Bedlam Born
Bedlam Born | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 24 October 2000 | |||
Recorded | Warehouse Studios, Oxford | |||
Genre | British folk rock | |||
Length | 51:31 | |||
Label | Park Records | |||
Producer | Steeleye Span | |||
Steeleye Span chronology | ||||
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Bedlam Born is the 16th studio album by British folk rock band Steeleye Span. It is the second of two albums made by a line-up consisting of Gay Woods, Bob Johnson, Peter Knight and Tim Harries, and only the second album on which Maddy Prior did not make an appearance. The title refers not to a bedlam, but to Christ's birth in Bethlehem (which is occasionally corrupted to 'Bedlam'). "There is a child in Bedlam born" is a line from "Stephen".
Tracks and reception
Their previous album,
According to Woods, two tracks, "I See His Blood Upon the Rose" and "Stephen", attracted considerable complaint from fans. Both pieces are explicitly Christian, with "Stephen" being about a stable boy in Bethlehem at the time of the
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | link |
Like the previous album, reactions to Bedlam were mixed. Many complained that the album was too rock-heavy, while others lamented Prior's continued absence. On the other hand, some celebrated the album as a return to the sound the band had during the mid-1970s.
Aftermath
The recording of this album was reportedly tumultuous, with Woods eventually quitting the band again, reportedly over money issues, and Harries also departing after the release of the album. Johnson, who had been the band's main guitarist for most of the band's history, chose to retire because of health trouble. This left a need for a lead guitarist for the band's tour, and Rick Kemp, who had been a member in the band's commercially successful middle period, returned and eventually rejoined the band on a full-time basis. During the tour, Kemp and Harries alternated playing lead guitar and bass.
Track listing
- "Well Done Liar!" (Traditional; arranged by Bob Johnson) – 4.35
- "Who Told the Butcher?" (Peter Knight) – 2.58
- "John of Ditchford" (Tim Harries) – 3.43
- "I See His Blood Upon the Rose" (Joseph Plunkett, Gay Woods, Harries) – 4.58
- "Black Swan" (Harries) – 1.50
- "The Beggar" (Traditional; arranged by Bob Johnson) – 3.00
- "Poor old Soldier" (Knight) – 2.20
- "Arbour" (Harries, Woods) – 1.26
- "There was a Wealthy Merchant" (Traditional; arranged by Harries) – 4.58
- "Beyond the Dreaming Place" (Knight, Woods) – 3.04
- "We Poor Labouring Men" (Traditional; arranged by Steeleye Span) – 5.05
- "The Connemara Cradle Song" (Traditional, Delia Murphy) – 5.38
- "Stephen" (Harries) – 4.25
- "The White Cliffs of Dover" (Burton, Kent; arranged by Woods) – 3.06
Personnel
- Steeleye Span
- Gay Woods - vocals, bodhrán
- acoustic guitar
- Peter Knight - vocals, keyboards, violin
- Tim Harries - bass guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Unofficial member
- Dave Mattacks - drums, percussion