TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

From Colin Harper on Facebook:

That eminent boulevardier of the bass Dave Pegg and I have been concocting some archaeological projects recently, for presentation via Repertoire Records in due course. One of these involves some crowd-sourcing - a box set configuration of all four of the 'official bootleg' cassette albums from the 1980s: A.T.2, The Boot, The Other Boot and The Third Leg, plus the 1981 Broughton Castle film. All will be painstakingly remastered by the mighty Eroc (whose restoration work on non-professional / semi-professional audio is astonishing).
So, that crowd-sourcing... we're looking for good quality / well-preserved *original* cassette editions of all four, PLUS the US variant of The Third Leg (produced by Dirty Linen magazine in 1990) - and a similarly well-preserved VHS of the Broughton Castle film.
PM me if you can supply any!

I've got the Third Leg cassettes. I think the video is buried in the loft somewhere.

I've sent Colin the vid just now.  I have most of the boxes but they're in store....but he's after 2 or 3 of each so the best possible sources can be obtained. Shall I ask for an email addy if you're not on FB?

I'm on FB and in the Fairporters group.

I've just checked...he doesn't want to share his email addy so just contact him via FB if anyone can help  :)

What a great project! :) It will be amazing if they can improve the sound quality of these historic recordings.

If they're dubbing from cassettes can we presume that the masters are long gone?

Jules

Why not use the existing CD releases for the Boots series?

Must be.  I did wonder if this might be something to do with Woodworm ownership though?

I asked this.  Colin replied "And yes, only cassette originals needed - the previous CD of two of the boots will have 20-year-old mastering already applied." which doesn't quite make sense to me, but I didn't push it...

From a listening point of view the CD sets are good enough for me. However if there are any extras or the price is good I may well get it for completeness.

There will be at least a few since they asked for the US/Dirty Linen Magazine version of The Third Leg. I offered my copy but looks like someone else offered before me. Skeptical too, but if the video is restored then I am less so!

So what was exclusive to the US Third Leg?

Jules

1.Head In A Sack, rec January 28, 1987 in Leamington Spa
2. Close To The Wind, same date
3. Dirty Linen, rec July 4, 1987 at Grant Park Chicago
4. A Sailor’s Life, rec at Cropredy, 1987-yes ‘that’ one
5. Fiddlestix, rec at Cropredy, 1987

I have now been in touch with Colin Haroer and he thanks everyone who have sent tapes and VHS tapes but does not require any more.

That's really good news, isn't it.

From the correspondence on FB and to tidy things up, here is an answer from Colin about why the cassettes (and not the CDs):

After confirming that the original Reel to reels are lost, he replied "Simple - when mastering something, the ideal is to have the original source. As good as that 2000/01 CD mastering might be, it is 20+ year old technology and one person's set of ears. A fresh set of ears (and to my mind, Eroc is the best in the world in extracting magic from non-pro audio) and the wonders of 2022 restoration & mastering software will yield new riches."

Another nugget included in the correspondence is this:  "I'll spill the beans... a Fairport post-Island-era BBC set is on the table. But let's not go down that rabbit hole here. Two FC/Repertoire projects before that's looked at."  I'm not quite sure what that makes the second FC project prior to that one, mind...

Pleased to hear  about the BBC set. I always thought it was a missed opportunity not including that stuff on the original BBC set.

I'll withold judgement on the Boots set as I have the two CD sets which are fine to my ears, unless there is a significant amount of extra material. I am not especially excited by those extra tracks from the US cassette.

From everything I've read, there won't be any, Al.  For me, I suspect it depends on pricing and what the package as a whole looks like.

A.T.2 sounds pretty rough to these old ears, so I will welcome 21st century remastering.

Cheers, Robert!

Jules

My pleasure Jules. Had a listen tonight. The Dirty Linen version might be decent with the audio improvements. Thinking about it, other than the Free Reed sets I don’t think there have been many versions of it on releases from the Maart era. The one that could be really great is Head In A Sack, which has a nice double electric guitar + violin attack. I really like this version and would love to have it cleaned up

It's fascinating that cassette recordings can be disassembled, remixed and reassembled when the bandwidth on those old cassettes was essentially zilch in comparison to 4- or 12- track one-inch tape.

Obviously they think there's money in these old recordings. Good luck to 'em.

I'll be amazed if, after all the work needed to get these tracks anywhere near the 21st century, there's any ROI at all.

What's it going to cost - £40?  1000 of those is £40k.  Remastering and production of booklet etc etc £5k?  Manufacturing costs for 1000 £5k £10k?  I'd have thought there's profit to be made...but these are all stabs in the dark, of course...  I'll certainly be interested to see/hear what results.

...and will the final product be available on cassette for David  to buy ???
You'd hope so , just to bring the whole project full circle

 ;D Very droll.  I have all the cassettes (apart from the US release)...

I meant to say, I got my video returned by Colin a couple of weeks ago so hopefully things are moving on....

Mine ame back too. Sadly, the '82 video will not be part of this set.  :'(

Have you had confirmation of that from Colin, Ian?  The vid got sent back to Chester so I've not seen if there's any communication with it...

'Fraid so. Colin's answer to my query, in full. "No - just 81. (Hopefully...)"

I wasn't thinking...'81 is the one I'm thinking of...so what is the 1982 video...not sure I knew that existed?  Thinking about it, maybe I've seen clips...the Corn Flake guitar?

A Weekend In THe Country.  Fairport 9 reunion and bits of Babbacombe Lee

Is that a proper video release then?  I thought the 'Weekend in the Country' Cropredy was '83 anyway?

UPDATE: I've worked it out...Forever Young https://www.discogs.com/release/14154727-Fairport-Convention-Forever-Young-Cropredy-1982

Released much later...and not on Woodworm which i guess will be the issue...?

It's also the vid of A.T.2 isn't it so would be a duplication....

"Forever Young" was the Musicfolk rerelease. The original, released in '83, by Videotech & released as "A Peculier Old Weekend" with extra material from Maddy Prior Band, Home Service, Dan Ar Bras & John Benns.

Thanks for the clarification, Ian  :)

One of these (screen grab so very bad quality)?  Never seen it in the wild myself...

That's the bunny.  :)

I'm sure that there used to be a copy of that kicking around on Youtube a few years ago

Edit: Indeed there was. Our very own Jules even linked to it: http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=18850.msg732815#msg732815

Edit 2: It seems like the user who uploaded it (https://www.youtube.com/user/RemyTena2) has removed all their Fairport videos. I am sure they used to have quite a few of these older/rarer releases and some TV shows (Pop2?). I wonder if a C&D was involved...

I had no idea it had been released in this form. The first I knew of it was from YouTube.

Jules

You're right.  My mistake.

I always regret missing seeing Trevor playing with the band.  I had opportunities (1985 being the most obvious).

Some of the very early "Nine" line-up gigs were among the most enjoyable I've seen by any artist.  :)

I guess one reason for that (beyond, of course, the talent on stage) was that the band was so close to folding immediately prior to it taking place (David Rea etc etc)...?

Years ago, I read or heard somewhere (and perhaps this information was inaccurate) that the Cropredy 1987 version of A Sailor's Life did not appear on the CD release of The Other Boot/The Third Leg at the request of June Tabor.  Has June Tabor granted consent for that song to appear on this new version of The Third Leg?

I've just had a bit of an update from Colin Harper on the Cropredy boots box set proposal.  The original company has gone cold on the project but another (and they're a very good one) has shown interest and it's now a possibility for a Cropredy '24 release date.  Fingers crossed.

Here's a full update from Colin Harper on Facebook - looks exciting to me!

Hello all - a momentary diversion from 2023 Cropredy excitement - an update on the 1981-89 Cropredy 'official bootlegs' box set project that I posted about a year or so back. And also a NEW crowd-sourcing appeal...
In brief, the best sources for the 4 official bootlegs (and Broughton Castle film) are now assembled and freshly digitised where needed, with much supplied by crowdsourcing here and elsewhere - included a set of original reels, no less, of one of the sets, from a contributor in the US. As explained before, much magic can be applied now with restoration/mastering software that could not be done even 5 years ago let alone 23 (when these sets were last on CD).
The project has now moved from the initially intended label to another - Madfish, renowned for deluxe enormo-boxes such as the recent 33CD/2DVD Horslips set and similar full-career sets on Caravan, Gentle Giant, Wishbone Ash et al. The parameters of the projected Fairport set have expanded too - to include a restoration of the rare Australian 'Here Live Tonight' (1986) cassette and 4 discs of BBC concerts and sessions from 1984-89, plus potentially an hour of 1982-89 BBC TV performances.
I had a lengthy chat with Lord David of Pegg a couple of days back, and he is as excited as I am about the newly enhanced proposal - and has hopefully briefed Ric, Dave M and Simon by now!
This is where you all come in... The BBC have all the required TV material but only some of the radio material. I have a couple of goodies personally taped off-air at the time, but the following is what we're missing. I feel sure that between us all, everything on the list can be collected and pro digitised (posting to me, me sorting it out and then posting back) from original off-air cassettes (ahead of mastering).
Fairport Convention members and guests will benefit directly, and rather well, from the set, which, all being well, will be available by Cropredy 2024.
OFF-AIR CASSETTES NEEDED:
Folk on 2, BBC Radio 2, 29/3/86 – Live at Birmingham University, 7/12/85
Titles TBC
Folk on 2, BBC Radio 2, 1/2/89 – Live at Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, 14/1/89
The Widow Of Westmoreland’s Daughter / Dark Eyed Molly / You Can Set Me Up / London River / Rose Hip / Red And Gold / Meet On The Ledge
Folk on 2, BBC Radio 2, 5/7/89 – Live at Beverley Folk Festival, ?7/89
Titles TBC
Nightride, BBC Radio 2, 25–30/4/88 (* original cassette, not the MP3s circulating online)
The Hiring Fair / Matty Groves / Meet on the Ledge / Cat on the Mixer–Three Left Feet / Portmeirion / Head in a Sack
Nightride, BBC Radio 2, 10–14/3/89 (* original cassette, not the MP3s circulating online)
London River / The Noise Club / Walk Awhile / The Hiring Fair / The Beggar’s Song

It developed significantly in the intervening 48 hours or so!  Hope it all comes off...the company do make decent box sets so fingers crossed.

Cripes! I’m not usually a box set completist, but this looks amazing!

Slightly disappointed the fantastic '82 video isn't included, but with such an embarrassment of riches....

Good point.  I've asked Colin....and his answer:

"Just curation - one can't include everything and there is also an argument that less is more. Museums don't throw everything they have into their galleries - it's about physical space, selection of items, storytelling..."

Which I'll be honest and say I don't really understand as it is hoovering everything else up but there you go!

Colin continues: "But fear not, this will be a FANTASTIC set...One of the items the BBC did hold on to was a 45-minute b'cast from the 1984 Cropredy and a 1989 Richard Skinner pre-recorded studio session, both terrific in different ways - the first one raw and rough-edged charm, the latter, glistening and professional..."

I did offer, but he declined. (On this occasion  ;))

His response above.  It's weird because it seems like it's going all in elsewhere so I'm not quite sure where the curation he's talking about is, but hey...ours not to wonder why, eh?!  I'll definitely be getting it...

I have heard some Cropredy recordings, possibly from 1982, with some off-key vocals that somewhat mar the performances. No idea if there's a connection (or if I'm just tone deaf, which I don't think I am).

Well, if they're including the unlistenable "June Tabor incident" from '87 then I think that argument doesn't carry much weight...  ;) ;D

From Colin H.

"Only one item left to find for the 12-disc Fairport 1981-90 live & BBC box set (planned for release next year) that I may have mentioned around here before: 'Folk on Two' 27/3/86 - being extracts from a concert at Birmingham University on 7/12/85. SOMEONE must have taped it off-air..."

This has turned up! :)

A couple of queries from Colin Harper:

Do we know who is behind this YouTube channel and do we have any contact? infohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vmmILIitMc

Can anyone confirm if both Bruce Rowland and Dave Mattacks drummed at Cropredy 1984?  My memory is of only Bruce but I may well be wrong.  And, following on from this - who played keyboards on Day Trip to Bangor (Oh, the horror) & To Althea in Prison (is it DM)?

The booklet in the Cropredy Capers boxed set notes that both Bruce and DM were onstage together..
at the very least for "Bright Lights Tonight"... RT, SN, DS, DP, DM and BR.

... in 1984. "To Althea" from that year is included in the Fairport Unconventional boxed set, but no details of who played keyboards. I can't remember, but I guess DM or Maart on that one, and probably Day Trip.

wasn't that before Maart joined?

1984 was my first Cropredy. I'm sure both Bruce and DM were there.

Doh!!  ::)

So, if we know DM was there...I suspect it's a fairly decent guess to assume it was him. He's fairly available on FB so I'd suggest Colin ask him tbh...

Re the Youtube channel: wondering if it might be Michael Hunter, from Fiddlestix (the Australian Fairport fanzine thing). He's active in the Fairporters group on FB. Or he might know who it is, if not him?

Good call...I was trying to recall his name, and couldn't...

Colin is trying to locate a copy of this rare cassette.

https://www.discogs.com/release/23269379-Fairport-Convention-Here-Live-Tonight

He's after the Sloth.  The original tape is greatly preferred but if anybody digitised it, that too could suffice.

Mine's only a 2nd gen cassette, sadly.

Michael Hunter has sorted apparently  :)

Well, we should be getting a decent version of Sloth off it at least.  What's the whole thing like?  Decent I imagine...they were new young and enthusiastic in '86!

[/quote]

Michael Hunter has sorted apparently  :)

Well, we should be getting a decent version of Sloth off it at least.  What's the whole thing like?  Decent I imagine...they were new young and enthusiastic in '86!
[/quote]


Yes, pretty fine stuff. Both this & the 2nd, imaginatively titled, "More Live Tonight" are worth hearing.  :)

Another request from Colin:

Does anyone have another recording of the 1987 Folk on 2 recording from Leamington Spa (Broadcast 28 Jan 87)?  The one they're working from is a little weak...

Has anyone ever asked Colin whether we could have an equivilent BBC collection of 70's Steeleye material  ;D  There is a lot potential !

Latest update from Colin on FB.  Get your wallets ready...

I've had the pleasure of working this evening with designer
Mark Case on the design/layout of forthcoming Fairport box set 'It All Came Round Again: Onstage and on air 1982-90' - towards which some here have very kindly helped, supplying off-airs of a few BBC items that haven't survived at source. I didn't know this when I commissioned (for the Madfish label) Mark to do the design on this set, but the elder brother he lost last year had been a long-time Fairport fan. 'Meet on the Ledge' was played at the funeral. The universe moves in mysterious ways. 🙏
The 11CD+DVD set (hardback, slipcased, LP-sized) features Cropredys 1982, '83, '86, '87 (mastered in the best sound to date) + BBC audio 1984-90 (56 BBC audio tracks, all unreleased) + an hour of BBC TV 1982-85 (plus some 1970s extras). 🙂
Graeme Thomson has provided the main essay - with fresh interviews - and there is a glorious foreword and afterword, respectively, from FC biographers Patrick Humphries and Nigel Schofield, plus other written content. Several rare/unseen photos from the 1980s - live and studio shots - have been licensed in from Dave Peabody. Peggy, Simon, DM and Richard Thompson have all very kindly agreed to sign a reproduction piece of period artwork.
In between Winter Tour shows, the chaps have the opportunity to approve aspects of the design. 🙂 The set will be released in time for Cropredy 2024. Full details as and when...
Here's the back cover of the set's book.

It's my 60th birthday this year. I guess I know what'll be on my birthday list!

I'll be missing Cropredy, for the first time for 37 years, so I hope we can get it before then.

Saving up for that, I don't expect it'll be cheap😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰

Nope, me neither...although the signed involvement (initialled probably in Richard's case if his book is anything to go by) of the remaining Full House gang is a nice touch.

£150-200?  What do you reckon?

Most excellent...can do without anothe Nigel Schofield essay, but otherwise I'll be in for this

Well, thankfully there isn't one...just an afterword.

 Madfish released a 33CD/2DVD Horslips Super Deluxe box set for £250.00
This might give us some indication for the price of "It All Came Round Again: Onstage and on air 1982-90"

Indeed...but sadly I don't think it will be a third of that.  

Here's the full listing: https://dmme.net/massive-box-set-explores-fairport-convention-80s

Due out at the end of July.  Must mention to the family that I have a big birthday this year...

Couple of US online stores (spinmeround and offwhite) showing a price of $179.99 - release date 26/7/24

Definitely top of my "must buy" list for this year...

Probably not an awful lot different with the figures having a £ sign in front of them too...

I had some money for my big birthday back in February which I have been saving for this. Give me a pre order link now (preferably from jpc who will probably be 30 or  40 quid cheaper than any UK retailer)

Don't forget to share that with the rest of us when you've got yourself sorted, Al

It doesn't yet appear on the Madfish site, so I guess no pre-orders available yet...

For our American pals - https://www.importcds.com/it-all-came-round-again-onstage-and-on-air-1982-1990-11cd-dvd-boxset/636551828758

The inclusion of the 70s material is, I think, really rather odd.

It is a bit. Can't remember if any of that was on the BBC box?

Will I get it…you betcha. Will I wish that anything (audio or video) that is a little dodgy was not included…probably! Not drifting here but having just gotten the Horslips box I think in hindsight it could have been chopped down a little, thus reducing cost. Agreed that the very nature of specific years for the box means anything before or after should not be in it.

I have seen a FB post subsequent to that I itial listing suggesting that is wrong and with a different listing from a US retailer which does not include the 70s stuff. Posted by Colin Harper(?) I believe.

Gotta say I disagree about the Horslips box. It is all essential to me even though there are bits of it that I may not listen to again. And there is more to come!

Fair enough on both points. I guess what I mean on Horslips is that there is a certain percentage of inferior audio on some of the live discs which could have made it a wee bit leaner perhaps. Happy to have it though! And happy that Fairport will have a Madfish release! The quality of the book alone will be worth it!

I think you perhaps misread Colin's post, Al.  He posted that he wanted to include these tracks as "an extra", so they are in the box set on that basis.  It makes very little sense to me, though.  As indeed does the fact that the signatures included are only those of the remaining Full Housers...  There should have been more thought about the title and concept (I think) but I still think it will be grand, and I'll certainly be buying it.

I think Colin Harper's point was that there wasn't much 70's material on video, and given that there was room on this box to include it, he felt it should be included as a bonus, since the chances of any other release are pretty small.  So yes, given the concept it doesn't make sense, but I'm not complaining that they are available here.  If they displaced other stuff that fitted the concept better, then I'd question their inclusion more.

I wouldnt have thought that lopping a few things off here and there would affect the price much. I have the large boxes by Sandy, Al Stewart and ian hunter and wouldnt like to lose any of the content there, even though I will play some more than others. The Al Stewart box features regularly in this house.

I trust the house insurance is in order.  If not, I'm heading down the M6 immediately... ;) ;D

I wonder what they are going to charge for this, most of which has been previously released (although I confess to not having checked the track list against the boots discs) ?
Much over a ton is going to be a difficult sell.  It's the book that's probably going to be the draw.

there's stuff worth more than that.I've still got the cassettes by the way.

US price is $179.99 so I imagine UK price will be similar with a different sign in front...i.e. £159.99 or something?

It's the remastered Boots Discs plus plus plus...(and minus a bit).

Not been following close enough - what's the "minus a bit"?

Jules

Totally agree - I'll take all the 1970s Fairport on video I can get, consistency be darned. :)

Well, less (she does still appear) June Tabor than previously foisted upon us, for sure... ;)  I expect other guest appearances are missing as well...not sure if Percy is there on the '86?

Has the infamous Sailor's Life been excised?  ;D

Jules

I suspect so...

I remember being shown that Sailors Life by some very zealous folks raving over it.  I really tried to enjoy it.  I really, really did.  I was thinking "what's wrong with me? Its June Tabor.....doing Sailors Life for godssake!"  

Then, one day I was struggling through my grapefruit during breakfast.....as I had done for many years.....and I suddenly realized: "Grapefruit is awful.  There's nothing wrong with me.  You people are nuts eating this stuff."  

I haven't listened to that version since!

At jpc Germany current pre-order price is at € 209,99

It's amazing how things can be so much more expensive this side of the pond.  That suggests prices here will be £200+

Rough Trade pre-order price £159.99

That's promising. https://www.roughtrade.com/en-gb/product/fairport-convention/it-all-came-round-again-onstage-and-on-air-1982-90

$179.99 Yankee dollars at Amazon U.S.

That price, if in sterling, could have me on the, er, Skids

However, Burning Shed here in the UK are selling it at £129.99 (+ p&p)... Ordered!!!

Thanks for that, Paul. Information duly circulated round the family for my birthday  ;D

Oooh.  Interesting.  Will be intriguing to see where Amazon (I know, I know) jump...

Yes, unusually they seem to have dropped the ball on this one. As it has now appeared on Burning Shed at a reasonable £129.99 I wonder if it will change. JPC's prices are often cheaper than the UK but they rarely change after their first posting so possibly not.

Judging from the Horslips box and the Jethro Tull bookset represses, Amazon never managed to undercut Burning Shed so this may well be the best deal. Chalky's may be worth a look. I got a great deal on the most recent Joni box from them, assuming they stock it which, given they are based in Banbury I will be very surprised if they don't.

Yep - I suspect you're right there.

pre-ordered at Amazon for a price of € 155,05

I think that's almost identical in price to the Burning Shed cost in the UK.  It's still not on Amazon here...

Well, I would have loved to order at Burning Shed, but after this d... Brexit, I would have to add 19 % VAT plus customes processing fees of about € 6-8.

Just bit the bullet and ordered from burning shed.  I also bagged 4 Crim cds while on sale
3 tour elements cds and live in Newcastle in 72

Here's an unboxing video to whet your appetites... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsAHGHqN0i4

Looks good I have to say! Knew the box itself would be good quality but the layout looks sharp. Would have preferred mini sleeves instead of being embedded in the book but that is a very minor quibble!!!

I actually think it's quite a major quibble, and I agree, but it is what it is and it looks pretty damned cosmic to me.

Agreed! If I venture a guess I would say since they aren't dealing with 'official' studio albums with dedicated artwork to replicate they may have decided it was a better choice. Compared to some other sets I have it is certainly one way to go. But cosmic indeed. Based on the video (and unlike the delay with the Horslips set) it would seem to be on schedule?

After being quite so-so about this box ,I'm actually extremely glad I took the plunge and got it ordered.
It looks great.   Well done and huge thanks to all concerned.

A fortnight to go, folks...

Starting this thing off properly will require a Friday off from work with a case of Skull Splitter.

Finally, after extensive and tortuous negotiations, the box set has actually been ordered (although I may not be listening to it for another 5 months)... ;) ;D

I splurged last week, but the one and only time I preordered a box set something happened. Praying that since its a worldwide release date that I will be ok

I am told I don't need to worry about it, and that it will be taken care of. But I guess I won't know for sure until my birthday (end of September)!

Got an e mither from burning shed this morning saying it is on its way👍

So did I. Excitef? You bet

And I'm expecting a new Garmin smart watch tomorrow - so I should be able to tell where the time actually does go.

Being delivered by DHL, but as I was out this afternoon I saw a DHL van pulled over by the cops and on the way back He was being shoehorned into the back of a meat wagon!
Hope this doesn't affect my expectations and enjoyment, or spoil the drivers availability for work😱

He's got the boot now... ::) ;D

It’s arrived😀

I've had a message from Evri about a missed delivery but I think its a scam

Mine is arriving by Royal Mail but I am away for a few days so I hope they put it in a safe place where it can't be nicked or rained on.

Similarly, Al, we'll be out all day today, so I'm hoping - like you - that the postie puts it somewhere safe and dry.

I had one of those. I hadn't ordered the box then.

Its good to share experiences like that so people wont get caught out.

Agreed. Mine said 'Our driver couldn't find you'. With a link. Text deleted immediately.

It has just arrived. A thing of rare beauty.

Its arrived

It is indeed a thing of beauty but I don't like the rubber muscles to hold the cds,
Maybe if they had a slight chamfer

Arrived safely today.

Congratulations and huge thanks to Colin Harper and all involved in producing this wonderful set.

I quite like t' rubber muscles, but she slapped me in the face and said something about consent.

Back in the real world, mine arrived today and it is a fantastic looking thing.
I'm looking forward to working my way through it.
I'm also pleased it's a DVD in there and not a Bluray, as I don't do those, and I have several in other box sets that I can't use.

Yep, mine arrived too. Left with a neighbour without leaving any sort of card to tell me so I had no idea.   ::)

Looks gorgeous (the box, not my neighbour) but I doubt if I will get to hear a note until the Olympics are over and then the Tull boxes will be queuing up too.

Well , I picked it up and held it in  local physical  indie shop. It had a  good heft to it and the price was around £144.  I could have  bought it  but I didn't.  I have an unopened  Fairport boxed set from I don't  know how many years ago, and I don't need another.
Given that this new box covers and area  of the groups  history I've never properly  investigated, I think I'd be better  going for a studio album or 2 from that era. Any recommendations folks?

The era the box covers was largely during the period when they had split up, so there weren't many, but as it's Cropredy, it's recreations of line ups from before the era the box covers.

Then you'd get Gladys' Leap, Expletive Delighted, and maybe not live/studio album In Real Time, Red And Gold and The Five Seasons for the end of the period.

And most of the material from those studio albums is better represented by live performances/recordings I would say though I am quite fond of Gladys Leap and The Five Seasons.

Yes, I'd agree those two would be the best choices, with some strong cuts on the others - Innstuck and Dark Eyed Molly being my favourites.

Dark Eyed Molly is a great track. Lovely fretless bass from Maart (I think?)

Contrary to my earlier prediction I have actually found time to have a proper look and listen to some of this today. A couple of thoughts.

Just looking through my Fairport library there seem to be a small number of stray Cropredy recordings from the 80s scattered across the Unconventional and Cropredy Capers sets that are not included here. I'm surprised they were not mopped up for the sake of completeness.

Does anyone else think the 1984 BBC tracks are running slightly fast? Simon and Swarb sound like they are on helium. I haven't played any of the other BBC tracks yet.

So, is it time to think about a 90's box then.....

Ok, so after a bit of analysis of the digital files comparing them to other performances of the same songs I can confirm that these tracks are running fast. A reduction of 6% levels them to the same pitch and approximate tempo as the other performances and stops Simon from sounding like Joe Pasquale! This is a bit of a naughty mastering error on a box this lavish and expensive. I am guessing that these tracks are taken from an off air cassette that was running slightly too slow during the recording (I once had a cassette deck that did the same thing) but this really should have been noticed and corrected during the production of the current set.

Thanks so much for these recommendations, folks.  I'll have to do some homework as to availability.  Fairport's early catalogue is still available, I think, but I'm not so sure  about the later era(s).

I keep humming and harring about this new box. I've cut down on buying so many boxed sets, because they feel like such an indulgence considering I'm in the autumn of my years. So, be honest, those who have bought and listened to it - is this essential? Do I need it?

Jules

Do you have the original official boots? If so, this becomes less essential, though it sounds mostly splendid. If not, what you need is a pitch/speed corrected repress of this box.

It has just occurred to me that there may be problems with the other BBC discs too if they are from the same source. I haven't played them yet and probably won't get chance today.

There are pitch/speed issues? Oh, that's not good.

Jules

See my post slightly up thread.

Ta. Yes, I did scroll up after the fact. It does make you wonder if anyone ever checks these things before they finalise mastering.

Jules

According to the sleevenotes (which contain errors by the way) Peggy listened to and approved everything on the box. It is hard to believe that he didn't notice Simon & Swarb singing and speaking like cartoon characters (ok, it is not quite that bad but it is instantly noticeable for anyone who is familiar with their voices).

Actually, I already have In Real Time, on vinyl, and I rather like it, in spite of its fraudulent Identity.
I would like Gladys Leap, for the sake of 'Hiring  Fair', which i have among other  80s tracks on live recordings i took from Radio 2 broadcasts a long time ago now.

The standout from Gladys Leap is Honour and Praise which is a classic. On the other hand there is My Feet Are Set For Dancing which is the worst thing in Fairport's entire catalogue, by their own admission.

On Facebook, Colin Harper states that these were "supplied by the BBC from a BBC master recording (not part of any of the 80s cassette albums and not an off-air recording). We didn't double check the speed of that chunk of audio for that reason."  I'm kind of incredulous about that, but hey...

I asked if there was any likelihood of a remedy?  He replied: "I'm annoyed that I didn't spot it - people were much younger then and so I wasn't alerted by Simon and Dave's speaking voices. Dave Pegg heard all the mastered audio too and he didn't spot it. I'll make enquiries about the possibility of a corrected disc or download for anyone who asks."

Who is the strange disembodied voice saying what sounds like "grammar" at the start of Meet On The Ledge on Disc Eleven?  I've been working through the stuff I don't have and really enjoying, whilst laughing at the errors in the track listings!  The Matty Groves that opens Disc Eleven just makes me smile, almost banishing memories of the banjo version currently being played.

Christ almighty - really?!

He has put a lengthy response on Steve Hoffman Forums. I shall say no more as he doesn't seem to be very happy with me. Frankly, I am a little shocked that nobody else has picked up the issues as they were so clear to me even on an initial fairly casual listen. When you are so familiar with how something/someone sounds, you know instantly when they don't sound right.

Incidentally I had noticed that there are problems with track and musician listings in the book too. I mentioned these errors in passing in a post on SHF. He is not very happy about that either.

He doesn't seem to take criticism very well does he!!

What is Steve Hoffman Forums?  Can anybody copy and past his response here, or provide a link to it, please?

I'm almost reluctant to get involved as I haven't purchased or heard this set, but... it's £130 !
A significant outlay for most of us, and if there are errors in the book and on the discs, they should certainly be resolved, and arguably shouldn't have occurred in the first place on a £130 box set...

PS I've just been reading the Hoffman forum post - agreed, he's not happy, but does appear to be taking this matter seriously.

Link here : https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/fairport-convention-1980s-live-boxset-due.1202245/page-4

A further update from Colin H on SHF:

"An update: I've had Eroc create a 6% slower version of the Cropredy 1984 tracks and I've sent it to relevant people at both Snapper and in Fairport. This is the worst time of year for FC members to be giving time to anything except learning material for Cropredy (August 8-10), not least because some will be backing Dicky Thompo in his 11th hour performance on Thursday or Friday (Trevor Horn having had to pull out with illness). So if there does need to be a revised disc made available to purchasers, it realistically can't happen ahead of Cropredy. But be assured that if FC members decide there is a timing issue, it will be addressed!"

A few more words to the above from Colin on FB:

UPDATE: I've had mastering maestro Eroc create a 6% slower version of the Cropredy 1984 tracks and I've sent it to relevant people at both Snapper and in Fairport. This is the worst time of year for FC members to be giving time to anything except learning material for Cropredy (August 8-10), not least because some will be backing Dicky Thompo in his 11th hour performance on Thursday or Friday (Trevor Horn having had to pull out with illness). So if there does need to be a revised disc made available to purchasers, it realistically can't happen ahead of Cropredy. But be assured that if FC members decide there is a timing issue, it will be addressed. Please all, don't be looping in Simon or DM or whoever here for a running commentary - the matter is in hand!

Thanks for the link, Dan

It is nice to have a couple of effectively studio recordings of Metal Matty, though I think I prefer the second version on disc 11. There are several excellent, muscular Mattys spread across the set, though I do actually enjoy Banjo Matty too.

I am genuinely shocked that you've never happened upon them.

Jules

I have just had a fascinating trawl through the BBC's online archives to find Fairport's appearances for the corporation. For anyone interested, the Pebble Mill set included in the box was broadcast on 16 May 1990 at 7.30pm between Junkin's Jokers and Football Special.  ;D

I thought the Pebble Mill shows were broadcast at 1pm, hence Pebble Mill at One. Was there an evening show too?

Jules

BBC Radio 2 In Concert recorded at Pebble Mill Studios. The studios had both TV and radio facilities. Pebble Mill At One was their most famous show but lots of things were filmed or recorded there until it was demolished about 20 years ago.

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_bbc_radio_two/1990-05-16#at-19.30

Ah, radio, of course.

Yes, I used to walk past Pebble Mill on my way to work. And then I walked past the rubble where it had been.

Jules

Some of us would rather avoid it. Despite the wealth of knowledge, it can be a nasty place full of people who think they know than they do (or exaggerate their careers, such as the name on the masthead...)

Well, yeah, but that's a different matter entirely.

Jules

You just have to be selective with the threads. Beatles, Dylan and Neil Young threads are generally best avoided. But it is a handy place to get early notice of forthcoming releases and the cheapest place to pick them up. For example I scored a great deal on the forthcoming Neil Young Archives Vol 3 that I would never have known about otherwise and would therefore not have been able to afford it.

Kinell, mate, why didn't you tell me about it!!

Jules

Sorry, bit of a hectic few days and I'm not sure how long the deal lasted. It all got a bit complicated. It seemed to work for some people but not others. I was lucky.

It's very good for finding  out mastering details about reissues, i find. What to avoid, what sounds good, what's good remaster, what's  a dog's breakfast.

Here we are...

Incidentally, if anyone knows an actual email address for Madfish instead of their stupid online form, do please post it here...

Instead of being so defensive, it might have been nice if they had said thanks to the knowledgeable outsider who did pick this up!  ::)

I imagine the last thing they're feeling is thankful...  ;) ;D

Presumably Now Be Thankful is not one of the affected tracks?  ;D

(My copy is sitting safely hidden away from me for the next two months until my birthday!  At least, that's what I hope that big parcel I saw arrive is...)

Sloth. Disc Three.

R.T sings 'She has run away.'verse.

Peggy plays bass solo.

Drums kick in.....ye gods.....what a band....

All is quiet.

Here comes Swarb......

I like Sloth.

It's fab.

Me too. I sometimes play every version I own back to back. There are quite a few. I never get bored.

I have done a repair on the Australian club version from the new box to get rid of the glitch. Not another mastering error. It is a n artifact of the original source tape but would have bothered me on repeated listens.

Didn't someone here do a Sloth compilation at one point?  (i.e. a whole selection of Sloths from over the eras)

Yes that was me. I have become even more Slothful since then.

Personally, if I was doing a boxed set, I'd fix this s**t. It's pretty easy to do once you know how.

Jules

Sticky one this because the original recording is from a cassette that was turned over mid recording. No recording exists of the missing section. My repair involves some sleight of hand. It is true to the structure of the song and derived from the same performance but some people might regard it as inauthentic which I can understand. I have erred on the side of making it listenable but I do get why the compilers did not want to tinker with it. What they have presented is what was originally released on Here Live Tonight.

Colin's description of why this choice not to correct it was made was convincing to me, at least...

Yes, me too and I think it was the right decision. I just personally don't want to listen to it that way but don't want to lose the pleasure of the rest of the performance so I have made it palatable for myself.

I finished listening to the first disc, and so far so good. I haven't A-B'd it, but it sounds significantly better than my CD of AT2, based on my memory.

I got chills when I heard the opening of the LITM medley. And Bring 'em Down remains one of my all-time favorite Fairport songs. An epic Trevor Lucas contribution to the canon, and I feel blessed that they turned on the tape recorder for this live version.

If only there would be a release of the full video.  :)

Still no thoughts on the strange disembodied voice saying what sounds like "grammar" at the start of Meet On The Ledge on Disc Eleven?

Anyone know how many sets were produced? Amazon has now twice postponed my order (despite being ordered on July 9th). I have no confidence in them, and am considering placing the order directly through Madfish but before placing the order I'd like to know if they still have them in stock. Anyway to be sure? Any help appreciated!

I think it is probably the same Radio 2 presenter who speaks over some of the later tracks on the disc. Most likely Steve Madden as he was the most frequent presenter of the programme.

I got around to watching the DVD a couple of nights ago and it is hugely entertaining. It seems as though the band or members thereof spent most of the first half of the 80's hanging around the BBC's Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham. The Whistle Test excerpts from the 70s do rather underline the degree to which they had fallen from the nations coolest music show to the cheap and cheerless likes of Pebble Mill At One and indeed Pebble Mill at various other times of day. And the less said about Simon's fashion sense the better.  ;D

The highlight here is the band bantering with a clearly refreshed and somewhat confused David Soul on 6.55 Special. I used to watch that show regularly but I can't remember that particular episode. Presenting a British tea time magazine show was always a somewhat odd gig for Hutch. This wasn't all that long after Salem's Lot!

I'm wondering if they are delaying due to the dodgy disc problem ?
Replace them before shipping them out sort of thing...

Thanks! Will keep that in mind. Keeping the Amazon open for now but will see how I feel as it gets closer

UPDATE! After getting the delay message from Amazon I didn't have much hope, but yesterday got a notification that I was finally charged for it, with a reduction from the original price of about $30.00. And I received it today! Ripping the discs currently and listening to Disc 1 and more as the day progresses. I needed some joy tbh (long story I will relate some other time) and this is it. Now where to store the bloody thing!

Congrats.
I have no idea where mine is going to go either.

I have solved that problem.

The light vase is gonna get moved eventually.
I'm guessing a 64 disc Nena box set.  :)
Looks cool though.

I fear you may be right about the vase, though I resisted the temptation to move it to accommodate the Horslips box which resides elsewhere.

Much as I love her, I think I would have to resist a Nena box, though I am quite surprised there hasn't already been one. Fan base too concentrated in two countries to be viable perhaps.

There are already Jethro Tull, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell (announced today) boxes on the near horizon.  :o

It’s a box set boomlet. I still have all the late 1980s boxes (Eric Clapton, Allman Brothers) in my bookcase alongside the new ones.

I know this will get lost in Cropredy news but as to your question, it sounds like a glitch of some kind. If I had to guess on a voice, it sort of sounds like the sort of little vocal squibs Maart did, for example on The Card Song.

I'm loving the set and will write about it in detail at some point, but for those who have it, what may I ask happened to Fiddlextix, on disc 9. This performance is on video from the It All Comes Round Again documentary in 1987, and identically was on the Third Leg bootleg. This version on the box has a completely out of place middle section, crowd noise, and seems completely wrong. Anyone else notice? Anyone else have an explanation as to the why...perhaps some weird BBC mashup attempt?

I need to go back and listen to this again as I didn't notice it first time through but Fiddlestix does not appear on my copy of The Third Leg, which is the CD, so I can't make any comparison. Was it only on the original cassette? I did make a digital copy of my VHS of It All Comes Round Again so I will try and find it on there later.

I have now mnaged to do a direct compare with the It All Comes Round Again performance and oh dear! It sounds like another BBC tape foul up. As far as I can tell the final section of the track has somehow been duplicated over the middle section so there are two different portions of the track playing at the same time until it resolvejust before the final section plays again. It is a mess. Does anyone dare tell Colin H? I don't think I want to open that can of worms again.

I might just substitute my It All Comes Round Again rip or try and do an edit.

Just waking up here but yes everything you say is accurate. On the American edition of The Third Leg cassette bootleg, it appears as a bonus track, and should align with this one from the documentary. What you say is what I felt about a tape mixup also. Frustrating but I’ll let it go I think

https://youtu.be/TCzkI2qcOLg?si=rO36SKYJuz7rlkjm

I'm currently enjoying CD11, which appears to be mainly the line-up of Red and Gold (Or 'My line-up' as this was the line-up when I 'found' the band.)
Lots of energy in these tracks.
And electric guitar.

I'm glad I picked up this box set. I just need to to sort out that replacement disc!

I understand only in retrospect how much I loved the Maart era band despite always being a little underappreciative of them at the time (having fallen in love with the 4-piece Swarb/Bruce interregnum band).  Energy and electric guitar...aye, that's exactly what Fairport were always about to me - and haven't been for over a quarter of a century now.  Fwiw, I'm convinced now the key to what Fairport have become was there for us all to see in Simon's solo albums.  I remember getting the first one at the point of release ('87 or '88 or whatever it was) and having a long conversation with a folk-rocking mate about how this was excellent, but was definitely 'Radio 2 (as was) music'.  For whatever reason, as I've got older I've never changed my opinion.  Things are what they are.  I often reflect how difficult it must be for Fairport to keep everybody happy when they've been around as long (and in as many variations) as they have.  In the circumstances they do a pretty good job of it to be fair - new stuff and mostly acoustic gigs for fans of the current band (winter tour is 50/50 I suppose), lots of archival releases for those of us stuck in the past etc etc.

This is not actually about the box but I think it fits here as a companion piece. The Live At Rock City, Nottingham 1987 set is another radio broadcast from the era which had a digital release vis Angel Air records two or three years ago just before they went out of business. It has now had a vinyl only (for the time being at least) physical release.

What appears to have happened is that Angel Air bought the rights to all of the Rock City live broadcasts and issued one or two on CD, including a Richard Thompson set, before they went out of business. Cherry Red then bought the entire Angel Air catalogue, most of which they are yet to reissue, though there are notable exceptions such as the Stackridge reissue campaign which is continuing this autumn. They now seem to have licensed the Fairport set to Trading Places for a vinyl release, as they have done with a few other things. I picked this up this week from WH Smith of all places for £20 for the double vinyl set which is £5-£10 cheaper than I found it for from any other retailer. Amazon don't have it at all for some reason. I wouldn't have paid a fortune for it but £20 seemed reasonable for two slabs of vinyl. It arrived yesterday, offers nearly an hour and three quarters of music, has era appropriate artwork and photography (the front cover art is actually an enlargement of the artwork used for the 1987 Meet On The Ledge single) and guess what? It sounds fantastic.

I am not an obsessive collector of Fairport live performances. There are a lot appearing on grey market releases and some eras are over represented. But apart from a few non Cropredy tracks on the new box, there is not much available from this early era of the Maart/Ric line up. It is fascinating to hear this show, not least of all because the album being promoted is Expletive Delighted so it is a heavily instrumental set. With the exception of a very peculiar performance of Jams O Donnells Jig that I don't need to hear again in a hurry it is a really enjoyable and energetic performance. When did they stop playing the jigs with this level of vigour? Anyway, given the contemporaneous nature and high quality of the recordings, this set sits nicely alongside and complements the box well.

It never made it to CD then, Al?

No. I don't know whether it was intended to when the digital version came out. As I say, Angel Air did manage to put a few Rock City performances out on CD before they disappeared. I presume this fell victim to their demise. Any CD release now will I guess be at the discretion of Cherry Red.

Thanks...Sorry for the questions, but are the digital files still officially available anywhere?  I can't find them...

For streaming or download? They are definitely on Amazon Music and I believe I saw them on 7digital too, with different artwork.

https://uk.7digital.com/artist/fairport-convention/release/live-at-rock-city-nottingham-1987-32327945?h=10&d=1

Tracks 18 to 20 are all a single track on the vinyl, as they should be (albeit slightly misnamed on the sleeve).

Was surprised that WHS still sell music as haven’t seen any in stores for some years. (Can’t even see a store in Blackpool now.) managed to get a copy from the online store so thanks for the tip.

Sorry, I meant as a high quality download.

Other than the FLACs on the 7digital site I wouldn't know. I haven't looked for it. I only happened to see it there as I was looking for the recent A Live Recording set in half decent quality as I have not been able to lay my hands on a CD copy (not having seen the band live this year).

I missed the fact there was lossless there - that's what I'm after - cheers.

Just a quick amendment to this as my understanding of what has happened does not seem to be quite correct. Angel Air seem to be still trading, albeit with a much reduced catalogue. They are even showing a few new releases and still selling their own pressings of Stackridge albums that have subsequently been reissued by Cherry Red. Very weird. It remains the case though that much of their historic catalogue is now to be found on Cherry Red's website, albeit that many of them are shown as unavailable. It is all very strange. None of it however changes the status of this album being shown on all the current digital sites as being released by Cherry Red and on the vinyl issue as being licensed from them. Just thought I had better clarify in case anyone from Angel Air comes to this site. I don't want to be accused of spreading misinformation. I am bored with being accused of stuff by record industry insiders this week. ;)

Thanks for the download link, Al

Some extended, but random thoughts on the set.

Overall layout-The quality of the box and the book is terrific. I'm glad I don't have to access the CD's (other than the DVD) constantly as the foam grips are difficult to manage and one one wonders if they were in constant use how they would hold up over time. I would have preferred individual sleeves placed in the hard front and back, similar to the Blondie box set method, or what I call the envelope style...where the CD's are slipped in a fold.

The book-I wish it were more extensive! But these things have budgets and I'm happy with what is there. Most of all for the outstanding photos of Dave Peabody. I'm ashamed that his work has escaped me to this point. I have seen a few before I suppose (or different photos from the same concert or photo session), but I never noticed the name, so my hats off to him. He really captured the people and the history.

Slight check against for not including something equating a track by track, or at least disc by disc elaboration of the music. Yes it is there at the end, but it could and should be more thorough. It is also confusing in its layout. One striking error is on the top of page 56...'Personnel for CD 4, track 32. Oh really? Missing a few there!

I also really dislike when sets like these claim 'never released' tracks.This is a falsehood. The original cassette series notwithstanding, some of the other tracks were released on the Free Reed sets- such as To Althea From Prison (minus dialogue) and Day Trip To Bangor. or the fantastic version of Head In A Sack (which was on the US version of the Third Leg) Someday I'm going to make a spreadsheet using the Cropredy Chronicles list of songs every year versus what I actually have on CD between various sources.

Which I suppose leaves me to the music itself, which is outstanding, and other than the by now well noted technical flaws are a treasure. Unlike the Free Reed sets I appreciate the chronology, and what a delight it is when the Ric/Maart era comes in for the first time on Disc 6 and 7. Though I have thought about this transition, and of course have many examples of it in the collection...to actually hear the transition is really powerful, especially when reading Ric's feelings about the change and how it was viewed. Not to forget Maart of course, whose work shines, and what a delight it is to hear his tasty guitar playing on tracks like Set Me Up, The Noise Club and the Australian version of Sloth...my goodness. I also love the little snippets of Fairport not quite Convention-the handful of Simon solo tracks, the ones with Ric, or the acoustic session on Disc 10. Definitely a treasure and so many of my favorite tracks from that era are represented. With the exception of Ginnie and Molly On The Jetty, I only wish a few more from The Five Seasons could have been found, but I know it is depending on sources. Great to hear the Trevor Lucas tracks, and though I have never been a big fan of Cathy LeSurf, I find myself enjoying most of the performances by her on these discs. Also the Dan Ar Braz track is terrific!

The DVD is wonderful. Most of these I have seen on YouTube previously, and similar to the 2 discs included in the Horslips set, in a sense I didn't need them, but there are times when clips disappear from YouTube due to copyright, so it is great to have them as restored, full screen permanant performances to enjoy. I only wished that they had included even one or two from the Ric/Maart era on the DVD just to complete the cycle. Would have been nice, and I didn't really need the miming segment from OGWT of the repeated takes from Babbacombe Lee.

So all in all, flubs, faulty recordings, and mistakes in the book, I am very happy to have it. And like all the other box sets I own it is chiefly for the music, though as a fan it is nice to have all the extra content contained in a box. This one may not be perfect. It may have been rushed. It may have had a small budget. It might have been useful to run it past a few other people not affiliated with the band review and catch some of these things (like the Fiddlestix error) or to suggest a few tweaks, but it will hold a pride of place in my Fairport collection, which is by itself the largest segment of my entire music collection. And as I type we are working on moving to New Jersey, and once it is official, I will get that autographed poster framed!

Yes, there are a few errors in the book and trhe musician credits are a bit of a mess, especially when it comes to guest vocalists. I have had to ho back to the the original boots Woodworm releases, which handled this aspect much better, to check some of them. I agree with you about Cathy LeSurf. I have the same aversion but her contributions here are fine.

I haven't done the full Cropredy setlist cross check but I have just made a Cropredy History playlist featuring one track from every festival where an official recording has been made available, either on VHS, CD, DVD or official stream (plus two years where I used preserved radio broadcasts). There is a lot of stuff available for almost every year from 1981 to 2003. The exceptions are that there is only a single officially released track from 1985 (Walk Awhile) and 1995 (I Heard It Through The Grapevine). After that there are a quite few missing years in terms of official releases.

I have made some groupings in iTunes of Cropredy performances (which I own), and have one little correction to what Al said above - there are a few other tracks released from 1995 on the Cropredy Capers and Fairport Unconventional sets - Midnight Special (CC2), All The Dance Numbers (CC3), Bridge over the River Ashe/Barwick Green (Cropredy - Best and the Guests), Jewel In The Crown (FU3), and Slipjigs and Reels (FU4).

Yes I should have said pure band performances without guests, though my ITunes does not show me the last two as '95 and of course Grapevine has guests.

Just to clarify what I meant in the above post which was hurriedly scrawled on the bus earlier, all of the other Cropredy Capers songs from 1995 are guest spots, prominently featuring other musicians on the lead instrument or vocal, apart from Bridge Over The River Ashe which I confess I overlooked. The two tracks from Unconventional, according to my ITunes metadata were recorded at Oxford Apollo, not Cropredy but I will check the sleeve notes on the box.

My rationale when I was putting together my playlist was that I only wanted to feature tracks performed exclusively by Fairport line ups in whatever combination of past or present members (I did make an exception for a couple of Sandy stand ins). 1995 proved problematic in that respect but Grapevine is essentially a full band performance with RT on vocals, albeit Roy Wood is also present on rhythm guitar and of course his brass section feature prominently.

You are right about those two tracks, and I apologise (and have corrected my own playlist accordingly).  I fully understand that rationale too.

Replacement disc just hit the doormat along with a Wishbone Ash disc that also needed replacing.

Nothing here.  Does anyone have a direct contact there, please?

This is the lady I dealt with and mine has also arrived. Alice@snappermusic.co.uk

I hope that helps.

Cheers, Andy

No sign of mine yet. Ironically.

Did ayone else use the webform to request it?

This might be the reason.  Drop her a line:

"Hi David

Thanks for your message, I know why this is.

We unfortunately asked people to message us without knowing that our messaging system was broken (dreadful timing!) it is now fixed, however all earlier messages were lost.

I will get this in the post to you today. Please feel free to let people know that if they haven't heard from me or received a disc that they will need to resubmit their details.

 

Thanks

Alice"

A comedy of errors.

Without the comedy bit.

Hopefully, Alice will be "Willin" to help....
Sorry!
Steve

Thanks for the update re the box set disc.
I've just tried again since I've heard nowt since my initial message and I assume it was among the legions of the lost
So fingers crossed.

I got a lovely apology and prompt reply when I reached out directly to Alice via the email link provided above. I encourage others to do the same.

I emailed Alice late yesterday afternoon, received a reply this morning to say disk would be posted today. If her company has an "employee of the year", she's got my vote.!

She e mailed me back straight away and has bunged the replacement in the post, for which many thanks
Thanks, for the years up, chaps

I'm starting to really enjoy Jim's autocorrect. It has a poetic sensibility.

Jules

If I’ve managed to raise a smile then my time here has not been wasted

🤣🤣🤣

I got mine because I mentioned it when requesting a replacement Wishbone Ash disc.  She said they hadn't got my FC request, but bunged them both in together.

Mine arrived today.  Pinky and Perky can rest easy...

I emailed Alice on Monday afternoon and got a reply 6 minutes later to say she had put the replacement disc in the post to me.
It arrived in Wednesday's post (yesterday).

What fantastic service.

She was very helpful and efficient so yeah, I was very pleased too.  The original contact though was always flawed with Colin H telling us not to bother them etc etc.  Unless one has some engagement you simply don't know your issue has been dealt with, and - surprise, surprise - all these ones hadn't.  

Fwiw, I think it's pretty disingenuous that there are many copies out there in the real world with most people entirely unaware that there was a significant issue with what they're listening to.  I guess you can take that in a number of ways but selling boxsets with an item that has been replaced (for some) seems wrong to me....

Mine's arrived!

So did mine😎

I got my replacement CD a few days ago in the U.S. I'm pleased by the resolution of matter.

And indeed that there remains a fault on a different disc that Colin can't even be bothered to admit is a fault when it is easily verifiable from other sources.

But yes, hats off to Alice for the cheerful, friendly and efficient way she has dealt with this when she must have been inundated.

Yep.  It's not massively impressive, is it?  I do find it bizarre that there is so much of this around.  There are problems with most of the big boxes - Caravan, Wishbone Ash etc etc etc.  When so much creedence is given to the engineers and the people that work on these things, it's mind boggling when somebody doesn't notice.  I think this with books as well - the editorial system seems to not really exist any more.  Basically, people don't want to pay other people to check their work.  Everybody makes mistakes.  But that's what editors and the like are there for so that by the time the book or whatever is released those mistakes are minimised.  Not any more...

Been taking my time with this set and just got around to this. Good Lord.

The nicest thing you can say is that this offers proof that DM is a masterful timekeeper - two portions of the same performance laid one on top of the other, and he mostly remains steadfastly in place.

But what a mess. Best guess is that someone loaded this song into an audio editing program like Audacity with the intention of editing the middle out, then changed their minds but forgot to turn the fader down on the edited section they'd copied in.