TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

This could be hard!! there are so many to choose from. It's probably been covered somewhere or other on TAW, but here it is again. Just to start you off, I have to say that I really like Matty Groves, Tam Lin, I'll Keep It With Mine and Percy's Song are just a few of mine. As for albums, has to Full House and XXXV

Would it be silly just to say 'all of them'?

No, but there's got to be some that you don't like.

All of them?  Chris, may I gently usher you back in time to those halcyon days of 1976 and the release of (whisper it).........Gottle O' Geer?  ;)

Matty Groves, song -  L and L, album.

Not very original of me.  :)

Which has just escaped - sorry, been re issued - and Classic Rock gave it the worst review I've ever sen them give - in just four or five lines too. ( And I agreed with every word...........it's Fairport's "Heaven's Gate", with nowt to recommend it from the cover in.........)

Anyway.favourite album would be a toss between Tipplers Tales and Full House.............

and despite my continual ranting about preferring the trad-rock stuff to originals.........would have to choose betwen two McTell songs, Hiring Fair and Run Johnny Run as favourite tracks.......or possibly Tam Lin....or maybe.......

Todays' top fives....

SONGS
1 Now Be Thankful
2 Sir Patrick Spens (BBC version with Sandy)
3 Who Knows Where The Time Goes?
4 The Journeyman's Grace (BBC version with Richard)
5 Jack Orion

ALBUMS
1 Liege & Lief
2 Full House (CD version with Poor Will, Now Be Thankful and Bonny Bunch Of Roses)
3 Angel Delight
4 Nine
5 Tipplers Tales

Jules

In no particular order my favourite songs are;  
1 Red & Gold
2 Jewel in the Crown                      
3 Banks of the Sweet Primroses
4 Naked Highwayman
5 John Gaudie
                                                                                   
Albums;
Full House
Bonny Bunch
Tipplers Tales
L&L
Red & Gold

           

Fave albums:
The Five Seasons
Sense of Occasion
Red & Gold
Closely followed by everything else in the 2nd half of their career

Fave songs?  Very tricky.  Today:
The Vision (possibly the best song CL has ever written, cliches and all)
Ginnie
Wounded Whale
The Lady Vanishes
Close to You
Virtually all of Ric's instrumentals
And all the other sad songs, especially the ones Simon sings

Interesting choices!  I'm intrigued to know if you heard the first five albums and dismissed them, or do you only follow the post-85 band and have made no effort to delve backwards (so to speak)?

I have indeed acquired and listened to most of the "1st half" catalogue.  Don't know the exact order of release but I have (in alphabetical order as that's the way the MP3 lists them): Angel Delight, Babbacombe Lee, Full House, Liege & Lief, Nine,  Tipplers Tales and What We Did On Our Holidays - I think this probably counts as fairly representative of the early - pre-"split" catalogue - if not exhaustive.

While there are some good songs on these albums (and I like some other people's versions of some of these songs better), I just don't like these albums for some reason.  Haven't sussed why.  I know the production sounds "thin" to these relatively young ears - ears brought up on Metallica and Sisters of Mercy and other bass-thumping stuff.  I'm gonna get stuff thrown at me so I'm hiding this in the middle, I don't actually like Ms Denny's voice.  Sorry.  I find a lot of the songs too long for my concentration span and quite a lot of them are simply boring to listen to, ploddy somehow.

I do quite often like other people's versions of early Fairport songs though - Eva Cassidy did a lovely "Farewell Farewell" for instance.  And there are other examples.

I have tried to get into the early stuff but it just doesn't work for me.  I am looking forward to the Liege & Lief set at Cropredy though and I hope they introduce the songs rather than just playing through like it's an album on a turntable.  I often find I get more out of and like better the tracks that I know a bit more about.

I've even got various live recordings of later personnel doing earlier songs and still don't like them very much, so I don't know what that's all about!

I just prefer the later "rockier" - to my ears anyway - Fairport.  Maart-era and later.

Thanks for the explanation...it's interesting to see someone describe something you sort of knew existed, but had never come across in the flesh  ;)  It's fair to say that my views are almost diametrically opposed to yours, but I guess that just goes to prove what a broad church this is... and I guess that's a good thing!

A Good Thing, indeed.  I was probably just born 20 years too late. ;)

Well I'm the same age as the band...although i didn't see them until their (and my) 15th year!

And anyway, where would we be if nobody liked the post-85 stuff?  Not looking forward to Cropredy, that's for sure!!

I didn't get into Fairport until the Wood & Wire tour, so as far as I'm concerned anything prior to that is "history"  :-X

I've always had a theory that one's favourite incarnation of the band is the one first encountered.  Which is probably true, for a given value of "true".  I'd be very hard pressed indeed now to say whether my favourite incarnation is Maart/DM/Ric/Simon/Peggy or the current lineup.  Which makes me wonder.

(Can I have Maart/DM/Ric/Simon/Peggy/Chris??  That'd be ideal!)

I expect you'll something close to that for some of Cropredy.

Oh.  My.  God.  I think I need to go and lie down in a quiet room for a while.....

:o

Jules

Well, there was of course the Maart/DM/Simon/Peggy/Chris line up that played some gigs after Ric's interface with a window in 92. I saw them in a tent in Gosport. One of the best Fairport gigs I have ever been to but, peculiarly, with no explanation for Ric's absence so I think it left a lot of people wondering what was going on. Same day as Linford Christie won a gold medal at the Olympics as I recall. But I digress.....

Meanwhile... pretty obvious these & in no particular order:

Albums:

Full House
Angel Delight
What We Did On Our Holidays
Nine
Who Knows Where The Time Goes
Cropredy Box

Songs: Blimey, far too many but off the top of my head...

Sir Patrick Spens
Poor Will & The Jolly Hangman
Journeyman's Grace
Sloth
Polly On The Shore
Honour & Praise
Claudy Banks
The Wounded Whale
John Gaudie
and at the moment, Untouchable.

That'll do to be going on with!

I think this may be a first on this board! Anna, you may have just committed a thought crime.

I have to admit to a 'close member of my family' (it's ok, the will has been amended) who shares a similar distorted world view (but then they do read the Telegraph as well, so are clearly beyond all forms of help).  They also like (the to me, thoroughly derivative and completely emotionally unengaging) Eva Cassady.  Horses for courses and all that...!

Take no notice Anna. ::)

You're allowed to have your opinions as much as anybody ;D

I don't think anybody has suggested otherwise, Jude....

I rather think they did.

But it's a lovely day so I'm not going to argue

Back to the topic

"thought crime"  ^-^ ^-^ ^-^

Hm..............I don't think Anna's the first, Pet  8)

Genesis Hall. I love the tingle factor that song gives me  :D

Lucky you - howling winds and heavy showers in the Cumbrian Yorkshire Dales!

To get back to the topic in hand...favourite album would have to be WWDOOH, with Full House a very very close second (and sometimes leapfrogging it, depending how I feel).  Favourite song?  Ummm..probably Poor Will.  I'm also a huge fan of Sandy's take on The Ballad of Easy Rider..

First heard in 1970 (?) and still my favourite Fairport Convention track is "Walk A While".

Jude, excuse my asking, but are you a fan of Sandy's singing, or were your feelings somewhat overshadowed by her replacing you in the group?

Jules

Albums

Nine
Full House
Unhalfbricking
Cropredy Box disc 1
Jewel in the crown
Rising for the Moon - (special bonus addition to the list, as I think its under-rated).

Songs

Sloth
Genesis Hall
Anything else with RT on it
Dangerous - which I have just rediscovered and really like
And some others.

Oh Lord yes that track is fabulous!  I wonder if it was recorded as a warm-up for L&L or if it was recorded during the main sessions proper and was considered for the album.  I think I'm right in thinking that Swarb is absent from that particular track isn't he?

Jules

I know it's not exciting, original or earth shattering, but my twopenny worth; Album - L&L, song - Tam Lin

Autopsy. Tingle factor or what - especially the slow bit: "Come, lend your time to me. . ." followed by the quintessential RT guitar solo.

Now, Chris While singing that at Cropredy with himself on guitar. . .

Ooh, this is fun! :)  I'm not about to be offended by anyone else's preferences, as I hope nobody is about mine.  That's just the thing, they're preferences!  Let's not start world war 3 or anything, There's stuff everyone can like all through the catalogue, after all - that's why I'm still trying to complete my collection, at least of studio albums and major "live" works.  I'll never be a full-on complete-ist, but I'd like to have at least one version of all the songs in the repertoire.  And there are overlooked gems everywhere.

Thought-crime.  Tee hee.  :)

Yes, Swarb is absent from that track. It was, I believe, recorded during the actual Liege and Lief main sessions, but the band thought that it didn't fit the album. Read the sleeve notes of Unhalfbricking (with bonus tracks, obviously) for more details.  :)

It's the only L&L track not to have an actual firm date ascribed to its recording.

Jules

I love that song.  I have it on the _No More Sad Refrains_ compilation.  I've included in my Midsummer playlist, because of the river imagery, in line with theatre historian Sandra Billington's theories on the origins of Midsummer misrule:

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=106376654&searchurl=vci%3D1004386%26vcat%3D280637%26vcatn%3DMedieval%2BStudies

Of course, the title always makes me think of:
(http://www.bonanzacreekranch.com/easyrider.jpg)

... which brings my mind wandering back to that hypothetical statue of Kris Kristofferson that someone just must erect!":

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=21189.msg246391#msg246391

I wonder if Kris Kristofferson and Sandy Denny ever met?  At an Isle of Wight festival maybe, or were they there different years?  I think I'll have to read Sandy's bio of the same title as that CD comp. to find out.

As to the comments on Sandy's voice ... I didn't initially think it was anything that special.  But it does grow on you.  I've been playing Liege & Lief repeatedly lately (and Mr. H. keeps putting it on too), and I'm now finding her voice quite hypnotizing.  So yeah, to get back on topic, I'd say L&L is my favourite FC album (so far, as it's actually the only one I own yet).

Cheers, Hester

the first album is fantastic!

I'm with you! (and welcome by the way)
Didn't someone say your first was your favourite?
Well that and WWDooH.
But, hotly pursued by most of the rest...

Favourite Album:   The Five Seasons.
Because this one alone seems to sum up what that particular genre of Fairport were about at the time.

Favourite Song:   Widow of Westmoreland's Daughter
The second Fairport song I ever heard. But this the one that got me hooked!
Other nominations:   Walk Awhile, Wat Tyler, The Islands, Matty Groves (Maart Metal version)

btw Anna -  I'm with you - L&L isn't even nearly a favourite!
I think what puts me off is the 60s style dull muffled sound quality, and the utter lack of energy all of the songs have. Compare the L&L version of Matty and the one I heard in St Albans 2 days ago and you see what I mean. Sandy's reading seems almost indifferent to the story being told, while Simon sings it with a fiery anger. To me they just don't compare.

Interesting. Whenever I saw Sandy sing Matty (or any song for that matter) live it was the passion that came through. I've never seen anyone wring so much out of songs as her, before or since.

I do think the production on L&L and especially Full House make the songs sound very flat. I much prefer House Full and other live recordings of the Full House lineup, which really show how fantastic the songs are. I've always thought of Fairport as a live band who happen to make records rather than the other way around.

Always interesting to see other people's views...I'd much prefer to hear 'Dakota to Manchester' live than 'Renardine' (yaawwwnnn!)

Cheers

Adam

I so don't agree.  With Sandy (and Richard) the band had flair, panache and were dripping in originality.  I don't hear anything sounding muffled on Liege & Lief (by the way, have you got the remaster?) - but I do hear depth and mystery and quality.  With Simon singing Matty Groves, it just sounds much more....ordinary to me.  Sandy didn't need to bark it out with 'fiery anger' - she was more subtle than that.

I have to say that I love Simon as a master of ceremonies, as a guitar player, as a team player, as an engineer, but I've never been convinced by him as a singer.  Sorry.

Jules

I prefer Simon singing Matty Groves but Sandy on The Deserter.

I just don't really like the L&L version of The Deserter anyway, I find it dreary and quite boring.  ^-^ My ffavourite track og L&L is The Lark In The Moring medley.

I agree that Matty Groves on the current tour is really brilliant! Would love to have a recording of it.
I'm obviously in the lucky position of liking both voices! I love all of Liege and Lief (apart from Renardine, which puts me to sleep).
I don't (as yet) have any of the albums between Nine and OTNH. My favourite songs are Banks of the Sweet Primroses, Now Be Thankful, Sloth, Western Wind and Breakfast in Mayfair.

Aha! Sloth......(now don't get me started)

Is there anyone out there who dislikes it as much as I do?

(Gower Flower dons flak jacket and steel helmet and prepares to repel all boarders.)

Oops! Just noticed that this is about All Time Favourites! LOL!

Faves include The Journeyman's Grace, A Sailor's Life, Now Be Thankful, Rosie and others too numerous to mention.

But Sloth? No thanks :P

Oh for goodness sake, any right minded soul knows its Babbacombe Lee. Conversation ended, and I'm off to the Hancock Arms via the car park for anyone who doesn't agree.  :P :-*

First drink on whoever gets there first  ;) ;D ;D



Can I have a recording of the whole gig please, and off the sound board  :) Just a thought and suggestion for the chaps if/when you read this.

Well..... to take an opposite (& slightly obsessive) view, I actually have a playlist on my Ipod comprised entirely of umpteen versions of Sloth. It lasts most of the day and never gets boring! Fantastic!

On the other hand, I'm not keen on A Sailor's Life, though I prefer the non Swarb version on Watching The Dark. Heresy I know. :P

It's not just me then  ;)

Picture the scene..  

a hot July night in 1979

a huge marquee on the lawns of Thoresby Hall (Google it if you haven't been there)

Fairport comprising of SN, DP, BR and SWARB

Playing a brilliant set.. but the best bit was...

SLOTH..  it was hauntingly beautiful as the sun set over the hall and the trees..  it was eerie, beautiful, and has remained in my ears ever since..  I have never heard it sound as good as on that night..  mainly the fiddle bits, so quite different to when played with RT .. but just amazingly magical!! ( I believe my firstborn was conceived that night too  ;) )

I never really like A Sailor's Life. It's just boring.  ^-^ Then I saw the version on It All Comes Round Again with June Tabor singing it. It was AWFUL!!!  :o  :(  I couldn't understand anything that she was singing and she was out of tune. Although saying all of this, the instrumental improvisation is good.

Yup, always think 'well thats 10 -15 minutes of my life i won't get back'  >:( when it's played and feel annoyed that at least two songs that i would have enjoyed have been left out to make way for it.
Favourites include Genesis Hall, Crazy Man Michael, Hiring Fair, John Gaudie and Tam Lin

rachel

Only two? Clearly that's the problem. That's not a long enough version at all! Four or five songs length at least. Follow it up with Bring Em Down & One More Chance and that is pretty much the whole of a Saturday night Cropredy set sorted! ;) ;D ;D ;D

i love a sailors life but only the sandy/unhalfbricking version
i completely agree about June(couldnt carry a tune in a bucket) Tabors version although the band are completely exempted from any blame as they were excellent, badly let down by the diva
 have i mentioned this before?

A man after my own heart.

Can we have 'Bonny Bunch of Roses' as an encore please...

I quite like June Tabor, but whenever she sings outdoors, she's consistently flat by a tone or so. None of her Cropredys exactly covered her with glory, but at the (indoors of course) Big Session last year she was magical.

What heresy! (just joking!) Sloth is my all-time favourite and for me it's what the band's all about. The music is what matters, the musicianship, the virtuoso playing, creating a mood.............
It's what sets FC apart from other bands.
But do we separate into two camps. Those who like the songs and those for whom the music is most important?

I am certain the environment in which you heard it helped a lot Jen. But sitting in your bog standing living room.....no thanks :P

Sloth is a track to lose yourself in. Put on your headphones, perhaps a glass of wine. turn the lights off and.................

Okay Mike.....BRING ON THE WINE ;D 8)

Back OT.....I second PLW's track suggestion...."Autopsy" A fabulous track in my view, always a favourite and unlike anything else that Fairport ever recorded, in my opinion. Stunning. ;D

Whose living room are you calling a bog!!  :o :o

I like Yellow Bird it sums up the fun, spontaneity, musical dexterity and adventurousness of the Full House lineup.

Might have to come up with some new favourites... Have pulled ALL the Fairport off the MP3 player for listening to at work.  Currently on random play on the PC - very nearly 24-hours worth (I know, the collection still needs extending some  ::) ).  We'll see.

Although it's playing Spring Song at the minute and I don't care what anyone says, it's a great song.

Yellow Boid, surely?

Yes, but stop calling him shirley.

 :D

Jules

Oi, leave me out of this! :o

Tonights choice has to be:

Cropredy Capers and The Frog Up the Pump, never has the band sounded so experimental, one can only gasp in shock and awe (this was a popular phrase over here a few years ago) at the strange turns this series of tunes takes. This is a tune that needs resurrection go on I dare you look beyond your knee jerk reaction to the album and admire the foresight of the much maligned Gottle O' Geer album. Not since Yellow Bird have Fairport sounded so fresh and original.

i've been relistening to all my FC albums over the last few days and the one I've played over and over again is A Surfeit of Lampreys. Do they ever play this live? I love it.

 ;D

Mind you, I love most things Maart does, so I am biased!

 ;)

This is really hard!

But this is today's album list - one from each 'sort of' period, as there is stuff I like from all of them.  That's the best thing about Fairport - one band, so much different music, for nearly all moods

Fairport Convention
Unhalfbricking
Full House
Nine
Bonny Bunch of Roses
Old New Borrowed Blue
The Wood and the Wire