Fairport Convention - House Full: Live At The L.A. Troubadour (1970 performance / Island 2001)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Artist: Fairport Convention
Album: House Full Live At The L.A. Troubador
Released: 2001
Island (IMCD 289/586376-2)
Genre: Progressive Folk, British Folk-Rock
"This is certainly the most historically valuable of all the live Fairport discs - given that so far all the Sandy-era shows in circulation have been unsatisfying documents from her declining years. The Full House lineup is increasingly almost as revered as the 1968-9 edition, both for their compositions and arrangements (for which see that particular album) and their live performances (for which see this disc).
Humble opinions: I'm not entirely satisfied with this version of "Sloth" as the band seem to fall asleep for two minutes toward the end (there are better 1970 live takes on this song if you know where to look!)
Here, it's not the improvisations that excite but the compositions which are attacked with tremendous enthusiasm throughout. The energy level never lets up, from the first guitar and fiddle breaks of "Sir Patrick Spens" to the "Sir B Mackenzie" medley (differently constituted to the version we all know). The slower numbers, the medieval-sounding "Staines Morris" and the stately lament "Battle of the Somme" are no less powerful (although "Sweet Primroses" still sounds incomplete to me). Richard sings "Matty Groves" in his youthful "rustic" voice (which is...different, I suppose) but largely cedes solo space to Swarb, who's on-fire throughout. Speaking of which, the fiddle tunes medleys are definite highpoints - you'll never hear ballsier versions of "MacKenzie" or the Liege & Lief medley than on this disc...and then there's the album's metaphorical centerpiece, the stunningly fast and loud "Mason's Apron" medley, which suggests they could have become the Ten Years After of the folk-rock world!
This album features just a fraction of the repertoire played by the Full House line-up - but it's a pretty brilliant setlist (with one obvious exception) and in the absence of a more thorough official-bootleg type release, this will do." (amazon.com)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Here we find Fairpoint Convention supporting their latest release "Full House" - which solidified their move towards traditional British isles material while at the same time moving towards a harder-rocking sound. The jigs are performed at a breakneck speed, which is perphaps unnecessary, but they work well anyway with new bassist Dave Pegg laying down solid, rockin' lines. Gone are the haunting and beautiful vocals of Sandy Denny, replaced by the simpler, rustic vocals of Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick. The highlight may very well be "Sloth" off of the new album - this live rendition brings even more emotion and power to the tune than the studio version. Also,look to get a kick out of the final tune on the disc- "Yellow Bird" It'll make you laugh - not because it sucks - but rather because it immensely entertains. If you dig 'Liege & Lief' and 'Full House'- you must check this out." (amazon.com)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a remastered reissue of a 1986 release on Hannibal Records called "House Full" with the addition of two remastered bonus tracks, taken from a 1977 Island LP called "Live At The L.A. Troubador". I think most people would agree that this is the best non-Sandy Denny lineup that Fairport Convention ever had. And the most rockin'.
Track List:
1. Sir Patrick Spens (3:06)
2. Banks of the Sweet Primroses (3:56)
3. Toss the Feathers (3:56)
4. Sloth (12:04)
5. Staines Morris (3:44)
6. Matty Groves (3:44)
7. Mason's Apron (4:32)
8. Battle of the Somme (5:02)
9. Bonnie Kate/Sir B. MacKenzie's (4:56)*
10. Yellow Bird (2:17)*
Total Time: 47:17
*Bonus tracks taken from "Live At The LA Troubadour" (1977)
Richard Thompson - Vocals, Lead Guitar, Dulcimer
Simon Nicol - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Mandolin
Dave Swarbrick - Vocals, Fiddle, Mandolin
Dave Pegg - Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar, Mandolin
Dave Mattacks - Drums
|
