Fairport Convention [Extra tracks] [Import]

Product Description:
Japanese remastered reissue of 1968 album is packaged in a miniature LP sleeve & features 16 including 4 bonus tracks, 'Suzanne', 'If I Had A Ribbon Bow', 'Morning Glory', 'Reno, Nevada'. Polydor. 2003.

Fairport Convention,Fairport Convention,Japanese Import,British Folk,British Folk-Rock,Folk,Folk-Rock,Pop,Progressive Folk,Rock

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: 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 Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Country | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Unhalfbricking What We Did on Our Holidays Full House Fotheringay Sweet Child ASIN: B000002GFT Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Come All Ye
2. Reynardine
3. Matty Groves
4. Farewell Farewell
5. The Deserter
6. The Lark In The Morning/Rakish Paddy/Fax Hunters Jig/Toss The Feathers
7. Tam Lin
8. 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 Folk | 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:

1. Genesis Hall
2. Si Tu Dois Partir
3. Autopsy
4. A Sailors Life
5. Cajun Woman
6. Who Knows Where The Time Goes
7. Percys Song
8. Million Dollar Bash
9. Dear Landlord (Bonus Track)
10. 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: 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 Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | 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:

1. Close the Door Lightly When You Go
2. I Don't Know Where I Stand
3. Some Sweet Day
4. You Never Wanted Me
5. Nottamun Town
6. Marcie
7. Night in the City
8. Jack O' Diamonds
9. Gone, Gone, Gone
10. Suzanne
11. If It Feels Good, You Know It Can't Be Wrong
12. Eastern Rain
13. Fotheringay
14. I Still Miss Someone
15. Bird on a Wire
16. Tried So Hard
17. Reno Nevada
18. Book Song
19. Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

Tracks:

1. You're Gonna Need My Help
2. Fotheringay
3. Shattering Live Experience
4. Cajun Woman
5. Autopsy
6. Si Tu Dois Partir
7. Percy's Song
8. Reynardine
9. Tam Lin
10. Sir Patrick Spens
11. Medley: The Lark in the Morning/Rakish Paddy/Foxhunter's Jig/Toss the F
12. Lady Is a Tramp
13. Walk Awhile
14. Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman
15. Doctor of Physick

Tracks:

1. Sir Patrick Spens
2. Bonny Bunch of Roses
3. Dirty Linen (Jigs and Reels)
4. Now Be Thankful
5. Journeyman's Grace
6. Now Be Thankful
7. Tokyo
8. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
9. Possibly Parsons Green
10. Rosie
11. John the Gun
12. Fiddlestix
13. Rising for the Moon
14. Down in the Flood

Tracks:

1. Let's Get Together
2. One Sure Thing
3. Lay Down Your Weary Tune
4. Chelsea Morning
5. Violets of Dawn
6. If (Stomp)
7. Time Will Show the Wiser
8. If I Had a Ribbon Bow
9. Meet on the Ledge
10. Light My Fire
11. Flatback Caper
12. Open the Door Richard
13. Deserter
14. Hangman's Reel
15. Tam Lin
16. Sir William Gower
17. Banks of the Sweet Primroses
18. Sickness and Diseases
19. Bridge Over the River Ash
20. Lord Marlborough
21. 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:

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: 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:

1. Walk Awhile
2. Doctor of Physick
3. Dirty Linen
4. Sloth
5. Sir Patrick Spens
6. Flatback Caper
7. Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman
8. Flowers of the Forest
9. Now Be Thankful [Mono Version]
10. Sir B. McKenzie's Daughter's Lament for the 77th Mounted Lancers ...
11. Bonny Bunch of Roses
12. 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.

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 Similar Items: Unhalfbricking Liege & Lief Fairport Convention Full House Fotheringay ASIN: B00007J36W Release Date: 2003-03-10

Tracks:

1. You're Gonna Need My Help
2. 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: 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 General | Classical | Styles | Music Folk | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Unhalfbricking What We Did on Our Holidays Full House Fotheringay Sweet Child ASIN: B0000657UB Release Date: 2002-05-20

Tracks:

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

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: 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 Folk | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: What We Did on Our Holidays Unhalfbricking Full House Liege & Lief Fotheringay ASIN: B00007J35I Release Date: 2003-03-10

Tracks:

1. Time Will Show The Wiser
2. I Dont Know Where I Stand
3. If (Stomp)
4. Decameron
5. Jack ODiamonds
6. Portfolio
7. Chelsea Morning
8. Sun Shade
9. The Lobster
10. Its Alright Ma Its Only Witchcraft
11. One Sure Thing
12. M1 Breakdown
13. Suzanne (Bonus Track)
14. If I Had A Ribbon Now (Bonus Track)
15. Morning Glory (Bonus Track)
16. 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: Sandy Denny Back. One of the very best A Really Really Good Album That Really Ought Have Been Great A Much Better Sandy Denny Album Than "Rendezvous" An album that should have been much better

Rising for the Moon Fairport Convention Manufacturer: Umvd Import 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 Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Live Convention Nine Fotheringay Angel Delight Unhalfbricking ASIN: B0009A21K8 Release Date: 2005-08-15

Tracks:

1. Rising for the Moon
2. Restless
3. White Dress
4. Let It Go
5. Stranger to Himself
6. What Is True?
7. Iron Lion
8. Dawn
9. After Halloween
10. Night-Time Girl
11. One More Chance
12. Tears [*]
13. Rising for the Moon [Sandy Denny's Original Demo][*]
14. Stranger to Himself [Sandy Denny's Original Demo][*]
15. One More Chance [Sandy Denny's Original Demo][*]

Album Description

2005 Remastered re-issue. Includes four bonus tracks: 'Tears (Single B-side Of 'White Dress'), 'Rising For The Moon' (Sandy's original demo) , 'Stranger To Himself' (Sandy's original demo) and 'One More Chance' (Sandy's original demo). Universal.

Album Details

Fairport Convention's Elventh Album, "Rising for the Moon", from 1975 Has Been Digitally Remastered with Four Bonus Tracks. Initial Quantities Come Complete with a Ilmited Edition Slip Case.

Customer Reviews:

Sandy Denny Back........2007-07-13

Fairport's 1975 album re-united the group with singer/songwriter Sandy Denny. Denny left the band in 1969 after the recording of the legendary "Liege and Lief" album.

During the the six years that had passed, the band had experienced quite a lot success and and several line-up changes. In fact only Dave Swarbrick and Dave Mattacks were still in the band, when the new recordings began. In the meantime Sandy had had her own group, "Fotheringay" and had recorded 3 highly acclaimed solo-albums.

Expectations were great among Fairport Convention fans about the re-union. And fans of Sandy Denny would not be disappointed, because Denny is in several ways the dominating figure on the album. As the main songwriter and singer on more than half of the album, it almost feels like a Denny album. The musicians backing Denny on her solo-albums were often friends from Fairport, anyway, so logically the sound is not very different. Denny's had already proved to be a prolific song-writer and on this album some of her very best can be found. The title track could very well be the most optimistic and commercial she ever wrote. And songs like "Stranger to Himself", "What is True" and "One More Chance" ranks with the very best on her solo-albums.

Another stand-out is Swarbrick's wistful "White Dress" beautifully sung by Denny.

Unfortunately the songs sung by Swarbrick himself and Trevor Lucas not quite up to the high standards of Denny's. The best is Lucas' country influenced "Restless".

The bonus-tracks draw the same picture, with three Denny demos ( all very good ) and a B-side written by Lucas.

Altogether probably one of the most main-stream and least folk-influenced albums the band ever released. Fine production and great playing by one of the strongest Fairport line-ups.

One of the very best .......2007-07-08

This album is as good as FC's best other works (i.e "Liege&lief" or "Unhalfbricking") and it's a shame no one else has left a better review until now. Besides being extremely even and consistent, Sandy Denny's compositions are arguably her best ever. The song "One more chance" is worth spending every penny for this title and will give you goose bumps from the beginning till the very end (the guitar solo is absolutely unbelievable!!!).

Anyway, to me this is just a great album for all ages with no weak track (note some songs have different colors but overall blend in to the better after a couple of listens). There, I wrote it!!!!

A Really Really Good Album That Really Ought Have Been Great.......2006-10-19

"Sandy Denny rejoins Fairport Convention" sounds like a recipe for a great album. But, somehow, it wasn't.

Perhaps it's because i just don't much like several of the songs. I don't much DISlike them either, and that's a recipe for apathy.

Of the songs that i DO like, i like a couple of them quite a bit, indeed -- as songs -- though i must agree that the production to some extent detracts even from the songs i do like.

That said, the title song is wonderful, Trevor's "Iron Lion" is one of the better railroad songs i've heard in a while, "White Dress" is almost achingly beautiful, "Stranger to Himself" is almost Dylanesque in its apparent symbolism, and, as others have remarked, "One More Chance" is a soaring wonder that shows what this band COULD have done, if they had been allowed/elected to soar to the heights that they could reach.

Sandy was only to be with us for a little while longer; it's sad that she and the band didn't take this chance to get together, rare back and fly.

That all having been said -- if you are at all a fan of Fairport, Sandy Denny or both, this album is one you need, if only for the title song and "One More Chance".

(The cover, by the way, is one of the prettier and more evocative of all the Fairport album covers)

===========================

A Later Note (11/26/02): Probably this album should be considered in tandem with "Before the Moon", a recent 2-disc set presenting two live shows recorded at Ebbets Field on the US tour that supported this album. I haven't heard it yet, but it sounds like a fantastic set.

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A STILL Later Note (10/18/06): DEFINITELY this album should be considered in tandem with "Before the Moon". You should buy this first, then "Before the Moon". f you are at all a fan of Fairport, Sandy Denny or both, you won't regret it.

A Much Better Sandy Denny Album Than "Rendezvous".......2006-04-26

"Rising for the Moon" may not be as epochal or acclaimed as "Liege and Lief," but I like it better and play it more often. It has more of a country-rock, singer-songwriter feel than Fairport's earlier progressive-folk albums, although this was off-putting to some fans. It is also a much better Sandy Denny album than the overproduced "Rendezvous" (1977) which relied heavily on covers. It is ironic that she occupied a more central position on this 1975 Fairport Convention offering than on her final solo album before her untimely death at age 31. The five originals Denny contributed to "Rising for the Moon" are easily some of her finest songs: the bluegrass-inflected title track, "What Is True," "After Halloween," "Stranger to Himself," and the epic "One More Chance." If you enjoy "Sandy" (1972), you will find much to love on "Rising for the Moon." Trevor Lucas'"Restless" is another excellent cut. It is only because of two weaker numbers ("Dawn" and "Let It Go," respectively rather turgid and twee, but still listenable)that this album receives 4 stars instead of 5.

An album that should have been much better.......2005-08-18

When Sandy Denny returned to Fairport Convention, the band made one last bid for stardom. Super-producer Glyn Johns (the Who, Clapton, Eagles) was brought in. And the result was a surprisingly tepid album.

Johns seems to have been going for a singer-songwriting feel. The instruments are muted, with the fantastic musicianship of guitarist Jerry Donahue and fiddler Dave Swarbrick kept under wraps, and the bass and drums playing somewhere off in the distance. Nothing will distract the listener from the underlying songs! The problem is that those songs aren't good enough to carry the burden. Sandy contributes five songs that all have strong lyrics matched with lackluster music, and she sings them with a halfhearted effort. There's just enough going on to suggest that songs like "Dawn" and Trevor Lucas's "Iron Lion" could have been memorable with livelier arrangements and production. Lucas does provide his best Fairport moment with "Restless".

The album closes with "One More Chance", an 8-minute Sandy opus that is everything the rest of the album is not. Sandy finally raises her voice and sings like SANDY DENNY. The verse and chorus both have great melodies. And then...Donahue and Swarbrick both soar in an extended instrumental. This song is one of the all-time Fairport Convention highlights. If the same approach had been used throughout the album, "Rising for the Moon" might be remembered with "Liege & Leaf" and "What We Did on Our Holidays". Instead, it's an album best suited for late at night with a glass of wine. It's background music for melancholy, not an album that commands your full attention.

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

Average customer rating:

Tippler's Tales 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 Similar Items: Bonny Bunch of Roses Gottle O'Geer Sweet Warrior Dancing Days Are Here Again Battle ASIN: B000MNNRXW Release Date: 2007-02-26

Tracks:

1. Ye Mariners All
2. Three Drunken Maidens
3. Jack O'rion
4. Reynard The Fox
5. Lady Of Pleasure
6. Bankruptured
7. Widow Of Westmorland
8. Hair Of The Dogma
9. As Bitme
10. John Barleycorn

Average customer rating: Nearly the best live Fairport disc ever Must Have Fairport Rocks LA - and it's all here for us to enjoy This live album is mostly for long-time Fairport enthusiasts

House Full: Fairport Convention Live at the LA Troubadour 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 General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Folk | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Full House Heyday: BBC Radio Sessions, 1968-1969 Angel Delight Live Convention Rising for the Moon ASIN: B00005NILF Release Date: 2001-10-15

Tracks:

1. Sir Patrick Spens
2. Yellow Bird
3. Banks Of The Sweet Primroses
4. Lark In The Morning Medley
5. Sloth
6. Staines Morris
7. Matty Groves
8. MEDLEY: Jenny's Chickens/Mason's Apron
9. Battle Of The Somme
10. MEDLEY: Bonnie Kate/Sir B. Mckenzies

Album Description

UK remastered reissue of the 1986 album for Hannibal. Includes 2bonus tracks, 'Bonnie Kate/Sir B.McKenzies' & 'Yellow Bird' which are taken from the album Live At The Troubadour (1977).

Album Description

UK remastered reissue of 1986 album for Hannibal that's out-of-print in the U.S. with 2 added bonus tracks, 'Bonnie Kate/Sir B.McKenzies' & 'Yellow Bird' both taken from the album Live At The Troubadour (1977). 2001.

Customer Reviews:

Nearly the best live Fairport disc ever.......2007-05-06

The best, in terms of musical diversity and live atmosphere, is of course "AT2/The Boot" - but you'll have a tough time finding a copy of that!
This is certainly the most historically valuable of all the live Fairport discs - given that so far all the Sandy-era shows in circulation have been unsatisfying documents from her declining years. The Full House lineup is increasingly almost as revered as the 1968-9 edition, both for their compositions and arrangements (for which see that particular album) and their live performances (for which see this disc).

Humble opinions: I'm not entirely satisfied with this version of "Sloth" as the band seem to fall asleep for two minutes toward the end (there are better 1970 live takes on this song if you know where to look!)
Here, it's not the improvisations that excite but the compositions which are attacked with tremendous enthusiasm throughout. The energy level never lets up, from the first guitar and fiddle breaks of "Sir Patrick Spens" to the "Sir B Mackenzie" medley (differently constituted to the version we all know). The slower numbers, the medieval-sounding "Staines Morris" and the stately lament "Battle of the Somme" are no less powerful (although "Sweet Primroses" still sounds incomplete to me). Richard sings "Matty Groves" in his youthful "rustic" voice (which is...different, I suppose) but largely cedes solo space to Swarb, who's on-fire throughout. Speaking of which, the fiddle tunes medleys are definite highpoints - you'll never hear ballsier versions of "MacKenzie" or the Liege & Lief medley than on this disc...and then there's the album's metaphorical centerpiece, the stunningly fast and loud "Mason's Apron" medley, which suggests they could have become the Ten Years After of the folk-rock world!

This album features just a fraction of the repertoire played by the Full House line-up - but it's a pretty brilliant setlist (with one obvious exception) and in the absence of a more thorough official-bootleg type release, this will do.

Must Have.......2007-03-18

If you are even a casual fan of Fairport or Richard Thompson this is a must have item.

Fairport Rocks LA - and it's all here for us to enjoy.......2006-01-05

Here we find Fairpoint Convention supporting their latest release "Full House" - which solidified their move towards traditional British isles material while at the same time moving towards a harder-rocking sound. The jigs are performed at a breakneck speed, which is perphaps unnecessary, but they work well anyway with new bassist Dave Pegg laying down solid, rockin' lines. Gone are the haunting and beautiful vocals of Sandy Denny, replaced by the simpler, rustic vocals of Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick. The highlight may very well be "Sloth" off of the new album - this live rendition brings even more emotion and power to the tune than the studio version. Also,look to get a kick out of the final tune on the disc- "Yellow Bird" It'll make you laugh - not because it sucks - but rather because it immensely entertains. If you dig 'Liege & Lief' and 'Full House'- you must check this out

This live album is mostly for long-time Fairport enthusiasts.......2002-03-27

This album has come out in a few different versions. I have the one previous to this; two additional songs have been added since then. The album captures the "Full House" lineup--the hardest-rocking of the many Fairport lineups--during a 1970 stand at the Troubador in Los Angeles. There are some good moments, but if you're looking for a live Fairport album, "Encore, Encore" and "The Cropredy Box" are far superior. The take on "Staines Morris" is a highlight. There is something here to enjoy for long-time Fairport fans, but for someone new to Fairport, this isn't a great place to start--go with "What We Did on Our Holidays" or "Full House" instead.

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

Music Album:

1. Fearless Juan
2. Fidelis
3. Fog on the Tyne [Import] [Limited Edition]
4. Freight Train
5. Friends Fiends & Fronds
6. Full House [Extra tracks] [Import]
7. Full House [Import]
8. Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang
9. Here Is Life
10. Holy Vine

Music Album