TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Does anyone have any specific info on when the new cd will be available?

Thanks.

No specifics about launch date but I think we can be pretty sure it will be available here in the UK from the start of the Winter tour which is on February 1st in Tewkesbury.  
I would imagine it would therefore be possible to order it on line from the Fairport shop from that date http://www.fairportconvention.com/shop.htm

An update was placed on the FC email list the other day that reported a delay in production of this CD. Copies are unlikely to be available in the shops until at least the middle of February.

Copies are hopefully appearing in time for the start of the tour, and availability from the FC webshop will be announced on the website as soon as it is available.

in the mojo ad it says 27th Jan

Which, as I said in my earlier post, has been superceded by the new info....

If only they had some sort of website where they could post information about their 40th anniversary release album and you could find out some sort of definitive news about this sort of thing. Or a track listing. Or a picture of the cover. Still, I'm sure it'll all come round eventually.  

THe only pic I've seen so far is in the ad in February's MOJO....

I suspect the website is between updaters....

Is that extra r accidental or deliberate?

I'm afraid my reaction upon seeing the album cover in the Mojo advert was to recoil with horror and wonder why on earth the band would wish to reinforce every available stereotype about them being a bunch of middle-aged and out of touch MORers with nothing whatsoever to offer the current music scene, folk, rock or otherwise.... I fervently hope the contents don't reinforce that view.

Deliberate - Iconic has supposedly given it up & someone hasn't yet taken it on....

what is it with fairport and websites?
they always strart full of good intentions and then they just peter out

I had the same reaction - bleugh!

Adam

Their site appears to have just been updated...

Here's the front cover
Glen tilbrook has contributed a song!
Tracklisting
Keep On Turning the Wheel (Chris Leslie)
Love On A Farmboy’s Wages (Andy Partridge, XTC)
The Bowman’s Return (Ric Sanders)
South Dakota To Manchester (Chris Leslie)
Spring Song (Chris Leslie)
Polly On The Shore (Trad: arr Fairport)
Just Dandy (Ric Sanders)
Tam Lin (Trad: arr Fairport)
In Our Town (Chris Leslie)
Edge Of The World (Chris Leslie)
Hawkwood’s Army (Pete Scrowther)
The Vision - Bill Miller (Chris Leslie)
Your Heart And Mine (Ric Sanders)
Untouchable (Glenn Tilbrook)
Galileo’s Apology (PJ Wright)
Best Wishes (Steve Ashley)

[attachment deleted by admin]

Someone please tell me I just imagined that....... :P

ummm no you didn't! Now come on who are the people in the background and why are they there? ;) ;D
I can see a civil war soldier-Cropredy....

Now, don't judge a book by its cover  ;) (I hope)

I thought for a moment Ric was wearing a fez! ;)

WHO did those drawings!!!!

 :o :o :o :o

They do look a little, err, wild-eyed  :o
I suspect that it isn't tea in those cups  ;D

That'll be the reason then Mic...  :o

Not sure about Ric's pic - and is the waiter meant to be Rob B? If not, who?

Rob Braviner I would think as he is the sixth member and highly valued.

Oh dear, oh dear...  It looks like the naff covers you get on re-issues and compilations sometimes.  Definitely the worst 'official' Fairport cover I think I've seen.

Well, put it on the ipod and we won't have to look at the cover too much, I guess.  As long as the music inside it is up to scratch... :-\

Simon & Gerry just don't look anything like themselves!

And they've turned Ric into a hairnet wearing Granny  >:( >:(

I would agree that it's Brav for the reasons Amethyst gave plus its drawn in the same manner as the chaps whilst the other figures are slightly less distinct. This is getting waaaaay too much like navel gazing.

Any guesses for the other figures?

Bejesus, it's worse than I thought - at least the advert in Mojo was small!  

Oh well...intrigued to hear the XTC cover at least....

i'd guess the others will be characters in the songs...

Well the Puritan type chappy appears to have stuck his sword right through Ric's head  >:(
But I can't tell if it's a 'long beaten sword' or not  :-\

Poor Ric!!!

The waiter is deffo Brav - those eyebrows are unmistakeable.

A most unflattering "likeness" of Mr Leslie, alas. Peggy looks nothing short of manic......Simon looks particularly avuncular.....

Oh, I daresay I'll get over it :-X  As MikeC said, "don't judge a book......" etc.

Let's hope the music is wonderful.

Let's hope the music is wonderful.

Oh I do hope so Shirl   as the artwork is very poor
Although I,m not looking forward to Love on a farm boys wages .
I loved XTC  and just cant imagine what it will sound like  just cant
get to grips with the thought of Simon singing it .

Coat on  Taxi booked  and running  ;D ;D ;D  

Is that the same song that the Poozies sang..?

That's the one reason I AM looking forward to it...it's called taking a risk, and doing something unexpected.  It might work, it might not, but at least it might actually sound as though they are pushing the boat out from the shallows for a change...

Yep - on Chantoozies......

.. that's the one.. with Sally Barker's vocals I seem to remember.. great song!

I stand corrected  sorry to have had a opinion ::)

What I want to know is: why is John Profumo serving their table?  Has he promised them something special for "afters"?  It would explain some of the facial expressions!

Where on earth does that come from?!  I'm just expressing mine too...

Or characters representing the periods of time / country that they sing about.

Oh heck

In which case the boy and girl on the left could well be from Love on a Farmboys wages?

Whats the hedge/bush all about though  ???

I presume the green man is there as a reference to the "folk" side of their music
Who is the Alice in wonderland look a like? Sandy??? :-\
Is the pirate there as a reference to many of their seafaring type songs?
Is the native American there because of Chris playing the Native Americanflute?
is the man with the beard Vasco de Gama discoverer of India- the jewel in the crown?

[attachment deleted by admin]

The geezer hugging the sheep has Cocker's cap on :o

I always knew Cocker was a sheep-hugger. Dredger, my foot!

Presumably the pirate lookalike is there to represent Chris' song The Edge of the World...

Unless...

The pirate is Puggs, the farmer is Ces, the green man is Keith...

... any more..?

There is a Cup of Tea there.

Glad to see that Ric is sporting a fez.

ahhh Fairport "for tea"

An original cd title suggestion that!!

Indeed ;)

The bearded figure centre-back bears a slight resemblance to Bruce Rowlands. And Brav... runner-up in a Poirot lookalike competition?

The Bowman's Return. Is that a new theme tune for The Archers?

Hello all, I missed you.

Long time ago I posted here that the only old tune I'd like to find in FC new album was Tam Lin (probably my favourite song ever).

I trust it will be good.

All the best

Paolo

So diplomatic, Paolo.

From my POV it's an even worse cover that the horrific Rising For The Moon, and bound to stagnate their following. Would you go into a shop and willingly buy that - I'd be happier with this  (http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Beauty-Kevin-Rowland/dp/B00002R0SE/sr=1-2/qid=1168016506/ref=sr_1_2/203-0601927-6422357?ie=UTF8&s=music).

Interested to hear LOAFW. I am a huge XTC fan, but can't imagine Simon singing the very quick "shilling for the fellow with the wife for keeping", so it must be Chris - which could work.

Ha ha - wasn't the much touted My Beauty supposed to have sold about 164 copies in its first week of release?!!

I must admit my thought was also that it would be Chris doing the XTC singing.... we'll see

This Bill Miller?

http://www.billmiller.net/bio.html

Simon can sing fast. I've seen him!

That explains the Native American Indian standing next to Brav then!!

All good guesses, I reckon, Tasha - except for the native American, which I think might be to do with the American Civil War. Not sure, and you may be right.

If the T-shirts feature the artwork from the cover I would strongly suggest a limited print run of about a half dozen! Ric can take three of them for his wardrobe rotation. The other three for the lucky, hard-core Fairport T-shirt completists  :P

I wonder if the seafaring gentleman is something to do with Polly on the Shore, and the treeman is what the fairy queen didn't do to Tam Lin?

Tasha??

"yes, we have taken tea. and biscuits..."

Ok so here is the official release date news from the FC website   http://www.fairportconvention.com/news984.htm

Not sure about the cover but do not like the title at all.
I think the first track sounds like a great album title to me. 'Keep on turning the wheel' fit the bill perfectly i should say.

From Rob

Just a flying visit - but does anyone have a decent quality version of the cover for Rising for the Moon?  I can't find anything too clear on the www and (to my shame) don't have a copy of the album yet.  But from what I can squint at on Amazon, could it be the same artist (or his/her son/daughter)?

As for the rest - cover?  Hmmm.  Title?  Whatever.  Contents?  BRING IT ON!!

Sorry it's been so long, and it looks like Work (ugh!) is going to keep me run off my feet for most of 2007, but I'll drop in when I can and/or when something interesting's happening.

Hopefully catch up with anyone who recognises me at St Albans & Cropredy - hope there's another session (I promise to play something not written by Ric this year!).

Byeeeeee!

16 songs is bloody good value as 10 is about average for a single CD. Also five songs by Chris Leslie thats his best tally for a while. I cant wait.

From Rob

well i'll reserve judgement but if the cover is owt to go by........god help us all
they appear to have stuck with the formula plus the tillbrook and partridge songs

The album cover reminds me somehow of an old Roy Wood (or Annie Haslam???) album - I don't remember which one...

Anyway, it's awful... but it's the music that matters so let's wait and see  :)

Karl

http://tinyurl.com/su94d

Well I like the cover and the title, in a record shop shelf sort of way.
It jumps out at you and that shifts units.
It's also well enough done to look as if it was meant to look like that. If you see what I mean.

I agree with the Yabb.  

I think it is astonishingly good - eye-catching, quirky, amusing, and one to make you linger.  Somehow, all things Fairport are captured in that little vignette: the nod in the direction of Mr. Leslie's native american flute, the hint of traddy-rural pagan stuff, beguiling maidens, Jeeves and Wooster and a sea-shanty or two.  The choice of neck attire by our beloved chaps says all that we need to know about them - Peggy in a t-shirt, Nicol the cool lounge lizard, the dapper Sanders, the up-for-it Conway and the play-it-close-to-the-chest Leslie.  There's tea and cake and a thoroughly British feel about the whole kit and caboodle.

A triumph!

I guess that depends on the record and the shelf.  

It will sell to all the people who would be expected to buy a new Fairport Convention album in 2007.  It won't sell to anybody else.  Which is sort of the point I (at least) have been making isn't it...

I think it will sell. Because a striking cover does make a difference. The first challenge in a shop is to get people to pick up the CD.
From experience of dealing directly with some large record stores, if the artist is relatively unknown an interresting cover will sell.

I'm with Yabb and Sir Bob, I think it's fab.  

A chap by the name of Mick Toole did the artwork, he's the same fellow who did the art work on Peggy's Cocktail Cowboy album cover all those years ago.
Mick has done the art work for most of Fairports album covers, boxed sets and Cropredy programmes for the last twenty odd years.

The inspiration for the Sense of Occasion cover was from a photograph taken Ben Nicholson a guy who lives in Barford.

This question of Artwork for Fairport LP and now CD covers, what makes for a good fairport cover and what makes for a bad one? I really like 'Fairport Convention', 'unhalfbricking', 'What we did on our holidays', 'Angel delight' (works really well as an LP design, less well scaled down as a CD cover, however a nice little package if purchased as an import as is Babbacombe Lee) and graphically 'Bonny Bunch of Roses'.    

"History" is the best LP cover for me, due to the ammount of useful info on it, which is legible.
CD's don't lend themselves to getting any details across, unless you have a magnifying glass to hand.
As a large number of Fairport fans don't have 20:20 vision (I'm typing this with my specs on), a good CD cover therefore relies on a striking picture. The ColvinQuarmby "A Short Walk To The Red Lion" cover produced an enormous amount of comment, as the artwork was almost entirely unviewable, due to a printing error. This didn't stop it, however, from being instantly recognisable.
For myself, I'm trying to persuade bands I produce CDs for to take the "DVD case" route, as the viewable area is larger, and so can contain good artwork and space for a decent ammount of readable text. It's an uphill struggle!

Jules  :)

Thank you for the info Martin..

No, the boy and the sheep is Love on a Farmboys Wages - you don't think farmboys can afford women do you  :D


Two re-workings and not enough Chris Lesley compositions - I fear the worst but hope for the best.

And the cover is vomit inducing - sorry, but there you go. At least we know that the quality of the cover has nothing to do with the quality of the album - compare and contrast Rising for the Moon with The Wood and the Wire for instance (but don't mention Tipplers Tales...).

We've been having a bit of fun with the cover picture, but it surely wouldn't stop someone from buying the CD would it? I mean you buy CD's for the music not for decoration, don't you?  :-\
And whatever else you say about it, it got folks talking about the CD, and there's no such thing as bad publicity  ;)   and it's given us a laugh.... what more could you ask for ;D

More sheep ;D  Baaa.

I'm looking forward to hearing Tam Lin, love that song...

The CD will sell - it will sell to you and me, and those who go to the tour and to Cropredy.  To my mind, what it resolutely WON'T do is reach out to anyone beyond the existing audience.  And that's disappointing.  The comfort zone is just too damn comfortable for my liking, and has been for at least the last quarter of the band's career....

As I have no idea what the album will sound like, I retain my high hopes.

However, I think the cover will not appeal to those who are not already "in the fold".

Just IMHO, I'm sure others have and will differ.

But isn't this true of the folk genre ?

OK you will have someone like Seth Lakeman get a bit of the media spotlight but is that for his music or his good looks ? There will always be the folky flavours that rise to the surface from time to time such as Jack Johnson, Jose Gonzales but folk isn't mainstream and it is unlkely to ever generate a mass conversion to the delights of fiddles, mandolins and guitars in perfect harmony.

HMV do a very good freebie magazine that features 'specialist' music from jazz to bluegrass and including folk but that really is just advertising - but at least they bother to try to reach the market for the musical styles. Jools Holland will have his eclectic mix on his programmes and this will also feature folky stuff - but it is still on the fringe.... and is it any worse for being there ?

I would suggest that more will be done to reach a wider audience by the support and encouragement of young(er) folk and acoustic artists such as happened at Cropredy last year with the wRants and this year with Kerfuffle. I am sure that the 2007 festival season will see more young bands and artists hitting the boards for the first time and I would not mind betting that they will make sure that they drag their mates along to see them whether or not they know Tam Lin from a Tam O'Shanter and we just know that some will go home converted !

Just a thought  but could the native American be a
nod to  Don  who could be seen at Croppers  dressed in the same
And who passed away  last year ??

Maybe.  But what genre do Fairport represent these days?  They started off as a Rock band...invented English Folk-Rock, and pretty much stuck there (with diversions) until Maart left, (which is NOT to say they sounded the same from '69-'97 or whenever, they obviously didn't but you could look at them and say, 'this is a folk-rock' group).  They've since almost completely lost the Rock edge, but aren't Folk enough to be regarded as a Folk band.  Which leaves them in this (to my mind) rather dire space which exists in the, for want of a better phrase, the Middle of the Road....  If I didn't have an enormous affinity for the band, I'd shrug my shoulders and move on, but I do, and I care...and it saddens me.

Could well be Taylor.. though I think Don the Indian died a few years ago.. but I could be mistaken!

another month till its released and the backlash is already in full swing

The new year's not changed anything then ;)

Nice to know we can say what we feel - within reason - here ;)

Agreed.I must say I´m not impressed with the cover, hrrrmmm, but it is the music that counts. If as is said elsewhere, the cover could attract the browsing record-buyer, then I´m positive. But I have my doubts...
But I´ll keep my mouth shut fingers off  until I´ve heard the music. I do look forward to the record!
Staffan

Mmmm... can't find a suitable category to pigeon hole the band, feel that M-O-R is the only option, clearly feel uneasy with this sttae of affairs having a great affinity for the band and consequently feel saddened.

If you think that band is good, why the need to put them into a cosy categorisation ? ; sure, this makes it easier to describe the band and it's material to the unknowing or curious but, at the end of the day, is that important ?

Might the band's longevity be partly due to it's (no doubt benign) defiance to be anything other than Fairport - and if that leaves PFY in Virgin and HMV a bit unclear wherre to display the Fairport CD's then at least there is no harm done.

So true Nuts, and it would destroy half the fun if we didn't have to take a treasure map when going to buy a Fairport CD from a shop  ;D

Anyhoo, What is Middle Of The Road  ??? In my head it equates with stuff like The Archies, and that doesn't add up where FC are concerned.

I shall be more than happy to get my greedy paws on a copy of the new CD, and, I bet I like it!!!
Artwork and all  ;D ;D

I like the cover art!

The favoured few hew have heard the white label version seem to like it. I look forward to buying and hearing mine.

I'm glad to agree with you!  If the new album sounds like the Archies, we're all in trouble  ;D

My problem with the cover is that to me, it reeks of "Okay, now we really ARE over the next hill, and are sitting comfortably waiting for carpet slippers to be fetched and someone to come along with a nice mug of Ovaltine. Oh! And don't forget the zimmer frames!"

Okay, we know that's not really how it is, but for me, that is  how this cover projects the band.

Bit of a lost opportunity, marketing wise. :(

I reckon they did it to give us all a laugh  ;) ;) ;D ;D

 :-[

Well I like the cover - I think they all look rather dapper and having a very jolly time!

Hope the music is up to the standard of the last album.

Well because I am a sad and lonely type of guy I can tell you that the banner on the cover is  the arms of John Hawkwood. Thereby referencing the song "Hawkwood's army"
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Firenze.Duomo.Hawkwood.JPG/250px-Firenze.Duomo.Hawkwood.JPG)
Sounds like he was an interesting chap
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hawkwood

Mmmm now I used to have a life, where did I put it ?  ::) ::) ::)

The "favoured" few (on the FC list) have slagged us off for not liking the cover and being disappointed with the track listing (those who have), and said that it's the "usual" good stuff.

In other words "more of the same". So we're supposed to be delighted with that, are we? What's the point of buying a new album if it's more of the same?

Anyhow, I suspend judgement on the music itself until I hear some of it - but it's still a god-awful cover  ;D

A theoretical Q - would people prefer the cover if the actual photo had been used, rather than a painted version which makes the band members look a bit skewiff?  I admit I quite like the "idea" of the cover and the humour behind it, but the above is my main issue with it.

Entirely secondary to the actual music itself, of course, which I very much look forward to hearing.

Difficult to say without having seen it, but I'd say 'no'....personally I think the idea behind it is the thing which keeps it as a kind of 'in the know' secret for true Fairport fans, and makes this such a lost opportunity (how many times are Fairport going to have all the publicity associated with a 40th anniversary again?).  The fact that the execution of it is so horrifically hackneyed only adds to the misery.

Here they are in the same clothes as in the painting...

http://www.fairportconvention.com/fcinvan500.jpg

Actually on reflection...the painting is a pretty accurate representation  ;D ;D

Yup.....Tasha!!!

I've actually changed my opinion from the above - I think (and well done to those who have associated these already, especially Dad V, good spot!) the non-FC people are all associated with the tracks on the album and the stories they tell.

I quite like the cover & am in Yobb's, Bob's & Martin's boat on this....looking forward to picking up a copy in 25 days time!

I've been reading this thread with much amusement.  I think what it clearly shows is that likenesses of people you've seen and care about in real life are difficult to acheive.  My wife and I are both Art teachers, and her comment is that Simon "looks more like the Travelocity gnome" than like Simon.  What I will
suggest that everyone who is disturbed by the images' distortion do is take a
sheet of paper and cover half of each face and you will find that there is half of a good likeness in each portrait.  The two that the distortion bothers me most on are Ric and Simon who really look unlike themselves until I cover the left hand side of their faces.  Peggy looks spot on to me in terms of his expression, although that might scare some people, it seems to suit his personality--and yet the distortion is still present on the left hand side of his face.  Chris and Gerry look "less unlike" themselves to my eye than Ric and Simon in the image, and the covering half of their faces doesn't seem to help as much in seeing them if you don't already.

In terms of the composition, it is way too cluttered and busy, and I agree that whatever sword/weapon it is that cuts across the face of the green man should
not have been left to look like it protrudes from Ric's head.

As far as the query about whether or not the photo of the same thing would have been preferable, I say "yes".  Like the concept or not, a photo wouldn't have caused the same distortions that make these people we care about look like demented versions of themselves.  However, if they had done a cartoony non-realistic attempt at the same thing, I might be able to enjoy the image a great deal more.  

As others have stated, I will not allow the cover image/concept/execution to keep me from purchasing and judging the music on its own merits, which I expect
to be high based on the past acheivements of the musicians involved.

MMMmmm........I think that it looks like a dog's dinner of a cover. I will no doubt purchase it as soon as I see it though - I always do.

I just hope I am not as disappointed as I normally am with the musical content.

I like the expression "dog's dinner" as that reminds me of the fact that this is slightly reminiscent of the poker playing dogs image.

However, if you continue to buy music you are normally disappointed in, there seems to be a bit of Pavlov's dog (trained impulse) in you.  I continue to buy because I have not been disappointed in the music.  Does that mean I like 100% of every album?  No, but the majority of the music is of a quality that allows me to put up with an occasional ho-hum or duff track.  I still feel as though the lesser Fairport tracks are at least listenable, and there is no significant number of
poor tracks.

 
my feelings exactly




No, its not that at all, whilst having been disappointed be fairports output for the last  two decades i will continue to support the band who i have loved since 1970, through good times and bad as they have rarely let me down live and 13 quid every couple of years is a small price to pay if it helps keep the chaps afloat
 

A mate of mine (who is a HUGE Jethro Tull fan, just to put this in context-although he didnt recognise Gerry, which loses him points), posted the following elsewhere, his tongue is firmly in his cheek, hope you enjoy as much as I did...



Imagined conversation at Fairport Towers in Cropredy, late 2006:

Simon Nicol: 'Well, lads, the new album's nearly finished, time to think about the cover. Will it be the usual leaves-surounding-acoustic-guitar-and-a-fiddle' type of thing? Should we have a horse or even some horses, or dogs, maybe, in a field perhaps?

Ric Saunders: 'That's all so boring. I'm fed up of meeting fans who don't even know we have a new album out. How can we get people talking about the album, ideally in the 35+ male hoary old rock fan sector of the audience which has always been our target?'.

Simon Nicol: 'Well, we can't afford a freelance marketing team, since we spent all that money on period instruments for that song about badgers (hard stare at Chris Leslie). Dave, you were in Jethro Tull, how does rock genius Ian Anderson apply his mighty brain to tackling this sort of problem?'

Dave Pegg: Well, lads, you may not like it, but Ian always makes sure he has specially designed for the band the worst album covers you could possibly imagine, and he makes certain the band is photographed looking like utter twannets who've just kecked our trousers. That got the fans talking in a 'how are the mighty fallen' mode, and you picked up a good few sympathy buyers as well who assume we can't possibly be as bad as we look. I happen to have brought along a few examples, anticipating that this thorny issue might come up...''.

(http://www.ferhiga.com/progre/portadas/jt-stormwatch.jpg)
(http://www.preisvergleich.org/pimages/Jethro-Tull-Rock-Island_280__82030094632170828_40.jpg)
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000K1FC.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
(http://www.vintagerock.com/classiceye/img/xmas_tull.jpg)

(http://www.musikbase.de/images/groups/Jethro-Tull.jpg)
(http://www.rock.co.za/files/jtbest3.jpg)
(http://www.tunica-ms.com/images/jethro%20tull%202.jpg)
(http://www.harderbeat.com/archive/oct05/assets/jethro-tull-group.jpg)

(excited murmuring from around the table)

Whoever-the-Fairport-drummer-is-these-days: 'Like it, like it! I certainly always used to look at these Tull efforts and then praise God I wasn't in that band (assuming I wasn't, which is ******g unlikely come to think about it)... But it got me wondering about it, it got the album noticed! I mean, I don't think anyone at this table even remembers what our last album was called, and that can't be right (looks round table at averted eyes and embarrassed coughing). I think it's a winner! But can we come up with something so utterly, utterly naff that it will do the trick?'

Simon Nicol: 'Yes we can! We'll give it the old Fairport spirit! We SHALL come up with an album cover so putrid that come the February 2007 release date, a large percentage of our 35-60+ target audience of sad blokes with beer bellies WILL know it, WILL be talking about it, they WILL be able to recognise it anywhere as the Naff New Fairport Album! And we'll have photos taken that by comparison will make Jethro Tull look like the ******g some-new-band-who-look-young-and-trendy-and-preferably-female!'

Dave Pegg: 'Oh God, what have I done...?'
Rest-of-band: 'You really have kecked your pants this time Dave! Har harr har har har!'

(http://www.fairportconvention.com/fcinvan500.jpg)

and Fairport were better than their word, and the new album, A Sense of Occasion, did NOT die, for in the words of marketing and musical genius Ian Anderson:

They were toooooo oh oh old
To rock and ro ro roll
But they were too young to die.

please note: Fairport have never recorded a song about badgers on period instruments as far as I am aware - I made it up for comedic effect.

I really want to hear a song about badgers now.

You're right, Keith, a badgers song! That's what we're missing!

Or a sett of tunes?

Nice one! Let's make a new sett list.

http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/  

Well someone had to....

Is the badger related to the Sloth?

The Cropredy Badger, hang on don't that ring a bell?

Sir Martin, loved the imaginary conversation by your friend...it has lightened up the atmosphere on here.
As a not very artistic person, I see the new cover as being a bit too "busy" -  it does rather stand in contrast to the previous cover on Over The Next Hill, which was fairly minimalist (distant figures, recognizable even without full facial features).
Looking forward very much to having a copy; I will remember the Tull cover conversation and it will make me laugh rather than wince whilst I am unwrapping the CD and getting ready to feast my ears!

Alright, count me in...  :P

Karl

Anne - you were saying the cover was a bit too busy, but I think I would actually have liked it busier still - with even more little cryptic connections to the songs ... like a sort of game to play as we listen.

Loved the bit about badgers - now I know what I'm going to put on my flag for Cropredy!!

Sir Martin - a massive round of applause for your friend. The funniest thing I've read this year :). Seriously though, the cover is fairly dreadful. As we won't be able to get to any of the winter tour dates I will have to order it from the t'internet 'cos I wouldn't be able to walk up to a shop assistant with it in my hand. It would be worse than being a 15 year old lad buying condoms from a female shop assistant in the chemist ;)

rachel

Here's a concept to maybe satisfy those of us who think the cover is OK but a real photo would be better, and could be a little less busy.

A rejigged cover, with photo in place of painted Fairports, is put on the FC website for people to download and print out should they wish.  If not to actually stick on the cover of the booklet itself, then just to slip into the front of the case on top of the booklet, so that when the CD is in hand, the cover is more pleasing to one's eye.

Also make the song characters maybe a bit more faint, not to the point of being watermarks, but so that they distract less and the sword going into Ric's head and the sheep on Chris' head are less obvious.  Keep the lettering bold.

To me, the above would make the difference though of course it's unlikely to happen.

Still looking forward to hearing the CD though.  :)

Rachel, may I thank you for making me laff my socks off with this post. Sums it up for me!  ;D

Mercifully I will be able to get to some winter tour gigs, so I don't have this problem. ;)

 I wonder if there's still time for them to ditch that cover - or at least put it on the inside sleeve  :o  I've rarely seen anything quite so redolent of the horrors of ageing.

  Though it does look like the kind of naif picture that appears on the Antiques roadshow from time to time - a "charming piece of folk-art" executed by the local butcher on his day off.

   At the back of my mind I'd kind of been hoping for an homage to Sergeant Pepper - what with the forty years connection; perhaps a collage of elements of the bands history/personnel  etc.

In that they will be selling on the Wintour in less than a months time I think you've got no chance Ian, sorry.



You could go for Koen's poster which was updated for the UnConventional Box set. It is available separately.
http://www.freereed.co.uk/fptree

 Thanks Mike!  :) Didn't know anything about that. Think I'd better save up for the boxed set...

Keep an eye out for it on eBay...I just picked up a new copy for 16 quid plus 6 quid postage on there...It's an excellent, if a little uneven set (as with most of the Free Reed boxes they are themed discs and to be honest that all seems a bit contrived to me - I prefer an 'archaeoligical' approach to box sets myself), but as I'd given my daughter my copy I felt compelled to refill the gap on the shelf at that price!!

More important than the cover (and by-passing it).

Will the CD be available for download? If so where.

Woven Wheat Whispers could be a good place for them to use. There are folks on this board who have used that site who could give advice and feedback if needed.

Good question Colin.  [;-)

A good point. FC have been very slow jumping on the download train. My last 5 albums were all downloads, purely for environmental reasons.

So long as they don't switch to download only!!!!  
Sorry about the environment Keith, but I can' buy online :-\

I will probably be drummed out of the forum for saying this but I was disappointed to see so many Chris Leslie songs on the new CD. I love his voice and his mandolin and fiddle playing – but sadly, for me, he is my least favorite composer as far as the stuff that Fairport have been playing over the last few years.    

However I did like the cover of the new album.

Course you won't be drummed out Jim G! :o

Tarred and feathered, possibly. But not drummed out 8)

Anyway, each to his own of course.

You can see Glen Tilbrook sing his song untouchable at
http://www.babylonandon.com/glenn/jimmy/
mmm be interesting to hear Fairports take on it!

Don't worry if you don't like the cover or the title, chums. There'll be another one along in a bit with different artwork and title and an extra track nailed on the end. There usually is.  ::)

Especially if Simon or Peggy have come across this thread!!  Oh Dear!!!!!   I actually don't think it's that bad!

As for extra track, you mean like the Chaz and Dave cover they hid at the end of the last album?  (already getting coat!!)

I have to say, I am glad there is more Chris Leslie stuff on this album, he writes beautiful music - his tracks on Hill were far and away my favourites.

Here we are peeps an incy wincy quiz.

Some naughty person has been at Fairport's artwork.  Anybody care to name the total number of differences contained within?



[attachment deleted by admin]

Six.

But then my eyesight isn't so good.  [;-)

Hold the presses!

I see ten.

I find staring at the damn thing bad for the soul, so I'm afraid I lost the will to live at 7.....  ;)

Name 'em!

Here's the one's I think I can see  :-\

Rics hat changed colour
Lamb missing a leg
Small cake missing
Peggy's drink has changed colour
Peggy has lost a tooth
Indian's headress is missing some feathers
Candles missing from big cake
Brav's bowtie has gone
There's an eyepatch on the pyrate
Chris's glasses look to have disappeared.

This is *much* better than working, thanks Puggs

Yes, MikeC got the ones I saw. I didn't want to spoil anyone's fun by posting them prematurely.

I did "cheat" somewhat. I got both pictures lined up in different tabs and flipped back and forth between them. The changes really stood out that way.

I think next time, I will post my answers using invisible ink so as not to spoil things for anyone who is still working on the problem.

Here is an example of invisible ink:

---

Highlight the text or reply to the message to see this

---

Highlight the text between the lines or reply to the message to see the message

Leaving aside the cover what do folks reckon about the look of the track list. OK I know we haven't heard many of the songs but for what its worth my two pennuth:

Looks like three instrumentals from Ric (unless he's taken on lyrics now) - could be a bit much as for me his pieces are a bit samey.

Great to see songs from Scrowther, Wright, Tilbrook and Ashley. Hopefully at least of couple of those will be full on rockers - with a title like Hawkwood's Army I hope that at least will be a monster. FarmBoys Wages will, I fear, be a bit of a novelty filler.

I never know with Chris' pieces. In Our Town, based on title alone, could well be a bit of CL whimsy in the Banbury Fair mould, South Dakota to Manchester is an intriguing title and I assume will be one of his biographical pieces about a Native America. - probably another excuse to get his flute out.

However, I thought the new version of Tam LIn from the tour was not too good BUT I await with interest what they will do with Polly. I've thought it should have been in the live set for years as it suits Simon's voice so well, however without the kickass electric guitarist in the Thompson / Donahue / Allcock mould it could be a tad lacklustre.

All complete conjecture at the moment but overall I am looking forward to hearing this one.

Jackdaw

Oops, sorry. I didn't look at the times of the posts and just answered Puggs question. Was really bored this morning at work. Probably should have sent the answers to Puggs in an IM (via a cannonball  ;))

P.S. Bob Barrows, the answer I got for the invisible writing was "                        "

Am I right  :D

 I wonder if I can get a copy with the cover printed in invisible ink?

Which only works half of the time  :-\

You would need to make sure your post had a white background for that to work but posts alternate between a white backgroundand a light grey background...

This is fun!   :D

Peggy's missing tooth
Ric's hat
one small cake missing
one candle missing
pirate's eyepatch
leg of lamb
Peggy's tea has turned black!
waiter's bow tie missing
feather missing from top of indian's head dress

I make it 9 changes ... How many have I missed?

Oh, very true. Will grey text work? let's see ...
test
Yes, I think that works ...

Oh wait, I think I have to use this:
test

Ok, enough playing, Bob  ;) Cheers Nick

Certainly works on my puter, can't see a thing  :P

Oh and Ancient Muse, if bob and I are right you're missing one change.

Yes there are 10 changes...

Well, I've looked and looked ....

Is it Chris's specs?

Come to think of it, they are looking a bit "brushed -out" in the second pic ....

very clever!!  

Well done AM thats the 10th that Bob and I got.

Hope we're right  :D

PS Whats the prize  ::)

Novelty filler?!!! It's a great song by one the best songwriters of the last two decades. Listen to the Poozies brilliant version if you want proof.

Puggs says there isn't a prize.. meanieboots!!

 ;D ;D ;)

Typical teacher, gets others to do all the work and then scarpers  ;) ;D

Yes well here in Holland it's very wet and windy (so what's new!)

Anyway well done MikeC & BB!

Will of course offer a pint of your fav 6X as prize!

Well, and I just might drop into the Arms later on after work after all!



Edit: Way off topic warning! Colin

Maybe the otherside of the CD booklet will have a better picture/image/etc., so one could turn it over and put it in backwards and look at the back of the CD booklet, and not the front cover.

Back to the badgers, maybe a rock opera about badgers?  Folk rock opera?  Just a thought...

Here's a thought for those who don't like the front cover of SoO.

Make and print your own and then put it into the CD cover thus covering up the original.  ::)

  This would be a great thread! Thanks Mike  :)  Design your own cd cover! Hmmm....

SoO now showing available for pre-order on the HMV website.  There's an interesting little titbit of info on there as well...  :-X

Won't stay, er, hidden for long!

http://tinyurl.com/so9bc

£8.99.. bet that's cheaper than FC will be selling it for!

probably £4.01 cheaper the the chaps, but id rather get it from them and they'll get a decent cut , they probably get crab all when hmv flogs it for 9 quid

Amazon are showing it at £8.99 as well.

Quite right Jim. I'll be getting my copy from the Merch stand at Brum. 8)

But you'll have to pay for postage, unless you buy something else taking the total above 15 quid...

Is this something to do with them being on a new label?

I too will buy it from the chaps..  wouldn't dream of not doing so  :)

What's the point of a "hidden" track if it's listed?  ???

me too! Might get it signed  ;) :D

Do they do albums that AREN'T signed then?  I might get one of those as a collector's item....  ;)

I don't think they are - MattyGrooves is listed on the HMV site - same as before.

BUT - List price £14.99??? WOW!

?  So is the £8.99 an early-bird offer or something?

As I'm going away for my Scottish jaunt about 3 days after the album comes out, what're the odds of it arriving before I go if I do order it?

Well, £8.99 isn't to be sniffed at.

It should arrive with you on the day of release, post willing.

There was an interesting "as told by" one of Spiers or Bowden post about the difference in profit for sales from retailers and the bands own web sites. The cut they get for "full price" retail sales is pretty low.

In short, if you can afford it, buy from as close to the artist as you can get. They may be around longer that way.

I'll be getting my copy from the chaps - hopefully at Tewkesbury.  I try to buy CDs/merch direct from the artist/label wherever possible (eg Wobble @ 30Hz, Fripp @ DGM) - one of the benefits of the internet.

According to the flier from the chaps I received yesterday they are revamping their website to coincide with the release of the new CD. Part of the revamp will be the opportunity to buy the new CD direct from them using paypal. No mention of price but its another option for those who maybe can't get to a gig or won't be seeing them until after the CD is released.

And the flier says the release date is the 12th feb.

Flyer? What flyer??

I wonder if they are sent out in alphabetical order?

Might be Amy, I think this conversation has happened before  ;)

Its the standard newsletter and from memory (I'm at work its at home) it has some words from CL, the gig list for the Wintour, pic of the chaps in front of the minibus, the info about the website being revamped and being able to buy, i think everything, via paypal. I think they said part of the driver for this was the success of selling last years Cropredy tix this way (did they? I can't remember).

There's a bit about Peej and Peggy's new CD and a tour list for them. Mention of the R2 young folkies winners who will (as we know) be appearing at Cropredy.

And probably other stuff I've forgotten  ::)

cheers

MikeC

Sounds as though you've memorised it photographically Mike!

Maybe mine will come in today's post which is always very late in the day.

Yes Crop tix could be paid for via Paypal last year.

Reading it at breakfast at 6am today so its still fresh in my mind.  :)

Just arrived.. and very smart it looks too.. well done chaps!

Hopefully Ì/we´ll be at Cropredy in August and I don´t want to wait that long!  ;). So the Fairport webshop is welcome for all of us Fairporters living outside the UK. I just hope I´ll be able to order it soon, the CD has some travelling to do!  ;D
Staffan

Mine's here ;) And Mikec was right!

is HMV postage free?

For standard (i assume 3-5 days) yes it is. If you want special delivery i.e. guaranteed then its a fiver.

Bit of a conflict here. As there will be a run through of FC history on the Saturday of Crop, how will the chaps fit in the obligatory 90% of the new album? I suppose quite a lot of OtNH will get the chop.

I do hope so. Whilst I find the live renditions of some of the tracks from OtNH more agreeable than the recorded versions, I would rather listen to (in order of preference) the back catalogue with past members guesting, the back catalogue by the current line up, the "new" tracks from the current line up.

Nigel Schofield has posted a review of SoO on the band website...

Thanks PaulT.

Interestingly Nigel says the release date is Monday 14th Feb. I think its a typo and he means Monday 12th. That would coincide with the info on the latest flyer and on the HMV site.

Nigel´s review sounds very good. Can´t wait to get my copy.

(Note to self: Call Peggy tonight to get a free one  ;D)

News on the FC website tonight of a FREE Sense of Occasion launch gig at a London record store.

See site for details 8)

http://www.fairportconvention.com/news991.htm

fopp?
i'm a dapper dan man myself

Oh shame it's in London!!

Well, you could leave of the first train / coach, get there early and be near the front of the queue, spend the rest of the day on RT, have an enjoyable evening, stay overnight, more RT, ....

My bank details are being IM'ed over as we speak Adrian...it's bloody kind of you  ;)

Gulp! I didn't mean I'd pay! I've quite enough expenses of my own.

That being said, if I could take the time off, I'd be following a similar plan.

I was a bit concerned for a moment there, the Fopp in central London is tiny - but this appears to be a new store.

Have you noticed that on the FOPP link http://www.fopp.co.uk/news_instore.php/ievent/122
the band only 'virtually invented' Folk-Rock  :D  

Having posted this elsewhere, someone was wondering who actually did then...any ideas?!!

 :o

Gotta suss this out!

Get to the store at opening time, get wristband.  Go to work, apologise for lateness - puncture?  Go to gig in evening.

Plan!  Except they won't make the wristbands available until lunchtime or something knowing my luck.

I know plenty of Americans who say its The Byrds, ignoring the different definition of 'folk'

Actually the quote says 'English folk-rock'..  ;)

Explain please? If you're saying that 'folk' = 'trad', then OK, that leaves out the Dylan songs they did.
However, The Byrds did a rock version of
- Bells of Rhymney on their first album (1965)
-Oh! Susannah on their Turn,Turn,Turn album (1966)
-Wild Mountain Thyme on their Fifth Dimension album (1966)

If these don't fall under your definition of 'folk' then I would think that definition is pretty narrow. (if this sounds combative, I apologize - it is not meant to be. I'm just asking for clarification)

 :)
I guess the destinction is that the Byrds are rooted in Tranditional American Music, and Fairport are rooted in Traditional British Music.
Although of course American Folk mainly originates from the UK, by the time it has reached the Byrds its a different thing to what Fairport do from 'A Sailors Life' onwards.

So a discussion as to wether the Byrds or Fairport invented Folk Rock is redundant, in that they both developed different things. I think.

Ah, that's a different kettle of fish ...  :D

HANG ON JUST A MINUTE!

Forget all this "who invented folk-rock" malarkey for a minute!  It got invented, now be thankful...

Isn't 12th Feb in the middle of the tour?  It's a long way from TCR to Lincoln!  Hope the sat-nav's on form.

See you there, Chaps.  :)

I'll be at the Lincoln gig.. see you there Anna!!

Oops, slight reworking of the previous post required methinks...

... Hope their sat-nav's on form.  See you at TCR chaps...

Sorry Jen, Lincoln's just a bit out of my reach, even for an FC gig.

Ha.. I DID wonder!!

Early British examples of folk rock are:-

Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers (beatles) - My Bonnie  (1961)
Searchers - where have all the flowers gone?  (1963)
Animals - House of the rising sun  (1964)

All many years before Fairport.

From Rob

Yes, but as a mere cover of Pete Seeger's "Where Have all The Flowers Gone?" I would say that the Searchers record doesn't count.

"House Of The Rising Sun" and "My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean" aren't original either.

Wait - nor is Matty Groves

very true

both are traditional songs

from rob

Well then we cannot exclude "Louis, Louis" can we?  ;)
Perhaps we should start a new thread before being slapped with the OT card ...

OT card is well and truly out: :o

More information can be found here:

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=18169.0

and more here:

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=14081.0

Neil

Ok, back on topic.
Not sure about the album cover artwork, but then again what do I know about art (speaking as a"rude mechanical and a Mancuian to boot!)
The track listing looks interesting and I for one am looking forward to hearing it and seeing the chaps on tour.

They should be available just after store opening - but I suspect that you won't need to get there that early. Instead, go to work early, pop over in an extended lunch break, and see you there in the evening!



Yes, of course it is - if you check the tour dates, they're taking every Monday 'off'....it's just that this particular Monday, they've chosen to have some fun! :-X

Ah, some fun is it? :D  Cool!  So not the tour set then?  Well, obviously not, more stuff off the new album, less of the other stuff I'd guess.  Even better, seeing as I won't see them until St Albans in May.

It's still a long way to Lincoln for the next proper gig though.

Yup....I would expect in excess of half-a-sdozen off the new album, in a sort of acoustic setting. A PA, but no amps....might even get the whole album too, if we're lucky!

Great.  Looking forward to that more and more. :)  A real treat.

When is it and gallileo going to be available from the website?
i would have thought they would be taking orders at least

No Date for the Peggy & PJ date yet announced.

The FC one is released Feb 12th. I would imagine that any stock available prior to that date will be destined for the tour merch stand. Lack of office personnel (who are preparing to tour in just over a week) the likely explanation of a pre-order facility on the FC website.

If you really need to pre-order, I guess Amazon & the like are your best bets.

but as ive said in a previous post id prefer to get it from the band

You'll have to wait until they load it on the website - but it may not be until Feb 12th.

'Keep on Turning The Wheel', the opening track of Fairport's
new CD 'Sense of occasion' was played on the Mike Harding
show tonight: Radio 2, 8pm UK time.

Tthe show will be on 'listen again' (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/harding/
).

Also, the BBC Folk website has news of the new CD here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/news/

Scroll to the third item down that page.

Any reactions?

not hugely impressed

Can anyone tell me when the track is played in the show?

right at the start after hardings opening blurb

Folk/rock by numbers ?  ???

Cheers Nigel

Not unpleasant but doesn't seem to be a strong track for an opening track of a CD. Will "listen again" again later. Lots of historical references & stylistic pastiches (Intentional clearly)

`

Likwewise Jim  :-\ :-\

Then again, Over The Next Hill was a pretty dull track by FC's standards, and the women of the house love it. Maybe FC have just moved from being a "manly" band to a "ladylike" band. Commercially canny, but women don't have beards (not the ones I know anyway), and beards equal beer consumption, and beer consumption equals good venue profits...

I'm sure there was a point to my post  ???

If that's Folk-Rock, then I don't like Folk-Rock.  And I really thought I did.   :-[

I like it - and it bodes well for the live version!

Don't like it.   :-\

Nice fiddle, percussion and guitars though.

It lacks UMPH! Well at least it did on the radio. However this is common on CD's that are not mixed specifically for airplay.
The track will sound completely different on a Hi-Fi.

If you want to impress on the radio, the track needs to be remastered with that in mind. Never mind the sensitivities of the musicians, whack on a load of compression and make it boom out.

He'll be mentioning David Hughes next  ;)

Yeah, David Hughes has loads of UMPH but I'm not sure whether radio can cope with it. His is a hi-fi delight.

GABBOOOM!

It's like Colin says. You hear it on the radio they make it sound like gaboom.

Kindly remove that Gibbon from this topic.  No Gibbons or other distractions please, Mr. Freeman.  Back to Fairport's opener played via the disgustingly inferior and tinny Play Again facility.

Yes, carry on please.

Peel


Edit: Put your specs on Peel!

Hughes has been on t'radio, just Radio 4

He has also had quite a few plays on Radio 2, mostly Bob Harris. Which is why we did the 'single' CD from 'This Other Eden', with added BOOM!
Still tracks often sound disappointing on the radio, because their dynamic range is lost.

This is getting sort of off-topic.

Not really that keen - hope the album improves as it goes on.  

Makes me doubly glad I'm not bothering with the Winter Tour this year.  Will catch it at Cropredy I'm sure!

Oh dear - it does sound a bit lame doesn't it ?  :P

Umm....not exactly a grabber, is it? Still, I hope whoever was building that shed in the background gets it finished before the release date.

Um Keef, you're right about the laydeez loving OTNH, but you're wrong about the beardless ones and beer. Most of the laydeez I know drink just as much - and sometimes a bit more - than the beardies. And sometime the laydeez are needed to act as chauffeurettes to get the bearded ones to and from the venue.

So there!  ::)

"Keep on turning..."
I like it
As said before, it sounds a bit flat, but surely will have more impact on a hi-fi.
The tune is more complex than you`d give it on first hearing. Might be a bit daring to have this as an opener on an album, but than again, isn`t this one of the reason that FC is different and dear to us ?

Shades of 'J Tull' in some of the chords changes in "Keep On Turning The Wheel" - or have I read too many of these posts?

 

Boy, it sure does - heard it this morning (thanks, Martin!) through a proper hi-fi & it really rocks in many places.....recommended.

Always a pleasure Chris.

Rocking along here to Hawkwoods Army as I write, it's booming out, with Norm giving it both barrels.
Awaiting your review and pics of last nights show, what's the hold up ?

I'm catching up on here first!.....nearly there...themn I need to extract the photos from the camera. It'll all be up before tomorrow evening!

Just listened to the track.  Interesting.  I think it'll grow, but it does, at first listen, seem to be a bit of a collage.

Still can't wait for the 12th though.

I think it sounds nice and cheerful, even on the tinny playback facility, and I can do with much cheeriness as possible in February. Can't wait to hear it live/on the CD.

Blew by me and left me fairly indifferent. Sounds more like an album filler than opener, I'm afraid  :-\

A different arrangement and less lightweight vocal might have helped.

The Karine Polwart song that followed was good, though.

so it arrived this morning
 the opener still doesnt do an awful lot for me
but the rest of the cd has its moments, the covers have been well chosen and if they must redo the back catalogue then tam and polly arnt bad ones to revisit  Rics instrumentals are fine  and chris's new songs will grow on me with familiarity

   better than the last few cd's i think but ill need more time to decide where it ranks in the FC canon

If that's Jim's verdict then I'm interested in a purchase.

Thanks for that review, James.  :-*

How intriguing!  For, as I wrote in the "stalking Loreena McKennitt" thread:



Cheers, Hester

This morning listened to the new CD in the car on a shopping trip.

Mixed feelings. I like the opening track, some nice melodies. The remakes are pointless, even if they are both well done and I liked them - it's just. They're remakes. I've heard them before. The last half of the album is strongest. A couple of truly duff tracks - The Vision, for one, with terrible lyrics and a CL one that sounds rather similar to a previous CL one. In fact, my main criticism would be it's too long, and there's too many CL songs - not that I don't like them, the opposite, in fact, but they are a bit overpowering and formed a bit of "chunk" in the first half of the album. The Spring song was excellent, but some of the others somewhat forgettable.

I'll prob listen again. It's hard to do a proper listen when the wife keeps turning the volume down! Overall, I quite enjoyed it. Like most albums these days it seemed too long, with some filler. I'd have rather they did a couple of different tunes (Ones that they hadn't done before) rather than go back over old ground.

Front Row Fred has played it ALL DAY.  We are currently housebound - foot of snow, car stuck on top of a drift.  I like Untouchable and the VW one, the rest is really growing on me.  It IS good to hear Chris, a good balance between them.  I like the key changes in Tam Lin, much fresher.

Also bought Peggy and PJs album at Shrews but have not been allowed to play it yet.

Nic x

Yes, I listened to it again and some it's growing on me. I still had the urge to skip a couple of tracks. The real test will come on Monday when I'm in the office. Whether it's good "vanish into writing software" music and drowns out the distractions!

Heard half of it once today and I can say that the first track is much better listened to on a proper system rather than over the web. Whether its a good track or not remains to be seen. I need to listen to the rest a couple of times yet.

Sorry but Galileo's Apology was first through the door today so I've listened to it first. (and mighty fine it was too)

Seeya later in the week when I've more time.

Yes, that's always going to be the case....

Picked up my copy at the gig on Tueday and have just given it another listen. I must say it fared better this time than on the first spin.

For me, Fairport haven't really made a wholly consistent album since Who Knows Where The Time Goes. There are no more than half a dozen tracks from the last three albums that would make it onto my personal Fairport compilation. There is a cosiness that has crept into their studio work that is embodied by the title track of Over The Next Hill & Keep On Turning The Wheel. That said...

After an unpromising start with the aforementioned Wheel and a rather pointless XTC cover that adds nothing to the original, there is a lot on here that is growing on me. The second half of the album is pretty strong throughout. I agree with previous posters that the album is probably too long overall and the re workings of old songs are becoming irrelevant and tiresome because they fail to better the originals. I could mount a defence of Polly On The Shore though as it takes a different and not unpleasant approach to the song and is, effectively by an entirely different band, Peggy aside.

So, this morning I have mostly been enjoying everything from track 9 onwards. Personally I would probably lose tracks 1, 2, 5 & 8 but even South Dakota To Manchester which I initially found rather monotonous is beginning to reveal its attractions & Best Wishes looks set to become a standard to sit alongside Ledge at the end of live performances for years to come.

Wow.  Is this an 18 CD compilation then?

I'm thinking multi disc boxed set! I did try to actually do this about 15 years ago, pre CD burning facilities. It ran to 4 C90s. I'd probably only have to add one more tape to cover subsequent releases though.

Well as many folks had commented on how poor they thought it was when they listened to it on Mike Hardings show I thought it worth pointing out that on a proper hifi it sounded much better. As I think so did you Chris.

South Dakota thingy reminds me of a 10cc song... Rochale to somewhere else, or something.

From Rochdale To Ocho Rios. B Side of Dreadlock Holiday if memory serves me correctly. Not their finest hour in either case.

I've just ordered my copy from Amazon. I meant to get it in High Wycombe on Saturday night, but the queue after the gig was a bit long and we needed to get back home sharpish. When ordering, I noticed that the Amazon sales rank stood at 92! That seems pretty good - will we be seeing Fairport in the album charts soon?

Just wanted to say that I ordered mine from the new website as soon as I knew it was possible to do so, and this may very well be the first time someone in Ohio got a Fairport CD in Ohio on the first day of the official release...so well done on speedy delivery!  As soon as I get a chance to listen to the whole thing I'll add my two cents worth of opinion on how it stacks up.  I am certainly jealous of those of you on the wintour getting the electric guitar version of Simon live, but don't reckon I'll ever make it over that way to witness it first hand.

It really wasn't all that long ago that the full "electric" line-up has been over here in the US. I think the last time was 2004. I think the trio of Simon, Ric and Chris is quite excellent, but I certainly would like to see the full crew back! Is anyone listening??  ;D

May I say that IMO this Fairport album is absolutely the finest sounding studio album in their entire catalog.  A big congrats to Mark Tucker for his brilliant engineering, Steve Hill at Woodworm and of course to Simon, Ric and Rob for assisting with the mixing.  There is a great deal of natural ambiance and transparency, which is difficult to achieve in a studio environment.  Absolutely stunning work and no better example than on Maestro Sanders' Your Heart and Mine.  But really the entire disc is uniformly excellent and should be embraced by audiophiles and music lovers.

Interesting that some are saying the album is too long. I wonder whether thats because in folks views the quality of some of the songs lets it down or that overall its just too long. I'm not sure how the latter can be a problem though.

In the early days of CDs most of them were about 45 minutes long cause that was what we had got used to with vinyl but now that most realise a commercial CD can hold up to 75 minutes of music (give or take) why shouldn't an artist use the space.

Lazarus put some extras on their live CD which was very welcome and not unsurprising really knowing Maart.  

So whats wrong with FC filling up the available space. Should they have cut the number of tracks and possibly put something else on as a wee surprise/gift for their 40th celebrations perhaps.

But.. if some are saying its too long cause they simply don't like some tracks then thats a different ball game as I can't see us agreeing on which tracks should be dropped  ;) ;D

Haven't they?.....

Not in the way that Lazarus did no. I was asking whether they should have reduced the number of tracks and replaced them with something else. e.g. not music

I think what you are getting at Chris is something they have done before so its not even a wee surprise/gift for the 40th. Nice though it is.

Something more than we both allured to?....video, or some such, possibly, you mean?...

Yup, why not!

Sorry Chris but "allured" isn't a word that springs to mind regarding yourself and Mike C, fine figures of men though you both undoubtedly are  ;D

Jackdaw

'alluded'....  maybe  ;)

"DEluded" is often used by/about board members...

after 1 full listen (in the car, so can't really comment on the hifi-ness of the CD), my first impression is positive - really like Farmboy & Ric's tunes, LOVE Best Wishes, the rest I like to various degrees; there's nowt I dislike. bit disappointed with the "hidden extra" though...

So: 7.5/10 at the moment...

I never get the "hidden extra" thing - It's not like no one has ever done it before and its bloody annoying when you have wait and listen to about 2 minutes of silence before it comes on .

I was particulary saddened by the hidden track on Chris's "Dancing Days" cd - as its one of the best tracks on the cd in my opinion. As far as Sense of Occasion "hidden extra" for me it's a bit better than the "aude lang syne" on Over the next hill but still really a total waste of chops!

AT least when you back it up to flac you can edit it into a 'real' track and eliminate the silence with Goldwave.

Indeed....sorry, Mike!

Just putting it through it's first listen on the work PC - decent (sennheiser) headphones but nothing like a proper stereo turned up - and I keep getting interrupted.  Just got to Tam Lin - about half way through then.

Definitely agree with the comment above about the production, very very good indeed!  Now, anyone want to apply these production values to the entire folk/folk-rock/rock/metal catalogue from about 1976 onwards?  I might even get to like Led Zeppelin...

Haven't found a really duff track in the first half yet, although Love on a Farmboy's Wages will need a couple more listens.

Oh and Tam Lin is still about half an hour too long. (OK, I'm exaggerating, I'm female!, but it is tooooooo loooooong whoever does it).  It's a great song and a great story, but I'm a product of the 3-minute-hit generation, my concentration goes.  PLEASE, not on the Cropredy setlist - any other four or five songs could use the time to my greater enjoyment!! Now I'm for it!

Will be back later with more later.  But so far, very good indeed.

Yes but why should we have to go to all that bother?

 Maybe they should make sure that the silence is exactly 4 minutes and 33 seconds then they can legitimately pass it off as a John Cage "song". Then I might stop whining!

Mike Batt "wrote" a track called "A One Minute Silence" and put it on a CD, the cheeky ******...

It's gone up to 64 in the Amazon sales ranking now! Come on, I want to hear it in the album charts....

And the CD is already up for sale on ebay,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FAIRPORT-CONVENTION-SENSE-OF-OCCASION-SIGNED-CD-12-FEB_W0QQitemZ270089497431QQihZ017QQcategoryZ58590QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Valid point earlier about whether the CD is too long or whether there are tracks that people just don't like so much. In the case of my review it is probably the latter I'm afraid. If there were 16 killer tracks, the length would be irrelevant of course.

Have just been listening to it at the gym. It makes for unusual workout music! But it almost made me forget how tired & out of breath I was so it must be doing something right. Perhaps there is a marketing opportunity here. The Fairport Workout! Track suggestions anyone? May as well start with Walk Awhile! Maybe on a different thread though...

Didn't AShley Hutchings do a folk fitness Cd.   Did he get everyone exercising at Cropredy once?  I wasn't there but I've heard tell

He did.  And I've got it.  And I'm saying no more.  ::)

Sometimes, Baz, it's best to leave well alone isn't it?

Yeah.

Oh, I'd buy that!  Anyone know where I can get a copy?

Cheers, Hester

Ashley still sells it I think - I'll ask him....

And ended then up in a plagurism battle with a dead man who wrote it first - which he LOST.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/2276621.stm

That is so funny!  Thanks Prof! :)

Been through the album a few more times now, favourite tracks so far - Spring Song and The Vision.  Both CL and both take me "someplace else".

Is it just me or is there some kind of big "journey" theme going on, on the whole album?  Heading off to realms uncharted, possibly in a VW camper??

Off sick at the moment (the dreaded flu bug) so I've had the time & luxury (!!) to listen to the album several times uninterrupted & ... I like it - quite a lot actually.  Particularly like Love On a Farmboy's Wages, Just Dandy, Your Heart & Mine, Untouchable & Best Wishes but there's nothing to dislike (puts tin helmet on - but remember I'm still running quite a high temperature!)
Wasn't sure about South Dakota to Manchester at first - it's very, very similar (to my ears anyway) to the tightrope song on OTNH - but the wretched chorus gets stuck in your head.
Looking forward to hearing the songs performed live when the tour reaches Scotland next weekend.

"Wasn't sure about South Dakota to Manchester at first - it's very, very similar (to my ears anyway) to the tightrope song on OTNH - but the wretched chorus gets stuck in your head." (Sorry, not sure how the quotes work!)

Chris Leslie's songs tend to do that. In Our Town (one of my favourite tracks on the album) starts off identically to My Love Is In America.

Interesting the diversity of views that are coming accross over which are the best tracks. I'm surprised that so many people are going for Love On A Farmboy's Wages. Good song but so well known in its original incarnation.

youve got to remember that this lot are by and large folkies and xtc is a new fangled drug to them

Ah yes! But XTC have certainly flirted with the F word. DM even played on some of their stuff. Not this track though, I think.

Well, I've certainly heard the XTC original and the Poozies cover of it, and I had
to listen to it a second time to not compare it to those and evaluate it on its own merits.  Having done that, I think it is quite nicely done, but I do wonder if I'd like it more if I didn't have the other versions in my head.  For some reason, I tend to like the current FC's cover versions more if I hear them prior to other versions of a song.

For example, I have never heard the original version of "Westward" from OTNH, and although I know some on this list have stated that they don't care for it, I quite enjoy it as a change of pace use of the current group's harmonies.

As far as a review of the whole album, I think that the current one doesn't have
any songs that aren't decent individually, but there isn't any one song that is just immediately grabbing my attention as one that I think has the earmarks of a song that needs/demands a place in the permanent rotation.  If I heard any of them live, I might possibly change my opinion, but I do think that says something
about a "playing it safe" feeling that has engendered a "Fairport by numbers" criticism I've seen popping up in some reviews.

Steve Ashley's Best Wishes is spectacular played live..  just fantastic!!

Probably my lack of musical education but there's something rather impressive about working both South Dakota and Manchester into the same song title - still some way to go before reaching the heights of the rhyming Northamptonshire in "Close to the Wind", though.

Steve

Northamptonshire DOES NOT ryhme with Poor.

Jackdaw

You could be right, Anna.  The new album has certainly made me reflective about my own journey, and not always comfortably, I may add.  But that’s one of the things that makes for a good song, isn’t it?

Keep On Turning The Wheel brings back happy memories of touring in our old VW camper – Orkney, Cornwall, the Western Isles...  

I really like the reworking of Polly On The Shore and Tam Lin, which I don’t find too long but then I’m used to listening to long stories.  (It’s part and parcel of my job!)

Your Heart And Mine is beautiful, as is Spring Song.  Simon does a good ‘fierce’ in Hawkwood’s Army and Best Wishes finishes it all of superbly; everyone in harmony.

For me, there’s plenty of emotional engagement and connections made, musical or otherwise (ho hum).  I love it, love it, love it!  Looking forward to hearing some of it live at a winter tour gig; plus other favourites.

KOTTW chaps.



P.S.  Has anyone else noticed that the sleeve notes seem to have some words missing? – a couple of verses of Untouchable and one line of Best Wishes.

they are taking the piss because they know that 90 per cent of their fanbase dont have eyes good enough to read the ludicrously small print they use in cd's

I noticed the missing line in Best Wishes yesterday
when I was typing out the words to put on the wall.

I suggest that you put a comment about the missing lines in the comment box under the SOC Launch bit on the website. There is always the possibility that it hasn't been noticed. ::)

You are typing out the words to put on the wall?

Haven't you got any Laura Ashley or something, woman?

Well, I've listened to the entire CD a few times now - and in my opinion, its Fairport's finest album for quite a few years... the individual songs and tunes hang together so well - there's a definite flow to the whole thing.  Well done, chaps!!  ;D

 A friend of mine picked up the album to look at in a music store in London yesterday, and spontaneously burst out laughing  [;-)

How many is quite a few? What's the last one you liked more? For me it would be Who Knows Where The Time Goes & before that The Five Seasons (much neglected when it comes to live performances I feel).

The reason for the mirth being?

Ummm, haven't we been here before?

 I don't want to particularise as some people would find it offensive; suffice it to say he thought the execution was hilariously incompetent.

   But at least it got his attention..... :)

  And yes, we have been here before, but I simply wanted to mention the reaction of  someone who isn't a committed FC fan; by the way, if we're now prohibited from touching on areas that have been discussed before, please let me know.

                                                                      Ian  [;-)

I can't stop listening to the new album.  Nor can my 6 year old son who's trying to learn as many lines of Hawkwoods Army as possible before the Yeovil gig.  

No Laura Ashley here Cocker as you well know...

Ian.. I don't like your laffing mate!!

Ian youre in big trouble,by association,now,best get running

 Oh dear....good job I'm changing continents. I'll disown him at once. Won't be easy as I'm flying out to India with him. Shall I throw him out over the Himalayas? Or put an incriminating flapjack into his bag at Heathrow? :-\

I was in Kingston-upon-Thames a couple years ago (site of huge Robin Hood May Games in the early 16th century), and I asked the young clerk at the tourist office where I could see any of the medieval buildings still standing in town.  He pointed out the window and mumbled something in an incomprehensible local dialect.  I asked him to please repeat himself, and it turns out he was saying:

"The Laura Ashley shop over there".

Yup, indeed, housed in an authentic medieval structure!  Unbelievable!

Cheers, Hester ... and the town was so hip & cosmopolitan, I searched in vain for a tea shop.  Wound up having my "afternoon tea" in a sleek European coffee bar instead, where they served my tea in a latte bowl.  Still, it was blessedly warm and somewhere to sit down, if not exactly my romantic colonial notion of "Jolly Olde England".

Topic drift ???

I'll see if I can pluck up the courage to do that.  Gulp!

The cover says to me: we're happy, we're shiny and we like cake! - all excellent qualities as far as I'm concerned.:P

Mmmmmmmm. Cake!  

All the Kingston-upon-Thames latte-bar had to offer was torte.



Topic tag!  You're it!

Cheers, Hester

OFF TOPIC!

Although given the amount of cake on the cover of SOO there is a tenuous link.

Anyway, having initially thought I would give the album a miss I have ordered a copy as there seems to be a positive rather than negative vibe here. I'll let you know what I think tomorrow as my copy should arrive v. soon,

Jackdaw

Well, in my facetious defence, the album's not available in Canada yet, so all I've got to comment on are cake and Laura Ashley.

Cheers, Hester

There's nothing about Laura Ashley on the cd though...

Laura Ashley , Steve Ashley ..

you know how easily those colonials get confused Amy  ;)

(ducks back behind the barricades)

Jackdaw

Oh yes.. did he write any songs about curtains or dresses I wonder...??

BEST WISHES!! ;D ;D

David Hughes did and he wrote a song for the last Fairport album too, even if it didn't fit.

On topic: official.

D'ye think moderator Chris is pulling his hair out yet?

But, really, to get back on topic ...

is there somewhere a poor benighted colonial could hear samples from the album?

Cheers, Hester

What was the snog that DH wrote for the FC album Cocker and will DH play it for us at Adrian's party do you think??

What's this about DH snogging Freeman??  Or Adrian??

Bought the album today in Record Corner in Godalming. played it once and a bit in the car.  

Keep on turning the wheel, needs another listen or two.
Love on a farmboys wages, wasn't particularly keen on this, but will give it another go
The Bowmans Return was pleasent enough to check the track name once I had stopped.
South Dakota, not really my thing, but may grow to like it, more listening needed
Spring Song, needs another listen as I cant remember much about it.
Polly on the shore, Good song, but not sure if its better than the original.
Just Dandy, needs more of a listen.
Tam Lin, I probably prefer the original but will have to hear it again
Edge of the world- I am sure I have heard this before, was it played live on the last tour?
Hawkwoods is the one track that stands out particularly in my mind.  
The Vision. didn't stand out on first listen.
Your Heart and mine. Needs more of a listen as It didn't register
Untouchable, I do like this one, but perhaps thats because I like the original,
Galileo's Apology, need to listen again to this track,
Best Wishes.  A bit slow for me, but pleasent on the ears.
the hidden track did not do anything at all for me I'm afraid.  

Overall. it needs more of a listen too, and will stay in the car player for a few days. certainly expect to hear some of the tracks in August.

Whooppssss... tpyo!!

 ;)

Couldn't resist!

Apologies, finding coat...

I largely agree with Mark's review - and I canna see the point of a 10 second hidden mini-track Cap'n.

I shall buy it when I see them on tour on 3rd but I have to say I'm pretty disappointed with the reviews I've seen so far. I really enjoyed OTNH especially Chris's songs, and the press loved it, but I'm yet to read a really good review of SOC.

Still, I'll give it go and make my own mind up and say nowt until then  :-X

Are there any proper reviews of it in the papers now it has been officially released? I'd be interested to see what the music journos think of it. Will be looking out in The Observer on Sunday - they normally manage to cover at least one folk-ish release a week.

My own opinion, after about 3 full listens, (in the car and therefore in small chunks) is that it is has a very happy and positive sound. As a couple of people have said, a lot of the songs definitely seem to have a journey theme, so I think it will probably live in my car to give me positive "vibes" on the way to work.

Although I am enjoying it, and it's great to have something new from Fairport to listen to, it still isn't a patch on listening to them live as I had the good fortune to do last week. I wonder why that should be? Most groups I see live just aren't like that; I always come away disappointed with some aspect or other - but with Fairport I sit there in a warm glow wishing it would last longer!

Maybe it's because they are so grateful that we keep on turning the wheel up?

Sorry Chaps! :-X ;)

David Hughes has written loads of snogs. The snog he wrote for Fairport was 'Where Is Colin?' which, of course, is on 'Cropredy Capers'.

Will he play it at Adrian's party? I don't know do I.

I think I may have changed the wording of your review somewhat Mark but I think I've managed to keep the spirit


Cheers Nigel

I'm really impressed by this record - much more than I thought I would be! There is a real coherence in the flow of the songs, which I think has been lacking in recent records. As to the songs themselves, I must say again I was pleasantly surprised by how good they are. Highlights for me are Spring song, Hawkwood's Army and Untouchable. Nothing is too mawkishly sentimental (which was my big fear). Still don't like rerecording of old songs, although they are decent enough versions.

I'd say the best since Jewel in the Crown ;D

Cheers

Adam

I also like Spring Song, but I think it could have done with some backing harmonies instead of all that "de de deeing" at the end.

After another partial listen this morning, I personally think that there could have been a bit more Simon on vocals instead of CL  I am not knocking CL voice (before the hordes descend on me wanting blood) but felt that all his songs sounded much the same.  

As to the De deing on spring song I agree with Anne T

Its not a bad album and has many good things, but it is very safe, I can listen to it an enjoy it for what it is but, it does not have the same impact as some other albums.  I bought Son Volt - Okeman and the Melody of Riot, on impulse (thanks Dad Volt) at the same time as Sense of occasion, and was immediately grabbed by it.  

I do want to hear some of the SOO songs live, and that will probably be in a field in August.  As many of the songs on OTNH  to me sounded better live, I hope the same is of this one.

Mark

Certainly Edge of The World, Hawkwood's Army, Untouchable & the instrumentals work well live. Best Wishes is I think set to become a real crowd and band favourite and a permanent fixture in the set.

It is interesting though that we are all quibbling (if that is the right word) about which are the good songs and which less so. I wonder if that's because SOO suffers from the same malaise as a lot of modern albums, partly because of the way we consume music in the digital age. They are collections of individual songs rather than functioning as a coherent album experience in the same way as, for example, Full House does. They are more like a box of chocolates. We pick and choose.

I'll take the caramel (Hawkwood's Army) but you can have the coffee cream (Keep On Turning The Wheel).

How strange, Mrs Woodpecker and I just having the same conversation after listening to a couple of the remastered CDs.  E.g. Sailor's Life is not a mid album track - it's definately end of side one - catch your breath and decide what to play next. And there are other examples.  It's interesting to hear bonus tracks too but they just don't fit the overall feeling: I usually stop them.

For what its worth: I've enjoyed SOO in the main.  I prefer the new songs, particularly those with a sense of 'Life's Journey'. With this in mind the opening track is fine by me, but wouldn't that have made a better title.  What am I missing, where does SOO fit in? Is it just a reference to 40yrs? (I suppose '40 Licks' was pretty unbeatable!) I thought Tam Lin at Cropredy was a bit of a muddle and still do here.  But then hearing it live in '69 (?) was unforgettable.  (If I said I though Steeleye's version really rockedwould I have to leave the forum?)  Neither can I get Martin Carthy's Polly on the Shore out of my mind so I find this version very difficult. I'm not sure why they bothered with these, is it a lack of confidence in the new material, misplaced if so.  I enjoyed Chris's voice and the songs' sentiments on this CD.

I think there are a couple of songs that will remain favourites and part of the live act for some time - what more can you expect after 40yrs?

Looking forward to Symphony Hall tomorrow. :D

Will you be there, Cocker? I wondered if you were to be David Hughes' driver  :)

That's what I was hoping too Anji....

I'd go anywhere for a David Hughes snog.

I reckon I've sussed that - or at least "here's one way of thinking about it"....
___

It's the sound of our protagonist actually leaving on his journey.  It makes a good walking-along tune (in a pooh-bear kinda way).
___

I was walking along Uxbridge high street earlier and just started de-dee-ing and it was just the right kind of tune and just the right tempo for walking along to.  Like I say, "one way of looking at it".  Let's go play pooh-sticks...  Speaking of which what tune is it??  It's extremely familiar-sounding but I just can't place it

The first thing that crossed my mind when I heard it, was that they had forgot the words, or were trying to show how the flute solo would go.

I think the Spring Song is beautifull, the words just magical, summing up eloquently the coming of spring. The de-deing at the end I think is quite a clever way of bringing in the Princess Royal tune, which is a well known Morris tune and danced to in many May Day ceremonies. There's a version of Princess Royal on Morris On.

Fascinating as the thought of Cocker and Mr Hughes snogging away is, it may be too exciting, enticing or arousing for the usual denizens of the Fairport section who may want to talk about that dreadful distraction music.This as we know just gets in the way of all the fun.

Adrian has a thread in announce were we can all enjoy the delightful anticipation of the Freeman/Hughes snogathon 2007 in an appropriate and safe place.

He is a wonderful snogsmith you know.

You can find it her:  http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=20415.0

Have fun everyone.

Bought SOO last night. So impressed with Hawkwood's Army! Brilliant live, such drive and Fairport-like for me! Sounds good loud on the pc drive this morn!  ;D Really good song, very strong, that's the sort of stuff I like to hear Fairport do!

Also really like Chris singing The Vision which softly follows the above!

Would be very interested in hearing Pegg and PJ doing Galileo's Apology, so will check this out!  ;D

Your Heart and Mine sounds similar to The Rose Hip I think, love it though, thanks Ric!  :)

Apologies for dragging this up and for quoting myself, but it seems I may have created the wrong impression with my ‘ho hum’ comment. :-\  I did not mean to imply that the journey connections on the album were dull (how could anyone say that?) but rather, my keep harping on about them was.  I’ll get my anorak, shall I?   :-[

I like the dee-dee-deeing in Princess Royal.  It’s light and cheerful and communicates perfectly the feelings you get when you walk out on a spring day.  :)  Dee-de-dee-dee-dee, dee-de-dee-dee-dee …

I`ve been plucking up courage to say this . I`m with MarkV  on this one . I `ve played it many times  now .--- I really want to like it but --- .
Sorry folks -I find it --Dull and Uninspiring .
I`ll get my coat  :P [;-)

You can go off people you know PB.. but then you knew I'd say that didn't you.... :-X

EVeryone is entitled to like or not like it, I reckon. Tastes are different....

Not all of it is dull, and I did not say that it was dull myself, just someone amending my post in their quote. ::)

However it is less inspiring to me personally than other albums.  But I do want to hear the tracks live.

Taste are different and changeable.

My opinion's certainly changed after seeing the tracks live!
Although luckily they played the tracks live that I thought were strongest on the album.

Guilty as charged I'm afraid. It was me that utilised your format to insert my own comments. Sorry if this has caused any problems but my opinion on SOO remains the same and following numerous listens to try and like it, I would add disappointment to my feelings towards the album.

Cheers Nigel

this is all very interesting.  I very much enjoyed what I heard at Canterbury, and thought that this could be the stongest album for some time ..... but I get the impression that the album itself might not come up to those expectations.  I shall have to hear it before I buy, methinks ...

I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion and the expression of their personal taste.

My post wasn't as a result of an opinion here, but someone much closer to home!  I thought it best to clarify.

My comment, 'who could say it's dull' was careless.  I certainly did not intend any offence.  Sorry everybody.  :)

I think "dull" is probably a bit strong, notwithstanding whether anybody actually said it was or not! Some of it has grown on me in the nearly two weeks since I got the album and I find myself humming it even when I am not listening to the disc. But I think it is fair to say that it is not the most consistent collection, even of the band's relatively recent career and there are tracks that drift by somewhat anonymously without really permeating one's consciousness. In a landmark year I think perhaps we were hoping for something great and that is perhaps an unreasonable expectation. Sorry chaps.

I love this album and find all but one of the songs a real pleasure to listen to.

I couldn't possibly have made up my mind after only a single hearing, but after many and two live shows I think it's truly fab.

Every day I trek to the mail box to see if it's arrived, no sign yet.  :'(

I'm going to try a new tactic when I listen inspired by my younger friends who insist that the more recent incarnation are preferable to the  older versions, I'm going to pretend it is an album by a band I've never heard before.

We'll see how it goes but until the US postal service do there bit it will be awhile.

This album does however seem to have split the vote more than others.

Bah Humbug - have not got a copy yet.

I try and support my local Independant, but he has not recieved it yet.

Mine arrived at the weekend and its not been off the turntable. Oops, does that give my age away! Overall I like it. Its taken a few listenings but then it usually does but most of the album has grown on me. Still not sure about Tam Lin. For me the difference between Simon's and Chris's voices is just a bit too marked on this one. The opening number is OK but no more and for me they should have had a punchier number up front.

Otherwise its very good. Hawkswood army is excellent and Gallileo's Apology is a fine number. I think I could well be buying PJ and Peggy's new one on the strength of comments here and this song.

Chris's writing fits the band I think at this moment. I can understand why for some it is a bit light but he does paint a few pictures for me.

Can't wait for next Sunday when I hope the live versions will be as good as the reviews.

robbo

Ok folks my take on SOO is..

The covers and rearrangements give it the impression of a CD I already know, it feels very familiar. Maybe Chris' songwriting has that effect as well, he has a very definite style. So as far as that goes I wasn't blown away by anything sounding really new. However, what I was really impressed with was the production quality and mix of the album. Absolutely top notch and a huge improvement on the last three or four FC offerings.

The instrumentals left me a bit cold - nothing really different there, but I do like Edge of the World as a song and Hawkwoods Army will make its way onto my FC rock-out compilation - reminded me a bit of Wat Tyler in its structure but a good song and none the worse for that. Best Wishes is great and has a sesne of Swarb's Last Waltz about it, a combination of melancholy and positivity.

One problem for me is that the opening track isn't one that hooks me into the album as a whole, I felt the same about Over the Next Hill and XXXV as well.

So, if asked for out of 10 I would nudge this up to a 7.5, and although it will probably get played well in the car I don't think its one I'll be putting on at home very much.

Jackdaw

I feel pretty much the same way about it, it's pleasant enough but like you've heard it all before somehow.
For me "Untouchable" stands out as a real good track a Squeeze type familiarity (did they do this song?) I like "In Our Town" and the reconstructed "Tam Lin" very much, Gallileo is well OK but "Bowmans Return" on the other hand is to my ears way, way OTT. (Ric's obvious liking for massive effects on the fiddle leaves me a bit cold)
The rest of the CD is nice, apparently the adjective favoured often by grumpy old men searching for bland positives - yep, that's me, it's more nice than dull. The artwork is rather surprising, very clever and well painted but certainly not in any way flattering. It sort of exudes a frumpy old geezers image, so opposite to the bands real life character/characters.

In comparison, for now, I prefer OTNH but this one needs a bit more playing yet and who knows, with some live tracks toi enjoy at The Winding Wheel on Thursday I might get to really like it.

It's the opening track on Glenn's solo album Transatlantic Ping Pong

Chris Leslies voice is very much like Glen Tilbrooks in the first part of the song, and It sounds very similar to his version.  After listening  again today, the album is growing on me, Our Town, Gals apology and the covers have grown on me.

The album is growin on me, except for track 2 'Love on a Farmboy's Wages' - don't think that ever will....I don't think it suits Simon's voice at all - I don't give this track foive  ;) ::) (now that is ageing me saying that!!)

Interesting point. I love the song but have already made the point that I think the original is too well known for the cover version to succeed. Now that you say that though, I wonder if it might havve worked better with Chris singing?

This is only the  second or third time I write in this forum so I'm a bit nervous when I share my thoughts on the new album. So bear with me...
SoO arrived yesterday and I think that it is a fairly strong album that with small adjustments could have been really great, in fact one of fairports best. I was happy to hear "Love on a farmboy's wages" as that was one of the songs I suggested the group to record and Simon to sing earlier in this forum. They should have put Simon's vocal higher up in the mix though.
Highlights for me are "Edge of the world", "Hawkwoods army" and the beautiful "Best wishes". "Polly on the Shore" and "Tam Lin" are as good as the "classic" versions but "TL" would have been even better, I think, if Simon had sung all of it. It kind of loses intensity when Chris sings.
Now to my complaints.
They should have taken away 3 songs ("Just Dandy", "In our Town" and "The Vision") to get a better flow between the tracks. "Polly..." is  great and they are building up momentum. Then they put in the instrumental. They are catching fire again with "Tam lin". Then they follow with "In our town" which pours water on the fire instead of going directly into "Edge...!" and building on the momentum (pardon my english if you don't quite follow me here). Then follows the excellent "Hawkwoods..."  The whole impact of the album shifts if you go "Polly"-"Tam"-"Edge"-"Hawk". You get a much punchier album and a better balance between Simon's songs and Chris's.
You hear that Simon is using the electric on quite a few tracks. But it is to low in the mix. Put the electric more upfront and you really change the impact.
Greetings to you all from a really cold ( -18 C) and snowy (the main motorway was shut down yesterday) Sweden (more precisely Valbo just outside Gävle on the east coast).
/LarsW

I guess the great thing about CD/Mp3 is that you can programme the album in whatever order you like and make changes according to our own taste & fancy. I personally like In Our Town a lot but remain to be convinced of the point of reworking old material but I do have the option of listening to the album in my preferred form. It seems a legitimate thing to do with modern albums that are designed for CD/downloading, less so with fondly remembered classics.

Keep on turning the wheel
Rubbish - even the 'jokey bits' (like the Bealtesqu backing wheen the Beatles are mentioned is just embarasing rather then funny, which is weird because when its done with conviction (c.f. Beatle Boots by Billy Childish) a nice touch liek that can lift a song.

Love on a farmboys wages
I liked this - except of course it does not bear comparrison with the original. But I was fearing it would be 'XTC for wrinklies', but its much better then that. Maybe they should get Andy P. to write them an original?


The Bowmans Return
Boring. Folk Music by numbers

South Dakota
Alright

Spring Song
Getting better

Polly on the shore - Does not live up to the original, and I'm not one for the rerecordings, on the plus side, they do a decent job, and if it means that this excellent song becomes a regular in the live set, then I'm happy.

Just Dandy
dull. Ro coin a phrase

Tam Lin - Excruciatingly bad. Like watching your grandad beat your Grandmother to death with a mandolin.

Edge of the world
Liked this one

Hawkwoods Army - Theres a decent song burried in here, but the arangement does it no favours.

The Vision.
Did nawt for me

Your Heart and mine
Ho hum

Untouchable
Not bad, but then Tillbrook is always good value for money. Again, he should write them an original.

Galileo's Apology
Some interesting stuff buried in the lyrics, but the execution is too bombastic.


Best Wishes.  
OK

the hidden track
Pointless

So not as good as OTNH (which I quite like), it just seems so.... lazy for want of a better word. Half of a decent Chris Lesley solo album, cover versions and filler. Maybe its the production? the arrangements don't seem to do the lyrics many favours at some points.

So I listened to the reissue of Bonny Bunch of Roses streight after. Maybe Fairport should.

"Lazy" it may be, so is not spelling Chris' surname correctly.

You took the words out of my mouth there Andy...  :o

True and there are spelling mistakes all through the review but it doesn't make the review any less worthwhile. (and I know you didn't say that Andy but I just think we should concentrate on the topic of this thread really :-\). Its interesting to see SM commenting that the production is poor. Production being something others have said is excellent.

Me, I just hope its as good live as folks have said as some of the songs need that type of lift.

Ain`t life hard being critical ? ;)
Luckily, it`s all subjective and bearing this in mind
I like SoO a lot, actually it gets better and better with each go.
Lots of musical details in there and - with the exception of Tam Lin (good in itself but sounds slightly out of context in this album) -
it gives a very compact impression, a unified whole
oooh beware, now I was a critic as well  ;D

Peter

So far I like it, and I think I like about as much as OtNH, maybe a little more.  I also received Peggy and PJ's CD the same day, and I've been listening to them in the car to and from work the past couple days.  I think I like the Peggy and PJ CD better, but not by much.  I'd give SoO an 7/10, and the Pegg/PJ CD an 8/10.

"House Full," "What We Did on Our Holiday," "Liege and Leaf" would all be 9.5/10 or 10/10, just for sake of comparisons.  

4 star review here - http://tinyurl.com/2g2umw

Listened to this for the first time today. Mr S described it as 'brilliant' - praise indeed from him.

Having just given it a second listen and have to agree. The only track I don't like is Love on a Farmboys Wages. Hawkwood's Army IS brilliant.

I found the recording very 'clean', so all the comments about the sound on a proper stereo v radio/download seem to be fair, and I would recommend anyone in doubt to have a 'proper' listen.

Most of all I cannot get over how good Simon's voice sounds. ;D ;D ;D

I agree that Simons voice sounds great. Chris', though, with the greatest respect, is wearing a bit thin for me. "I'm on my weeeeee" and similar lines make me curl up a tad. YMMV, IMHO and all that.

It was well and balancedly (new word that!) reviewed in the Telegraph Arts supplement yesterday.

I defnitely feel that this is a disc that grows on you the more you hear it. Whilst there are a couple of weaker tracks - Love on a Farmboy's Wages doesn't really seem to suit the range of Simon's voice, and The Vision seems nondescript - most of the rest are very enjoyable. To me there is a a much better variety of songs and tunes than on OTNH, and I reckon that this their best since WKWTTG.

After a thoughtful period of contemplation on the matter of cover versions, I've just been listening to the "Untouchable" track by Glenn Tolbrook and FC and "Love On A Farmboy's Wages" by FC and XTC back-to-back.

I'm sorry, but I just don't find the FC versions on this album very good.  They don't add anything and are more-or-less a straight run-through. The live versions may be much better but I'm not in a position to go to gigs at the moment.

I freely admit that I'm no musiican and I haven't the right to criticise the actual musicianship because there's no doubt that FC are accompished in the art and brilliant musicians and indeed vocalists* in their own right.

However, the point of doing cover versions is, to me, to show how you'd do it differently to the original - the most extreme example being "Anarchy In The UK" by the Ukelele Orchestra - sometimes as with that example to comic effect, other times to show how the song can be revamped, retain its meaning and sound all the better for it.

One good example is Madonna's 1998 single "Ray Of Light". The song is based on the track "Sepheryn", which was originally written by Clive Muldoon and Dave Curtiss in the '60's. However it ended up being recorded by Madonna with its lyrics  changed in a few spots, with a slightly changed melody and instrumentation and was all the better for it.

I applaud the adventure of using these songs, but I'm afraid the execution isn't what this fan wanted to hear.


*I still have my reservations around Chis Leslie's vocals sometimes, though.

I know that this is slightly off the subject, but does anyone know where you can buy a new copy of WKWTTG, other than eBay!! :)  ??? I've heard that it's a really good album and I'd like to get a copy.

Not being sarky but go to HMV or Virgin they will probably get you a copy

On the internet Barnes & Noble are pretty good too

Spelling is something that happens to other people I'm afraid, never have been able to no matter how hard I try.

There is a higher then average typo count though - serves me right for being in a rush.

Difren't strokes I s'pose, but I thought it sucked big logs.

But then it was following the exclent 'Jewel in the Crown', so maybe it was just the dissapointment that it was not as good.

I will give it another listen and report back.

Spelling Mr Leslie Sir Bob will have to give you a good telling off after earlier comments you've made regarding lazy spelling.

Aye, hoist by my own petard.  :-[

But the points I made remain valid, I believe.

Have listened to the album several times now and must admit i really like it. I feel that the 'The Vision' is a bit nondescript and IMHO is probably the albums weekest moment.
Regarding ' Untouchable' and 'Farmboy' i like them but then i have never heard the original versions so cannot compare and judge.
The one worrying trend i have noticed on this album and OTNH is that Simons vocals seem to be get sidlined by Chris, and as much as i like Chris i have to say that Simon is a fair stronger singer. Maybe its down to the fact that the songs Chris writes are really only suited to his range i.e more 'folky', and they have to rely on outside writers for the more rockier numbers to suit Simons voice.

Just my opinion, whats everyone else think!

Here is my tuppence worth....

Keep on Turning the Wheel –  enjoying this track more with each play – a very catchy chorus. :)

Love on a Farmboy’s Wages – love the mando riff. (Someone will correct me if I am using incorrect terminology, I’m sure). I feel Simon’s vocal range is being stretched by this song, perhaps it would have suited Chris’s voice better.

Bowman’s Return. –  Hmmmm. Jury is still out I'm afraid.

Dakota to Manchester. – Repetitive and dull. Don’t care for this.

Spring Song – I like this one – even the “dee dee dee dee”….bits.

Polly on the Shore – I’ve never cared much for this song I’m afraid. (ducks to avoid missiles being hurled from the rest of the board) I’ve always thought it a bit of a dirge. Simon in fine voice. Great instrumental breaks too.

Just Dandy – Just a “filler” in my opinion. Next!

Tam Lin – Well executed, but I already have a Sandy and a Swarb version of this ballad. Love the key changes.

In Our Town – Hmm. Not sure. Pleasant enough tune. Very MOR.

Edge of the World – This track really ROCKS!

Hawkwood’s Army –  And this one rocks EVEN MORE!

The Vision – I love this sweet melody but the lyrics are SO cliché-ridden…..

Your Heart and Mine – Another charming romantic piece from the pen of Ric Sanders.

Untouchable – one of the best tracks on this album in my opinion. I really enjoy it!

Galileo’s Apology -  Lovely to see a PJ Wright track putting in an appearance.

Best Wishes – Charming, but possibly a little "twee".

So there it is. A bit like the curate's egg - good in parts.

Gower Flower has now left the country!

I agree - a balanced article about Fairport - although only 26 words were actually devoted to the album.

"Moreover, Sense of Occasion, improves with each hearing, from the whimsical opener Keep on Turning the Wheel to the pleasing harmonies and sentiments of Best Wishes.  (Colin Randall)

For clarity - I meant Production in the sense of keeping the musicians under control & imposing some shape and structure on the record (e.g Hawkwoods army could be much improved with a bit of a lighter touch, something a good producer should bring to the mix).

In terms of 'is it recorded well and clearly' then the production is fine.

i ve been banging that particular drum for years,an outside producer is what is required
the recording, engineering and mastering are fine

Well, a lot better then I remembered thats for sure.

John Gaudie has been a classic for a while, although the version here is not so hot, I think the repeated touring sharpened this up a lot.

Dangerous is a monster track - best one here and probably not topped since.

Here's to Tom Paine is also a bit of a lost classic - don't remember hearing it live much.

I suspect that my historical bad attitude to this album is because a) its not in the same league as 'Jewel', the last classic IMO, and b) the **** cover version (what were you thinking lads?), and c) finishing an album with two live tracks because you can't be arsed to record a full album, despite some tracks over staying their welcome.

In retrospect probably a bit harsh as their are some great tracks and performances in the first half.

Anyway, sorry for getting us off track again - I hear Fairport have a new album out.....

Wait a minute. You seem to be talking about Wishfulness Waltz, not WKWTTG

I think "harsh" is the word. The two live tracks are surely just bonuses. The album would be sufficiently long without them but, as the man said, different strokes.... I love WKWTTG pretty much from start to finish whereas I find Jewel In The Crown patchy and was disappointed with it after Five Seasons.

My bad. I was confusing WKWTTG with Who Knows? ... the Woodworm Archives Vol 1.
Picking up coat and hat ...

long yes, but only a ten track album if you discount the two live tracks.

We must be on different wavelengths anyway, because I don't rate Five Seasons much!

30-second samples here:
http://tinyurl.com/yt9jmo

Cheap too, but I don't have much confidence that any of the $ would find its way Oxfordshirewards.

John

I'm really getting into 'Sense of Occasion' now. I think it's a fine album, there are some grand tunes there.
With regard to the nasty crackle on 'Untouchable' at 3:15 or so - yes, it's really noticeable in my left channel.
Nevertheless, it doesn't spoil it too much for me.
By the way, I bought my copy from HMV, for £11. A whole two quid cheaper than elsewhere! Mind you, it doesn't stop me from thinking that HMV is still a rubbish record shop.

And a whole £2.01 more than HMV are charging for selling it (delivered to the UK) online.  Weird that.....

http://www.find-cd.co.uk/cds/B000MCHEBO-fairport-convention-sense-of-occasion.htm

More of what counts for modern music journalism...this is the extent of the review for SoO in 'this month's (Apr) edition of Uncut thrown onto the end of an equally bankrupt half dozen sentences on the latest three reissues:

"But like a Lancaster patched up for air shows, the Fairport franchise has survived, flourished even.  SoO includes XTC and Glenn Tilbrook covers and a rethink of Tam Lin as well as new material.  The Cropredy Capers never end."

Not sure how much the ****er got paid for that masterpiece but whatever it was is too much  ;)

I must admit, I wasn't crazy about this disc on first listen, but it's growing on me at an incredible rate.

Well done Fairport!

By the way it's £9.99 in Borders  ;D

4 weeks and still no sign, I think it's coming by carrier pigeon. ???

Bought SoO last night at the boy's (well, and lasses now!) concert at Cardiff. This is my first hearing and I'm enjoying it, but like all FC's albums I think it'll take a few listens to get comfortable with it.

Fave track so far is Edge of the World, would like to hear this played on R2 a lot - now if everyone on TAW could email Johnny Walker he'd have to play it!   :)

At the risk of having things thrown at me, does anyone else think that Chris sounds like John Denver on Spring Song

rachel

Stuff heading your way overhead rachel!!

mmmm, no comment.

Going to have a listen to it in the bath and I'll let you know after Rachel.  :)

It'll sound different in the bath..... ;D ;D ;D ;)

Does Rachel always have the first bath?  ::)

Do you know, almost immediately after I posted that I thought "This is going to sound either like I'm listening to it in the bath (as opposed to me being in the bath, listening) or like Rachel will be in the bath, or something".

Anyway, I listened to Bellowhead and Genesis instead so I'm no further towards the truth about John Denver and that nice Mr Chris Leslie.

It's been a long day  ^-^

 First impressions of SoO. Love Hawkswood' Army and Edge of the World, Like the version of Tam Lin. The cover versions are fine and the instrumentals are ok but not been able to listen properly due to distracting noises. the rest will probably grow on me apart from Best Wishes which I find truly, truly awful. Oh well we can't all like everything

rachel

Haven't heard the album, but Best Wishes was wonderful live at Birmingham.

It may be great live, It wouldn't be surprising as it seems to often happen that songs i don't like on cd are great live. Will know better after wednesday

rachel

Anyone any thoughts on the two versions of Galileo's Apology that Ric has been urging us all to buy (no, I didn't buy the t-shirt too!)?  For what it's worth, I like Fairport's version, but Peggy and PJ's is an absolute delight.  If you haven't heard it, I highly recommend that you do.

I much prefer the Peggy and PJ version, but then I much prefer their album to SoO as well....

for what its worth i  think PJ and Peggy's cd is an absolute gem and a must have
i dont feel the same about SoO

If anybody wants to listen to the Peggy & PJ version, it's on the second part of this months FolkCast (always worth listening to) http://www.folkcast.co.uk/ Whilst on the subject, I prefer the Fairport version as I think the P&PJ version drags a bit.  

Spring Song is gradually becoming my favourite track on this album (closely followed by Untouchable).  It works on four levels for me.  Level one - it's a walk on a spring day.  Level two - it's about Fairport.  Level three - it's about my line of work (those in education will understand - excellence and enjoyment, personalised learning).  Level four - it's about my situation.  Pity it wasn't included in the winter tour set but I'm hoping it will feature in the acoustic tour.  Love Ric's violin part.

Dee-de-dee-dee-dee, dee-de-dee-dee-dee...

Agreed. "Spring Song" is quite pleasant and catchy. As a whole I really love "SoO". The only track I thoroughly dislike however is "Love on a Farmboys Wages". It sounds like a bad Broadway show tune imo. Oh well, I can forgive the chaps for that one!

Looking forward to the US spring dates!

Hope you enjoy the gig. SoO is much better live

I'm a latecomer to Sense Of Occasion - it just arrived recently and is only playing today for the first time. It'll take repeated listenings to grow on me, but so far it sounds to me at least on par with the last one, which IMO was a vast improvement on Wood and XXXV. I naturally have to familiarize myself with the new songs - must say, some of Chris' material on first listening sound like close cousins of his earlier songs - but I for one really loved the new Tam Lin. I didn't think I would since I'd think rerecording old stuff is a sign of weakness; on the other hand if you can see the 2 rerecordings as some kind bonus tracks (to an album which even without them is way longer than an 'old' LP was) it's alright, innit. As such, I love the new arrangement. Does it improve over the original? No, but that wasn't its goal I'm sure ... it's different. Same for Polly On The Shore, it suits this line up, nice to hear it this way (but of the 2 I favour Tam Lin).
Anyway, it's a grower, I'm getting into it. Hawkwood's Army playing now - ah, rock out a bit more like that!

Unfortunately, the less said about the cover the better. What does that mean to say to a newcomer? "We're a grey haired cocktail band"? Ho hum! ...

Maybe you should have designed the cover Koho!! An Updated version of your Sgt Croppers Yearly Fairport Band would have looked good as the cover SoO. Also, maybe more people would have brought it because they'd get it confused with Sgt Peppers!

It's not just Koho's opinion - I've heard no praise for the cover at all. I think it a misjudgement.

The only praise that I've heard was It's nice to see Rob on the cover

I like the campervan! ;D

So did I, but unfortunately, that wasn't on the cover!!

This is a camper van. They have a nice mini-bus.

Jules  ;D




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They borowed it from Beethoven....

Sir Martin, I believe this is your coat, sir.....

Take the skinheads bowling!

I really like the cover  :-\

theres no accounting for taste :o

 :o :o :o :o :o


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