I wasn't expecting to have this book as I thought I was pretty across Fairports History from other books, mags, interviews etc.
However, yersterday, at a late Christmas get together due to ilness,my brother gave it me as my crimbo present and I am , genuinely , delighted to have it.
Being a limited edition, it is interesting to think who the book is aimed at. My immediate conclusion is that it must be the fan base. However, I also presume, that the majority of ther fan base will know the majority of the inf in this book. Posts already on this thread are , however, proving me wrong.
On opening it my brother was keen to insure it was a signed copy. As a collector of signed limited art editions he was genuinely'miffed' to find the signatures 'just stuck in on a piece of paper'. As he said, if he had bought a Hockney signed print and found the sig was just a piece of paper stuck on the front he would not be happy. The point of a signed limited edition is just that and goes some way to justifying the price.
The book refers to the number of albums released as Fairport 'product', many of which are just re compilation of previous albums. It was good to read that this wasn't Fairport /Peggy trying to make a few bob but the fact that albums no longer selling, had been leased to other companies. ( ok to make a few bob but the point is they had no control as to what these companies did, eg re lease them etc,) I know some people had felt ripped off/let down by these compilations and there is a similar feeling about a signed book, which isn't. I know there will be perfectly understandable logistical reasons but.......
Any way, I haven't read it cover to cover yet but a serious part of last night and all of this morn have been spent dipping, mainly on the later years.
Personally I don't mind the non chronoligacal order as i know the chronology of the band v well, in fact I liked it a lot, so, for example, an out of context ref to L and L doesn't bother me. I understand the significance of the album. The strength of the book is of course the bands quotes. and the raison d'etre for the book in the first place.
I find myself agreeing with Andy L (I don't often say that..... soz Andy
) that I do want more warts and all, eg more touring tales, why Maart really left, the changes to Cropredy after Chris P etc) There is little crit of recent albums.
I do find the pictures disappointing , (that has to be one of the worst Cropredy crowd shots I've ever seen)
I also received as a pressie Mick Walls bio of AC/DC and that does do the warts and all stuff!! I don't suppose Peggy has ever said to Simon. 'stop f,,,,,,,g talking and just sing before I ,,,,,,,,your ........... head in'. Mind you he did hit Swarb with his bass,
However I am finding F by F an enjoyable, gentle read, which, as I said, I am delighted is on my bookshelf and I will return to over the yrs. I am just looking forward to my brother's letter to the publishers and something about the trade descriptions act , cost etc (he's that sort of a bloke)
Incidentally, those people who always see me as criticising Fairports. I am simply trying to give a reasoned review and my feelings. More when I have read it cover to cover in the next few days.
