeleye Span's mid-1970s folk rock phase (as opposed to the more purist folk tendencies they exhibited at other parts of their career), some prefer this one to Now We Are Six, some give the crown to its predecessor. I'm in the latter camp, myself - the opening Little Sir Hugh feels like it could do with more work before it's really finished, whilst the closing New York Girls is just a goof-off number (compared to the To Know Him Is To Love Him cover on Now We Are Six, which was actually pretty decent in its own right).

Don't get me wrong, though: between those two bookends this is a very fine folk rock album indeed. That version of Long Lankin gives me chills every time.