Fairport Convention [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Fairport Convention [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Track Listings

1. Time Will Show the Wiser

2. I Don't Know Where I Stand

3. If (Stomp)

4. Decameron

5. Jack O'Diamonds

6. Portfolio

7. Chelsea Morning

8. Sun Shade

9. Lobster

10. It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft

11. One Sure Thing

12. M.1 Breakdown

13. Suzanne [*]

14. If I Had a Ribbon Bow [*]

15. Morning Glory [*]

16. Reno, Nevada [*]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Remastered reissue of 1968 debut album includes four bonus tracks, 'Suzanne', 'If I Had A Ribbon Bow', 'Morning Glory', 'Reno, Nevada', & a slipcase with the first pressing. Includes sleevenotes by co-founder Ashley Hutchings. 16 tracks. Polydor. 2003.

Tracks:

Come All Ye
Reynardine
Matty Groves
Farewell Farewell
The Deserter
The Lark In The Morning/Rakish Paddy/Fax Hunters Jig/Toss The Feathers
Tam Lin
Crazy Man Michael

Amazon.com essential recording

British hippies who started out emulating Jefferson Airplane, Fairport Convention escalated their homeland connections with each outing, culminating in this, their fourth album and a watershed for British folk-rock. Hindsight offers the ironic possibility that the Dylan covers of its predecessor, Unhalfbricking, opened a window onto the earlier Irish-English-Scots roots of the American music they loved, and Liege & Lief jumps through that window triumphantly. "Come All Ye" underscores their affinity for the Band yet is joyfully rooted in their own fertile folk traditions, echoed in a mix of classic songs from members Sandy Denny, Ashley Hutchings, and Richard Thompson, and given direct homage in the extended ballads "Matty Groves" and "Tam Lin," which evoke Neil Young & Crazy Horse in kilts. Fiddler Dave Swarbrick's arrival as a fulltime member adds new richness and a wonderful foil for Thompson's superb guitar leads. A medley of jigs and reels showcases their flair for hot-wiring traditional British Isles dances, a fixture ever since. --Sam Sutherland

Album Details

Classic Fairport Convention Album from 1969, Remastered and Includes Two Bonus Tracks: Alternate Versions of 'sir Patrick Spens' and 'quiet Joys of Brotherhood'.

Customer Reviews:

A folk rock classic........2007-07-14

If nothing else, Liege and Lief is probably the definitive English folk-rock album. By combining traditional music with more modern sounds, the album takes on a timeless, intoxicating quality that draws immediate comparisons to groups such as The Band. The songs are warm, earthy, and inviting The rousing "Come All Ye" leads listeners into the album with irresistable flair- Richard Thompson's electric guitar and Dave Swarbrick's fiddle do a dazzling dance around one another, melding the traditional and the contemporary with effortless proficiency. But the real star of this song (and most of the album, really) is vocalist Sandy Denny, whose voice is simply one of the most evocative, sonorous, and outwright beautiful sounds ever concieved. She lends a kind of enchanting majesty to "Come All Ye," creating sounds that arc gracefully over the music, hypnotizing the listener within seconds. Once that stunning introduction is complete, the band launches into a few electrified renditions of traditional English folk songs: "Reynardine" is a strange, haunting, and tension-filled performance, in which the instrumentation is used to create dramatic bursts of pure sound rather than an actual melody, while Denny's voice flits and flutters to fill the gaps between notes. The result is an ominous, mysterious classic. The group also does an excellent instrumental medley, a joyful mixture of sounds that threatens to make you dance like a crazy person. "The Deserter" and "Tam Lin" are equally evocative, and just as expertly performed. The highlight of the album, however, is the group's epic reworking of the traditional "Matty Groves." It's an incredible performance, one that sees the group at its very best: Swarbrick and Thompson duel eachother with mounting intensity accross the song's eight minutes, while drummer Dave Mattacks lends the song a strutting, storming rhythm. Denny is simply amazing, narrating the story of the song's ill-fated title character with equal parts sympathy and sarcasm, letting her voice dart in, above, and under the melody, bending notes and stretching sounds, twisting and shaping every word with a kind of prodigious abandon. It's a resonant and irresistable sound, and it makes the song an absolute masterpiece. The Richard Thompson-penned "Farewell, Farewell" is the icing on the cake, a beautiful and mournful ballad with dreamy instrumentation, a gorgeous collection of sounds melting and blending into one another. Liege & Lief is an inescapably excellent album, a masterpiece that should belong to every fan of folk or rock.

Classic Folk-Rock!.......2007-06-03

"Liege and Lief" was Fairport's first album that was almost entirely inspired by traditional British music. The band had previously released 3 albums during a relatively short period of time, and the repertoire had been a mixture of pop, rock and American and British folk.

In May 1969 after the recording of the previous album "Unhafbricking" the band had a terrible road accident which took the lives of drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend Jeannie.

Other band-members were injured in the crash and the group were close to splitting up, but with their wounds healing up they eventually decided to continue with new members Dave Swarbrick and Dave Mattacks.

They did not want to perform their old material and needed a new direction and with inspiration from Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny they began digging into traditional Bristish folk music.

In a Hampshire farmhouse they began rehearsing material for a new album which eventually became "Liege and Lief".

The album inspired many other musicians to dig into traditional music and has now become a folk-rock classic and the album.

The original 8 tracks are all great and this new release features two bonus tracks recorded during the same sessions. "Sir Patrick Spence" was later recorded by the next Fairport line-up, here you have the opportunity to hear an early version with lead vocals by Sandy Denny singing slightly different lyrics. The arrangement may be less tight than the "Full House" version, but still a great addition to a timeless album. The other "new" track is a droning version of "Quiet Joys of Brotherhood" which Sandy later recorded several times and released on her second solo-album.

Though most of the material is traditional, there are a couple of originals written by Richard Thompson; and they both stand out. "Crazy Man Michael" ( co-written by Swarbrick ) and "Farewell Farewell" were always favourites - "Farewell Farewell" sound much better than on the original vinyl album.

An often overlooked song, "The Deserter", was actually the song that got me into the band; a great tune beautifully sung by Sandy Denny.

Here's what I hear.......2007-01-12

An album with a crucial sound for the time, and quite lovely. BUT: While Sandy Denny has a great voice, she tends to sound the same song to song. Steeleye Span's Maddy Prior, for example, is more distinctive and flexible. As well, the songs on LIEGE AND LIEF tend to be of a standard 4/4 rock beat, though the album is hailed as the premiere or seminal English folk-rock recording. That's wrong. Not enough variation, not enough flowing with the texures and beats of the traditional material they play. For those who hear this jewel but would like something more of the traditional folk spirit you detect, try BELOW THE SALT, by Steeleye Span. It's that band's best album and it subtracts about 40% of the rock element. Felt more by far is the influence Ashley Hutchings, founder of both bands.

What a cool album!.......2006-11-30

This album is a great example of Fairport Convention making a characteristically British stamp on the emerging genre of folk-rock. It's comprised mainly of actual folk songs from the isles, but the band takes possession of each song and works it up into rocking, uptempo music that is unique compared with any American folk rock of the time.

The album opener, "Come All Ye," pretty much lays it out there, introducing the band members and telling the listener that the music is going to get you dancing (or at least swaying) and singing or humming. What follows are some really progressive folk songs that range from ballads, like the exciting "Matty Groves" (which, incidentally, rocks pretty hard at the ending instrumental section), the heavy riffing of "Tam Lin" (which must have been an influence on Jethro Tull), and the tragic "Crazy Man Michael," love songs like "Farewell, Farewell," and a great instrumental medley.

Musically, Sandy Denny's voice is great and the guitar work is a highlight. They manage to deftly combine acoustic instrumentation and more trippy electric instruments, yet still stay true to the British folk music and stories that underly it all. I'd recommend this to fans of Tull and Pentangle, but also to folk rock fans of bands like the Byrds and Dylan who are interested in stretching their horizons past American folk and blues to find rewarding folk from across the pond. Check it out, it's cheap!

A perfect pairing with traditional ales!.......2006-11-01

For my money, "Liege and Lief" remains the best of the many recordings issued under the name Fairport Convention, a band which has experienced myriad shifts in personnel and sound over the band's broad span.

Several factors contributed to this excellence. One was the strong line up featuring no less than Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, Dave Mattacks, Ashley Hutchings, Simon Nicol, and Dave Swarbrick--a group of folks that in one way or another established and perpetuated the English folk music revival that followed (and continues).

The music and times cannot be separated, for great music was being generated on both sides of the Atlantic back in 1969, and musicians were keen to do their best for the sake of creating music. Third, "Liege and Lief" was a unique rendering--partly wonderful folk, partly swashbuckling rock and roll--and as such the band was not imitating (consciously or not) other bands in this genre.

Finally, this music is a perfect pairing with traditional ales!

All musing aside, the opening notes of Come All Ye still stirs the soul and sounds strong and clear.

Average customer rating:

A Fantastic Album, Now Even Better.
Unlike anything else
a work of tremendous depth
Simply the Best
GREAT!

Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Liege & Lief
What We Did on Our Holidays
Full House
Fairport Convention
Fotheringay

ASIN: B00007J36V
Release Date: 2003-03-10

Tracks:

Genesis Hall
Si Tu Dois Partir
Autopsy
A Sailors Life
Cajun Woman
Who Knows Where The Time Goes
Percys Song
Million Dollar Bash
Dear Landlord (Bonus Track)
The Ballad Of Easy Rider (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com essential recording

Fairport Convention was the most accomplished band in the late-'60s British folk-rock scene, and a combination of musical passion and whimsy makes Unhalfbricking one of its very best albums. Fairport's standout members were singer Sandy Denny and guitarist Richard Thompson. Both shine on Denny's haunting "Autopsy," with its sinuously melancholy melody making a perfect bed for a Thompson guitar solo. Denny shines on her most famous composition, "Who Knows Where the Time Goes," which was quickly covered by Judy Collins. Denny and Thompson each contribute two songs to an album that includes three Bob Dylan songs, including joyful spins on "Million Dollar Bash" and "Si Tu Dois Partir," that conjure up a moment when bands didn't think about losing publishing income as much as how to best maximize the fun of playing music. --John Milward

Album Description

Remastered reissue of third album, originally released in 1969, includes two bonus tracks, 'Dear Landlord', 'The Ballad Of Easy Rider', & a slipcase with the first pressing. Includes sleevenotes by co-founder Ashley Hutchings. 10 tracks. Universal Island. 2003.

Album Details

Fairport's Third Album was Given the Indecipherable Title by Sandy Denny During an Hilarious Word-game in the Group Van. The Album is Varied in Style and Content, Yet Somehow this Time More Unified. Here, in Reality, and Now in Legend, is the First Bold Step in to the Hitherto Unfathomed Waters of British Folk-rock, Or Electric-folk. Of the Guests Musicians, Fiddler Dave Swarbrick is the Most Influential and it Now Seems Hard to Believe that He was Just a Session Musician and Not an Integral Part of the Band. His Playful Violin on "si Tu Dois Partir" is an Essential Ingredient in the Daft Infectiousness of that Track. This Digitally Remastered Version of the Album Includes Two Bonus Tracks: A Cover of Dylan's "Dear Landlord", an Out-take from the "Unhalfbricking" Sessions and a Cover of Dylan and Roger Mcguinn's "Ballad of Easy Rider", Recorded During the Sessions for "Liege and Lief", but Fit Better Here.

Customer Reviews:

A Fantastic Album, Now Even Better........2007-05-03

The problem with this album is that it always seemed to suffer, slightly, when compared to "What We Did on Our Holidays". Stylistically the albums form a natural pairing, but whereas its predecessor is a near perfect album, with every track complimenting each other perfectly, it always seemed to me that "Unhalfbricking" was by comparison a rather fractured affair with its various parts pulling the listener, a little too sharply, in different directions. In a peculiar way it always felt, as though it was only half a great record, but saying which bits are lacking is hard, as they all seem good or great when taken in isolation.

On the other hand the quality of most of its parts (if not the sum) is at a level most artists can only dream of. I should also point out that none of the above prevented this from becoming, and remaining, one of my best loved albums.

I believe that with the release of this version the album has finally attained the balance it always needed with the addition of the bonus tracks added for this release. They give the album that little more time required to absorb its disparate elements. With the addition of 'The Ballad of Easy Rider'(the best version of this song I have heard) the album finally has the majestic closing number it always needed and acts as a counterweight to the mighty 'A Sailor's Life' which seemed overly dominant at the center of the disc .

I already owned the previous CD version so it was with some reservations that I bought this one (only, in the end, because I needed to hear Sandy Denny's take on 'The Ballad of Easy Rider'), but I am glad I took the gamble. I always loved this album but now it's better than ever.

Unlike anything else.......2007-01-13

One of the great things about Amazon.com is this: if you buy alot of records from them, the "Recommended for You" page turns up some hidden gold from time to time. When I started exploring lesser-known bands of the psychedelic era and making alot of purchases, lo and behold, this album popped up on the list. Knowing nothing about the band other than my attraction to the album cover's resemblance to "American Gothic", I bought this record.

Listening to the first 10 seconds of this record was an experience I have very rarely had in my life. Usually, I can tell right away how a record is likely to sound, even if I know nothing about the band. But listening to the first moments of this, I seriously had no idea what to expect from this record. Growing up listening to the "classic rock" radio stations in the early 90's, and spending a good half-dozen years as a Jethro Tull fanboy, I certainly was familiar with folk-rock even if I didn't know it. But this record was totally "off the reservation" for me from the get-go.

From the opening guitar line of "Genesis Hall", it is clear that this is going to be a record unlike anything you've heard. The song blends elements of jazz, folk and rock into a disturbing lamentation about the inevitable passage of time. The third track, "Autopsy", has much of the same slightly-askew feel to it, and features vocalist Sandy Denny at her best.

The remainder of the album features some Dylan outtakes, another Dylan song from the then-unreleased Basement Tapes, and another Sandy Denny feature "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" Jefferson Airplane also seems to be an influence on the vocals. Looking ahead, Fairport's arrangement of the traditional "A Sailor's Life" fortells the sound of their follow-up record "Liege and Lief" and the ultimate direction of the band as an essential part of the folk-rock scene.

If not for "Genesis Hall" and "Autopsy", I'd rate this a 3-4 star album. But those two tracks easily bump this up to 5-stars. Production value on this CD is also a strength, the sound of the record sounds very modern in most respects.

a work of tremendous depth.......2006-09-09

This is terrific work with attributes that extend towards many tastes. Richarh Thomspon's scorching guitar, Sandy Denny's angelic voice, cool versions of Dylan songs, ensemble virtuosity, its all there baby!

"A Sailors Life" is the highlight. It starts out as a very folky, lumbering, painfully Brittish jig and builds an dgrows into a crushing guitar workout. Enjoy every second of this lengthy songs

"Million Dollar Bash" was an obscure Bob Dylan tune that is given a lot of life by the different members of the band singing about what else? Having a million dollar bash!

This is a real big thumbs up!

This badn had a revolving door with different members. This was their best work.

Simply the Best.......2006-02-21

If you are looking for outstanding Fairport Convention, or Brit Folk, or if you just like music, this is an exemplary example. This album explains why those of us from the 60's continue to say that the music today (and the last 15 years) generally blows. You cannot name a single group that even approaches the beauty of this album. Five stars isn't enough. Trade in all your Britany Sneers and J Blows cd's; get this one and listen to a woman who can sing.

GREAT!.......2005-11-27

I received my CD very quickly & at a great price. I'd definitiely buy from you again . . . and look forward to doing so in the future.

Average customer rating:

Perhaps Their Best
I can never really get enough of Fairport Convention
when the stone has grown too cold to kneel
Full House, even more complete.
and god said, let there be "folk-pop"

Full House
Fairport Convention
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Unhalfbricking
Liege & Lief
What We Did on Our Holidays
Fairport Convention
Angel Delight

ASIN: B00005NILD
Release Date: 2001-10-15

Tracks:

Walk Awhile
Doctor of Physick
Dirty Linen
Sloth
Sir Patrick Spens
Flatback Caper
Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman
Flowers of the Forest
Now Be Thankful [Mono Version]
Sir B. McKenzie's Daughter's Lament for the 77th Mounted Lancers ...
Bonny Bunch of Roses
Now Be Thankful [New Stereo Mix]

Album Description

UK digitally remastered reissue of the 1970 album for Hannibal. Includes four bonus tracks, 'Now Be Thankful' (mono & new stereo mix), 'Sir B. McKenzie's Daughter's Lament...' & 'Bonny Bunch Of Roses'.

Album Description

UK digitally remastered reissue of 1970 album for Hannibal that's out-of-print domestically. Now with four added bonus tracks, 'Now Be Thankful' (mono & new stereo mix), 'Sir B. McKenzie's Daughter's Lament...' & 'Bonny Bunch Of Roses'. 2001.

Customer Reviews:

Perhaps Their Best.......2006-07-23

One of Folk-Rock's finest jewels. This record followed "Liege and Leif" as well as the leaving by Sandy Denny of the band. Both factors contributed to low expectations at its release. Yet "Full House" was and is a major success. The vocals and song writing evince a keen, authentic sense of what Fairport Convention understood its qualities to be. Moreover, the playing of Swarbrick and Thompson--not only replete with virtuosity but also clearly a shared discourse--places this album among the greats of Rock and Roll.

It's a limetime top fiver, for me.

I can never really get enough of Fairport Convention.......2006-03-09

There's hardly a recording they've made that I don't have. And still, I find that this CD has its own special sound that really reaches me. Reminds me some of Outgrabe's early work. If you yearn to visit another place, come hither. You won't be disappointed. Play on, my loves.

when the stone has grown too cold to kneel.......2006-01-11

This is a genre-defining album, made even better by the inclusion of the extra tracks. To put it simply, there is no finer marriage of traditional and modern than that which is contained here.

If the standard of transcendence for this kind of thing is whether or not you can compose songs that sound so traditional that you almost can't believe they weren't written centuries ago, then by reason of "Sloth" and "Doctor of Physick" this record might be the pinnacle achievement of what is called folk-rock. Restoring "Poor Will.." and the sublime "Now Be Thankful" to the mix just takes it over the top, where you could argue convincingly for this album as one of the greatest ever made in any genre.

100 extra spanner points for Richard Thompson's ridiculous, hysterically creepy liner notes, about some kind of Olympics of Esoteric English Games with a heavy accent on mayhem and bloodshed.

Full House, even more complete........2005-02-11

The LP, as it were, rated 5 stars from the initial LP release way back then! It had instantly become my favorite, even though it had followed the previous 4 other classics and without most of their orginal members.

I admit, after Angel Delight, I stopped collecting Fairport music. In stead, I collected most of its spinoffs, Ian Matthews, Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, etc., including Plainsong, Fotheringay, etc, even Steeleye Span.

The extra tracks included on the CD made FULL HOUSE more full!

Of course, I have re-discovered Fairport since, and IMHO, 'Red And Gold' is the best STUDIO LP/CD recorded since the Early Days. :)

FULL HOUSE, though, is still my favourite!

May I also suggest the mag/rag 'Dirty Linen'!

and god said, let there be "folk-pop".......2004-08-04

my personal favorite FC album, fast and fancy and happy and catchy and intricate and weird, all at once. i also believe that this may be richard thompson's finest moment, including his illustrious solo career.

Meet On The Ledge: The Classic Years (1967-1975)

Average customer rating:

Fans can never be objective...
Classic Fairport Convention!
An awesome anthology!!!
Simply one of the best compilations ever!
Disc One Will Become a Favorite CD!

Meet On The Ledge: The Classic Years (1967-1975)
Fairport Convention
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

No More Sad Refrains: The Anthology
Liege & Lief
The Best of Richard & Linda Thompson: The Island Records Years
Unhalfbricking
Fotheringay

ASIN: B00000JNMO
Release Date: 1999-07-27

Tracks:

Chelsea Morning
Fotheringay
Mr. Lacey
Book Song
I'll Keep It With Mine
Tale In Hard Time
Meet On the Ledge
Genesis Hall
A Sailor's Life
Who Knows Where TheTime Goes
Percy's Song
Come All Ye
Matty Groves
Tam Lin
Crazy Man Michael
Farewell, Farewell

Tracks:

Now Be Thankfull
Bonny Bunch Of Roses
Walk Awhile
Sloth
Poor Will And The Jolly Hangman
Journeyman's Grace
John Lee
Rosie
The Plainsman
The Hexhamshire Lasxs
Polly On The Shore
Bring 'Em Down
Rising For The Moon
White Dress
Stranger To Himself
One More Chance

Amazon.com essential recording

Fairport Convention in its early years was to British folk-rock what the Byrds were to the genre's American bookend. Boasting in their heyday a frontline of Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, and Iain Matthews, the group's impact has, if anything, grown in the years since the classic lineup split up. Fairport's stature is largely attributable to the ongoing popularity of Brit-folk touchstones Liege and Lief and Unhalfbricking, as well as Thompson's continued high-caliber solo work. Meet on the Ledge offers 32 tracks on two CDs, ranging from the band's somewhat awkward pre-Denny 1967 recordings and on into the mid-'70s, nearly a half-decade after Thompson had moved on. Instructive liner notes and a smattering of rare and previously unreleased tracks make this anthology an exceptional starting point for those who haven't immersed themselves in Fairport Convention and the movement they cultivated. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Fans can never be objective..........2006-04-26

From the OBJECTIVE reviewer...before Richard Thompson's over rated solo years there was his underrated Fairport Convention Years. This is a great over view and the best FC collection.

Classic Fairport Convention!.......2004-08-15

"Meet on the Ledge" covers Fairport Convention's recording career from their first Polydor album from 1967 till "Rising from the Moon" from 1975; the last one to feature Sandy Denny.

On their first 3-4 albums the Fairports were a more pop/rock oriented band than many people may realise. It wasn't until Dave Swarbrick's entry in 1969 that they grew into the traditional-folk/rock group that has become their trademark since.

Their first album, with Judy Dyble, is only represented by Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning". It's a fine song from an album that had its fine moments, but lacked clear direction.

Their next two albums, on the other hand is very well reprented here.

5 songs from "What we did in our Holidays" and close to 27 minutes from "Unhalfbricking".

These two albums show great song-writing from both Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny. Sandy Denny's "Fotheringay" and "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" are both among her finest. Thompson contributes fine songs like "Meet on the Ledge" and "Genesis Hall"

Both albums feature covers of obscure Bob Dylan songs like "I'll Keep it With Mine" and "Percy's Song". I particularly like the latter, which was one of the songs that really turned me on to the band.

Their inspiration from traditional British music shows on both albums; especially on their 11 minute version of "A Sailor's Life", which features guest appearance of Dave Swarbrick ( on violin ) , who was soon to be a permanent member.

Their next album, the folk-rock classic "Liege and Lief", was Fairport Convention in a new line-up. Ian Matthews and Martin Lamble had been replaced by Dave Mattacks and Dave Swarbrick, both key members in Fairport history.

The album features traditional songs and great new originals like "Farewell Farewell" ( Thompson ), "Crazy Man Michael" ( Thompson/Swarbrick ) and "Come All Ye" (Denny/Hutchings ) . Their songwriting was very much in a traditional folk-style; so the album is very consistent and an all-time classic of folk-rock. It is very well represented with five tracks out of eight. One of my favourites from the album "The Deserter" is oddly enough not featured, though.

After "Liege and Lief" Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings were next to leave. Sandy was not replaced and Dave Pegg ( another key person in their history ) took over the bass, and added brilliant mandolin-picking to their style.

The new line-up recorded a great single "Now Be Thankful" by Thompson and Swarbrick, which is obviously included here.

Their 1970 album "Full House" is another milestone in folk-rock. The vocals of Swarbrick, Thompson and to a lesser extent Simon Nicol are so great that the voice of Sandy Denny is not missed here. The album is represented by Thompson's and Swarbrick's "Walk Awhile" and the live-favourite "Sloth". Two more songs from that period is included here. Their early 10 minute version of "Bonny Bunch of Roses" and the "Full House" outtake "Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman"; another Swarbrick/Thompson compostion which was pulled from the album in the last moment, which was really a big shame - a great song which is now included in its right place on the CD reissue of that album.

Strangely enough their next album "Angel Delight" is only represented by Swarbrick and Thompson's "Journeyman's Grace". Thompson had left the band by then and is not credited on the album except as a co-writer on "Journeyman's Grace" and "Sickness and Diseases".

The album may not be quite as consistent as "Full House", but still a very good album, and I think songs like "Banks of the Sweetprimroses" and "Angel Delight" had deserved a place on this compilation.

Their next album "John Babbacombe Lee" (1971) was a concept album, telling the story of the hanging of John Lee which never succeeded. Though it's a great album, and probably very much a Dave Swarbrick project, it is only represented by one track. This probably makes good sense, as the songs obviously work best as a whole.

Their next album "Rosie" was slightly more pop/mainstream oriented. Simon Nicol had left ( the last original member ) and had been replaced by Jerry Donahue and Trevor Lucas.

From the album we have Dave Swarbrick's beatiful "Rosie", which must be one his greatest songs. Very moving to hear Sandy Denny's and Linda Thompson's voices on the chorus. Richard Thompson is also playing on the track. The deep voice of Trevor Luces can ve heard on the other "Rosie" track "The Plainsman", which is also a fine song.

This line-up recorded one more album "Nine". Of the three track included from that album Dave Pegg's "Polly on the Shore" is by far my favourite; great vocals from Trevor Lucas. Dave Swarbrick's "To Althea From Prison" been a great addition from that album. The exquisite guitarplaying of Jerry Donahue is shining on many of the "Nine"-tracks.

The next album, and the last one to be represented here, is "Rising for the Moon" for which Sandy Denny had rejoined the band. After this album the band made a total change of direction ( into acoustic traditional folk ) with the commercially ( and artistically? ) flop of "Gottle o Geer", which was also to be their final original album for Island Records.

"Rising for the Moon" marks a fine end to a great era. With great songs from Sandy Denny ( the title track, "Stranger to Himself", "What is True", "After Halloween" and "One More Time" and Dave Swarbrick's "White Dress" and "Nighttime Girl". Sandy Denny is clearly the dominating personality here. The four songs selected for this compilation represent the album perfectly.

This compilation is highly recommendable; and if you want more of the same Island Records have reissued most of the Fairport Convention albums with great bonus-tracks.

An awesome anthology!!!.......2004-04-07

Of all the bands I have heard from Britain, especially around the 60s and 70s era this is one of my favorite bands. I was first drawn to them by Sandy Denny's beautiful voice which I first heard from Led Zeppelins song "Battle of Evermore" on "Stairway to Heaven." The songs I like are Fotheringay, Mr. Lacey, Book Song, Meet on the Ledge, Genesis Hall, Come All Ye, Matty Groves, and Tam Lin. On Disc 2 there are some some songs on there that I do like, but I don't play it as much as Disc 1. All in all this is still a great anthology.

Simply one of the best compilations ever!.......2002-02-05

From the most under-rated bands of all time....a great compilation of their music. Contrary to some of the other reviews in this section, Disc #2 is phenominal! They became a different group with each new release and I loved all of them. Especially: 'Full House', 'Angel Delight' and 'Nine'. Great stuff with Trevor Lucas and Jerry Donahue in the mid-seventies. Long live Swarb, Peggy, DM, and Simon for those latter years and beyond!

Heck, I'm listening to 'Gottle o' Geer' right now!!!

Disc One Will Become a Favorite CD!.......2001-11-16

Disc One is a great collection.
1)Chelsea Morning(Mitchell). This song isn't my favorite and I often skip it but since it was a radio hit....from the self titled first album.
2-7)Fotheringay, Mr. Lacey, Book Song,I'll Keep it With Mine(Dylan), Tale in Hard Time, Meet on the Ledge. I love all these songs from their second and much better What We Did on Our Holiday, thoughtful and thoughtfully played sixties folk rockers.
8-11)Genesis Hall, A Sailors Life, Who Knows Where The Time Goes, Percys Song(Dylan). I'm not a big Sandy Denny ballad fan so that third one "Who knows..." not a favorite but this is a very energetic group of folk rock with emphasis on the latter,those first two are rollicking epic tales, from their classic Unhalfbricking album.
12-16)Come All Ye,Matty groves, Tam Lin, Crazy Man Michael, Farewell Farewell. These are all Celtic rockers from the album that created that genre, Liege& Lief. Those first three will blow your British Isle socks off.
I highly recommend this first disc or several of the original albums on disc. However I can't recommend disc two, because it documents the band as members started leaving and whereas that first disc is one breakthrough recording after another, the second disc just repeats with ever diminishing success what was done on those early records.
Disc One is five stars. Disc Two is two stars for though it contains an occasional highlight the disc is for the most part filled out with material that is not really up to the Fairport standard set on disc one.

Average customer rating:

Un pur délice!
Fairport Convention
Promising Fairport Convention debut.
still my favorite Fairport record
Fairport's First

Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

What We Did on Our Holidays
Unhalfbricking
Liege & Lief
Full House
Fotheringay

ASIN: B00007J35I
Release Date: 2003-03-10

Tracks:

Time Will Show The Wiser
I Dont Know Where I Stand
If (Stomp)
Decameron
Jack ODiamonds
Portfolio
Chelsea Morning
Sun Shade
The Lobster
Its Alright Ma Its Only Witchcraft
One Sure Thing
M1 Breakdown
Suzanne (Bonus Track)
If I Had A Ribbon Now (Bonus Track)
Morning Glory (Bonus Track)
Reno Nevada (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Remastered reissue of 1968 debut album includes four bonus tracks, 'Suzanne', 'If I Had A Ribbon Bow', 'Morning Glory', 'Reno, Nevada', & a slipcase with the first pressing. Includes sleevenotes by co-founder Ashley Hutchings. 16 tracks. Polydor. 2003.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of the Band's Debut Recording, Where their Influences were Worn on their Sleeve, as Demonstrated by Cover Versions which Make Up the Original Album, Like "i Don't Know Where I Stand" and "Chelsea Morning" - Joni Mitchell, "Jack O' Diamonds" - Bob Dylan and the Harvey Brooks / Jim Glover Composition, "One Sure Thing". These Are Complimented by Four Rare Recordings: "Suzanne" is a Rare Studio Recording of the Leonard Cohen Live Favourite and features Ian Mathews on Vocals Hinting that this was Recorded at Some Point Between Judy Dyble Leaving the Band and Sandy Denny Arriving. If I Had a Ribbon Bow" was the Bands First Single and Although it is Fairly Unrepresentative of the Band's Future Direction it Clearly Demonstrates the Groups Eclectic Taste and Willingness to Experiment. The Covers of Tim Buckley's "Morning Glory" and Richard Farina's "Reno, Nevada" were Recorded Live in a French Television Studio for the Bouton Rouge Programme in 1968.

Customer Reviews:

Un pur délice!.......2007-05-30

C'est une honte que l'on retrouve à peu près tout le reste de l'oeuvre de Fairport Convention sur les présentoirs des disquaires alors qu'on néglige souvent d'y mettre ce classique. Un album à savourer en toutes occasions, particulièrement apprécié pour débuter la journée du bon pied. Tout y est magnifique! Aucune hésitation à avoir. C'est un classique du folk rock, Un incontournable! Aussi recommandé pour les amateurs de musique psychédélique (rappelle Jefferson Airplane par moments).

Fairport Convention.......2007-05-13

If you have followed this group over the years, no explanation is necessary.

Promising Fairport Convention debut........2006-12-30

For over 3 decades Fairport's debut album on Polydor had been deleted and finally now has been given a rebirth on CD, and not before time. Although this album was the one where music critics suggested that Fairport were the Brit version of Jefferson Airplane or the Byrds, there really is only little similarity to either of those bands, particularly where vocal harmonies are concerned. This is the only album FC made which featured no traditional folk rock, which later was to become their hallmark. Instead there is a mixture of rock, contemporary folk, light jazz and even a c & w number. There is some highly melodic material included, as well as weirder experimental stuff (The Lobster'), but then this was recorded late 1967 at the height of psychedelia.

For me, the outstanding track on this album is the Joni Mitchell cover 'I Don't Know Where I Stand' sung beautifully by Judy Dyble, the original female vocalist. Richard Thompson's lead guitar on this number interplays superbly with Simon Nicol's rhythm guitar. Another example of Dyble's sensitive vocals are found on 'One Sure Thing' with an unusual and imaginative solo by RT. In fact his guitar work is already showing quite a remarkable standard as well as versatility in styles, and his solos on 'Sunshade', 'Lobster' and the c & w track `If (stomp)' demonstrate this well. FC's strange first single 'If I Had A Ribbon Bow' included as a bonus track is an old fashioned cocktail jazz number and again Dyble's vocals are perfectly suited to it. `Reno Nevada' is the only disappointment here, as the band used to play this number live which used to last several minutes, thanks to a long jazz solo by RT. It so impressed producer Joe Boyd on first hearing this played at a club, that he signed up FC immediately.

For those who like their music more hard-edged, there is the opening track 'Time Will Show The Wiser' and Thompson's jokey Dylan title, 'It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft, with a Hendrix type solo in the middle.

So Fairport Convention in thir early phase had no particular style of music that one could clearly identify with. However all the music on here is wonderfully played by all band members, with the voices of Judy Dyble and Ian Matthews blending well. Dyble, for me was the better singer of the two. Ian Matthews had a weaker, almost twee voice, when singing on his own, which could be irritating, particularly noticeable on `Decameron'. RT co-wrote a few tracks, but his songwriting talent was yet to develop more prominently as it did over the next few years.

Overall this album should definitely please Fairport fans, who were not around in the late `60s and want to hear how the band originally used to sound in their early days. It should also interest the curious, delving into RT's musical history. But do not expect an album like `Liege & Lief'. FC were a very different sounding band when they started out.

still my favorite Fairport record.......2006-03-09

If one likes to dive into the roots of the human experience as refracted through the eyes of anglia, this is the place to go. I almost always leave refreshed when I visit, and I'm glad to see others enjoying this musical tome.

Fairport's First.......2005-01-06

Long out of print, as I discovered after trading in the Polydor vinyl album some years ago, this re-mastered reissue includes bonus tracks including their first single, a cover of Maxine Sullivan's 1940 recording of If I Had A Ribbon Bow. The best track is probably the Dylan-influenced and rather psychedelic It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft.

Among the other original material, some of it dating from Richard Thompson's previous band, is a fair smattering of well-chosen songs from contemporary performers. Joni Mitchell was virtually unknown and unreleased on record in 1967 when this album was recorded and her own versions of the two songs here did not appear until her second album, Clouds, in 1969. The Fairports knew her as she had been in the UK at the invitation of their producer, Joe Boyd, and she had played some British dates supporting the Incredible String Band. Emitt Rhodes was still performing in the obscure group the Merry-Go-Round when they recorded Time Will Show The Wiser to open the album.

Dylan's Jack O'Diamonds was actually a poem which turned up on the liner-notes of Another Side Of Bob Dylan. He had given it to an actor friend called Ben Carruthers at the Savoy, who had used it in a TV play called A Man With No Papers, and subsequently recorded it with his group Ben Carruthers And The Deep, aided by Jimmy Page and Nicky Hopkins, on a flop single. One Sure Thing was a cover of a little-known duo called Jim and Jean (Jim Glover and Jean Ray).

There is no clue from this eclectic mix of songs featuring Ian Matthew and the very underrated Judy Dyble that they were to virtually reinvent folk-rock with Sandy Denny just a couple of years later. I saw the band a couple of times around the time of this album and, much as I enjoyed their later albums, rather miss these styles of playing in their music.

Their version of Suzanne used to feature alternate verses sung by Ian Matthew and Sandy Denny but the May 1968 version here sadly falls between Judy Dyble leaving and Sandy Denny joining, but you can hear the dual-vocal version from their August 1968 Top Gear session on Heyday

Average customer rating:

First Album with Sandy Denny.
My personal favorite
stepping stone to greatness
Pretty good but not as good as the later ones
Not a very good album... sorry.

What We Did on Our Holidays
Fairport Convention
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Unhalfbricking
Liege & Lief
Fairport Convention
Full House
Fotheringay

ASIN: B00007J36W
Release Date: 2003-03-10

Tracks:

You're Gonna Need My Help
Some Sweet Day

Amazon.com essential recording

Their second album captures Fairport Convention poised between the more embryonic, American-influenced rock of their debut and the more pronounced British folk-rock that would follow. Newly arrived vocalist Sandy Denny contributes her haunting songs and indelibly husky voice, Ian (later Iain) Matthews lofts his angelic tenor into the mix, and the set list is the most diverse they would ever offer, stacking solid covers of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan beside traditional English songs and stirring originals from Denny, Matthews, Richard Thompson, and Ashley Hutchings. As such, Holidays works both on its own terms and as a position paper on Fairport's emerging ambition to find a distinctive accent for their alternately hearty, witty, and somber music. --Sam Sutherland

Album Description

Remastered reissue of classic second album, originally released in 1969, includes three bonus tracks, 'Throwaway Street Puzzle', 'You're Gonna Need My Help' (BBC), 'Some Sweet Day', & a slipcase with the first pressing. Includes sleevenotes by co-founder Ashley Hutchings. 15 tracks. Universal Island. 2003.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of the Second Fairport Convention LP and the First to Include the Presence of Sandy Denny was Recorded in 1968. It Showcases a Young Group Taking Pleasure in Singing and Playing Whatever Took Its' Collective Fancy, and Doing this with Surprising Sensitivity, Authority and Musicality. Also Evident is the Trademark Unpredictability and Wacky Sense of Fun which Marked their Live Concerts . Make 'em Laugh, Make 'em Cry, Make 'em Puzzled; That was Early Fairport. Includes Three Bonus Tracks. "Throwaway Street Puzzle" was Released as the B-side of the "Meet on the Ledge" Single. "You're Gonna Need My HELP" is a Rare BBC Radio Recording from 1969 and features a Virtuoso Slide-guitar Performance by Richard Thompson. "Some Sweet Day" was Originally Recorded to Be Released as a Single but was Shelved in Favour of "Meet on the Ledge".

Customer Reviews:

First Album with Sandy Denny........2007-07-01

"What We Did in Our Holidays" was the first album to feature Sandy Denny and in fact the last released with Ian Matthews as lead singer. As was the case with their 1968 debut album this album is a great mixture of various styles and inspirations.

The band would later become a legend in British folk-rock, and there are clear signs what direction the band might want to pursue on this album. Songs like "Nottamun Town" and "She Moves Through the Fair" would not have been totally out of place on their folk-rock classic "Liege and Lief". There is also a lot of folk-feeling in Denny's beautiful "Fotheringay".

Bob Dylan was obviously a great inspiration for the band, and they recorded several of his songs for their early albums. Here it is his obscure song "I'll Keep it With Mine" and you maybe you could also count in "Nottamun Town", which has the same melody as "Masters of War".

Richard Thompson wrote some really great songs for the album among which "Meet on the Ledge" has become a classic. At this point Thompson's songwriting was more pop/rock than folk.

Bassist Ashley Hutchings wrote the rock'n roller "Mr Lacey" and the other guitarist Simon Nicol contributed the fine acoustic instrumental "End of a Holiday", which closed off the original album.

The three bonus tracks are interesting, but none of them would have fitted very well into the album. The B-side "Throwaway Street Puzzle" has been a collector's item for years, and a track that many fans have been eager to hear. It's a Thompson/Hutchings blues rocker written and played much in the same vein as Dylan's "Down in the Flood" or "Wathcing the River Flow".

Great album, but not quite a five stars release.

My personal favorite.......2006-08-05

This is the first Fairport Convention album I ever heard, and if that colors my judgement, so be it. Having BOTH Sandy Denny and Ian Matthews on vocals is what moves this up a notch from "Unhalfbricking" (but that one's essential too)to my ears. The Dylan cover "I'll Keep It With Mine" may be the best thing they ever recorded--not only those wonderful harmonies, but Richard Thompson's entirely sympathetic lead guitar, especially on the fadeout; just sublime. Follow that with the Joni Mitchell cover "Eastern Rain" which gives you an idea as to just what they lost when drummer Martin Lamble died. Sandy Denny's opener "Fotheringay" would have fit in with Liege and Lief, yet is perfect here. Richard Thompson's early compositions "No Man's Land"(very underrated), "Tale In Hard Time", and "Meet On The Ledge" sound as great as anything he's ever done. And Ian Matthew's own "Book Song", adds a gentle dimension to the overall sound that was sadly never to be repeated. The only cut that doesn't fit is Ashley Hutchings' "Mr. Lacey", and it's still amusing and fun. There are two traditional ballads, a spooky chant, and a nice instrumental that closes the original album. In short, a variety of styles that form a whole greater than the sum of the parts. What might have been.

stepping stone to greatness.......2005-04-28

This is the second Fairport album, released in late 1968 but the first to feature who is today generally considered the finest folk singer bar none - Sandy Denny. They are stil a young band searching for an identity here but the 40 minites captured here show scope and maturity that many band would never achieve.
With Denny giving the vocals a clarity the songs richly deserved, songwriter and guitarist was able to find the confidence to introduce 2 of his early classics to the listening public. "Meet on the ledge" retains its power to this day.The album closed originally with the wistful "farewell, farewell" but this reissue (which sounds great by the way) adds 3 bonus cuts. To be fair the only real one of interest is the original B side "throwaway street puzzle. Not a great album but a bonafide classic, lets make it 4.5 stars, just for opening with Sandys beautiful "Fotheringay" Anyone thinking of looking into Fairport Convention would do well to begin their search here.

Phil
Cambridge
ON

Pretty good but not as good as the later ones.......2005-04-22

Bonus Tracks
Throwaway Street Puzzle: Sounds like an outtake from Surrealistic Pillow. You can understand where that "English Jefferson Airplane" rep came from. Richard Thompson gets psychedelic.
You're Gonna Need My Help: A Muddy Waters blues, of all things, recorded live at the Beeb. Ian Matthews sounds a little uncomfortable pretending to be black, but Sandy Denny sounds as at home as Janis did belting out lines like "I know you're gonna put me down." Nice slide guitar work by Richard Thompson.
Some Sweet Day: A tune by Country Music Hall of Famers Felice and Boudleaux Bryant that the band learned from an old Everly Brothers record. Ian Matthews sings lead with a little harmony by the group on the chorus. More Richard Thompson slide guitar.

Remaster: Cleaner, but not a revelation or anything, at least not on my inexpensive sound system. The individual instruments are more distinct in the ensemble passages.

The record: Seems a bit schizophrenic to me. Sometimes the band goes for a smooth, sunny "California Dreamin'"-type sound (Book Song, No Man's Land, Tale in Hard Times) and other times for a somewhat rootsier, folkier sound (Fotheringay, The Lord is In This Place, Nottamun Town, She Moved Through the Fair), which of course is the direction they ultimately took. Problem is Thompson's songs don't really lend themselves very well to a light touch. There's something really weird about backing a lyric like "Take the sun from my eyes/let me learn to despise" with a cute harpicord obligatto (Tale in Hard Times). Or having a hand-clappin' Partridge Family chorus like "Hey, c'mon make it easy/Hey, c'mon make it right") with a verse like "It's no use to be free/If lies are all the truth they seem/They'll screw up what you do when you're through". Still, it's pretty good. Perhaps definitive cover of Dylan's I'll Keep It With Mine, and only version anywhere of Joni Mitchell's Eastern Rain (gently psychedelic). Thompson proves he can play the blues on Mr. Lacey, even if it's a dumb song. And Meet On the Ledge is nicely anthemic. And She Moved Through the Fair is as haunting as anything Fairport ever did. Still it's no Unhalfbricking, let alone Liege and Lief.

Not a very good album... sorry........2005-04-15

If you are a Die Hard Fairport fan then you probabily already own this album. At this stage in this groups evolution, they are unsure in what direction they want to go, pulling in three different musical directions. Not the excellence of Leige & Lief to later follow. Tho, Dennys voice is strong in 'Fotheringay' & 'Nottamun town' and a very good rendition of Bob Dylans 'I'll keep it with mine' is still not good enough to pull is album out of the dumpster, and for $20 + bucks one would expect more..... Sorry.

Average customer rating:

Fairport at the Beeb
It's all here
Radio Fairport
Very Convenient Set If Not Absolutely Essential

Live at the BBC
Fairport Convention
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Time Has Come
Sweet Warrior
Last Flight
Sweeping Up the Spotlight: Jefferson Airplane Live at the Fillmore East 1969
White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s

ASIN: B000NA2UAU
Release Date: 2007-04-16

Tracks:

Close the Door Lightly When You Go
I Don't Know Where I Stand
Some Sweet Day
You Never Wanted Me
Nottamun Town
Marcie
Night in the City
Jack O' Diamonds
Gone, Gone, Gone
Suzanne
If It Feels Good, You Know It Can't Be Wrong
Eastern Rain
Fotheringay
I Still Miss Someone
Bird on a Wire
Tried So Hard
Reno Nevada
Book Song
Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

Tracks:

You're Gonna Need My Help
Fotheringay
Shattering Live Experience
Cajun Woman
Autopsy
Si Tu Dois Partir
Percy's Song
Reynardine
Tam Lin
Sir Patrick Spens
Medley: The Lark in the Morning/Rakish Paddy/Foxhunter's Jig/Toss the F
Lady Is a Tramp
Walk Awhile
Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman
Doctor of Physick

Tracks:

Sir Patrick Spens
Bonny Bunch of Roses
Dirty Linen (Jigs and Reels)
Now Be Thankful
Journeyman's Grace
Now Be Thankful
Tokyo
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Possibly Parsons Green
Rosie
John the Gun
Fiddlestix
Rising for the Moon
Down in the Flood

Tracks:

Let's Get Together
One Sure Thing
Lay Down Your Weary Tune
Chelsea Morning
Violets of Dawn
If (Stomp)
Time Will Show the Wiser
If I Had a Ribbon Bow
Meet on the Ledge
Light My Fire
Flatback Caper
Open the Door Richard
Deserter
Hangman's Reel
Tam Lin
Sir William Gower
Banks of the Sweet Primroses
Sickness and Diseases
Bridge Over the River Ash
Lord Marlborough
Angel Delight

Album Description

2007 four CD box set that includes all of the British Folk legends' surviving BBC radio recordings, which were taped between 1967 and 1974. It was thought, until recently, that very few of these recordings from this time remained in the BBC's archive, but a few years ago a box was discovered on a shelf at the BBC. It is a marvelous addition to the Fairport collection and is timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the formation of the band The Fairports, the single best British Folk-Rock band of the late '60s, did more than any other act to develop a truly British variation on the Folk-Rock prototype by drawing upon traditional material and styles indigenous to the British Isles. While the revved-up renditions of traditional British Folk tunes drew the most critical attention, the group were also talented songwriters as well as interpreters. They were comfortable with conventional harmony-based Folk-Rock as well as tunes that drew upon more explicitly traditional sources and they boasted some of the best singers and instrumentalists of the day. 69 tracks. Universal. 2007

Customer Reviews:

Fairport at the Beeb.......2007-07-30

For the many Fairport Convention die-hard fans out there like me, this 4 CD set is a treasure trove of gems recorded for BBC programs between 1968 and 1974. It covers a variety of the different lineups, but most importantly includes plenty of contributions by the immortal Sandy Denny, Ian Matthews and Richard Thompson. Judy Dyble is also there. It should be noted that the material released on the Heyday album is duplicated here.

If you don't have any Fairport music this is probably not the place to start, but if you are a seasoned campaigner then this could well be for you

It's all here.......2007-05-08

Finally. After years of speculation Island finally amassed all of the surviving Fairport Convention BBC sessions in the handsome 4cd box set. This is basically an expanded version of the "Heyday" CD from years ago which was expanded from the original "Heyday" on Joe Boyd's Hannibal records. That entire expanded "Heyday" is here and a lot more. There is even a disc of off air recordings with Judy Dyble in vocal chair from 1967 and recordings from the "Liege and Leaf " post Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson period also. Also included is a history of the group and the sessions. I have to admit it is on the pricey side but to get the clearances and the amount of research and assistance from fans it's expected but worth it and it makes a nice gift to.

Radio Fairport.......2007-04-25

In 1987 the Original "Heyday" was Released on Joe Boyd's Hannibal Records. Culled from BBC Radio Sessions from 1968-69, this was the Sandy Denny/Ian Matthews Version of Fairport Convention when they were known as "England's Jefferson Airplane". That Title was not a Put-Down against Fairport or The Airplane but a way to Explain this Presentation of American Music by these Fantastic English Musicians. The Songs on "Heyday" were not Featured on their early Records but the were staples of the Concerts of 1967-69. Showing another side of this Band "Heyday" featured such writers as Bob Dylan, Eric Anderson, Joni Mitchell, Richard Farina and Leonard Cohan that the British Folks ( With the exception of Dylan ) hadn't heard on their Shores Before.

In 2002 "Heyday" was Re-released and expanded to 20 tracks and Remastered to include some "Liege and Lief" material. Bootlegs were released (all two of them) of even more BBC recordings that featured Tunes from 1970-1974. It was reported that more BBC shows were out there... but, it still a shock to see a Four CD Box set available in 2007 with all this Music (69 TRACKS)!!!

Firstly all of the Expanded "Heyday" is included here, but there is so much more: a December 67 Session with Judy Dyble, the "Full House" band Live featuring the Fire of Thompson & Swarb, through to the 73-74 Sessions of the "NIne" and "Rising" Lineups. There are a lot's of Rare tracks: "Marcie", "Night in the City", "You're Gonna Need My Help", "Violets of Dawn". "The Lady is a Tramp" & "Light My Fire" that were Highlights of the Bootleg Releases.

The Sound Quality gets Rough in spots, but it still holds up because of the Wealth of Great Music presented here. This is not the Place to start if you are new to the Music of Fairport Convention, But for me I do feel Lucky to own this Amazing Little BBC boxset of Fab, Fairport Live Music...FOUR STARS~!!!

Very Convenient Set If Not Absolutely Essential.......2007-04-24

This is a very convenient set. 4 CD's which have all the group BBC Sessions in one place. If there's a problem, it's that there isn't that much that's new for veteran fans. And of course Sandy Denny isn't on several tracks, which may discourage some. The '02 official release of 'Extended Heyday' filled many of the 'Sandy' needs for BBC Fairport stuff. Still though, the inclusion of a few new ones like the fine arrangement of Joni Mitchell's "Marcie," or oddity like Richard Thompson's fun lead on (of all things!) "The Lady is a Tramp," or the many early ones one Disc 4 are nice to see. The sound IS excellent, and notes are interesting in talking about how the recordings were made: great stuff despite (or perhaps even because of) little rehearsal time and cramped quarters. Very good IMO, if perhaps not totally essential, especially if you have all their '68-'75 material and some of the fairly available boots.

Average customer rating:

A folk rock classic.
Classic Folk-Rock!
Here's what I hear
What a cool album!
A perfect pairing with traditional ales!

Liege & Lief
Fairport Convention
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Unhalfbricking
What We Did on Our Holidays
Full House
Shoot Out the Lights
Fotheringay

ASIN: B0000657UB
Release Date: 2002-05-20

Tracks:

Come All Ye
Reynardine
Matty Groves
Farewell, Farewell
The Deserter
Medley: The Lark In The Morning/Rakish Paddy/Foxhunter's Jig/Toss The Feathers
Tam Lin
Crazy Man Michael
Sir Patrick Spens (Sandy Denny Vocal Version)
Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood (Take 1)

Amazon.com essential recording

Album Details

Classic Fairport Convention Album from 1969, Remastered and Includes Two Bonus Tracks: Alternate Versions of 'sir Patrick Spens' and 'quiet Joys of Brotherhood'.

Customer Reviews:

A folk rock classic........2007-07-14

Classic Folk-Rock!.......2007-06-03

Here's what I hear.......2007-01-12

What a cool album!.......2006-11-30

A perfect pairing with traditional ales!.......2006-11-01

Average customer rating:

Fresh Air from Long Ago. Very Nice Listening
No American band can do these songs equal justice
For fans of Fairport's singer-songwriter period
An absolute must for all Fairport fans

Heyday: BBC Radio Sessions, 1968-1969
Fairport Convention
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

What We Did on Our Holidays
Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
Liege & Lief
Full House

ASIN: B00005YT5Z
Release Date: 2002-03-11

Tracks:

Close the Door Lightly When You Go
I Don't Know Where I Stand
Some Sweet Day
Reno, Nevada
Suzanne
If It Feels Good, You Know It Can't Be Wrong
I Still Miss Someone
Bird on a Wire
Gone, Gone, Gone
Tried So Hard
Shattering Live Experience
Percy's Song
You Never Wanted Me [*]
Nottamun Town [*]
Fotheringay [*]
Si Tu Dois Partir [*]
Cajun Woman [*]
Autopsy [*]
Reynardine [*]
Tam Lin [*]

Amazon.com

When a dozen of these songs were released on the first (1987) issue of Heyday, Fairport's original producer, Joe Boyd, revealed that almost 20 years earlier he'd vetoed numbers like Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne," Johnny Cash's "I Still Miss Someone," and the Everly Brothers' "Gone, Gone, Gone" from consideration for the LPs Unhalfbricking and Liege And Lief on the grounds that "Americans did these sorts of songs in their sleep better than any English band could hope to." Any view from 30-odd years later is likely to be obscured by rosy clouds of nostalgia, but Boyd's opinion seems vindicated, especially now that the album has been extended with tracks from the British tradition--such as "Nottamun Town," "Reynardine," and "Tam Lin"--that demonstrate what Fairport really did well. Also added to the '87 album are a couple of touching originals by Sandy Denny performed as solos, "Fotheringay" and "Autopsy," and an appealingly ramshackle go at Richard Thompson's bayou-blues "Cajun Woman." --Tony Russell

Album Description

Full title, 'Heyday BBC Radio Sessions 1968-69. UK compilation captures the classic line-up in sessions for John Peel's Top Gear program. The band cover some of their favorite songs by Bob Dylan ('Percy's Song'), Joni Mitchell ('Don't Know Where I Stand'), Leonard Cohen ('Suzanne'), Johnny Cash ('I Still Miss Someone') & The Everly Brothers ('Gone, Gone, Gone') amongst others. Digitally remastered with eight bonus tracks from the same sessions, 'You Never Wanted Me', 'Nottamun Town', 'Fotheringay', 'Si Tu Dois Partir', 'Cajun Woman', 'Autopsy', 'Reynardine' & 'Tam Lin'. 2002.

Album Details

Features the Classic Fairport Convention Line-up in Session for John Peel's Top Gear Program on BBC Radio One in 1968 and 1969. Members Included Richard Thompson, the Late Sandy Denny, Iain Matthews, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Swarbrick and Simon Nicol. The Band Cover Some of their Favorite Songs by Artists Such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash and the Everly Brothers.

Customer Reviews:

Fresh Air from Long Ago. Very Nice Listening.......2005-06-23

`Heydey' by the original Fairport Convention (thus the title) is a CD of recordings done by the group on the BBC in 1968 and 1969, about the time the group released their attention-grabbing album `Unhalfbricking'.

My first impression on hearing the album is that even with the great original members, especially Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson, this is a very lightweight album. Of the two heaviest numbers, one `Percy's Song' is available on `Unhalfbricking' and Leonard Cohen's `Suzanne' has almost become a cliché, as it has been recorded so many times since Judy Collins brought it to light on one of her albums around 1967. Most of the other numbers are pretty light, some recalling the style of `The Fifth Dimension'.

But then I listened to it a bit more. My opinion on `Percy's Song' and `Suzanne' does not change, but my take on the rest of the album mellows to the point where I really like this artifact from my beloved / hated 1960s. Instead of `The Fifth Dimension', I start to get wiffs of `The Byrds' and Richard and Mimi Farina.

As I happen to be listening to a CD of Fairport Convention which comes 30 years later, with but one original band member (Simon Nicol) in place, I get no sense that I am listening to `Fairport Convention' until they do their old chestnut `Matty Groves' for the 3000th time.

Recommended, if you can get it at a good discount!

No American band can do these songs equal justice.......2003-03-13

The Amazon reviewer neglected to mention what else producer Joe Boyd said in his liner notes: "And of course, now I am forced to admit it is hard to find an American band who can do these songs equal justice."

Indeed. Anything Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson did during their brief association is worth hearing, particularly their work together in Fairport--they really did have a kind of Billie Holiday/Lester Young sympatico thing going. Fairport was famous in it's early days for it's eclectic taste in covers, and this CD was released partly to show that off. Lots of highligts, among them the slightly bizarre acid-rock version of Joni Mitchell's I Don't Know Where I Stand; Denny singing Leonard Cohen, although she only gets to sing half of each song, sharing the lead vocal with Ian Matthews-- her contribution to Bird on a Wire is especially great, she really has a feel for Cohen's sensibility; Denny's gorgeous a cappella intro to Percy's Song; the beautiful harmony singing of Matthews and Denny on Cash's I Still Miss Someone, the Everly Brothers Gone Gone Gone, and ex-Byrd Gene Clark's Tried So Hard, to name but a few. Reno, Nevada shoulda been a Top of the Pops hit.

This "Extended" version includes material from the entire span of the Denny-Thompson edition of Fairport, including--in addition to songs that never appeared on an official Fariport release--live versions of two songs from What We Did on Our Holidays, four songs from Unhalfbricking and two songs from Liege and Lief. The latter were a bit of a disappointment to me--Raynardine is good, although very much like the version on Leige and Lief, but on Tam Lin they sound a little stiff compared to the record version, that is up until the very end, when they start jamming (Ashley Hutchings warns in the liner notes that these were "very early outings for these traditional songs"). Still, well worth having if you like this sort of thing.

For fans of Fairport's singer-songwriter period.......2002-11-10

This is a pleasant but non-essential souvenir of Fairport Convention's early days, when a large part of their repertoire was covers of American singer-songwriter material. The recordings were made for BBC radio broadcasts. Ten of the twelve songs are cover tunes, of which two (Dylan's "Percy's Song" and Joni Mitchell's "I Don't Know Where I Stand") have previously appeared on Fairport albums. There's some Leonard Cohen, some Everly Brothers, a little Byrds... A highlight is "Some Sweet Day". Of all the Fairport albums, this one has the least connection to the band's later folk-rock sound.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

An absolute must for all Fairport fans.......2002-07-05

I have just traded my original copy of Heyday in now that I have this one.

The value of this album is the live versions of the songs that the band recorded on their studio albums and which have not been generally available.

Fairport Convention in performance have often been an entirely different animal to the studio band and I can testify to that having seen them in such disparate venues as Fusion, Sunderland and Newcastle Poly.

Tracks 1 through 12 sound good but the style does not suit the band in retrospect. Importing new and upcoming songwriters' songs certainly brought a breath of fresh air to the British scene and served an important purpose in reawakening our own roots but despite the beauty of the singer's voices, the approach is still borrowed and although sounding authentic does not really gel. Please don't mistake me, I love those songs and the performance but I prefer the later material.

My greatest joy in owning this CD comes from having a live version of Tam Lin which I have always preferred to the crowd favourite of Matty Groves. It is a little different to the studio version but is awesome. Other standout tracks are Autopsy and Reynardine. Later period Fairport with probably their most powerful lineup is a joy to listen to even when they are playing their Top of the Pops Si Tu Dois Partir. The playing is a delight, the singing amazing and the tightness of the band and their empathy with the other band members is clearly evident.

Tracks:

Adieu Adieu
Bonny Bunch of Roses
Eynsham Poacher
General Taylor
Jams O'Donnell's Jigs
Last Waltz
Poor Ditching Boy
Royal Seleccion No. 13
Run Johnny Run

Customer Reviews:

The Fairports Back to Form!.......2007-05-12

Fairport's "The Bonny Bunch of Roses" was their come-back to form after the extremely disappointing "Gottle O'Geer". Sandy Denny, Jerry Donahue, Trevor Lucas and Dave Mattacks had all left since 1975, but the return of Simon Nicol apparently brought new life and inspiration to the band.

Musically they'd returned to the style of their early 1970's Island albums, mixing traditional material with new original songs by the band-.members themselves or old friend and previous member Richard Thompson. In fact, the stand-out song on the album is Thompson's "The Poor Ditching Song", a song Thompson alsp recorded for his first outstanding solo-album "Henry the Human Fly".

A couple of great instrumentals were included on most Fairport albums; this also goes for this one. Here one is written by bassist Dave Pegg and the other is a medley of old tunes. These instrumentals really gave the band members a chance to demonstrate their musical virtuosity.

Vocally fiddler Dave Swarbrick was usually in front, but on this album the lead vocals appear to have been fairly shared, with both Pegg and Nicol taking some. Actually strong vocal harmonies were another of the band's trademarks.

Swarbrick wrote another stand-out original to the album, "The Last Waltz" and the inclusion of a Ralph McTell song, "Run, Johnny Run", was a surprise, but it fits in very nicely.

The 12 minutes title-track is powerful, but may be felt somwhat long-winded. Another old tradtional track "General Taylor" probably works better, and at least to this reviewer, the song is much more appealing.

The album was recorded for the Vertigo label as was the follow-up "Tippler's Tales". Then the intervals between their albums began to grow bigger and the band rarely appeared in the headlines of rock-magazines.

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