Black Jack Davy / Steeleye Span

[danaraina]

Love Maddie rocking it at 3:00

[beardo373]

Maddy's voice is much gentler here than on the album version. I rather like this one.

[carnutter360]

always been a big fan of Maddy & Steeleye Span :-)

one of my favourite songs from her collection

[russtacean]

beautiful.



[ectowle]

Whenever I need my attitude adjusted, I play Steeleye Span...real desperation calls for another view of my DVD of this concert. I get myself a Maddy-tude!  A much better perspective!

[goldcol]

i love this band. I saw them on the liverpool empire, in the early 80's. I hate to say it, but the place was nearly empty. Still all the beter for me i nearly had the band to myself. I have never had a night like it. Best band in the world

[willypeter1]

beautiful face,beautiful voice

[ktel60]

the "shoes of Spanish leather" line is just beyond compare.

[Dougallism420]

@ktel60 and skip it oooéeer the heeéeeéeaaathheeeeerrrr!

[hopop313]

Now this is music!!!!

[DrumzzKool]

Ahhh, a bit of rough. Yes...business with a professional, shall we say.

"We're drunk as lords and I have a hankering for a bit of rough", what say you?

[SyvetheShairks]

@DrumzzKool A bit o'rough, sez you... Best to keep Bachelor's Hall, sez I.You're more sure to wake up alive...

[smartalek1]

Feel free 2 laff at the Yank noob, but...

...could anyone who knows the Queen's English (ie, not the devolved gabble we use this side o the pond), pls tell me if "a bit of rough" is a reference to... (how best 2 put this in a family site?) ...what we call "rough trade" here; that is...  (y'know, this isn't easy!) ...engaging the… …personal services… …of someone of lower apparent social standing than oneself... ...possibly w/ cash changing hands (or some other anatomic parts)?

[MoonCalledShadesri]

@smartalek1 You mean prostitution? I believe so.

That was adorable, you made me smile. =3

[darkstar1345a]

@smartalek1

well i thought it was a euphimism for sex in any context

[husbird]

I think Maddie's voice is as close to perfect as you could hope for

[SyvetheShairks]

@husbird R.

[JiS01]

Great song, awesome cover by the Stripes

[ravonseed2009]

What a voice...sweet with power d:)

[007glynna]

Was fortunate enough to wait out the 2 hour rain for the Steeleye Span outside gig in Houston some years back, and finally stood for 2 hours for their concert which was taken inside. IT WAS WORTH IT. Fabulous to see them all live after so many years, and probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing for ME personally....incomparable!!! Maddy Prior is absolutely fantastic as is the whole band! Roll on, Steeleye Span!!!!!

[MadSlob]

Great song from a timeless band which i discovered far too late in life...:)

[sendanor]

That is remarkable: the lyrics seem almost (repeat: almost) to have been copied from that other traditional "The raggle taggle gypsy".

[StephenInch]

@sendanor

I always thought that they were just different versions of the same song? I'm pretty sure I heard Steelye Span run them together when I was a wee nipper (was lucky enoungh to hear them a few times)

[sendanor]

@StephenInch Well, that is possible of course. It just underlines how flexible folk music could and can be when one version influences the other and can still remain on the same repertoire next to each other, interesting.

[sendanor]

@StephenInch Lucky you have been in the position to hear mrs Prior live, I only discovered their music some 12 years ago.

[sendanor]

@StephenInch Of course that may also be possible. Folk music has always been a very adaptive kind of music partly due to its existence.

[TheGeorgianskater]

@atfatw you love boy penis

[DB557]

There seem to be a lot of children commenting on this video. When I was your age, kids, I just listened to the record. You're too young to know about sex now, but you'll learn when you grow up.

[Chrisrshepherd]

a bit of rough

(Adult / Slang)

1. An aggressive act of copulation.

2. A rough (aggressive) lover.

3. A sexual partner below one's usual standards.

[MrBlackbowels]

Fantastic performance. Maddies voice gets stronger as the years go by. Excellent.

[Davek54]

such a remarkable voice. Very pure tone

[insaneyuna]

Amazing voice. She looks elegant and graceful. Not trashy and like a hooker that needs money to inject herself.

[weishauptogram]

Black Jack Davey is no rapist. Tam Lin on the other hand ...

[ArkRed1]

Looks like my Brit friends need to learn more about their culture. Please advise.

[noinick]

@ArkRed1 Although the phrase has, like many others, been hijacked by Gay slang to mean aggressive sex, traditionally it means sex with someone who is beneath one's social station.

Never has meant rape; not this side of the pond anyway.

[ArkRed1]

@noinick Thanks so much for clearing this up. It's true we see things differently on our sides of the pond. I appreciate you taking the time to advise on this.

[ArkRed1]

"A bit of rough" is Brit slang for "violent copulation". So there you are. I think in the United States they call it rape.

[Sammicsno]

@ArkRed1

Have you ever lived in Britain? A bit of rough is not rape.

[zutal0rs]

@ArkRed1 No, rape by definition means sex without consent, or where consent cannot be given. Rough copulation might be consensual, in which case it is not rape.

[MrTezza13]

BRILLIANT TIMELESS MUSIC

[6ninian]

send me a private message and I'll tell you what a "bit of rough" is.

[modelleg]

What is a "bit of rough", Maddy?

[Sammicsno]

@modelleg

She's talking about sex.

[wornpick1]

Sorry guys, but I don't understand the concern about one brain-dead idiot. Yet again, Youtube allows us access to footage to one of the folk taditions greatest practitioners of the 20th century. I go to bed smiling and happy, anyway!

[seonidh]

The song has hundreds of titles and variations now and among these wikipedia says the gypsy laddie is also called

"Black Jack Davy"

"Black Jack Davey"

"Black Jack David"

"Blackjack David"

[seonidh]

As an example from the songs; Gypsy Laddie 1720 (scottish folk song); -O saddle to me my milk-white steed, Go and fetch me my pony, O! That I may ride and seek my bride, Who is gone with gypsy Davie, O!- BlackJack Davie; -Saddle me up my fine gray mare Cried the lord of the house next morning For the servants tell me my daughter's gone with Black Jack David- In fact its an American version of a very old folk song. Its known as Gypsy Davie in America.

[wadjela]

NOTE - atfatw is now posting on Maddy Prior pages under a different name, so that there is at least one 'person' who agress with him.

VioletLoveable = atfatw

-

[poodlewip]

@wadjela

thank you fot the info wadjela

[poodlewip]

@atfatw

no matter how many times you type it...it's not going to happen

[Beeples01]

10brighton, I'm with you on this. A lot of text comment strings seem to degenerate into a slanging match between mis-informed people. As a muso I listen to and play many different types of music. There is not much I don't like, but I don't denegrate anybody for their tastes. There is enough music out there for weverybody to find something they blike. Live and let live. Oh, and by the way I do like this kind of music.

[10brighton]

@mikecasson101257 I began reading all of these comments. Some are idiotic and hateful, but idiots have the right to be idiots. As to your reply to the idiot's rant, it sinks to that same level. As a "Yank", I find hate to be offensive. I could be wrong, but hate is hate. Now, getting back to Steeleye Span, I first walked in and saw them singing Gaudette. Love at first note. For you, try to enjoy people who share your love of the group. Let the idiots be idiots.

[Pangael]

Project much?

[cpdaddy7]

@atfatw what if i'm cornish?

[seonidh]

Its based on the escapades of a scottish Romani gypsy called Davy Faa around 1720. Another version is the wraggle taggle gypsies.

[ktel60]

Beg to differ. Black (Jack) Davey is rather a common albeit archaic phrase for a pimp (in US usage) or, IIRC, "Protector" in UK usage.

[seonidh]

@ktel60 Actually you're just refering to a slang usage. The song Gypsy Laddie or Black Jack Davie originated as a Childs ballad in 1720. Its based on the exploits of a Scottish Romany Davy Faa and was in use long before the term became slang. The lyrics have more in common with the Gypsy laddie than a pimp.

[dantdavies]

Beg to differ also :) This song predates US by a couple of centuries :D

[PyroGuySr]

She may have that, but at least she still has brains, tact and a beautiful voice. All of which you seriously lack.

[almussalix]

If you are English, your roots are sung in this song. This is just another version of a very, very old song.

[bwanna23]

I'd like to see a Mick Jagger/Maddy Prior duet.

[linuxlad]

This vesion is (IMHO) much preferable to the over-engineered and lush version on the 'Best of ...' CD. Interesting too to compare early Prior with Sandy Denny - MP has more technical range, but SD has much better diction - one sings for prettiness, the other for meaning

[atfatw]

I wonder if Maddy Pryor ever tunes in this feature of the internet and reads some of the comments, idiotic.

[simmo303]

For a singer, looks are nothing! It's all about the voice - ok, looks are a bonus but not needed. Best to listen on HiFi cd anyway.

[JacktheBeard]

Is that Tim Harries on bass?

[Nigihayahi]

Yes, Tim Harries on bass & backing vocal.

(from their 20th Anniversary Concert)

[NapalmTheElf]

I love maddy

[buttonpuncher]

I first heard Steeleye Span on a cassette brought from England to my camp in rural Turkey in 1976 or 1977. I was enchanted by her voice than and now 32 years later, I still am. I don't care if she's as homely as I am [and I'm nothing to look at], her voice and the songs she sings are eternal in my memory.

Sorry you don't like the package she came in when she was born.

[atfatw]

buttonpuncher, where in turky were you? are you a turk? looks DO mean everything

a pretty girl is always better than a plain girl of course in this particular video maddy is sort of cute

[buttonpuncher]

No, I'm not a Turk. I'm a Scots-Irish/Welsh Texan. I worked in the Lake Van area, also near Sekerkoy by Tuz Golu, in Adana, and near Urfa off and on for about 3 or 4 years back in the late '70s. One of the guys I worked with was English, and he brought the casette back when he returned from England.

[Pitfossil]

Buttonpuncher - plastic barbies made singers by hardworking sound engineers for whoever needs that crap - some 30 years ago, a singer was expected to SING...and bugger me wellies, Maddy and the likes of her really could.

[ktel60]

Lord knows the lass moves air - unlike the plastic fantastic blowup dolls that merchadizing insists are the great new talents. If you can't sing over teh piano get out of my bar, and if you can carry over the drums I just might love you forever.

[Pitfossil]

kte, there´s nothing a sound engineer can´t fake. In fact, if you have a good man there you can switch the plastic doll´s microphone off altogether. The dollies rely on it.

[notahemi]

@Pitfossil

Yes, shower singers called artist, perfomers and even "musicans" today.

Thanks American Idol.

I had forgotten all about Seeleye Span. I was checking out Horslips and saw this post.

Was I the only person in Atlanta that bought their albums at the old long defunct "Peaches Records"?

[atfatw]

hard to believe that from that horsefaced english girl comes such a fine voice.

[atfatw]

at 2;54 she does a great parody of the nasty, vile, upper class broad.

[gjpercy]

Love this, thanks for posting!

[dpcharles]

Maddy is an emblem!

[atfatw]

kids, kids, nothing but kids on this website fer cryin' out loud

[blahblahblah85]

i luv maddy but does she seem a tad stoned here...or just really confident lol

[ryangaston88]

i think it suits her

[atfatw]

blahblahblah85, she looks rather stoned in her hornpipe dance video.

[almussalix]

Good observation. Most musicians weren't perpetually stoned in the 60s.

[GrandPrix55]

Brilliant song and singer!

Maddy forever!

[remeclerk]

she is very very good, no sandy denny, but then agian who can compare?

[mrushnffc]

white stripes version is better like

[diddydiddycool]

are u kiddin... like?

[noelandkaron]

I can't like believe like you said that like

[slagmilkcard]

White Stripes covered a different song written by Bob Dylan called Black Jack Davey, Steeleye Span's Black Jack Davy is a different song!

[remeclerk]

Ok maddy prior was 1st..and you beleive white stripes are better 'like'

are you on medication???, or are you deaf???, or perhaps insane?, if not inane? (bet your are 'like' 16)

[mrushnffc]

fucking right the white stripes do it better and i'm none of the above. i'm actually 20 but even if i was 16 i'd have more sense than you thinking this version is better. are you sure or are you HIV positive?

[atfatw]

mrushnffc, no the white stripes are awfull

[atfatw]

Ho Ho, look at the tape at 3;00 maddy does a most humorous and very very accurate imitation of an absolutely loathesome upper class broad

[Johnacrefair]

Why loathesome, would'nt you

[breakingbisley]

what i wish is that i could be transported back to seem them live in the 70's especially when Martin carthy was part of steeleye for me was the best !!!

[LilacNell]

Beautiful.

[diddydiddycool]

Brilliant. Love it

[BardofCornwall]

I love the wildness of the fiddle solo. It really suits the lyrics.

[sus4me]

I must agree with earlier comments that the Incredible String Band version of this song is far and away better. When it comes to Thomas the Rhymer and All Around my Hat, though, Steeleye Span can't be beaten. I saw them live at the Glasgow Apollo in the 70s and they were fantastic - even when Maddy stumbled over on the theatre apron and quickly recovered her composure.

[iaincollins]

I would say the version on the album is better it's a lot harder and a fair bit faster. This is an interesting version though, mostly just to see the performance!

[lsdmadman]

only Sandy Denny can match Maddy's gorgeous vocalz

[Renaissancefan01]

Never heard of Sandy Denny, will look her up.

Have you heard Annie Haslam,s 5 octave voice?.

I was at this SS concert, I remember the cameraman trying to keep up with Maddie as she skipped across the stage. this was my favourite band back then, until i discovered Renaissance.

[lsdmadman]

yes i used to have 2 Renaissance albums...i barely remember a long song called 'Scheherazade'....i'll look them up on here...

[stiegy97291]

renaissancefan01 June 4, 1985 Beacon Theater N.Y.C.

1- Fairport Convention

2- Renaissance

3- Steeleye span

simply doesn't get any better than that!

[Renaissancefan01]

You guys in the states were so lucky to have so many chances to see these bands.

I saw SS about 5 times and remembering what a looker Maddy was, and just like Renaissance we did not appreciate what we had ( far better to watch a group shouting and spitting at you, whilst looking like spikey haired tramps ).

Keep commenting, i enjoy your views

[stiegy97291]

one of the best things of growing up in N.Y.C. in the early 70's was listening to this progressive rock station called WNEW f.m. The first time Renaissance came to N.Y. was to promote Ashes Are

Burning. Fariport Convention opened for them (Sandy Denny was still alive) The New York Philharmonic also accompanied, Renaissance , as they did a couple of years later at Carnegie Hall.

We were always saddened that Renaissance had to cross the "pond" to achieve their success!

[remeclerk]

Im from Reading (Berks) now live in the USA, I wish-oh how I wish,they would come to St Louis

[ktel60]

Personally I put Maddy Prior and Annie Haslam in the same stratum, which I label "Divine". You overestimate our luck, however - check the tour schedules of either and you will find that I, in Houston Texas, am rather the poorer.

[fevered08]

Thanks for posting this. Great performance of Black Jack Davy. Maddy Prior's voice has that range, expression, and beauty that is almost without equal.

[atfatw]

there used to be a fine video of maddy in a traditional yorkshire dress dancing a traditional hornpipe and dashing around the theatre wearing 'span was a-playin'.

on youtube. its gone now.

[atfatw]

now the video of maddy prior doing that hornpipe dance is back on 'maddy-prior,

hornpipe dance' has been posted by bucolin.

enjoy.

[longlat39]

Thanks for posting this. It's one of my favorites, but the one I really like is Seven Hundred Elves. Is that available somewhere?

[mzungu1960]

love steeleyespan,they are great in concert

[atfatw]

The best english folk singer even with that grotty dress. and what about that big expanse of her slip showing and those boy's socks she is wearing.

[thymann65]

maddy is the magic

[ohisashiburi]

I love Steeleye, always have BUT Incredible String Band do a better 'Black Jack Davy' in my humble opinion...great stuff thanks.

[johnjarvo]

I'll go with that. The ISB'S version is like nothin' you've heard before; this is relatively tame compared to it...

[stiegy97291]

Simply Brilliant~!

[Guitarstripe19]

Oh my gosh. Listen to Murders in the rue morgue by iron maiden. I wonder if they were influenced by this.

[kinkkinda]

ohhhh the song is sooooooooooooo good. i love steeleye span.

[beopanacea]

Thanks for posting!

[Nigihayahi]

You are welcome to my video clip.