Ralph McTell - 'Stealin' Back...' (1990)

Best remembered for writing the classic and much-covered song "Streets of London," Ralph McTell is one of the most enduring figures on the British folk scene. A talented guitarist and songwriter who also possesses a strong and expressive voice, McTell has enjoyed a long and successful career in the U.K., as well as Australia and New Zealand, though it took him much longer to break through in Europe, and he's only attracted a cult following in the United States, where the majority of his catalog was never released. Early efforts such as Spiral Staircase and My Side of Your Window (both released in 1969) and You Well-Meaning Brought Me Here (1971) were the foundation of reputation with his often witty and just as frequently poignant songwriting and warm, rich vocals. While his fans continued to support his work as a folk artist, in the '80s he scored unexpected success composing music for children's television, featured on the albums Songs from Alphabet Zoo (1983) and The Best of Tickle on the Tum (1986). Through the second half of the '80s, McTell stepped away from writing fresh material, but he would return to form with 1995's Sand in Your Shoes, and in the 2000s and 2010s, he was steadily productive, staging frequent live shows and issuing albums like 2000's Red Sky, 2007's Gates of Eden, and 2019's Hill of Beans...