Fairport Convention - Liege & Lief (1969) [2010 SACD]

The best British folk-rock band of the late ’60s, Fairport Convention did more than any other act to develop a truly British variation on the folk-rock prototype by drawing upon traditional material and styles indigenous to the British Isles. While the revved-up renditions of traditional British folk tunes drew the most critical attention, the group members were also (at least at the outset) talented songwriters as well as interpreters. They were comfortable with conventional harmony-based folk-rock as well as tunes that drew upon more explicitly traditional sources, and boasted some of the best singers and instrumentalists of the day. A revolving door of personnel changes, however, saw the exit of their most distinguished talents, and basically changed the band into a living museum piece after the early ’70s, albeit an enjoyable one with integrity.

Tracks:

01. Come All Ye
02. Reynardine
03. Matty Groves
04. Farewell, Farewell
05. The Deserter
06. The Lark In The Morning / Rakish Paddy / Foxhunter’s Jig / Toss The Feathers
07. Tam Lin
08. Crazy Man Michael

Personnel:

Bass Guitar – Ashley Hutchings
Drums – Dave Mattacks
Guitar – Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol
Violin, Viola – Dave Swarbrick
Vocals – Sandy Denny