Best FC Studio Performances 1985 - Current?

[RobertL]

All, I was reading Dan's post from a few years back regarding Fairport Convention's top 10 albums and genuinely enjoyed reading the many responses. It made me curious then, especially now that the band is rearranging and re-recording selected classics for the upcoming anniversary CD, what album tracks everyone would select as the truly essential Fairport Convention studio performances between 1985 and now?

[KascadeDan]

Personal favourite albums for me include Gladys' Leap, Jewel in the Crown, Over The Next Hill and Festival Bell, in particular, Mercy Bay from Festival Bell is an incredible piece of work. Individual tracks that stand out are Travelling by Steam, Naked Highwayman, Honour and Praise, John Gaudie, Wait for the Tide to Come In, Danny Jack's Reward, My Love is in America, Spanish Main, Dangerous, Wood and the Wire, The Hiring Fair,  there are many more but just too many to mention.

[Darren_j]

My top 5 of the post-85 stuff (in no particular order)

1. The Hiring Fair
2. Red & Gold
3. The Islands
4. Mercy Bay
5. Rui's Guitar

(I would also add a latter-day version of Meet on the Ledge to any post-85 compilation. Much as I like the 60s era albums the original recording of Meet on the Ledge doesn't quite capture the full glory of the song's evolution)

[Henry Tompkins (Pete)]

 the original recording of Meet on the Ledge doesn't quite capture the full glory of the song's evolution)

      Crikey, that's one hell of a statement!    

[GubGub (Al)]

 the original recording of Meet on the Ledge doesn't quite capture the full glory of the song's evolution)

       Crikey, that's one hell of a statement!    

But one I would agree with. It can be argued that the original recording is the definitive version but it did not last long in the band's live repertoire and was more or less disowned by its author. It was only when the post 85 line up returned to it and installed it as the permanent end piece to their live performances that it attained the status in Fairport lore that it now enjoys. The re-recording on In Real Time represents the arrangement that most people are familiar with from those live performances.

[Darren_j]

And on the 80s MOTL recording Simon's vocals are absolutely magnificent and perfect for the song. I can't think of any other instance where I prefer a latterday Fairport re-recording to a 60s original - but in the case of MOTL I think it's true.

[Glen S]

"In Real Time" will always be close to my heart. It was after all my introduction to Fairport's music, and led me to searching further...


"Meet On The Ledge" is the benchmark studio version as far as I am concerned, along with "The Hiring Fair", "Big Three" Medley:The Swirling Pit, Matty Groves, The Rutland Reel/Sack The Juggler"...

Also ace front cover shot of Cropredy 1987  .... Made me realise just what I'd been missing out on for all these years....

[Henry Tompkins (Pete)]

 the original recording of Meet on the Ledge doesn't quite capture the full glory of the song's evolution)

       Crikey, that's one hell of a statement!    

But one I would agree with. It can be argued that the original recording is the definitive version but it did not last long in the band's live repertoire and was more or less disowned by its author. It was only when the post 85 line up returned to it and installed it as the permanent end piece to their live performances that it attained the status in Fairport lore that it now enjoys. The re-recording on In Real Time represents the arrangement that most people are familiar with from those live performances.

   Nope, you ain't gonna convince me.  

[davidmjs]

 the original recording of Meet on the Ledge doesn't quite capture the full glory of the song's evolution)

       Crikey, that's one hell of a statement!    

But one I would agree with. It can be argued that the original recording is the definitive version but it did not last long in the band's live repertoire and was more or less disowned by its author. It was only when the post 85 line up returned to it and installed it as the permanent end piece to their live performances that it attained the status in Fairport lore that it now enjoys. The re-recording on In Real Time represents the arrangement that most people are familiar with from those live performances.

Whilst I agree with the above statement, I, personally, think the full glory of the song lies in the original.  It's subtle understated beauty means it remains, for me, the clear definitive recorded version of the song.

[Darren_j]

I think that hits the nail on the head. It depends whether you are looking for understated & beauty or powerful & anthemic. In terms of this particular song I'm swayed by the latter.

[iPat]

Best studio songs chosen with criteria of strength of song writing plus production (not counting Old, New, Blue):

Honour & Praise
Hiring Fair
Portmeirion
Red and Gold
Wounded Whale
Jewel
Traveling by Steam
Naked Highwayman
Slip Jigs & Reels
John Gaudie
Spanish Main
Wood & Wire
Banbury Fair
Rocky Road
My Love is in America
I'm Already There
Mercy Bay
Reunion Hill

Notice nothing from Sense of Occasion? Thought it was a weak album, but did not realize how weak until I tried to think of a deserving song...

[Neil]

Notice nothing from Sense of Occasion? Thought it was a weak album, but did not realize how weak until I tried to think of a deserving song...

Come on Hawkwood's Army is worthy of a mention, a bit Wat Tyler but not bad. Also Willow Creek and Westward are pretty good from Over the Next Hill.

[iPat]

Hawkwood's recorded sound: bleh. Fussy, I know, but the drums sound dead to me.

Watt Tyler much better live on 30th Croppers Box IMHO.

Willow Creek? Perhaps, yes.

[Will S]

My top 5 of the post-85 stuff (in no particular order)

1. The Hiring Fair
2. Red & Gold
3. The Islands
4. Mercy Bay
5. Rui's Guitar

(I would also add a latter-day version of Meet on the Ledge to any post-85 compilation. Much as I like the 60s era albums the original recording of Meet on the Ledge doesn't quite capture the full glory of the song's evolution)

Glad to hear someone else likes The Islands.  That is a great favourite of mine, and I don't know why it never got into the live show (leastwise, I have never heard it played live).  I could say the same for a couple of other of my post-85 favourites, such as She's Like the Swallow and Sailing Boat...

[RobertL]

Personal favourite albums for me include Gladys' Leap, Jewel in the Crown, Over The Next Hill and Festival Bell, in particular, Mercy Bay from Festival Bell is an incredible piece of work. Individual tracks that stand out are Travelling by Steam, Naked Highwayman, Honour and Praise, John Gaudie, Wait for the Tide to Come In, Danny Jack's Reward, My Love is in America, Spanish Main, Dangerous, Wood and the Wire, The Hiring Fair,  there are many more but just too many to mention.

Cheers Dan. Good stuff.. and a few of my favorites as well. I was thinking what if I wanted to turn people on to modern ('85 - current) Fairport Convention, what tracks would I want them to hear? How Many Times, Honour and Praise, The Hiring Fair, The Rutland Reel/Sack the Juggler, The Cat on the Mixer/Three Left Feet, Meet On the Ledge (In Real Time), Red and Gold, SlipJigs and Reels, A Surfeit of Lampreys, The Naked Highwayman, The Islands, Red Tide, Lalla Rookh, John Gaudie, The Bowman's Retreat, Spanish Main, The Golden Glove, Slipology, The Wood and the Wire, The Good Fortunes, Rocky Road, My Love Is In America, The Happy Man, Portmeirion, The Crowd, Everything But the Skirl, Hawkwood's Army, OTNH, Wait For the Tide to Come In, Canny Capers, Willow Creek, Mercy Bay, Rui's Guitar, Danny Jack's Chase, Reunion Hill, Danny Jack's Reward, Closing Time.  

[RobertL]

 the original recording of Meet on the Ledge doesn't quite capture the full glory of the song's evolution)

       Crikey, that's one hell of a statement!    

But one I would agree with. It can be argued that the original recording is the definitive version but it did not last long in the band's live repertoire and was more or less disowned by its author. It was only when the post 85 line up returned to it and installed it as the permanent end piece to their live performances that it attained the status in Fairport lore that it now enjoys. The re-recording on In Real Time represents the arrangement that most people are familiar with from those live performances.

Good point Al. I first heard the re-recorded version off of the 12" picture sleeve release on Island. It wasn't until I bought up all of the albums that I became familiar with the original... which remains my favorite.

[Peter H-K]

I could say the same for a couple of other of my post-85 favourites, such as She's Like the Swallow and Sailing Boat...

I certainly heard Sailing Boat played live at least twice. I remember praying for it to end, so I guess it's not as big a favourite of mine as it is of yours ....  

[Barry]

It can be argued that the original recording is the definitive version but it did not last long in the band's live repertoire

I thought that was a mark of respect to Martin Lamble after it was played at his funeral.

[Nick Reg]

Most of In real Time
Wounded Whale
Dangerous
Red and Gold
Jewel in the Crown

and Milltown Maid which was on Maarts first solo album but played live regularly.

[RobertD]

What Glen said about In Real Time is identical for me-it will always have the association of being my first Fairport album (and one I believe I wore two cassettes out of before getting on cd).

I will put a qualifier on myself of only 10 songs, otherwise it could be endless. I am firmly in the Festival Bell= strong album, so not including anything from it. In new particular order-

The Hiring Fair
Jewel In The Crown
Slip Jigs and Reels
Red and Gold
Claudy Banks
John Gaudie
My Love Is In America
The Wood and the Wire
Portmeirion
Woodworm Swing
Over The Next Hill