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Product Description
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Placed in its early-1970s context, Full House finds Fairport Convention at what seemed a crucial test: its strongest singers, Sandy Denny and Ian (now Iain) Matthews had departed for new group and solo challenges, and co-leader Ashley Hutchings had defected to found a rival ensemble, Steeleye Span, leaving guitarist Richard Thompson at Fairport's helm. Happily, the revamped quintet passed with flying colours, forging a leaner, more muscular sound that extended both ends of the folk-rock equation; the balance between spirited jigs and reels, and four-square rock back beats, is underlined by the fiery exchanges traded by guitarists Thompson and Simon Nicol and fiddler Dave Swarbrick, explaining why many regard this as Fairport's strongest instrumental line-up. And, on "Sloth", Thompson prefigures the dark, modal rock epics of future solo works on an anti-war dirge that evokes a British version of Neil Young & Crazy Horse. --Sam Sutherland
Product Description
UK digitally remastered reissue of the 1970 album for Hannibal. Includes four bonus tracks, 'Now Be Thankful' (mono & new stereo mix), 'Sir B. McKenzie's Daughter's Lament...' & 'Bonny Bunch Of Roses'.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
In 1970, Fairport Convention lost a founding king (the remarkably talented Ashley Hutchings) and a lead singing queen (the transcendent Sandy Denny), so you can forgive most people for thinking they would just fold. But they still had their ace (Richard Thompson), went to the deck, and most certainly came up with a Full House.
This is a fantastic album. Where "Liege & Lief" kicked the door open, this one comes storming through. Superb singing, incredible playing. This reissue is excellent. The sound is crisp and beautiful, a vast improvement over any previous edition. The intended running order has been restored, including the vagabond "Poor Will & the Jolly Hangman". The bonus tracks are great...the rare single "Now Be Thankful" is here in all it's monophonic glory (an overcooked stereo remix is here as well, but that's best avoided), as well as it's elaborately titled instrumental b-side. The absolutely stunning "Bonny Bunch of Roses" is indeed the rose on this cake.
Take your hand out of your mouth and your finger out of your eye and BUY THIS!! You won't be sorry.
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Widely considered to be one of the finest Fairport albums (despite Joe Boyd's deprecating sleevenotes on the newly-reissued sister album, "House Full - Live at the LA Troubadour"), this one was recorded by Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, and Daves Pegg, Swarbrick and Mattacks in the Spring of 1970. This celebrated line-up (which occasionally reforms at Fairport's annual Cropredy Festival) cut only this album in the studio (although the aforementioned "House Full - Live at the LA Troubadour" features them in concert, as does "The Cropredy Box", featuring them a full twenty-seven years on from cutting this album), so "Full House" is where this incarnation of Fairport's reputation largely rests.
The album is, by and large, superb. The Swarbrick/Thompson originals are of top quality, and among these, the heavy, dark "Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman" is finally reinstated to its rightful place on the album (although whether Richard Thompson still believes it has no place upon the record remains to be seen).
As to the reels, jigs and other traditional pieces here, the only-recently unearthed version of "The Bonny Bunch of Roses" (predating the version another Fairport recorded as an album's title-track by seven years) is superb, recalling such droning, modal material as "A Sailor's Life".
When taken as a whole, this reissue is near faultless. An outstanding original LP, remastered excellently, bolstered with stellar bonus material such as "Now be Thankful" and the snappily-titled "Sir B. McKenzie's Daughter's Lament for the 77th Mounted Lancers Retreat from the Straits of Loch Knombe, in the Year of Our Lord 1727, on the Occasion of the Announcement of Her Marriage to the Laird of Kinleakie", and a freshly-written sleevenote by Simon Nicol (augmenting Richard Thompson's humourous mediaeval sports report which came with the original album). Fairport fans and neophytes alike: buy with confidence.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Sundragon
Format:Audio CD
Richard Thompson had always stood out in earlier Fairport albums with his songwriting and guitar work but it was this album where he was essentialy taking the band where he wanted it to go. That's not to say the other members don't make thier mark, Dave Swarbick performs some of his best violin solos on this album and Simon Nicol begins making his mark as a singer and guitarist.
Obviously, none of the band could compare to Sandy Denny on vocals, so they use vocal harmonies instead consisting usually of Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, Dave Swarbick and Ashley Hutchings replacement Dave Pegg who create a beutiful vocal track by singing together.
The Stand out tracks on this album are the bouncy opener "Walk Awhile" the most jolly and carefree song fairport had done since Unhalfbricking and the 9 minute classic "Sloth" which could easily compete with "A sailors life" or "Matty Groves" from thier previous albums.
The Extra tracks on this remaster are fantastic and although having two versions of "Now be Thankful" seems a little pointless it doesn't matter as it's a fantastic song.
It arguebly doesn't compare with the work the band did with Denny but thats because its not supposed to, they're not trying to continue what they were doing with Denny they're trying to make thier own sound and thats exactly what they do.
This isn't just a follow up to "Liege and Lief" its an album that could quite easily compete with it and consequently it's one of the greatest folk/rock albums ever made.
Obviously, none of the band could compare to Sandy Denny on vocals, so they use vocal harmonies instead consisting usually of Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, Dave Swarbick and Ashley Hutchings replacement Dave Pegg who create a beutiful vocal track by singing together.
The Stand out tracks on this album are the bouncy opener "Walk Awhile" the most jolly and carefree song fairport had done since Unhalfbricking and the 9 minute classic "Sloth" which could easily compete with "A sailors life" or "Matty Groves" from thier previous albums.
The Extra tracks on this remaster are fantastic and although having two versions of "Now be Thankful" seems a little pointless it doesn't matter as it's a fantastic song.
It arguebly doesn't compare with the work the band did with Denny but thats because its not supposed to, they're not trying to continue what they were doing with Denny they're trying to make thier own sound and thats exactly what they do.
This isn't just a follow up to "Liege and Lief" its an album that could quite easily compete with it and consequently it's one of the greatest folk/rock albums ever made.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
As good as ever
I had forgotten how good this album was since I have not used my record deck for a while now. Well worth buying.
Published 6 months ago by lichfordian
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Pinnacle and peak.
As well documented the line up of Fairport had changed again. In came Dave Pegg, out went Sandy and Ashley. The line up wonderfully caught on the Maidstone 1970 DVD . Read more
Published 11 months ago by noddy g
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fairly tradition folk, not like the previous
If you are looking for something similar to their previous albums then you may be disappointed. It's quite traditional-style folk, though with electric guitars and modern drumming. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. Gregory Lorriman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fairport's Full House Reissue.
I'll leave the answers as to just why this is a great album to the other reviewers but I would like to add a few comments. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2010 by Terry Wilkinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chug-a-lug!
I came upon this fantastic album about 20 years ago and still love it dearly. It was born out of a situation that was neither expected or desired; having just released the seminal... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by Mr. C. J. Iredale
5.0 out of 5 stars
Full House, Fairport Convention - Now be thankful for this great...
Never the most settled of outfits, 1970 was a time of great upheaval for Fairport. Leading lights Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny had left, and Dave Swarbrick was starting to... Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2009 by Victor
5.0 out of 5 stars
early fairport re-appraised
i wasn,t initially a big FAIRPORT fan, but catching up after a huge length of time finds the music extremely enjoyable, and because of the nature of the subject matter , it,s... Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2009 by Mrs. Ainslie Aldron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fairport Convention surives fine without Sandy Denny
"Full House" was the fifth album by Fairport Convention but represented a significant new chapter in the group's history because for the first time it was without a female singer. Read more
Published on 8 July 2004 by Lawrance M. Bernabo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Makes me feel 14 again...
This album helped form my musical taste in my teens - from the power of "Doctor of Physick" to the precision of "Dirty Linen" this is potentially the best... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2002 by Mr. A. C. R. Munday
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album - Great Re-Master
Fairport Convention has proved over & over again that it is greater than the sum of its parts by surviving (and even growing from)departures of key personnel over the years. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2001 by S. GODFREY
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