Fairport Convention - Unhalfbricking (Island 1969) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

Unhalfbricking was, if only in retrospect, a transitional album for the young Fairport Convention, in which the group shed its closest ties to its American folk-rock influences and started to edge toward a more traditional British folk-slanted sound. That shift wouldn't be definitive until their next album, Liege & Lief. But the strongest link to the American folk-rock harmony approach left with the departure of Ian Matthews, who left shortly after the sessions for Unhalfbricking began. The mixture of obscure American folk-rock songs, original material, and traditional interpretations that had fallen into place with What We Did on Our Holidays earlier in the year was actually still intact, if not as balanced. Sandy Denny's two compositions, her famous "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" and the far less celebrated but magnetically brooding "Autopsy," were among the record's highlights. So too were the goofball French Cajun cover of Bob Dylan's "If You Gotta Go, Go Now" (here retitled "Si Tu Dois Partir," and a British hit) and the magnificent reading of Dylan's "Percy's Song," though the bash through Dylan's "Million Dollar Bash" was less effective. Richard Thompson's pair of songs, however, were less memorable. The clear signpost to the future was their 11-minute take on the traditional song "A Sailor's Life," with guest fiddle by Dave Swarbrick, soon to join Fairport himself and make his own strong contribution toward reshaping the band's sound. Richie Unterberger AMG

This 165gm UK first pressing sounds great!

Tracklisting:

A1. Genesis Hall
(Richard Thompson)

A2. Si Tu Dois Partir
(Bob Dylan)

A3. Autopsy
(Sandy Denny)

A4. A Sailor's Life
(Trad. arr. Fairport)

B1. Cajun Woman
(Richard Thompson)

B2. Who Knows Where The Time Goes
(Sandy Denny)

B3. Percy's Song
(Bob Dylan)

B4. Million Dollar Bash
(Bob Dylan)

Fairport Convention:

Sandy Denny
Ashley Hutchings
Martin Lamble
Simon Nicol
Richard Thompson

Dave Swarbrick plays fiddle on Cajun Woman, A Sailor's Life,
Si Tu Dois Partir and mandolin on Million Dollar Bash.
Trevor Lucas plays triangle on Si Tu Dois Partir.
Marc Ellington sings on Million Dollar Bash.
Ian Matthews sings on Percy's Song.