Epyc Relyc: Fairport Convention - Liege & Lief
Liege & Lief is, in my mind (whatever that’s good for…), the most superior example of electric folk music ever to be recorded in this current universe, and, most likely in all of the infinite alternate universes as well. Its just one of those albums that is most absurdly astonishing in most every aspect. Its amazing! Also… nevermind. Anyways, the Fairport Convention are generally known as the inventors of the folk rock genre in England. (Although the Strawbs and the Pentangle, who also are of the genre, did also exist at the time.) The album Liege & Lief was their 4th studio album, and it was released in December of 1969.
So, for a little history, before recording this album, the band got in a serious bus crash where guitar player Richard Thompson’s girlfriend, and the group’s drummer, Martin Lamble, who was only 19, were both killed. The band members also all sustained some sort of injury and almost broke up after the heinous event, but after some healing crystal sessions (or something like that), decided to keep on trekking and popped up to the studio. Liege & Lief was became the first Fairport Convention album to fully forgo their previous American influences (their earlier effort has 3(!) Bob Dylan covers, a few originals, and 1 traditional song…), and it features mostly arrangements of traditional English songs, with 5 traditional numbers and 3 original compositions on 2 sides of 1 record in 1 sleeve, with 0 bad tracks. After this album was released, vocalist Sandy Denny left to work on her own song-writing, and founder Ashley Hutchings also left to start the even more traditional Steeleye Span. The band was never quite as amazing again…
Fairport Convention - Matty Groves
Fairport Convention - Tam Lin
Fairport Convention - Crazy Man Michael
February 6th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
So weird you posted about this, I just found this glasgow wyrd folke band that I think you’d love for that sounds a lot like this album.
February 6th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Haha, actually… totally the other way around. I got your email and was thinking, “Oh man! I never finished that post up!” And that band you sent me is awesome!
February 6th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Haha how funny….it must be all the grey gloom & doome raine that has got us onto Scotlands mysty shores….
February 9th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Hey bun, ever checked out the Fotheringay? Its Sandy Denny before the Fairport Convention, pretty awesome. the album cover alone is worth checking out! I think you’d dig it
February 12th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
oooh, I think I have heard of that, but I’ll def have to check it out- what’s a good album?
February 12th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Uh-oh, I might have to nerd out and answer this… There’s only 2 Fotheringay albums. One original 1970 album called “Fotheringay,” and then “Fotheringay 2,” which was released last year and “constructed” from old master tapes. I’d recommend the first one…
February 12th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Yeah, the first one is the only one I’ve heard. Good stuuff.
February 13th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Oooh cool! Thanks for the nerd-out! I felt like this is something I’ve heard from either you or Colin, haha….but I’ll def have to go listen to it now!