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Fairport Convention

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Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Fairport Convention Company: Cotillion Catalog: SD-9024 Year: 1967 Grade (cover/record): -- Comments: -- Available: -- Price: --	Since their inception in 1966, Fairport Convention has released dozens of albums (many never released in the States), as well as spawning a wide variety of side projects. During the past three decades the band has become one of England's best known entities; literally one of the few group's who've radically impacted the direction of popular music. In sharp contrast, in the States they remain virtual unknowns. Led by bassist Ashley Hitchings and guitarists Simon Nicol and Richard Thompson, the group first came together in London in 1966. The original lineup included drummer Shaun Frater (quickly replaced by Martin Lamble) and vocalists Judy Dyble and Ian Matthews. Once they began playing the local club circuit, they quickly became an "underground" hit which led to a recording contract with Polydor Records. Their self-titled 1967 debut (originally released by Atlantic's Cotillion subsidiary and then reissued by A&M) featured an uninspiring collection of originals. Produced by Joe Boyd, "Fairport Convention" Shortly after it's release the group underwent it's first personnel change with original vocalist Dyble leaving to join Giles, Giles & Fripp (see separate entry). "Fairport Convention" track listing: 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.) The Lobster 10.) It' Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft 11.) One Sure Thing 12.) My Breakdown

Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Fairport Convention Company: A&M Catalog: SP- Year: 1968 Grade (cover/record): -- Comments: -- Available: -- Price: --	The group's sophomore release marked a distinct change in musical direction. In addition to introducing former Strawbs vocalist Sandy Denny, 1968's "What We Did On Our Holiday" (cleverly re-titled "Fairport Convention" in the States), found guitarist Thompson stepping to the fore as chief writer. In addition to owning a wonderful voice, Denny's influence was immediately evident via the group's discovery of traditional English folk music. Among the set's highlights were Denny's "Forthingay" and "Meet On the Ledge". "Fairport Convention" track listing: 1.) Fotheringay 2.) Mr. Lacey 3.) Book Song 4.) The Lord Is In His Place 5.) No Man's Land 6.) I'll Keep It with Mine 7.) Eastern Rain 8.) Mr. Lacey 9.) Nottamun Town 10.) Tale In Hard Time 11.) She Moves Through the Fair 12.) Meet On the Ledge 13.) End of a Holiday

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Unhalfbricking Company: A&M Catalog: SP-4206 Year: 1969 Grade (cover/record): VG/VG Comments: -- Available: 1 Price: $40.00	Released in the wake of Matthews departure (he reappeared fronting Matthews Southern Comfort (see separate entry)), 1969's "Unhalfbricking" was widely viewed as one of the group's crowning glories. Co-produced by the band and Joe Boyd, the collection featured several outstanding tracks from Denny ("Autopsy" and "Who Knows Where the Time Goes") and Thompson ("Genesis Hall" and "Cajun Woman"). Exemplified by the full tilt rocker "A Sailor's Life", the set also benefited from the the formal addition of multi-instrumentalist Swarbrick to the lineup (he'd contributed to the two previous albums). Elsewhere, the band's Dylan fixation was in full bloom - the track line up featuring three Dylan tracks: "Percy's Song" (boasting some of their most attractive group harmonies), "Million Dollar Bash" and a quirky cajun flavored cover of "If You Gotta Go" - the song translated into the French "Si Tu Dois Partir" (inexplicably providing the band with their only English hit single). If not quite an all time classic, the set was never less than thoroughly enjoyable. Unfortunately, shortly before the set was released, the band was struck by tragedy. In the midst of a brief English tour, the band was involved in a car accident that left several members injured and drummer Lamble dead. Deciding to continue the band, the survivors quickly recruited David Mattacks. "Unhalfbricking"track listing: 1.) Genesis Hall (Richard Thompson) - 3:35 2.) Si Tu Dois Partir (Bob Dylan) - 2:20 3.) Autopsy (Sandy Denny) - 4:21 4.) A Sailor's Life (traditional arranged by Richard Thompson - Sandy Denny - Ashley Hutching - Martin Lamble - Simon Nicol) - 11:10 5.) Cajun Woman (Richard Thompson) - 2:43 6.) Who Knows Where the Time Goes (Sandy Denny) - 5:05 7.) Percy's Song (Bob Dylan) - 6:30 8.) Million Dollar Bash (Bob Dylan) - 2:55

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Leige and Lief Company: A&M Catalog: SP-4257 Year: 1970 Grade (cover/record): G/VG Comments: gatefold sleeve; small SOC Available: 1 Price: $20.00	Their second release in less than a year, 1969's "Liege & Lief" proved to be the band's artistic breakthrough. Whereas earlier efforts reflected a band struggling to meld rock structures and instrumentation with English folk music, here they finally found the receipe. Simply one of the year's most original and endearing releases, material such as Denny's rocking "Come all Ye", the plantive "Reynardine" and "Matty Groves" made for a must-hear collection. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.) A major seller in England, the collection generated little attention, and even fewer sales, in the States. Unfortunately, success led to major creative disagreements within the band. Interested in pursuing their folk-rock leanings, Hutchings and Denny quit. Hutchings wasted no time forming Steeleye Span, while Denny reappeared with the short lived Fotheringay (see separate entries). (Hutchings was replaced by former Uglys bassist Dave Pegg (see separate entry).) "Liege & Lief" track listing: 1.) Come all Ye (Sandy Denny - Ashley Hutchings) - 4:55 2.) Reynardine (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 4:33 3.) Matty Groves (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 8:08 4.) Farewell, Farewell (Richard Thompson) - 2:38 5.) The Deserter (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) -4:10 6.) Medley: The Lark In the Morning/Rakish Paddy/Foxhunter's Jig/Toss the Feathers (instrumental) (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) -4:00 7.) Tam Lin (traditional arranged by Dave Swarbrick) -7:20 8.) Crazy Man Michael (Richard Thompson - Dave Swarbrick) - 4:35

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Full House Company: A&M Catalog: SP- Year: 1971 Grade (cover/record): VG/VG Comments: gatefold sleeve; spine beginning to show wear Available: 1 Price: $30.00	Recorded amidst now-standard chaos on the personnel front, 1970's "Full House" was erratic, but had it's share of greatness. Finding themselves forced to shoulder the creative burden, Thompson and Swarbrick demonstrated they'd developed into a capable writing team . Highlights included the nifty Walk Awhile", the lyrically intriguing "Sir Patrick Spens" and the extended anti-war paen "Sloth" (a Fairport classic and live staple with Swarbrick and Thompson trading versus a fiddle and guitar solos as the song built steam). Unfortunately, several tracks sounded like "Liege and Lief" outtakes. Naturally the album was followed by another round of personnel upheavals; this time mainstay Thompson leaving in pursuit of a solo career (see separate entry). (The LP was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.) "Full House"track listing: 1.) Walk Away (Richard Thompson - David Swarbrick) - 3:57 2.) Dirty Linen (instrumental) (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 4:17 3.) Sloth (Richard Thompson - David Swarbrick) - 9:19 4.) Sir Patrick Spens (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 3:30 5.) Flatback Caper (instrumental) (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 6:24 6.) Doctor of Physick (Richard Thompson - David Swarbrick) - 3:37 7.) The Flowers of the Forest (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 4:04

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Fairport Chronicles Company: A&M Catalog: SP-3530 Year: 1976 Grade (cover/record): VG/VG Comments: double album, gatefold sleeve Available: 2 Price: $15.00	With the band having absconded to Island, A&M was clearly anxious to recoup some of it's investment. Released in 1976, "Fairport Chronicles" was a double album, 20 track compilation. Given the band's extensive recording catalog, the result was a well chosen, if limited retrospective. While nine of the selections were drawn from the band's first three releases, the set was rounded out by a couple of English singles ("Now Be Thankful"), a Fortheringay track ("The Way I Feel"), a Denny solo effort (Listen, Listen") and a couple of tracks from The Bunch side project. A must own for collectors ... (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.) "Fairport Chronicles" track listing: 1.) Tale In Hard Time (Richard Thompson) - 3:25 2.) Who Knows Where the Time Goes (Sandy Denny) - 5:05 3.) Walk Awhile (Richard Thompson - Dave Swarbrick) - 3:57 4.) Come All Ye (Sandy Denny - Ashley Hutchings) - 4:55 5.) Listen Listen (Sandy Denny) - 3:56 6.) Bridge Over the River Ash (instrumental) (traditional) - 2:10 7.) I'll Keep It with Mine (Bob Dylan) - 5:53 8.) My Girl the Month of May (DiMucci) - 2:08 9.) Million Dollar Bash (Bob Dylan) - 2:55 10.) The Way I Feel (Gordon Lightfoot) - 4:44 11.) Learning the Game (Buddy Holly) - 2:05 12.) Meet On the Ledge (Richard Thompson) - 2:48 13.) Percy's Song (Bob Dylan) - 6:30 14.) Now Be Thankful (Richard Thompson - Dave Swarbrick) - 3:10 15.) Tam Lin (traditional) - 7:20 16.) Genesis Hall (Richard Thompson) - 3:55 17.) Fortheringay (Sandy Denny) - 3:01 18.) Sloth (Richard Thompson - Dave Swarbrick) - 9:19 19.) Farewell, Farewell (Richard Thompson) - 2:38 20.) End of a Holiday (Simon Nicol) - 1:05

Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: House Full Company: Hannibal Catalog: HNBL-1319 Year: 1986 Grade (cover/record): G/VG Comments: crease on right side Available: 1 Price: $15.00	Recorded at a series of three September 1970 L.A. performances, "House Full" was essentially a remix of the earlier "Live At the Troubadour". With Denny gone, Swarbrick and Thompson were left to handle vocals. While the results were occasionally a bit on the ragged side (Denny was certainly missed on material such as "Matty Groves"), the most impressive characteristic was the fact these guys could rock out. Tracks such as the extended "Sloth", "Matty Groves" and the instrumentals "Masons Apron" and "Battle of the Somme" are almost scary in their intensity. (Producer Joe Boyd's liner notes were also entertaining.) "House Full" track listing: 1.) Sir Patrick Spens (Richard Thompson - Dave Swarbrick) - 3:06 2.) Banks of the Sweet Primorses (Richard Thompson - Dave Swarbrick) - 3:56 3.) Toss the Feather (instrumental) (Richard Thompson - Dave Swarbrick) - 3:56 4.) Sloth (Richard Thompson - Dave Swarbrick) - 12:04 5.) Staines Morris (traditional - arranged by Fairport Convention) - 3:44 6.) Matty Groves (traditional - arranged by Fairport Convention) - 3:44 7.) Masons Apron (instrumental) (traditional - arranged by Fairport Convention) - 4:32 8.) Battle of the Somme (instrumental) (traditional - arranged by Fairport Convention) - 5:02

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