Please to See the King
Steeleye Span · 1971
41 min · 11 tracks · folk rock
A vibrant blend of traditional folk melodies and psychedelic influences, creating an enchanting soundscape rooted in British musical heritage.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Blacksmith — This track showcases Steeleye Span's ability to reinterpret traditional folk songs with a modern twist, featuring intricate instrumentation and haunting vocals that capture the essence of their style.
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Boys of Bedlam — A standout track due to its rhythmic drive and engaging lyrics, it illustrates the band's knack for storytelling while highlighting their distinctive vocal harmonies and instrumental interplay.
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Prince Charlie Stuart — This song combines historical narrative with a lively melody, showcasing the band's talent for merging folklore with accessible musical elements that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional folk with psychedelic elements, showcasing strong arrangements and distinct vocal harmonies.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that intertwine with acoustic instrumentation, creating a rich texture.
- The sequencing includes both upbeat jigs and slower ballads, allowing for dynamic shifts in energy throughout the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady progression with peaks
- long, immersive listening sessions
- layered, dense sonic textures
- contemplative mood exploration
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Please to See the King is Steeleye Span's third studio album, released in 1971, following their breakthrough with Hark! The Village Wait. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying its unique sound within the burgeoning folk rock scene, blending traditional English folk songs with contemporary arrangements and instrumentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Fairport Convention· Pentangle· The Albion Band
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Blacksmith 4:48
- 2 Cold, Haily, Windy Night 4:37
- 3 Jigs: Bryan O'Lynn / The Hag With the Money 3:20
- 4 Prince Charlie Stuart 4:17
- 5 Boys of Bedlam 4:21
- 6 False Knight on the Road 2:45
- 7 The Lark in the Morning 4:32
- 8 Female Drummer 4:04
- 9 The King 1:31
- 10 Lovely on the Water 5:20
- 11 Rave On 1:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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