New Fairport CD

[fat Billy(Bill)]

I'm quite looking forward to this. I really Like XXXV. so this could be a goodun

Oh thank goodness... at last a positive comment!

then again.......

[Jim]

I'm quite looking forward to this. I really Like XXXV. so this could be a goodun

a triumph of hope over experience?

[fat Billy(Bill)]

I'm quite looking forward to this. I really Like XXXV. so this could be a goodun

a triumph of hope over experience?

XXXV was around as I came back to music in general after a long break, Its the best of the "modern" albums (IMHO).
I'll give the new one a go, same as I give them all a go.

[davidmjs]

Anyone heard it yet?

[Bingers (Chris)]

Anyone heard it yet?

Listened to some of the snippets on the website...sounds all right to me especially the Jacque McShee collaboration

[Peter H-K]

I'm quite looking forward to this. I really Like XXXV. so this could be a goodun

a triumph of hope over experience?

Or maybe he was drunk when he wrote it. A triumph of hops over experience.

[GS (Graham)]

Picked up a copy of the cd at the chaps' Celtic Connections gig in Glasgow last night - listened to it on the drive in to work this morning & it cheered that up no end!

No surprises - there's no radical change of direction - there's a few new songs by Chris (& one by PJ Wright in a style not a million miles away from Chris'!) mixed in with some enjoyable live tracks & a couple of pleasant guest appearances.  Those who like & enjoy the band's current incarnation will love it - those who don't ... well you know.

[billyno1]

Spot on GS - currently listening to it for the 4th straight run - first being on the drive back home to Dumfries last night! It is excellent and certainly the best of the "late crop" although missing the "anniversary/Cropredy" recordings atmosphere and variety. I do wish they'd add a female singer to do justice to THOSE songs at least - Judy Dyble (for historical reasons), Thea Gilmour (well she lives in Oxon doesn't she?), Jacqui McShee (well she is on the current CD but I feel she belongs else where), Linde Nijland OR my absolute favourite currently Byrony Holden (why-oh-why has she/Tinkerscuss never played in the Borders/Lake District :thinking Kendal Brewery Centre or Penrith Rheggad Centre?). AND to miss out "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" - guessing THAT shadow is just too big!!

[Col D]

I do wish they'd add a female singer to do justice to THOSE songs at least - Judy Dyble (for historical reasons), Thea Gilmour (well she lives in Oxon doesn't she?), Jacqui McShee (well she is on the current CD but I feel she belongs else where), Linde Nijland OR my absolute favourite currently Byrony Holden (why-oh-why has she/Tinkerscuss never played in the Borders/Lake District :thinking Kendal Brewery Centre or Penrith Rheggad Centre?).

No longer resident in Oxon, she's lived in Nantwich in God's Own County of Cheshire for some time, close on twenty years I would have thought.

[Jim]

Spot on GS - currently listening to it for the 4th straight run - first being on the drive back home to Dumfries last night! It is excellent and certainly the best of the "late crop" although missing the "anniversary/Cropredy" recordings atmosphere and variety. I do wish they'd add a female singer to do justice to THOSE songs at least - Judy Dyble (for historical reasons), Thea Gilmour (well she lives in Oxon doesn't she?), Jacqui McShee (well she is on the current CD but I feel she belongs else where), Linde Nijland OR my absolute favourite currently Byrony Holden (why-oh-why has she/Tinkerscuss never played in the Borders/Lake District :thinking Kendal Brewery Centre or Penrith Rheggad Centre?). AND to miss out "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" - guessing THAT shadow is just too big!!

the rheged centre is the worst venueat which i have ever attended a gig

[Peter H-K]

the rheged centre is the worst venueat which i have ever attended a gig

Well, I'm absolutely with you on that one. Saw Fairport Acoustic there a few years back (around about the time of Sense of Occasion), and it was dire. Terrible acoustics, and basically it was just a case of watching a band in the middle of a shopping centre.

[Field 7 is Heaven (Trev)]

Got my copy of the CD today.

I think its really strong, and not at all twee (as someone rudely posted). As usual brilliantly played. I think it might turn out to be a future favorite for me.

Love the Cropredy song too ( twee?? perhaps but special, I don't get included in the subject matter of too many songs).

Bet I know what they play at 4pm. Make a change from Walk a While or Festival bell (both of which I hope are still in the semi acoustic welcome set).

[GubGub (Al)]

I think its really strong, and not at all twee (as someone rudely posted).

How is that rude? It is a legitimate perception. Tweeness has been a factor in most of their album releases since the late 80s to a greater or lesser extent imho. It characterises a style of song which is just a bit too saccharine or jaunty either melodically or lyrically, of which there are an increasing hatful in the catalogue.

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/twee

[Alan Arnold]

Received my copy today, on first listen really enjoyed it, especially some of the live tracks which are sufficiently different from the studio versions, the only track that feels wrong is John Condon I love this song but this version does not add anything to the one on Myths and Heroes.

[JamesM]

On a different note: packaging.

Is the inside of the packaging supposed to be completely blank? I only ask as it seems a bit odd. And also some of the gold foil is missing from the lettering on the front.

[Jim]

Got my copy of the CD today.

I think its really strong, and not at all twee (as someone rudely posted). As usual brilliantly played. I think it might turn out to be a future favorite for me.

Love the Cropredy song too ( twee?? perhaps but special, I don't get included in the subject matter of too many songs).

Bet I know what they play at 4pm. Make a change from Walk a While or Festival bell (both of which I hope are still in the semi acoustic welcome set).

I see my earlier response to Trev's post has been censored/ deleted when all I did was to, politely, point out the incongruity of his post.
     It would have been nice to get a pm telling ng me what rule I had contravened and I only found out when another member contacted me to inform me what had happened.
     Is not being a great fan of the bands current output such a crime here?
     Had I been nasty then I could understand being censored. Perhaps my remark from a day or two ago about FC's poor websites over the years upset Colin and I am now to be silenced whenever I criticise the band.
      Free speech, done I think, without malice now seems only applies to those who are happy with all things Fairport.
     

[Andy]

On a different note: packaging.

Is the inside of the packaging supposed to be completely blank? I only ask as it seems a bit odd. And also some of the gold foil is missing from the lettering on the front.

Doesn't sound right. Send some email to the Office.

[hendo (Dave)]

Got my copy of the CD today.

I think its really strong, and not at all twee (as someone rudely posted). As usual brilliantly played. I think it might turn out to be a future favorite for me.

Love the Cropredy song too ( twee?? perhaps but special, I don't get included in the subject matter of too many songs).

Bet I know what they play at 4pm. Make a change from Walk a While or Festival bell (both of which I hope are still in the semi acoustic welcome set).

Sorry Trev, you're a mate but I'm confused.
The albums not at all twee but 'the Cropredy song' might be?

[Adam]

Here's my review, after a fair few listens:
The good:
Eleanor's Dream is great song, and a strong start to the record. Nice instrumentation, interesting lyrics.
The live songs are impressive, and reinforces my view that Fairport are predominantly a live band. Nice to have a recent take on Lord Marlborough.
The not so good:
Our bus rolls on and Summer by the Cherwell are exceptionally twee, even the arrangements sound twee (if that is possible). Banal lyrics, not for me, move on. This is disappointing because the last couple of records in songs such as Mercy Bay and Man in the Water showcased just what they can do.
The interweaving of live and recorded songs doesn't work for me. It destroys any flow, and feels like you're listening to a playlist on shuffle.
On balance I enjoy it, but can't help thinking that it lacks the oomph and energy of the latest Steeleye record, who are of a similar vintage. Still, I'm really looking forward to the live shows.

[PaulT]

On first spin... I quite enjoyed it.  Not the finest modern FC album, but better than some...

Agree with Adam about the flow - I'd have preferred a 2CD set split studio & live.

The live FC tracks - "not the usual suspects" - very enjoyable. Not sure that John Condon is the best they've ever played it - but I guess its inclusion is because of the recording's location, and maybe emotions were thus affected?

Listening again to The Devil's Work - the instrumental section's arrangement (reverb'd lecky guitar etc) reminds me so much of the Albion Band circa Prospect/Rise Up.