Record Reviews

FAIRPORT CONVENTION ~ RISING FOR THE MOON (DELUXE EDITION) ISLAND 602537492527 (Barcode: 602537492527) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1974 - 1975 Released: 2013 This is the 10th studio album by British Folk-Rock legends Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist, the band that basically established Folk-Rock as a genre on the British Isles. It is also one of the two albums (together with "Live ConventionFind albums with this title", which preceded it) to feature the diva of the genre Sandy DannyFind albums by this artist in her second stint with the group. Sandy left the group after recording three groundbreaking albums with them in 1969 (their second to fourth albums: "What We Did On Our HolidaysFind albums with this title", "UnhalfbrickingFind albums with this title" and "Liege & LiefFind albums with this title") to follow her solo career and rejoined them in 1974 after she married Trevor LucasFind albums by this artist, the band´s guitarist at the time. The band also included violinist Dave SwarbrickFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jerry DonahueFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave PeggFind albums by this artist and drummer Dave MattacksFind albums by this artist (who was replaced by Bruce RowlandsFind albums by this artist during the recording session). This was also the first album featuring only original material written by the band´s members and no arrangements of traditional tunes were used. Danny was obviously quite dominant on this album, both as a writer, contributing seven of the eleven songs on the album, and of course as the lead singer, an area she had absolutely no competition in from any other female vocalist at the time. As a result this is one of the strongest albums Fairport Convention recorded during their illustrious career. This deluxe edition of the album includes some bonus tracks and a second CD with the legendary live concert recorded at the LA Troubadour in 1974 released here in its entirety for the first time. In retrospect this is a classic album of the British Folk-Rock legacy and with the added value of Sandy Danny´s presence an extraordinary piece of music history, worthy of an honorable place in any serious record collection.

Updated: 04/04/2024Posted:

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

FOTHERINGAY ~ NOTHING MORE: THE COLLECTED FOTHERINGAY ISLAND 602547184825 (Barcode: 602547184825) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2015 This marvelous Box Set collects all the know recordings by the shot-lived Folk-Rock group FotheringayFind albums by this artist, formed by the divine singer / songwriter Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist, after she left Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist in late 1969 shortly after the group completed the recording of their epic fourth album "Liege & LiefFind albums with this title". Denny joined forces with her partner at the time, vocalist / acoustic guitarist Trevor LucasFind albums by this artist and they drafted into the group American-born lead guitarist Jerry DonahueFind albums by this artist, bassist Pat DonaldsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Gerry ConwayFind albums by this artist, who all sung occasional backing vocals. Denny´s decision to leave Fairport Convention was primarily prompted by her will to sing her original material and move the traditional material a bit into the background and Fotheringay gave her the opportunity to do exactly that. In addition the group had a more Rock oriented sound, with incredible lead guitar work by Donahue. By mid-1970 the group released their first eponymous album, which met with positive reaction by the critics, but sadly achieved only limited commercial success, probably because it was unjustly compared to Fairport Convention, rather than recognized as a completely new direction. By late 1970 the group has begun recording their follow up album, but things started to disintegrate rapidly and by early 1971 Fotheringay disbanded, with the second album uncompleted. Shortly afterwards Denny launched her career as a solo artists, briefly rejoining Fairport Convention in 1974-1975 and then continued her solo career until her tragic death in 1978. The "Fotheringay 2Find albums with this title" album was reconstructed from the abandoned studio master tapes and partly re-recorded and was finally released in 2008. In retrospect this collection is a tribute to the incredible talents of Sandy Denny, who remains to this very day the absolute Empress of British Folk-Rock. Her legacy, all recorded in a span of a single decade, constitute some of the most beautiful singing and songwriting in the history of popular music. This collection includes both Fotheringay albums, a plethora of bonus tracks, demos, alternate tracks, radio broadcasts and live concerts, all spread over three CDs. BBC TV performances are included on a DVD, which is also included. The accompanying booklet is informative and comprehensive and includes many wonderful photographs of Denny and the band members. This is a remarkable piece of British music history, which to this day sounds almost too good to be true and constitutes an essential part of any decent music collection. Simply a must!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 08/01/2016

3CD+DVD 4 Digibook Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend