Audio CD review:
Fairport Convention - Over the Next Hill

Fairport Convention - Over the Next Hill

Band: Fairport Convention Title: Over the Next Hill Rating: Release Date: 2004-09-14 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Over the Next Hill - Fairport Convention, Tilston, Steve 2: I'm Already There - Fairport Convention, Leslie, Chris 3: Wait for the Tide to Come In - Fairport Convention, Bennion, Ben 4: Canny Capers - Fairport Convention, Sanders, Ric 5: Over the Falls - Fairport Convention, Leslie, Chris 6: The Wassail Song - Fairport Convention, Traditional 7: The Fossil Hunter - Fairport Convention, Leslie, Chris 8: Willow Creek - Fairport Convention, Tiltson, Steve 9: Westward - Fairport Convention, Matthews, Julie 10: Some Special Place - Fairport Convention, Sanders, Ric 11: Si Tu Dois Partir - Fairport Convention, Dylan, Bob

'BRIGHT AND BREEZY' CONTEMPORARY FOLK-POP/FOLK-ROCK Having realized, more recently, that the band were still going strong, I thought I needed to do some catching up. The last FC album I bought (30-odd years ago) was 'Liege and Lief' - I lost interest after this. Reviewer comments and music samples are always helpful when deciding what to choose, but you can never be absolutely certain about what to expect - with 'Over the Next Hill', I was pleasantly surprised. Gone are the somewhat grim mediaeval fables and victorian tales which featured on 'Liege and Lief, to be replaced with contemporary songs of a more easy going nature (only one track is 'trad. arr. '). It's an album that 'lilts' rather than 'rocks' - but Dave Pegg and Gerry Conway still make their presence felt on most tracks. Two of the tracks are instrumentals - vehicles for Ric Sanders' versatile violin playing. Whilst the style of Dave Swarbrick is rooted firmly in the traditional music of Great Britain and Ireland, Ric Sanders imbues his playing with a blend of traditional folk, jazz and classical influences. Simon Nicol plays acoustic and electric guitars, and Chris Leslie provides most of the lead vocals (he also plays an assortment of stringed instruments and flute). The album contains many fine songs - each incorporates either a change of melody, tempo or meter (a few comprise all of these changes), and the lyrics are interesting (occasionally, a bit 'strange'). Only 'Westward' makes me reach for the skip button (but this is, by no means, a poor song - I just find it less appealing than the others). I'd describe the overall sound/mood of the album as 'cosy' - but this is offset by the 'tight' percussion of Gerry Conway and the strong bass playing of Dave Pegg. 'Wait For the Tide to Come In' and 'Si Tu Dois Partir' both have a little more edge than other songs, and the instrumental 'Some Special Place' has classical leanings. Some comments about selected tracks : OVER THE NEXT HILL (Steve Tilston) - A joyful sounding song with three tempo changes, it features much fine fiddle and mandolin playing. Some passages have a distinct 'skipping' lilt - conjuring up images of Morris dancers in an English country setting (but I haven't yet figured out how the references to 'kangaroos' and 'dingo' fit in with this). WAIT FOR THE TIDE TO COME IN (Ben Bennion) - The first note you hear is an emphatic drum beat, followed by others and pulsating bass guitar - you soon know that this one is going to rock (even though it's a mid-tempo song); also includes a couple of short electric guitar solos. Chris Leslie takes the lead vocals (I thought, higher up the scale, sounding a little like Iain Matthews). THE WASSAIL SONG (Trad. arr. Fairport) - An up-tempo festive song which is usually associated with Christmas, but one which is also relevant for any occasion which serves as a suitable excuse for consuming large quantities of alcohol. Great song with great vocals, ending with a half minute 'rock 'n' reel' instrumental. THE FOSSIL HUNTER (Chris Leslie) - A slow to medium tempo song which sounds a bit 'twee' (but in a pleasant folksy sort of way). The chorus includes the line 'she sells shells upon the seashore' (a slight variant of the more common 'she sells sea shells on the seashore') - but if you are tempted to join in, it's best not to have imbibed (too much) beforehand. WILLOW CREEK (Steve Tilston and Chris Parkinson) - Quite an unusual rhythm - a sort of 'folksy bossa nova'?; Gerry Conway presents us with a rich variety of percussive sounds - it would seem, not only hitting the skins with some venom, but also assailing almost anything else within striking distance. SI TU DOIS PARTIR (Bob Dylan) - A fairly faithful re-make of the original. The French lyrics, fiddle and accordion all ensure that the song still retains it's slight Zydeco flavour. Aptly, at around 3:50 into the track, you get a 40 second burst of 'Auld Lang Syne' (a nice touch with which to end the album). 'Liege and Lief' is easily a 5-star album; 'Over the Next Hill' isn't 'up there' with it, but it's a fine album nevertheless - 4. 5-stars. I now have the daunting, but pleasant chore, of deciding which of FC's other albums to buy next. . Fairport at it's best ! Whatever the reason, the music is awesome, the playing is inspired and they are still a pleasure to watch live, especially the current lineup! Congrats to the boys on a great cd, thoroughly listenable !. I agree that this is perhaps thier best in years, and it does seem that they are playing more for themselves, and not trying to sound like anything or anyone. The band's not 'over the hill' yet It's not quite equivalent to my favorite, "Jewel in the Crown" but still an amazing effort. I'll agree with the others that this CD is the best Fairport since "Wood and the Wire". One of my favorite things about the album was hearing a Fairport Christmas Song! "Wassail" is definitely coming out the next season. Unusual topics: "Fossil Hunter" talks about a girl who sells sea shells. "Over the Falls" is one you have to read the liner notes to understand. We're talking about a livewire act over Niagara Falls. One thing I was grateful for was that I wasn't getting stuck with a bunch of re-arranged Fairport songs. The only revamp was the last "Si Tu Dois Partir" which actually felt right at the close of the album. Overall, very listenable. I think this is one of the better of Fairport's releases and I would certify it as an essential as well. . Sheer Delight !!! Over the Next Hill is the best Fairport in, well, decades! Chris Leslie has infused the band with creative energy. I want to echo what other reviewers have said. Together with Ric Sanders on violin, Simon Nicol on guitar, Dave Pegg on bass, and Gerry Conway on percussion, the've found just the right chemistry. Chris Leslie's high tenor contrasts nicely with Simon Nicol's full baritone. Altogether, the result is truly wonderful. Don't wait to pick this one up! And don't miss ALS at the way. . . . way. . . . . . . very end. Those convention pranksters strike again!. FAIRPORT IS JUST ALRIGHT WITH ME "Over the Hill" is the 3rd release of the Chris Leslie / Gerry Conway Fairport's. Well, between the reviewer that thinks this is the greatest Fairport Convention release in decades and the other one guy that hates almost every recorded sound on this disk and like a knucklehead keeps comparing it to "Angel Delight" I will go put in my 2 cents worth and say it's worth buying because it contains real good songs and it is performed by the Best Folk Rock group that ever stormed a stage. The first of this trilogy was "Wood & The Wire" released in 1999, listen to it as it is a Five Star Disk. Between The Great songs and singing of Chris and the fantastic drumming of Gerry "Wood & The WIre" was the best thing released by the band in the 90's and a rebirth (the 14th) for the band. Next came "XXXV" and it's not as great as "Wood" but it's still a solid 4 Star release containing some great remakes of some "classic" Fairport tunes because Chris went back and revisted them and the chap's got to breathe some new life into them on record and on the stage. Now it is 2004 and we can own "Over The Next Hill". Two words folks BUY IT! It's lively it's fun it's Fairport Convention. The title song is bright and fast and gives a nod or two to the Rolling Stones (using Bouzouki & fiddle) let's see YOU try that at home! Next is a Chris Leslie number "I'm Already There" a pretty tune about a voyage to the top of the world. "Wait for the Tide to Come In" rocks with a great riff and Chris & Simon sound just fine singing this one, They nailed it! Great song, Great performance, listen to the drumming to feel what Mr. Conway brings to this band. Ric Sander's is up next with "Canny Capers" but, is it a jig or is it a reel? Oh, well you are gonna have to ask Ric When you see Fairport live in concert he can tell you all the details. Another Chris Leslie tune "Over The Falls" is all about walking a tightrope across Niagara Falls it's full of drama (Read the lyrics) and the percussion fills are from another world altogether and there's Ric dancing all over his fiddle during this one. This is an "average" Fairport song as it is only GREAT! "The Wassail Song" gives David Pegg a chance to sing and this would be a good to see performed live because they energy level stays at 10 all they way. "The Fossil Hunter" has the line "She sells shells upon the seashore" and is a keeper, Chris sings the @#8>* outta this one. . . . fantastic! Thanks again to Ric Sander's for playing where no fiddle has gone before. The band steal another gem from Steve Tilston with "Willow Creek" with a fine vocal from Simon and more unusual percussion from Gerry. "Westward" is a Julie Matthews dity that continues the "Road" theme with Ric having a good time all over the strings. The last two numbers are "Some Special Place" & "Si Tu Dois Partir", the former a slow beautiful instrumental by Ric and the later a remake of the big 1969 hit song now sung by Simon and featuring the "coke-bottle" drumbreak by the late Martin Lamble nicked from the 1969 tapes and it's a brillant way to close this disk. O. K. on second thought I'll give "Over The Next Hill " 5 STARS, because it's easily as good as "Wood & The Wire". After 37 years I think the guy's are finally getting a handle on this "Folk-Rock" thing. THIS IS THE BEST FAIRPORT CONVENTION RELEASE OF THIS DECADE. . . SO FAR. . You can see a complete list of all Fairport Convention discography, or go back to the Fairport Convention tabs