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Leige & Lief [Import]

Fairport Convention Audio CD
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Audio CD (25 Oct 1990)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: Import
  • Label: A&M
  • ASIN: B000002GFT
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 514,481 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

1. Come All Ye
2. Reynardine
3. Matty Groves
4. Farewell Farewell
5. The Deserter
6. The Lark In The Morning/Rakish Paddy/Fax Hunters Jig/Toss The Feathers
7. Tam Lin
8. Crazy Man Michael

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk

British hippies who started out emulating Jefferson Airplane, Fairport Convention escalated their homeland connections with each outing, culminating in this, their fourth album and a watershed for British folk-rock. Hindsight offers the ironic possibility that the Dylan covers of its predecessor, Unhalfbricking, opened a window onto the earlier Irish-English-Scots roots of the American music they loved, and Liege & Lief jumps through that window triumphantly. "Come All Ye" underscores their affinity for the Band yet is joyfully rooted in their own fertile folk traditions, echoed in a mix of classic songs from members Sandy Denny, Ashley Hutchings, and Richard Thompson, and given direct homage in the extended ballads "Matty Groves" and "Tam Lin," which evoke Neil Young & Crazy Horse in kilts. Fiddler Dave Swarbrick's arrival as a fulltime member adds new richness and a wonderful foil for Thompson's superb guitar leads. A medley of jigs and reels showcases their flair for hot-wiring traditional British Isles dances, a fixture ever since. --Sam Sutherland

BBC Review

After forty years of Fairport Convention, undoubtedly one of the most influential folk collectives to have ever existed, here we have the release of a deluxe version of perhaps their best but certainly their most emotive album to mark the occasion. Liege & Lief is the Fairport album steeped in tragedy - the first trip back to the studio following the deaths of drummer Martin Lamble and Jeannie Franklyn (the girlfriend of Richard Thompson) in a tragic car accident in May 1969, the album has the almost eerie quality of a band struggling to find a means of coping with their obvious anguish; at the same time they are a band desperate to break all social constraints and indulge in the most manic of folk rock which they do so unapologetically in 'Matty Groves'.

Pioneers of the 1960s folk rock revolution (the band was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2002), Fairport's seminal album was voted the 'Most Influential Folk Album Of All Time' in 2006. And quite rightly so - it is the album that saw the band edge closer to its English folk roots, bravely combining folk traditions with electric instruments. The Oxfordshire group, who had always been mistakenly thought of as members of the American west coast folk scene, embraced music in all its raw Englishness becoming exponents of a genre that would not only define a moment in musical history, but which would change the face of folk forever.

It goes without saying that the Liege & Lief reissue is a must for all Fairport fans - the double disc has a collection of John Peel's Top Gear recordings, the highlight of disc 2 being the unmatchable "Tam Lin" from the September 1967 show.

But while Fairport's glory days are predominantly behind them, (a studio album Sense Of Occasion was however released in February this year), movements by former members including Richard Thompson whose album Sweet Warrior was released a few months ago, ensure the Fairport ghosts are never allowed to fade away. This important re-release will remind folk followers and music lovers alike why Fairport was one of the most important and pioneering folk collectives of all time. --Gemma Padley

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply one of the best albums of all time 12 May 2004
By Dr. D. B. Sillars VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
It is hard to believe that this album was recorded nearly 35 years ago! It sounds as fresh and invigorating now as it did back then. You don’t have to like folk or folk/rock to appreciate the wonders of this album. This is a brilliant showcase for excellent English songwriting and band performance. The voice of Sandy Denny was simply captivating and is sorely missed. This is ably demonstrated on the opening “Come All Ye”. Rousing and spiritual, Denny makes the song fly, taking the band on a magical journey. On “Farwell, Farewell”, she has a breathless, earthiness in her voice wringing all the emotional essence out of the song. Let’s not forget the rest of the band. The winning combination of Thompson, Swarbrick, Mattacks, Nicol and Hutchings never fail to delight. A classic line-up who sound as if they really enjoy and inspire each other, especially on the instrumental medleys where the band are really on fire.

This was the band at their creative peak and the album is sympathetically produced by Joe Boyd. It is no wonder that this album regularly appears on Top 10 Best Albums of All Time lists. Though they recorded other wonderful albums, it will be for “Liege and Lief” that they will be remembered.

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66 of 68 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Electro-Folk 4 Mar 2005
Format:Audio CD
"L&L" is possibly the ultimate English Electro-Folk album. As a 19 year old, I was taught the song "Matty Groves" whilst steering a narrow-boat down a canal. Hearing the album, a new genre of music opened up. OK, so I had dabbled in the folkier side of rock (exhibits a and b "The Song Remains the Same" by Led Zeppelin and "2112" by Rush respectively), but Fairport were taking music clear out of the safety of rock and into (shudder) folk music.
Highlighting Sandy Denny's ethereal vocals, the sometimes frenetic combination of Richard Thompson's guitar/Dave Swarbrick's fiddle relied on a rhythm section also containing various demi-gods of British folk music. Combining some of the very best performers of the 1960s and beyond, Fairport Convention were to folk-rock what John Mayall's Bluesbreakers or the Yardbirds were to R&B: a finishing school/academy of excellence.
As an aside for the hard-rock fraternity - Sandy Denny was the female singer on Led Zeppelin's "Battle of Evermore".

This album is to me Fairport's apogee - it has the driven supernatural thrills of "Tam Lin" and the softer, yet still dark "Crazy Man Michael" juxtaposed with the narrative "Matty Groves" and some perfect tunes to accompany 'jigging about'.
The lyrical content is on the darker side; Goth-folk, should such a genre exist.

Over the last 20 years, with the sad exception of Sandy herself, who died too young, I have had the privilege to see most of the performers who passed through Fairport, some with the band itself and some in other projects/solo. [their album "history of..." gives a family tree] This band is, to me, the foundation-stone of folk-rock and one could say that this album is the gnomen on the sun-dial of British folk-rock/electro-folk casting its shadow through time.

As a mark of the stature that playing in Fairport confers, like Carlos Santana and John Lee Hooker in their respective spheres, those who passed through Fairport have gone on to nurture the younger generation of talent and mere striplings such as aNNa rYDEr have the support. Check out some of their associates at Cropredy festival, or for the more eclectic, Guilfest, usually has artists with some Fairport connection.

To me, this is THE essential album for electro-folk/folk-rock enthusiasts.

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars It's every bit as good as they say it is 15 Mar 2004
Format:Audio CD
Everybody says that this is Fariport Convetion's finest moment and they're absolutely right. It is also famously the album which launched folk-rock as we understand it today: electrified traditional music. Unfortunately, we cannot hear this album through fresh ears and cannot hear how original, and even revolutionary, it must have sounded in 1969. The album was recorded following a lengthy recuperation from the physical and psychic injuries the band members had suffered in the fatal van accident that had killed their drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend Jeannie Taylor.

Having tinkered with traditional English folk music on 'Unhalfbricking', they decided to record an entire album of traditional music. Fortunately, they showed the good taste that had characterized their earlier works in both the choice of material and their arrangements. A number of songs seem as they were chosen to match Sandy Denny's beautiful voice perfectly, especially 'The Deserter' and 'Reynardine'. The handful of band compositions are done in traditional style as well; indeed, 'Crazy Man Michael' is almost more folk-music than folk-music. The two stand-out tracks, however, are the lengthy pieces 'Tam Lin' and 'Matty Groves', particularly the latter which is the very embodiment of folk-rock.

This is a good repackaging and I have to say: about bloody time. Island Records have shown a shameful indifference to their magnificent back catalogue over the years. The thick booklet features a detailed history by Joe Boyd and Ashley Hutchings and a wealth of rare and beautiful photos. The two bonus tracks are a bit of a disappointment, however. 'Sir Patrick Spens' was justly left off the album first time round and 'Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood' is just plain tedious.

Should you get it? Of course you should: music simply doesn't come much better. However, I will say that 'Liege And Lief' is only the second best ever folk-rock album. Best ever? Steeleye Span's first album, 'Hark The Village Wait', which simply excels in every way.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The best folk album ever!
An absolute must for any lover of true folk music. Top flight musicians such as Richard Thompson, and , of course, the wonderful voice of the late lamented Sandy Denny
Published 11 days ago by Mr. B. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars Liege and Lief
Probably the greatest Folk/Rock Album of all time.With the legendry voice of Sandy Denny sadly no longer with us. A truly Great Album by a truly Great band.
Published 1 month ago by Martyn Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, as good as ever
I always loved Sandy Denny and Fotheringay and having this great Fairport album remastered with a couple of extra tracks at very reasonable cost is really good to have. Read more
Published 2 months ago by The Earl of Kinberley
3.0 out of 5 stars CD
I bought this for my husband for Chirstmas and although he asked for it, he is finding it a little hard to get into!
Published 3 months ago by tinkerbell
5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas present for husband
A surprise present to replace the same CD which he had lost earlier in year. My husband has always been a fan of this group and thinks this is a superb CD.
Published 4 months ago by Mrs S A Cookson
4.0 out of 5 stars Fair[port Convention
As before a good example of their work again I am not particularly a fan but my husband enjoys their work
Published 4 months ago by Gilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars Long lost
Having bought the LP when it was first issued, I decided to renew my acquaintance this year and it still sounds as good as ever
Published 4 months ago by Michael Mccusker
5.0 out of 5 stars Folk Rock
Fairport are legend and this seminal album shows why. Both for folk and folk rock enthusiasts this is a brilliant listen but for anyone who likes really good music it is well... Read more
Published 4 months ago by JohnF
5.0 out of 5 stars fairport - liege and lief
Great to get hold of this again, after all these years. Probably the best Fairport album, which is praise indeed.
Published 6 months ago by Christopher R. Flood
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant !
I wasn't especially familiar with folk - rock before I bought Liege and Lief; however, I'd heard from a friend that it was good, and I'd heard a few of the songs before, so I... Read more
Published 7 months ago by J.Newman
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