Rounding out this week with one of my favorite artists who has been on the blog a whole lots, Steel Eye Span. This record, with discount was $8.00.
Live At Last was Steel Eye Span’s 11th and at the time last album (before they shortly reformed). Classic lineup members, Peter Knight and Bob Johnson had left the group to be replaced by Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick. The addition of Kirkpatrick made this one of the only two SES records which featured accordion as a primary instrument. This record also features only two songs from previous albums.
As the record states, the band broke up shortly after the recording of this album (which was March 7, 1978) for reasons they did not want to elaborate on. Wikipedia, on the other hand , states the split was short lived as the band was contractually obliged to release an album (which they did in 1980). Carthy and Kirkpatrick additionally viewed their tenure as short term and did not wish to continue much further. And more reunions, albums, and other events followed which I do not wish to elaborate on.
As stated above, the departures and additions made for a different sound then their peak albums but this sound is pretty interesting in its own right. Sure I am biased but the accordion is a nice touch. I really liked this album altogether including this song “The False Knight”.
For samples, I really wanted to go with what are abnormalities for SES, songs written in the 20th century. This album has two of them. First we have “Saucy Sailor/ Black Freighter”, the latter song of course from Kurt Weill’s Three Penny Opera. Maddy Prior really cuts loose in parts of this one. Finally, I also have “Rag Doll” which is the Four Seasons’ classic. Apparently, SES used to do a set of 1950’s numbers for encores and I imagine this number was part of that.
Satisfactory.