Tuesday, December 13, 2011

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die #170. Fairport Convention - Liege & Lief (1969)



170. Fairport Convention - Liege & Lief (1969)

Label – Island
Producer – Joe Boyd
Art Direction – R. Nicol; Fairpoint
Nationality – UK
Running Time – 41:01

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)

Side one

"Come All Ye" (Sandy Denny, Ashley Hutchings) - 4:55
"Reynardine" (traditional, arranged by Fairport) - 4:33
"Matty Groves" (trad., arr. Fairport) - 8:08
"Farewell, Farewell"[14] (Richard Thompson) - 2:38

Side two

"The Deserter" (trad., arr. Fairport) - 4:10
Medley (trad., arr. Dave Swarbrick) - 4:00
"The Lark in the Morning"
"Rakish Paddy"
"Foxhunters' Jig"
"Toss the Feathers"
"Tam Lin" (trad., arr. Swarbrick) - 7:20
"Crazy Man Michael" (Thompson, Swarbrick) - 4:35

Second Fairport Convention record reviewed – and the other one was just 7 reviews ago – and their fourth overall release. This record is considered to be THE definitive British folk-rock album. Again – I am not a big fan of folk music, and while pleasant enough, this record did not do much for me. I will say that I did like it better than “Unhalfbricking” however.
Sandy Denny’s vocals are very strong on this record and she is singing with great confidence which to me really makes the record as good as it is.
It was interesting to learn that the record was recorded shortly after a tour bus crash claimed the lives of original Fairport drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend. Maybe that’s why all but 2 of the tracks are covers versus original compositions.
The record was moderately successful, peaking at number 17 on the British charts. In an audience vote at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2006, the album was voted Most Influential Folk Album of All Time. It is recommended with caution.


You can purchase the CD here or the vinyl here

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