Below the Salt

Below the Salt

:"This article is about the album. For the novel by Thomas B. Costain, see Below the Salt (novel)"

Infobox Album |
Name = Below The Salt
Type = Album
Artist = Steeleye Span


Released = 1972
Recorded = 1972
Genre = Electric folk
Length = 39:42
Label = Chrysalis
Producer =
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:x8z8b594tsqg link]
Last album = "Ten Man Mop, or Mr. Reservoir Butler Rides Again"
(1971)
This album = "Below the Salt"
(1972)
Next album = "Parcel of Rogues"
(1973)

"Below the Salt" is a 1972 album by Steeleye Span, and considered by many fans to be one of their best. The album has a slightly medieval theme, most notably in the artwork and title. The album cover shows the band in period costume at a feast, while the title refers to practice in the Middle Ages of having salt (something of a rarity) placed in the center of the table separating the family from the servants, who were situated "below the salt". Some of the music on the album has a medieval motif, but only a few of the songs arguably date back quite so far. The ballad "King Henry" (Child Ballad 32), and the "a cappella" "Gaudete" are certainly very old, and the lyrics to "Royal Forester" date from 1293. However, while "Gaudete" is performed in an authentic style, electric guitars abound in the performance of "King Henry".

Gaudete became the band's first hit, reaching number 14 on the UK charts. To give the impression of the choristers approaching and moving away, as if on a pilgrimage, the song was given a long fade in and out.

By this point, Ashley Hutchings had left the band, leaving Maddy Prior and Tim Hart as the only remaining founding members. The album reached number 43 in the UK album charts.

Track listing

#"Spotted Cow"
#"Rosebud in June"
#"Jigs: The Bride's Favourite/Tansey's Fancy"
#"Sheep-crook and Black Dog"
#"Royal Forester"
#"King Henry"
#"Gaudete"
#"John Barleycorn"
#"Saucy Sailor"

All songs on the album are traditional, adapted by Steeleye Span. The lineup of the band (which changed greatly throughout their career) for this album was:

*Maddy Prior - vocals
*Tim Hart - vocals, appalachian dulcimer, guitar
*Peter Knight - violin, viola, mandolin, banjo, piano, vocals
*Rick Kemp - bass, drum, vocals
*Bob Johnson - guitar, vocals


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Below the salt — Salt Salt, n. [AS. sealt; akin to OS. & OFries. salt, D. zout, G. salz, Icel., Sw., & Dan. salt, L. sal, Gr. ?, Russ. sole, Ir. & Gael. salann, W. halen, of unknown origin. Cf. {Sal}, {Salad}, {Salary}, {Saline}, {Sauce}, {Sausage}.] 1. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Below the Salt — Studioalbum von Steeleye Span Veröffentlichung 1972 Label Chrysalis Records, Shanachie Records …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • below the salt —    socially inferior    The salt, being then a scarce commodity needed by all, was put in the middle of the dining table in medieval times. The diners were seated in descending social order from the head of the table:     ... in comparison with… …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • below the salt — Meaning Common or lowly. See also beyond the pale . Origin In mediaeval England nobility sat at a high table and commoners at lower trestle tables. Salt was expensive and only the nobs were provided with it. Hence the peasantry were below the… …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • sit below the salt — ► sit below the salt be of lower social standing. [ORIGIN: from the former custom of placing a salt cellar in the middle of a dining table with the host at one end.] Main Entry: ↑salt …   English terms dictionary

  • Above the salt — Salt Salt, n. [AS. sealt; akin to OS. & OFries. salt, D. zout, G. salz, Icel., Sw., & Dan. salt, L. sal, Gr. ?, Russ. sole, Ir. & Gael. salann, W. halen, of unknown origin. Cf. {Sal}, {Salad}, {Salary}, {Saline}, {Sauce}, {Sausage}.] 1. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sit below the salt — be of lower social standing. [from the former custom of placing a salt cellar in the middle of a dining table with the host at one end.] → salt …   English new terms dictionary

  • sit below the salt — be of lower social standing or worth Origin: from the former custom of placing a large saltcellar in the middle of a dining table with the host at one end …   Useful english dictionary

  • The Salt Roads — Infobox Book | name = The Salt Roads image caption = designed by Don Puckey, illustrated by Christian Clayton author = Nalo Hopkinson cover artist = Christian Clayton country = Canada language = English genre = folk tale, historical novel… …   Wikipedia

  • Salt — Salt, n. [AS. sealt; akin to OS. & OFries. salt, D. zout, G. salz, Icel., Sw., & Dan. salt, L. sal, Gr. ?, Russ. sole, Ir. & Gael. salann, W. halen, of unknown origin. Cf. {Sal}, {Salad}, {Salary}, {Saline}, {Sauce}, {Sausage}.] 1. The chloride… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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