Subject: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Hazy_Jane Date: 21 Jul 02 - 03:34 PM What's happened to the good ol' days of folk rock, I hear you cry, when men were beardy and women wore Kaftan's? I was just wondering (oppinions permitting) what people consider the "best" Fairport Convention song, and if Sandy Denny really was the priestess of Folk Rock? (I'll leave you to come up with your own definitions for "priestess". I don't think they mean Harry Potter-style religious fanatic) |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: RolyH Date: 21 Jul 02 - 03:40 PM With Sandy - A Sailors Life Without Sandy - Walk Awhile Without Sandy and Richard - Lord Marlborough |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Eric the Viking Date: 21 Jul 02 - 03:42 PM Sandy Denny-such excellent talent, and a sad end. Favourite Fairport? That's to hard.I have 9 or 10 of their CD's+ Vinyls Too close to the wind White dress |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Clinton Hammond Date: 21 Jul 02 - 03:54 PM The Wood and The Wire... Or rather it's a great idea for a song, even if it suffers a little bit in the implementation... Meet on the Ledge... One day I'm gonna have to pick up ALL of FC's stuff on CD... ;-)
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Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: allanwill Date: 21 Jul 02 - 04:12 PM Sandy Denny IS the high-priestess; not just of folk/rock but of all the genres of "modern" music. How can you compare the screeching and warbling of todays pack of pop-star banshees to Sandy? The only person that has ever come close to Sandy was Eva Cassidy and how strange and sad is it that they both died so young. Can you imagine them singing together? My favourite Fairport songs - impossible to define. Off the the top of my head and with Sandy, Tam Lin, Crazy Man Michael, Who Knows ....; without, Flowers of the Forest, Sir Patrick Spens, Me With You. The list is endless! Allan |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Skipper Jack Date: 21 Jul 02 - 04:41 PM One of my favourites was "Sail Away To The Sea". Sung by Sandy Denny and it is included in the box set, "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" But it was originally featured on Sandy Denny & The Strawbs album, "All Our Own Work". I have that album which according to the sleeve notes is and I quote: "The original 1968 recordings of The Strawbs featuring Sandy Denny". it was the first ever recording of The Strawbs. I wonder if that Strawbs album has any value? I also like her own song, "Rising For The Moon"which is the title track of the 1975 Fairport album. To me Sandy was the fairest Fairport of them all.
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Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST Date: 21 Jul 02 - 04:43 PM I think they started going downhill when Ian (now Iain, for some reason) Matthews left. Best song? Book Song |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: RolyH Date: 21 Jul 02 - 04:57 PM Yeah, they went downhill after that,and Matthews Southern Comfort went all the way!:>) |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Peter K (Fionn) Date: 22 Jul 02 - 11:48 AM Here's the website for their yearly festival: Cropredy 2002. Sans Sandy of course (and Martin Lamble). Except in spirit perhaps. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: sledge Date: 22 Jul 02 - 11:52 AM Favourites with Sandy includeSailors life, crazy man Michael and rising for the moon. From the 70's with no Sandy in the line up Babacombe lee (most of the album) polly on the shore and Hexamshire lass. Recent years have been a bit thin on stand out songs, Jewel in the crown, slip jigs and reels, the hiring fair and John Gaudie have been a couple that got their hooks in. Three of the last four songs being written by other artists. But whatever, I will be over dosing on Fairport magic very soon. Cheers Sledge |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Watson Date: 22 Jul 02 - 12:03 PM Have you heard the Fairport boxed set? There's a very good reason why some of those tracks had not been released. Some of them are absolutely dire. Fairport were at their best with Sandy, but I did like Full House. More recently they took a turn for the worse when Maarti Allcock left. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Pied Piper Date: 22 Jul 02 - 12:09 PM Got to be Sailors life. All that manic drone indian mystical guitar and fiddleing, great stuff. All the best PP. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Bobert Date: 22 Jul 02 - 01:19 PM "Meet on the Ledge", hands down... Bobert |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST,maryrrf Date: 22 Jul 02 - 01:26 PM And how about Sandy's rendition of "Matty Groves"! Sends chills up my spine, she's so wonderful! My second favorite would be "Who knows where the time goes". |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: allanwill Date: 22 Jul 02 - 02:02 PM I'm sure all Fairportophiles are aware of this site but in case there is SOMEONE out there who doesn't know what all the fuss is about Allan |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Lanfranc Date: 22 Jul 02 - 06:32 PM And before Fairport, before even the Strawbs... "Coal Tattoo", "You Never Wanted Me" I booked Sandy through Sandy Glennon in 67 or 68 for Clacton Folk Club, must have been for at most £15 or £20 (that was all we paid in those days!) Somewhere I have the Strawbs and Sandy Denny LP with a plain white cover and no sleeve notes, just a list of the tracks in red print. It was given to me by Dave Cousins in 68 or 69, when I used to sing a lot of the Strawbs' songs. "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now" Alan
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Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: mudkitten Date: 06 Sep 04 - 10:29 AM I've got that album "All our own work" too. I bought it in W.H.Smiths when I was 13 (30 years ago) and I still listen to it. I think it must be worth a bit because my brother keeps offering to take it off my hands. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: pavane Date: 06 Sep 04 - 12:54 PM I have 'Sandy and Johnny' (1966 I think) somewhere, shame about the recording quality (and I'm not really a fan of Johnny Silvo) "Make me a pallet on your floor" was good. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST,james Date: 07 Sep 04 - 10:06 AM I think her version of Matty Groves is my favourite,. Although she was a splendid singer, I am not convinced that others did not have as much talent and equal impact. I did notices that someone suggested that Eve Cassidy was her nearest rival. I find that comparison surprising as Sandy Denny was such an emotional singer and Eve Cassidy, though technically a good singer, seems so devoid of spirit. Just an opinion. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Chris Green Date: 07 Sep 04 - 12:52 PM Has to be their absolutely sublime version of I'll Keep It With Mine by Bob Dylan. Sent shivers up my spine when I first heard it at the age of fourteen and still does 12 years later! |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Lonesome EJ Date: 07 Sep 04 - 01:27 PM I've always liked Sandy singing "Farewell, Farewell". Sure tugs on the heartstrings. "Come All Ye" is my favorite goodtimes Fairport tune. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST,Sandy Morrison Date: 07 Sep 04 - 02:07 PM Fairport.....well, 'Sloth' is a real fave of mine - just a roll (hee hee) ahead of 'Sailor's Life' as close second and Crazy M.M. third - but oh - so many good un's - what a task to narrow things down. But Hazy Jane, you said ....'What's happened to the good ol' days of folk rock' Well Jane, try and hear the Duncan McFarlane Band 'live' - USA's Dirty Linen mag, UK's fRoots and many regional folk mags all say Folk rock is alive and well with that outfit (I saw them at Raunds this year). Here's an example review of their debut CD 'Woodshed Boys' CD from Shreds & Patches, Folk Arts Magazine for in & around Shropshire (Issue 31) 2004, written by Tim Willets...... What we have here is essentially what used to be called folk-rock, based around vocals, guitars, drums, bass, fiddle and melodeon with a distinctive English feel to it. The music is a mix of traditional songs and tunes and some self-penned items. There's no distribution agreement as yet (which is a bit surprising) but CDs are available from them direct. The band hangs together like clockwork. They tip their hats to a wide range of influences but are in no way copyists and unlike some bands trying to mix traditional material and rock they lack pretension and mannerisms. Essentially this is solid, energetic English electric folk, full of pumping riffs and loads of energy. I've found this CD has grown on me more and more as I've repeatedly listened to it. It's nice to find a folk-rock band that understands both folk and rock and knows how to draw on one without diluting the other. Never mind 'Celtic Rock', here's what the mostly English can do. Play it loud. I copied this off their website - google the name and you'll find more similar independant praise - folk rock lives Jane! |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST,Woodsie Date: 07 Sep 04 - 02:18 PM Meet On The Ledge, Tam Lin, Fotheringay,Who Knows Where The Time Goes are all excellent songs. The line up on "What We Did On Our Holidays is THE classic Fairport line up |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST,jake Date: 07 Sep 04 - 03:54 PM Every Fairport record, up to and including L&L, is absolutely top notch. After that the only one that I still play much is Nine - mainly cos of Trever Lucas' voice. But my REAL favourite has always been their very first album. Much as I like Sandy Denny, I've often wondered where they would have gone if Judy Dyble had stayed on......... |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: mooman Date: 08 Sep 04 - 04:38 AM Have to go with LEJ for "Farewell, farewell" with MOTL and WKWTTG a close second and third. Peace moo |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: pavane Date: 08 Sep 04 - 05:34 AM I prefer Tam Lin, but place Matty Groves highly as well. I still haven't heard everthing that Sandy recorded though, so I may have to update this! |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser) Date: 08 Sep 04 - 10:02 AM I would certainly agree that Sandy Denny was the most charismatic figure in Fairport. Of course, Richard Thompson and Ashley Hutchings were also just as original and had as much if not more to do with the band's overall direction at the time. It's a pity, therefore, that she doesn't have a more worthy memorial than Clifford Heylin's shoddy 2000 biography. I can hardly think of a more disappointing book that I have read in the last few years. Mind you, Patrick Humphries' book about Richard Thompson wasn't much better. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: sledge Date: 08 Sep 04 - 11:49 AM It sits me well from her self titled solo album is a firm fave with me. There are a couple of south coast based folk/rock acts getting it together, Arlan and Mary-jane, a bit more exsposure and I am sure they could become quite the thing. Cheers Sledge |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Compton Date: 08 Sep 04 - 12:52 PM Without appearing blasphemous. I always thought Sandy Denny was in the wrong group. The Richard Thomson/Dave Swarbrick years were to my mind the best. I liked a little known piece, "Now be Thankful" |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Nerd Date: 08 Sep 04 - 02:22 PM I have to say, I always thought Swarb in his prime was the most charismatic Fairport character. As a singer, he could pull off Tam Lin beautifully, plus the funnier side like "The Bonny Black Hare" and the sentimental songs like "Rosie." AND he was (is) the greatest English fiddler around! Also, I think Swarb did the most to keep the band alive through its 1979 "farewell," which was precipitated by Swarb's own hearing problems; no one could conceive of the band without him at that point. Then of course the Peggs took over making it a going concern. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Nerd Date: 08 Sep 04 - 02:27 PM Also, BTW, the NEW (2004) fairport box set from Free Reed is now available. It's all recordings from Cropredy festivals over the years, called "Cropredy Capers." It'll be a real blast for Fairport fans! They focused on "unusual" versions, so it can be disconcerting (Simon singing "Polly on the Shore" instead of Trevor), but it's really quite good, and the booklet(s) just stunning. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: sledge Date: 09 Sep 04 - 02:28 AM The above should of course have been "it suits me well" Sledge |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: red max Date: 09 Sep 04 - 05:36 AM Is it any coincidence that once Swarb was gone they all but abandoned trad-arr stuff? Or was there something about the 80s, an "out with the old" attitude? I only wonder because The Albion Band also seemed to turn their back on traditional stuff at the same time |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Pete_Standing Date: 09 Sep 04 - 07:05 AM I agree with Nerd. In Full House, it was obvious that all the boys weren't used to singing but latterly, Swarb developed into a very fine singer. His interpretation of the Bonny Bunch of Roses was extraordinary. I reckon the only English fiddle player to come close to him is Nancy Kerr. With respect to Red Max's comments, Fairport, post Swarb, have said that they always struggled to find material to perform, until Chris Leslie joined the band. That is crazy, they were just not prepared to do what Swarb did and use the vast resources of traditional material. They are all very fine musicians and have a polished sound but despite the fiddles, mandolins and bouzoukis, are they really a folk rock band now? Swarb was the X factor for me. Arlen is an interesting band. It will be interesting to see how they develop. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: VIN Date: 09 Sep 04 - 08:25 AM I have a video of Fairport which includes a version of 'A Sailor's Life' performed by June Tabor with Richard Thompson - absolutely brill! I think it very unfair to suggest, as some have on this thread, that Fairport 'went down hill' after this or that person left the band. I agree that the presence of Swarb, Thompson & of course Sandy Denny was magical and that Swarb's influence was probably of a more 'traditional' musical base (the Liege & Leaf album is legendary). However, to infer that the later inclusion of Rick Saunders & Chris Leslie in the band was, in someway, a negative step is, to me, nonsense. Yes Faiport would probably not be around now if not for Swarb and Peggy's efforts in the 'dark years' especially after Simon left the band but carry on they did, thank god! They've never been afraid to experiment a bit (they even include a bit of reggae now) but i think the 'folk' influence is still very much present (if you were at Cropredy you may have even seen Chris Morris Dancing!). Also at Cropredy was Ashley Hutchins Albion band being as traditional as you can be with some stunning Morris Dancing. Live on Fairport, way over the next hill! |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Lonesome EJ Date: 09 Sep 04 - 08:35 PM You know, my favorite Fairport song of all time might be By Devonside, which was actually on the Richard Thompson Hand of Kindness album, but featured former Fairporters doing a Thompson storytelling composition with a very trad-style melody. It features a key change to begin the instrumental break that closes the song, and Swarbrick stepping in to deliver a simply transcendent fiddle part. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Nerd Date: 10 Sep 04 - 02:12 AM I think none of the musicians in Fairport after Swarb left, and before Chris joined, particularly loved traditional music. They liked it, but not more than they liked Bob Dylan and Loudon Wainwright and Ralph McTell and Steve Tilston and "From a Distance," etc., etc. Those who did love trad music in the band were Richard and Sandy, who both felt a bit constrained by the band's direction and left Fairport partly because of it, Trevor Lucas, who also felt he had got a bit beyond trad songs by his time in Fairport, Ashley Hutchings, and most importantly Swarb. If you look at anyone who was ever in Fairport, and look at their whole career, the only one who did predominantly trad music was Swarb. Even guys like Dan Ar Braz, their solo work was mainly original compositions. Ashley Hutchings was probably about 50-50; as some have noted, many lineups of the Albions have played virtually no traditional music, but they always come back to it eventually. Sandy and Trevor started out doing trad songs, then switched to being singer/songwriters. So for fans of traditional music specifically, Swarb was Fairport's guiding light. That said, I really like a lot of those songwriters, too, so I find much of what Fairport does to be really nice. I'd never say they went downhill, just that they went on a different path. But in my heart I'm a traddie, and thus Swarb is my man! |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Nerd Date: 10 Sep 04 - 02:19 AM Oope, you know I forgot someone. Maart really loves trad music and much of his career has been devoted to it! Sorry Maart! Chris fits somewhere on there too, but not as high on the tradometer... |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: el_punkoid_nouveau Date: 10 Sep 04 - 03:38 AM I think the answer to whether Sandy Denny was the high priestess of folk rock lies in the her excellent solo albums (which also featured many other members of the Fairports), and particularly in Fotheringay. All these demonstrated what a superb voice she had, and her ability to cover a wide range of material. As for my favourite Fairport track - possibly Sir Patrick Spens, but then maybe not. There are over twenty albums to choose from - with a wealth of diverse material. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: VIN Date: 10 Sep 04 - 04:16 AM Know what you mean about Maart Allcock nerd. Been a fan of him since i first saw him in the Ring-o-Bells pub in his home town (and mostly mine) of Middleton in the mid seventies. He's a fab musician and its great to see him return to Fairport on occasions. Also thought Fotheringay were brill - still got their album with the terrific inside cover photo of them on stage (what happened to your hair Gerry/). |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST,Marie Date: 12 Oct 04 - 03:37 PM If it has to be just the ONE song... "One More Chance" Marie :-) |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: Big Al Whittle Date: 12 Oct 04 - 07:53 PM yeh every song that's mentioned has some sort of memory. can't choose. |
Subject: RE: fairest fairport of them all. . . From: GUEST,sid the ferret Date: 29 Oct 04 - 08:46 PM Try 'the ballad of easy rider',from R.T.s' guitar/vocal.Exquisite. |
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