Record Reviews

FAIRPORT CONVENTION ~ FAIRPORT CONVENTION (EXPANDED EDITION) POLYDOR 044006829128 (Barcode: 044006829128) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2003 This is the debut album by the legendary British Folk-Rock group Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist, which was one of the pioneering and groundbreaking recordings of that genre in Britain. The group was a sextet at the time and comprised of lead vocalist Judy DybleFind albums by this artist, vocalist Ian MacDonaldFind albums by this artist, guitarist Richard ThompsonFind albums by this artist, vocalist / guitarist Simon NicolFind albums by this artist, bassist Ashley HutchingsFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin LambleFind albums by this artist. A band fronted by a female vocalist was a novelty on the British scene. The debut album presented twelve songs, seven of which were originals and five were American Folk-Rock songs. The musical setting of the debut album clearly shows the band influenced by American Folk-Rock, especially early American Electric Folk-Rock bands like Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist, ByrdsFind albums by this artist, Left BankeFind albums by this artist etc., and singers / songwriters like Bob DylanFind albums by this artist, Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, Leonard CohenFind albums by this artist, Tim HardinFind albums by this artist and others. Created at the very peak of Flower Power, the album was also influenced by Psychedelia, Avant-Garde Jazz and contemporary Classical music, as appropriate for the period. These influences are much more subtle that those of the American Electric Fork-Rock, but they are the reason why this album is not a stylistic carbon copy but an original attempt to find their own artistic expression and in many respects is much more complex than albums by their American counterparts. The album was almost completely ignored at the time of its release, which prompted the band to switch to Island Records, where they subsequently released the bulk of their legendary classic material, with Dyble being replaced by the superb Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist. In retrospect the album sounds a bit naïve today, but all things considered it still is a great piece of music and a wonderful document of the times, definitely worth revisiting. This remastered and expanded edition adds for bonus tracks, which include a rare studio track, the band´s first single and a couple of live French TV recordings as well as a nice booklet with rare photographs and informative comments by Hutchings. This is a first rate treat for the band´s many fans.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

FAIRPORT CONVENTION ~ LIEGE & LIEF (DELUXE EDITION) ISLAND 5301111 (Barcode: 600753011119) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2007 4th album by Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist, Britain’s greatest Folk-Rock protagonists of all times, considered as an absolute classic of the genre and recently voted as the most important Folk-Rock album of all times. This was their 3rd album on the IslandFind albums on this label label and also the 3rd album to be released the same year (1969) – a remarkable achievement by any standards. The group included six of the greatest Folk-Rock musicians ever playing together in one band: Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist – vocals, Ashley HutchingsFind albums by this artist – bass, Dave MattacksFind albums by this artist – drums, Simon NicolFind albums by this artist – guitar, Dave SwarbrickFind albums by this artist – violin and Richard ThompsonFind albums by this artist – guitar. Their unique interpretation of folk material as well as original songs kept in the spirit of traditional folk are truly exceptional. Denny’s extraordinary vocal talent and the vocal harmonies, as well as the instrumental performances are all just perfect and in retrospect lose absolutely nothing of their freshness and originality over the years. This new addition adds an entire second CD full of never before released material, including studio outtakes and BBC live performances. Absolutely Essential!

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend