Fairport Convention - Fairport Convention (Polydor 1968) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

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. Richie Unterberger AMG

Please be aware that there is some distortion in places.



Track listing:

A1. Time Will Show The Wiser
A2. I Don’t Know Where I Stand
A3. If (Stomp)
A4. Decameron
A5. Jack O’ Diamonds
A6. Portfolio

B1. Chelsea Morning
B2. Sun Shade
B3. The Lobster
B4. It’s Alright Ma, It’s Only Witchcraft
B5. One Sure Thing
B6. M1 Breakdown

Personnel:

Ian MacDonald lead vocals, jews harp
Judy Dyble lead vocals, electric & acoustic autoharps, recorder, piano
Richard Thompson vocals, lead electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin
Simon Nicol vocals, electric 12 & 6 string & acoustic guitars, banjo, violin
Tyger Hutchings bass guitar, jug
Martin Lamble percussion, violin
Thanks to Clare Lowther ‘cello
Recorded at Sound Techniques, London, November 1967
Produced by Joe Boyd & Tod Lloyd, Witchseason Productions Ltd.