Fretplay.com Fairport Convention CD reviews Fairport Convention guitar tabs Fairport Convention CD reviews Fairport Convention tabs Fairport Convention


Fairport Convention - Fairport Convention Audio CD

A fair review of the Fairport Convention "Fairport Convention" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Fairport Convention reviews here, or go back to the Fairport Convention tabs.

Fairport Convention Band: Fairport Convention
Title: Fairport Convention
Rating:
Release Date: 2003-03-10
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Time Will Show the Wiser 2: I Don't Know Where I Stand 3: If (Stomp) 4: Decameron 5: Jack O'Diamonds 6: Portfolio 7: Chelsea Morning 8: Sun Shade 9: Lobster 10: It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft 11: One Sure Thing 12: M.1 Breakdown 13: Suzanne [*] 14: If I Had a Ribbon Bow [*] 15: Morning Glory [*] 16: Reno, Nevada [*]

This Album Rocks!
Rather, it presents Fairport Convention as a rocking unit who can play psych rock and delicate west-coast style folk-rock with equal aplomb; a remarkable feat considering that each member was still in his or her teens! The album kicks of with Richard Thompson playing some dirty licks on an AWESOME revved-up version of "Time Will Show The Wiser. This eponymous 1968 debut album has little to do with British folk music. " Although this highlight is a cover, there are some fine, albeit slightly immature, Thompson originals, written with singer Ian Matthews (or MacDonald as he was then known) and bassist Ashley (or Tyger!) Hutchings. Also present are rare compositions by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen. Overall, the musicianship is surprisingly tight and impressive: the rhythm section of Hutchings, drummer Martin Lamble, and stalwart rhythm guitarist Simon Nicol drives everything along like a steam engine. Judy Dyble, Sandy Denny's predecessor, has a lovely, breathy voice that works well with that of Ian Matthews. Judy's finest moment is probably "One Sure Thing," a chilling cover that she delivers beautifully. The bonus tracks perfectly compliment the album, especially "If I Had A Ribbon Bow," Fairport's very first single! Although there is no "Matty Groves" or "Sloth" on this album, there are plenty of great moments by a very young and energetic band; Ashley's liner notes are quite entertaining too! So pick this album up soon. . . you're sure to enjoy it.


Un pur délice!
Un album à savourer en toutes occasions, particulièrement apprécié pour débuter la journée du bon pied. 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. 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
If you have followed this group over the years, no explanation is necessary.


Promising Fairport Convention debut.
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. 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. 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
I almost always leave refreshed when I visit, and I'm glad to see others enjoying this musical tome. 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.


You can see a complete list of all Fairport Convention discography, or go back to the Fairport Convention tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]