Sense of Occasion

[Anna]

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??

[MarkV]

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.

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

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??

Whooppssss... tpyo!!

[Anna]

 

Couldn't resist!

Apologies, finding coat...

[Andy]

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

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

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  

[Anne T]

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!

[gower flower (Shirl)]

- 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!

[Cocker Freeman]

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??

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.

[Nigel no longer of Lysander]

Keep on turning the wheel, dull.
Love on a farmboys wages, dull
The Bowmans Return was pleasent enough to check the track name once I had stopped.
South Dakota, dull
Spring Song, dull
Polly on the shore, Good song, but not sure if its better than the original.
Just Dandy, dull.
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. dull.
Your Heart and mine. dull
Untouchable, I do like this one, but perhaps thats because I like the original,
Galileo's Apology, dull,
Best Wishes.  A bit slow for me, but pleasant on the ears.
the hidden track did not do anything at all for me I'm afraid.  

Overall. Dull and uninspired.

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

[Adam]

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

Cheers

Adam

[Anne T]

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.

[MarkV]

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

[GubGub (Al)]

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).

[Woodpecker]

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.

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.

[Anji]

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??

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.

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

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

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

[Cocker Freeman]

I'd go anywhere for a David Hughes snog.

[Anna]

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

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

[MarkV]

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

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.