Fairport Convention (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Fairport Convention
Type = studio
Artist = Fairport Convention


Released = June 1968
Recorded = November 1967 at Sound Techniques, London
Genre = Rock, Folk rock
Length = 37:46 (original release) 57:51 (2003 reissue)
Label = UK: Polydor 582035 (mono), 583035 (stereo)
Producer = Joe Boyd, Tod Lloyd for Witchseason Productions
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:x9q8b5t4tsqk~T00 link]
*Review-Christgau|A-|cgurl=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Fairport+Convention
Last album =
This album = Fairport Convention (1968)
Next album = "What We Did on Our Holidays" (1969)

"Fairport Convention" is Fairport Convention's debut album. The band formed in 1967, with original line-up Judy Dyble and Ian MacDonald (vocals), Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol (guitars), Ashley “Tyger” Hutchings (bass) and Sean Frater, replaced after their first gig by Martin Lamble (percussion). In this form they made their major London stage debut in one of Brian Epstein’s Sunday concerts at the Saville Theatre.

More rock than the interpretations of traditional English folk tunes for which the band would later achieve their reputation, this album features covers of songs by Emitt Rhodes, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Jim & Jean, and an adaptation of a poem by George Painter, as well as original material.

This is the only Fairport Convention studio album to feature Judy Dyble. She was replaced in 1968 by Sandy Denny, but during her short time with the band she managed to make a noticeable impression, particularly through her on-stage habit of knitting socks and scarves when not actually singing. [cite web | url = http://www.quietriverpress.com/tpcm.htm | title = FREE RICHARD THOMPSON NOW! |accessdate = 2008-05-04]

The album should not be confused with the A&M Records' "Fairport Convention", the USA release of their second UK album, "What We Did On Our Holidays".

Track listing

ide one

#"Time Will Show the Wiser" (Emitt Rhodes) - 3:05
#"I Don't Know Where I Stand" (Joni Mitchell) - 3:45
#"If (Stomp)" (Ian MacDonald, Richard Thompson) - 2:45
#"Decameron" (Paul Ghosh, Andrew Horvitch, Richard Thompson) - 3:42
#"Jack O'Diamonds" (Bob Dylan, Ben Carruthers) - 3:30
#"Portfolio" (Judy Dyble, Tyger Hutchings) - 2:00

ide two

#"Chelsea Morning" (Joni Mitchell) - 3:05
#"Sun Shade" (Paul Ghosh, Andrew Horvitch, Richard Thompson) - 3:50
#"The Lobster" (George Painter, Tyger Hutchings, Richard Thompson) - 5:25
#"It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft" (Tyger Hutchings, Richard Thompson) - 3:12
#"One Sure Thing" (Harvey Brooks, Jim Glover) - 2:50
#"M1 Breakdown" (Tyger Hutchings, Simon Nicol) - 1:22

2003 reissue bonus tracks

#"Suzanne" (Leonard Cohen) - 5:48
#"If I Had a Ribbon Bow" (Hughie Prince, Lou Singer) - 2:44
#"Morning Glory" (Larry Beckett, Tim Buckley) - 3:13
#"Reno, Nevada" (Richard Farina) - 7:43

Personnel

* Judy Dyble - lead vocals, electric and acoustic autoharps, recorder, piano
* Ian MacDonald - lead vocals, Jew's harp
* Richard Thompson - vocals, lead electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin
* Simon Nicol - vocals, electric 12 and 6 string and acoustic guitars
* Ashley Hutchings - bass guitar, jug
* Martin Lamble - Percussion, violinwith
*Claire Lowther - cello

References

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3iftxqy5ld6e Allmusic.com]