Fairport Convention - XXXV

Title: XXXV Artist: Fairport Convention Release Date: 2/12/2002 Re-Released On: 4/30/2007 Label: Eagle Rock, Compass, Woodworm Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPCs: 766397433226, 5017220103829, 5034504135024, 766488333428, 503450413502 Genre: Rock Styles: Progressive Folk, British Folk-Rock Moods: Dramatic, Earnest, Passionate, Pastoral, Amiable/Good-Natured, Autumnal, Bittersweet, Intimate, Literate, Witty, Energetic, Gentle, Intense, Laid-Back/Mellow, Melancholy, Organic, Reflective, Rollicking, Searching, Sophisticated, Wistful Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Madeleine
2. My Love Is in America
3. The Happy Man
4. Portmeirion
5. The Crowd
6. Banks of the Sweet Primroses
7. The Deserter
8. The Light of Day
9. I Wandered by a Brookside
10. Neil Gow's Apprentice
11. Everything But the Skirl
12. Talking About My Love
13. Now Be Thankful
14. The Crowd Revisited

Year Type Label Catalog # 2007 CD Eagle Rock 350 2002 CD Compass 4332 2002 CD Woodworm 038

XXXV [Bonus Tracks]

Neither fish nor foul, Fairport Convention holds a position somewhere between traditional English and contemporary celtic music. Although mostly acoustic, electric bass and piano make appearances, and while the bandmembers enjoy the folk songs of yesteryear, they also pen new material. The band's approach and style also separate them from the folk-rock of the Richard Thompson/Sandy Denny era, which rocked quite a bit harder. XXXV celebrates the band's long history by dipping into a few old favorites like "I Wandered by a Brookside" and "The Deserter." The group plays as a collective unit, offering a nice blend of mandolin, fiddle, and guitar along with energetic percussion. There's a relaxed version of "The Banks of the Sweet Primroses" and a stately take on Thompson and Dave Swarbrick's "Now Be Thankful." Anna Ryder's vocals add a nice touch to "The Crowd," and Ian Anderson offers some fancy flute work on "Portmeirion." Interestingly, this latter instrumental reminds one of other "new acoustic" compositions by outfits like New Grange, another band on the Compass label. While all of the selections are performed competently and professionally, a certain sameness seeps into the proceedings halfway through the album. It's as though the music has become too safe, too predictable. Fans of Fairport's recent albums, however, will enjoy sitting down with a pint of their favorite beverage and taking a long look back at the band's illustrious history. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., All Music Guide

Name Credits Anna Ryder Penny Whistle, Piano, Accordion, French Horn, Vocals Chas McDevitt Trumpet Chris Knibbs Trombone Chris Leslie Arranger, Tenor Banjo, Mandolin, Violin, Electronic Mandolin, Vocals Chris While Vocals Colin Edwards Photography Cropredy Crowd Clapping Dave Pegg Vocals, Guitar (Bass), Producer Fairport Convention Arranger Gerry Conway Drums, Percussion, Arranger Ian Anderson Flute John Dent Mastering Julie Matthews Vocals Mark Tucker Mixing, E-Bow, Producer, Guitar (Electric), Engineer Mick Toole Cover Photo, CD Art Adaptation Ric Sanders Piano (Electric), Baritone Violin, Arranger, Violin Simon Nicol Guitar, Arranger, Vocals