Fairport Convention
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Biography
[Edit]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.
When Fairport formed around 1967, their goal was not to revive British folk numbers, but to play harmony- and guitar-based folk-rock in a style strongly influenced by Californian groups of the day (especially the Byrds). The lineup that recorded their self-titled debut album in 1968 featured Richard Thompson, Ian Matthews, and Simon Nicol on guitars; Ashley Hutchings on bass; Judy Dyble on vocals; and Martin Lamble on drums. Most of the members sang, though Matthews and Dyble were the strongest vocalists in this early incarnation; all of their early work, in fact, was characterized by blends of male and female vocals, influenced by such American acts as the Mamas & the Papas and Ian & Sylvia. While their first album was derivative, it had some fine material, and the band was already showing a knack for eclecticism, excavating overlooked songs by Joni Mitchell (then virtually unknown) and Emitt Rhodes.
Fairport Convention didn't reach their peak until Dyble was replaced after the first album in 1968 by Sandy Denny, who had previously recorded both as a solo act and with the Strawbs. Denny's penetrating, resonant style qualified her as the best British folk-rock singer of all time, and provided Fairport with the best vocalist they would ever have. What We Did on Our Holidays (1969) and Unhalfbricking (1969) are their best albums, mixing strong originals, excellent covers of contemporary folk-rock songs by the likes of Mitchell and Dylan, and imaginative revivals of traditional folk songs that mixed electric and acoustic instruments with a beguiling ease.
Matthews had left the band in early 1969, and Lamble (still in his teens) died in an accident involving the group's equipment van in mid-1969. That forced Fairport to regroup, replacing Lamble with Dave Mattacks, and adding Dave Swarbrick on fiddle. Their repertoire, too, became much more traditional in focus, and electrified traditional folk numbers would dominate their next album, Liege and Lief (1969). Here critical thought diverges; some insist that this is unequivocally their peak, marking a final escape from their '60s folk-rock influences into a much more original style. This school of thought severely underestimates their songwriting talents, and others feel that they were at their best when mixing original and outside material, and contemporary and traditional styles, in fact becoming more predictable and derivative when they opted to concentrate on British folk chestnuts.
The Liege and Lief lineup didn't last long; by the end of the '60s, Ashley Hutchings had left to join Steeleye Span, replaced by Dave Pegg. More crucially, Denny was also gone, helping to form Fotheringay. Thompson was still on board for Full House (1970), but by the beginning of 1971 he too had departed, leaving Nicol as the only original member.
Fairport have kept going, on and off (mostly on), for the last 25 years, touring and performing frequently. It may be too harsh to dismiss all of their post-Thompson records out of hand; Angel Delight (1971), the first recorded without the guitarist on board, was actually their highest-charting LP in the U.K., reaching the Top Ten. Nicol's exit in late 1971 erased all vestiges of connections to their salad days. Fairport was now not so much a continuous entity as a concept, carried on by musicians dedicated to the electrified British folk style that had been mapped out on Liege and Lief.
So it continues to this day, supported by a devoted fan base (Dirty Linen, the top American roots music magazine, originally began as a Fairport Convention fanzine). Denny would actually return to the group for about a year and a half in the 1970s, prior to her death in 1978; Nicol rejoined in 1976. Keeping track of Fairport's multitudinous lineup changes is a daunting task, and the group has coexisted on an erratic basis with the various other projects of the most frequent members (Nicol, Mattacks, and Pegg, the last of whom has played with Jethro Tull since the late '70s). They played annual reunion concerts during the 1980s and '90s (sometimes joined on-stage by Fairport alumni like Thompson), events that turned into some of the most popular folk festivals in Europe. They've also released some albums of new material intermittently throughout the last couple of decades, mostly pleasant, unexceptional traditional-oriented outings that appeal primarily to diehards.
The most distinguished graduates of Fairport, however, have continued to shape the British folk and folk-rock scene with notable solo and group projects. Richard Thompson is one of the most critically acclaimed singer/songwriters in the world; Ian Matthews made some interesting recordings as a solo act and with Plainsong and Matthews Southern Comfort; Denny sang with Fotheringay and released several solo albums before her death; and Hutchings carried on the most traditional face of British folk-rock with Steeleye Span, the Albion Band, and the Etchingham Steam Band.
Title: From Cropredy To Portmeirion
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, Punk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk, Folk
Title: Off the Desk
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Folk
Title: Come All Ye: The First Ten Years (CD4)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Blues, Folk Rock, World Music
Title: By Popular Request
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Folk
Title: Fairport Convention
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Title: Meet On The Ledge - The Classic Years 1967 - 1975 (CD2)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Soul, Rock, World Music
Title: Moat on the Ledge
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, Punk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Title: The Essential: Who Knows Where The Time Goes (CD1)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Folk
Title: The Best Of The BBC Recordings (BBC Version)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: World Music, Folk
Title: From Cropredy To Port Merion
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Celtic, Folk
Title: Come All Ye: The First Ten Years (CD5)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Blues, Folk Rock, World Music
Title: Live Convention (Remastered)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Progressive
Title: Come All Ye: The First Ten Years (CD3)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Blues, Folk Rock, World Music
Title: Come All Ye - The First Ten Years (1968 To 1978)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: Who Knows?
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: New Age, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Contemporary Folk
Title: Gladys' Leap
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Pop, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Title: Cropredy
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Title: Festival
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Title: Live At the BBC
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Title: Fame and Glory
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Folk
Title: Old.New.Borrowed.Blue
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Celtic, Folk
Title: Live at My Fathers Place
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Contemporary Folk
Title: What We Did on Our Saturday (Live)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Folk Rock, Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: Come All Ye: The First Ten Years (CD2)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Blues, Folk Rock, World Music
Title: Come All Ye: The First Ten Years (CD7)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Blues, Folk Rock, World Music
Title: Moat On The Ledge. Live At Broughton Castle
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: World Music, Pop
Title: In Real Time - Live '87
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Contemporary Folk
Title: The Essential: Who Knows Where The Time Goes (CD2)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Folk
Title: Who Knows Where the Time Goes? - Single
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Contemporary Folk
Title: What We Did On Our Holidays (Bonus Track Edition)
Artist: Fairport Convention
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, Punk Rock, World Music, Pop, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Collections
Title: My Record Collection: Deep Cuts/The 70s
Genre: Pop
Title: The Mark Radcliffe Folk Sessions 2013
Genre: World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Folk
Title: Ashley Hutchings: The Guv'nor Retrospective, Volume One
Genre: Rock
Title: The Guv'nor, Vol. 3
Genre: Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: The Guv'nor, Vol. 2
Genre: Rock
Title: Excalibur III - The Origins
Genre: World Music
Title: This Is the 60's
Title: Father's Day Sampler
Genre: Rock
Title: Christmas in Albion
Genre: Pop
Title: Summer Folk
Genre: Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: The Wildlife Album
Genre: Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: Celtic: The Essential 30 Collection Disc 2
Genre: World Music
Title: Excalibur II: L'Anneau Des Celtes (By Alan Simon)
Genre: World Music
Title: Cat Nav - Guide Cats for the Blind Vol. 4 (Collection)
Genre: Humor
Title: Saint Patrick's Day
Genre: World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: Winter Folk Compilation
Genre: Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: The Festival of Folk Volume One
Genre: Folk Rock, Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: Glastonbury Fayre (Live)
Genre: Rock
Title: Great British Tea Party, Vol.3
Genre: Country
Title: This Is Folk
Genre: Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: A Boxful Of Treasures
Genre: World Music
Title: Watching The Dark
Genre: Alternative Rock, Folk Rock
Title: True Chill Out
Title: 100x Vive La France (CD3)
Genre: Rock, World Music, Pop, Acoustic
Title: Progressive Rock Trilogy (Remastered) (CD3)
Genre: Rock
Title: Vive La France Top 100 (Universal 2012) (CD4)
Genre: Acoustic
Title: Anthology Of English Folk
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music
Title: The Beginners Guide To English Folk (CD3)
Genre: World Music, Country
Title: Classic Rock # 109: 100% Live
Genre: Rock
Title: A Celebration Of Great British Folk (CD1)
Genre: Blues, World Music
Title: A Celebration Of Great British Folk (CD2)
Genre: Blues, World Music
Title: Full House
Genre: Folk Rock
Title: Troubadours Of British Folk, Volume One
Genre: World Music, Folk
Title: 'Babbacombe' Lee
Genre: Folk Rock
Title: The Party Mix - Rock (CD2)
Genre: Rock
Title: Scarborough Fair: The Best Of English Folk (CD2)
Genre: Blues, World Music, Country, Folk
Title: Hope In The Air
Title: Top Of The Pops 1964-69 (CD1)
Genre: Garage, Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Blues, Rock & Roll, Pop, Funk
Title: 60s Summer Of Love 3CD (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Garage Rock, Punk, Sunshine Pop
Title: Uncut: Dreams
Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Rock, World Music, Folk
Title: The Woodstock Generation 1969 (CD2)
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Title: Country & Folk 2021
Genre: World Music, Country, Songwriter/Lyricist, Folk
Title: Folk Rock Essentials (CD2)
Title: France Hits Vol. 3 (CD1)
Title: Hi-Res Masters: Folk Essentials
Genre: World Music, Folk
Title: 100 Greatest Folk Songs (CD1)
Genre: World Music, Pop, Folk
Title: 100 Greatest Folk Songs (CD2)
Genre: World Music, Pop, Folk
Title: My Favourite Hits Of 1969 (CD4)
Genre: Rock, Blues Rock, Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Country, Pop, Pop Rock, Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Excalibur: La Légende Des Celtes
Genre: Folk Rock
Featuring albums
Title: Late Night Tales: Four Tet
Artist: Four Tet
Genre: Electronica, Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Jazz, Rock, Progressive Rock, Dancefloor, Dance Pop, Psychedelic
Title: No More Sad Refrains - The Anthology
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic
Title: Sandy (Remastered)
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk, Celtic
Title: Like an Old Fashioned Waltz (Remastered)
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Pop, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic
Title: Late Night Tales: Midlake
Artist: Midlake
Genre: Electronica, Rock, Folk Rock, Progressive Rock, World Music, Country, Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Title: The Guv'nor, Vol. 4
Artist: Ashley Hutchings
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic
Title: Late Night Tales
Artist: Midlake
Genre: Electronica, Rock, Folk Rock, Progressive Rock, Dancefloor, World Music, Country, Dance Pop, Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic, Contemporary Folk
Title: Midlake
Artist: Midlake
Genre: Downtempo, Trip Hop, Electronica, Soul, Indie Rock, Disco, Funk, Experimental
Title: Like An Old Fashioned Waltz
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic
Title: I've Always Kept a Unicorn - The Acoustic Sandy Denny
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: I've Always Kept A Unicorn ~ The Acoustic (CD1)
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Folk
Title: Anthology: Part One
Artist: Judy Dyble
Genre: Folk Rock, World Music, Songwriter/Lyricist, Folk
Title: The Notes and the Words: A Collection of Demos and Rarities
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: Rock, World Music, Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: Sandy Denny - Complete Edition
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: World Music, Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: The Best of Sandy Denny
Artist: Sandy Denny
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, World Music, Pop, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic
Title: Grace and Frankie (Original Television Soundtrack)
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Grace and Frankie (Original Series Soundtrack)
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Walking On A Wire: 1969-2009 (CD1)
Artist: Richard Thompson
Genre: Folk Rock, Songwriter/Lyricist