Ten Man Mop, or Mr. Reservoir Butler Rides Again originally appeared back December 1971- the album offered up nine tracks & a playing time of just under thirty minutes. This reissue comes in a mini gatefold, and features sleeve linear notes from formal band player Ashely Hutchings, along with an inlay book recreating the original inlay booklet. Sonic extras wise we get three short bonus tracks, which are unreleased versions of album tracks.

Until I had checked out this release I’m afraid to say my feelings towards Steeleyed  Span were very negative. As a child of the 70’s I clearly recall seeing the band on British TV performing their big hit "All Around My Hat", and it’s fair to say it very much focused my dislike of Folk music. The track was epiphany  of twee, buoyant, and cringe inducing folk. It felt like the sonic equivalent of those itchy home made jumpers that distant aunties knitted for you, back  then, and it sadly put me off the idea of folk for many, many years to come.

So as you can imagine when this arrived at M[m] HQ I rolled my eyes & muttered ‘oh no!’. Anyway, as we do with everything we are sent I gave it a play through, and to say I was pleasant surprised would be an understatement. The album is wonderful varied in mood, earthy & rewarding collection electric folk & folk. We move from sternly jaunting & urgent "Gower Wassail", with its mix of taut tolling electric guitar riffling, and folk strings. Onto rapid & joyous fiddle led jig & speedy male vocal delivery of "Four Nights Drunk". Though to the mournful yet lovely "When I was On Horseback", with  it's wavering yet sombre female  vocals from Maddy Prior, and slowly tolling guitar blended with some great mandolin, fiddle, and string soloing. Though the galloping pace &  almost roaring ‘n’ rapidly tolling electric guitar riffing of "Skewball".

So in summing I’m very glad this got sent in for review, and that I gave the band another chance. Simply put Ten Man Mop, or Mr. Reservoir Butler Rides is a great electric folk/ folk record, that nicely mixers various  moods with great & earthy performances from the whole band. I very much look forward to checking out more of the bands back catalogue, though I’m still not a fan of the dreaded All Around My Hat, I’m afraid.