Fairport Convention - Fairport Convention (1968) [FLAC] (2003 Remaster + Bonus)
Fairport Convention is Fairport Convention's debut album, released in June 1968.
The band formed in 1967, with original line-up Judy Dyble and Ian MacDonald (later
known as Iain Matthews) (vocals), Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol (guitars),
Ashley “Tyger” Hutchings (bass) and Sean Frater, replaced after their first gig by
Martin Lamble (percussion). This is the only Fairport Convention studio album to
feature Judy Dyble. She was replaced in 1968 by Sandy Denny. This is the 2003
expanded Polydor remaster of their debut album.
Release Info
Label: Polydor
Catalog#: 068 291-2
Country: UK
Genres: Folk Rock, Folk, Psychedelic
Remastering/Transfer: Paschal Byrne
Personnel
Judy Dyble - lead vocals, electric and
acoustic autoharps, recorder, piano
Ian MacDonald - lead vocals, Jew's harp
Richard Thompson - vocals, lead electric
and acoustic guitars, mandolin
Simon Nicol - vocals, 6 and 12 string
electric and acoustic guitars
Ashley Hutchings - bass guitar, jug
Martin Lamble - Percussion, violin
+Claire Lowther - cello
Tracklisting
1. Time Will Show the Wiser [Emitt Rhodes] (3.07)
2. I Don't Know Where I Stand [Joni Mitchell] (3.46)
3. If (Stomp) [Ian MacDonald, Richard Thompson] (2.48)
4. Decameron [Ghosh, Horvitch, Richard Thompson] (3.45)
5. Jack O'Diamonds [Bob Dylan, Ben Carruthers] (3.32)
6. Portfolio [Judy Dyble, Ashley Hutchings] (2.02)
7. Chelsea Morning [Joni Mitchell] (3.06)
8. Sun Shade [Ghosh, Horvitch, Richard Thompson] (3.47)
9. The Lobster [Painter, Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson] (4.49)
10. It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft [Hutchings, Thompson] (3.15)
11. One Sure Thing [Harvey Brooks, Jim Glover] (2.56)
12. M.1 Breakdown [Ashley Hutchings, Simon Nicol] (1.28)
Bonus Tracks
13. Suzanne [Leonard Cohen] (5.48)
14. If I Had a Ribbon Bow [Prince, Singer] (2.45)
15. Morning Glory [Tim Buckley] (3.13)
16. Reno, Nevada [Richard Fariña] (7.44)
Review by Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide (4.5/5 Stars)
By far the most rock-oriented of Fairport Convention's early albums, this debut
was recorded before Sandy Denny joined the band (Judy Dyble handles the female
vocals). Unjustly overlooked by listeners who consider the band's pre-Denny
output insignificant, this is a fine folk-rock effort that takes far more inspiration
from West Coast '60s sounds than traditional British folk. Fairport's chief strengths
at this early juncture were the group's interpretations, particularly in the harmony
vocals, of obscure tunes by American songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan,
Emitt Rhodes, and Jim & Jean. Their own songs weren't quite up to that high
standard, but were better than many have given them credit for, with "Decameron"
and "Sun Shade" in particular hitting wonderfully fetching melancholic moods.
It's true that Fairport would devise a more original style after Denny joined, but the
bandmembers' first-class abilities as more American pop-folk-rock-styled musicians
on this album shouldn't be undersold. [The 2003 CD reissue of this record adds four
bonus tracks from outtakes, TV performances, and non-LP singles of the era, as well
as historical liner notes.]
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