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Music : Liege And Lief
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Rating: 
- Classic Folk-Rock
"Liege and Lief" was Fairport's first album that was almost entirely inspired by traditional British music. The band had previously released 3 albums during a relatively short period of time, and the repertoire had been a mixture of pop, rock and American and British folk.
In May 1969 after the recording of the previous album "Unhafbricking" the band had a terrible road accident which took the lives of drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend Jeannie.
Other band-members were injured in the crash and the group were close to splitting up, but with their wounds healing up they eventually decided to continue with new members Dave Swarbrick and Dave Mattacks.
They did not want to perform their old material and needed a new direction and with inspiration from Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny they began digging into traditional Bristish folk music.
In a Hampshire farmhouse they began rehearsing material for a new album which eventually became "Liege and Lief".
The album inspired many other musicians to dig into traditional music and has now become a folk-rock classic and the album.
The original 8 tracks are all great and this new release features two bonus tracks recorded during the same sessions. "Sir Patrick Spence" was later recorded by the next Fairport line-up, here you have the opportunity to hear an early version with lead vocals by Sandy Denny singing slightly different lyrics. The arrangement may be less tight than the "Full House" version, but still a great addition to a timeless album. The other "new" track is a droning version of "Quiet Joys of Brotherhood" which Sandy later recorded several times and released on her second solo-album.
Though most of the material is traditional, there are a couple of originals written by Richard Thompson; and they both stand out. "Crazy Man Michael" ( co-written by Swarbrick ) and "Farewell Farewell" were always favourites - "Farewell Farewell" sound much better than on the original vinyl album.
An often overlooked song, "The Deserter", was actually the song that got me into the band; a great tune beautifully sung by Sandy Denny.
Rating:
- love it, love it, love it
This was the first ever folk-rock type album I ever bought. Still like it now after all these years - must buy it on CD....
Fairport have had many line ups over the years, but nothing can beat Sandy Denny's vocals here. Just fabulous
Rating: - Classic Folk-Rock
"Liege and Lief" was Fairport's first album that was almost entirely inspired by traditional British music. The band had previously released 3 albums during a relatively short period of time, and the repertoire had been a mixture of pop, rock and American and British folk.
In May 1969 after the recording of the previous album "Unhafbricking" the band had a terrible road accident which took the lives of drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend Jeannie.
Other band-members were injured in the crash and the group were close to splitting up, but with their wounds healing up they eventually decided to continue with new members Dave Swarbrick and Dave Mattacks.
They did not want to perform their old material and needed a new direction and with inspiration from Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny they began digging into traditional Bristish folk music.
In a Hampshire farmhouse they began rehearsing material for a new album which eventually became "Liege and Lief".
The album inspired many other musicians to dig into traditional music and has now become a folk-rock classic and the album.
The original 8 tracks are all great and this new release features two bonus tracks recorded during the same sessions. "Sir Patrick Spence" was later recorded by the next Fairport line-up, here you have the opportunity to hear an early version with lead vocals by Sandy Denny singing slightly different lyrics. The arrangement may be less tight than the "Full House" version, but still a great addition to a timeless album. The other "new" track is a droning version of "Quiet Joys of Brotherhood" which Sandy later recorded several times and released on her second solo-album.
Though most of the material is traditional, there are a couple of originals written by Richard Thompson; and they both stand out. "Crazy Man Michael" ( co-written by Swarbrick ) and "Farewell Farewell" were always favourites - "Farewell Farewell" sound much better than on the original vinyl album.
An often overlooked song, "The Deserter", was actually the song that got me into the band; a great tune beautifully sung by Sandy Denny.
Rating: - A true landmark
"Liege and Lief" is a genuine landmark recording, one of those albums that changed things.
You could hear the way the Fairports were going with "A sailor's life" on "Unhalfbricking" but the fusion of West Coast rock and English folk on "L&L" was genuinely revolutionary.
This album is one of those that everyone should own - because it is unique, it defined and kickstarted the whole folk-rock scene.
Sandy Denny was a wonderful singer, sadly missed, and her solo albums are well worth listening too but "L&L" is her memorial.
Dave Swarbrick's violin playing here is great, as is all the musicianship - particularly Richard Thompson, one of the UK's greatest guitar players.
Rating: - British Folk-Rock
This is one of those albums like Sgt. Peppers that everybody rates but takes for granted and forgets how good it is. It has the seminal trad things, songs by amazing writers, incredible playing, fantastic singing; it's the consummate folk album.
There is little doubt that Sandy Denny was the finest female vocalist ever to come out of modern music. If you have ever heard an angel sing then you have some idea how Sandy Denny sounds. She had a startling career, including appearing on two Led Zeppelin tracks singing on 'Battle Of Evermore' and 'Going To California' which rather proves the point as at the time Led Zeppelin could of chosen anybody to sing on their albums. Ian Matthews was then added as a second vocalist and the band went into the studio after signing a contract with the newly formed Island Record Company.
Their first album `What We Did On Our Holidays' (1969) was an excellent album, showing great variety of style, and hinting at things to come with a radical swing to traditional British music that was to follow.
Dissatisfied with his role in `Fairport Convention' Ian Matthews left after contributing to one track on the next album, understandably as it was very hard for him to compete and be compared to Sandy Denny. But fear not, no need to feel sorry for young Matthews as he went off and formed 'Matthew's Southern Comfort' and was Number One in the British charts by October 1970 with his version of Joni Mitchell's 'Woodstock'.
The new album from the Fairport Convention was a cracker released only six months after their debut album. 'Unhalfbricking' (1969) was a definite step down the road of development, for the first time including the talents of long time friend and fiddle man Dave Swarbrick for this album as a session player, but his future influence on Fairport Convention and British folk rock were swathing.
Due to their popularity Fairport Convention were almost constantly on the road, and just when everything seemed to be on the up and up disaster struck. In June 1969 returning from a gig, their van ran off the motorway after the driver fell asleep, and in this terrible crash the lives of Martin Lamble and Richard Thomson's girlfriend Jeannie Taylor were snatched away.
Naturally the rest of the members of the band were distraught, and at first could not bare the idea of carrying on without their fallen comrades. But Joe Boyd Fairport Convention's manager rented a remote cottage. Here, the remaining members of the band were invited to live their, and Dave Swarbrick was made a permanent member of the band. A replacement for Martin Lamble had to be found to allow the band to continue recording and touring. Dave Mattacks seemed to have the right temperament, was an excellent drummer, and above all made a superb centre half for the Fairport's football team. Fairport Convention were a band again.
Collectively it was decided that a new direction had to be taken as the others could not imagine playing the old songs without in particular Martin Lamble on drums. They as many others were impressed by the new music coming out of America particularly 'The Music From The Big Pink' by The Band. In their country recluse they could not stop playing the LP. They loved it, but at the same time they were shocked. It was so deeply American, so fully immersed in the roots of American culture that the Fairport's felt that the goalposts may have been moved too far. They could never inhabit the space occupied by The Band. But perhaps they could accomplish something parallel to 'Big Pink' if they set their minds to it. Maybe they could create a repertoire as English as the Band was American.
Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny shared a love for old traditional English folk songs , almost everyday the two of them would arrive back at the house with reams of new songs to show and play for their friends and band mates. Everybody was in agreement this was the way forward. . Once the band had decided where they were going the music was laid down quickly and almost effortlessly. Daytimes were spent playing football in the spacious gardens, or taking long walks with Dave Swarbrick's Collie dog. But in the evening they would pick up their instruments and get down to work.
The results were stupendous, a landmark in rock 'n' roll history. Of the eight tracks, the album opens and closes with originals the Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings 'Come All Ye' sets the mood perfectly, whilst 'Crazy Man Michael' by Dave Swarbrick and Richard Thompson brings the album to a fitting close. In the middle there is Richard Thompson's beautiful 'Farewell, Farewell' In-between are five songs dug out by Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings which have been arranged by the band. All of them little gems. The medley in the middle is a joyous collection of tunes, jigs and reels. But perhaps the stand out track on the album is 'Matty Groves' all eight minutes of it, as it tells of love between the classes. At first Sandy Denny's beautiful voice leads us through the story, with its sad conclusion before the band break in rampaging towards the climax with a fine musical battle between fiddle and lead guitar.
'Liege and Lief' (1969) to this day is the British folk rock album. A seminal work which said it all, and launched a thousand imitators. Certainly Fairport Convention's finest hour. Unfortunately in their wisdom Island records have decided to add two further tracks onto the original album, both of which are outtakes never meant for the paying public and do nothing to enhance the album.
Strange then that before the album had hit the record shelves in the shops, and after one radio broadcast, an appearance on Top Of The Pops to promote the non-LP 'Si Tu Dois Partir' which actually got to 21 in the charts, and only nine concerts. Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings left the band. Sandy Denny to form 'Fortheringay', and Ashley Hutchings to 'Steeleye Span'. Especially strange as these were the two musicians who had taken the band off in it's new direction. Of course the others quickly got over the shock, picked themselves up, dusted themselves down and carried on. Having a new album in the charts by the following July 'Full House'(1970).
A band under the Fairport Convention banner still record and tour to this day, keeping the Fairport ideals alive. Ashley Hutchings was to reappear in the bands line up over the next thirty odd years every now and again when the whim took him, and is always welcomed back with open arms. Sandy Denny re-joined the band in 1975 for another year of touring and one more album 'Rising For The Moon' (1975) but left again in 1976. Sadly she died of a brain hemorrhage on Friday 21st April 1978 after falling down some stairs at a friend's house the previous Monday, a great loss to the world. But her beautiful voice lives on as can be heard here on this exquisite album.
- Classic Folk-Rock"Liege and Lief" was Fairport's first album that was almost entirely inspired by traditional British music. The band had previously released 3 albums during a relatively short period of time, and the repertoire had been a mixture of pop, rock and American and British folk.
In May 1969 after the recording of the previous album "Unhafbricking" the band had a terrible road accident which took the lives of drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend Jeannie.
Other band-members were injured in the crash and the group were close to splitting up, but with their wounds healing up they eventually decided to continue with new members Dave Swarbrick and Dave Mattacks.
They did not want to perform their old material and needed a new direction and with inspiration from Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny they began digging into traditional Bristish folk music.
In a Hampshire farmhouse they began rehearsing material for a new album which eventually became "Liege and Lief".
The album inspired many other musicians to dig into traditional music and has now become a folk-rock classic and the album.
The original 8 tracks are all great and this new release features two bonus tracks recorded during the same sessions. "Sir Patrick Spence" was later recorded by the next Fairport line-up, here you have the opportunity to hear an early version with lead vocals by Sandy Denny singing slightly different lyrics. The arrangement may be less tight than the "Full House" version, but still a great addition to a timeless album. The other "new" track is a droning version of "Quiet Joys of Brotherhood" which Sandy later recorded several times and released on her second solo-album.
Though most of the material is traditional, there are a couple of originals written by Richard Thompson; and they both stand out. "Crazy Man Michael" ( co-written by Swarbrick ) and "Farewell Farewell" were always favourites - "Farewell Farewell" sound much better than on the original vinyl album.
An often overlooked song, "The Deserter", was actually the song that got me into the band; a great tune beautifully sung by Sandy Denny.
Rating:
- love it, love it, love itThis was the first ever folk-rock type album I ever bought. Still like it now after all these years - must buy it on CD....
Fairport have had many line ups over the years, but nothing can beat Sandy Denny's vocals here. Just fabulous
Rating:
- Classic Folk-Rock"Liege and Lief" was Fairport's first album that was almost entirely inspired by traditional British music. The band had previously released 3 albums during a relatively short period of time, and the repertoire had been a mixture of pop, rock and American and British folk.
In May 1969 after the recording of the previous album "Unhafbricking" the band had a terrible road accident which took the lives of drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend Jeannie.
Other band-members were injured in the crash and the group were close to splitting up, but with their wounds healing up they eventually decided to continue with new members Dave Swarbrick and Dave Mattacks.
They did not want to perform their old material and needed a new direction and with inspiration from Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny they began digging into traditional Bristish folk music.
In a Hampshire farmhouse they began rehearsing material for a new album which eventually became "Liege and Lief".
The album inspired many other musicians to dig into traditional music and has now become a folk-rock classic and the album.
The original 8 tracks are all great and this new release features two bonus tracks recorded during the same sessions. "Sir Patrick Spence" was later recorded by the next Fairport line-up, here you have the opportunity to hear an early version with lead vocals by Sandy Denny singing slightly different lyrics. The arrangement may be less tight than the "Full House" version, but still a great addition to a timeless album. The other "new" track is a droning version of "Quiet Joys of Brotherhood" which Sandy later recorded several times and released on her second solo-album.
Though most of the material is traditional, there are a couple of originals written by Richard Thompson; and they both stand out. "Crazy Man Michael" ( co-written by Swarbrick ) and "Farewell Farewell" were always favourites - "Farewell Farewell" sound much better than on the original vinyl album.
An often overlooked song, "The Deserter", was actually the song that got me into the band; a great tune beautifully sung by Sandy Denny.
Rating:
- A true landmark"Liege and Lief" is a genuine landmark recording, one of those albums that changed things.
You could hear the way the Fairports were going with "A sailor's life" on "Unhalfbricking" but the fusion of West Coast rock and English folk on "L&L" was genuinely revolutionary.
This album is one of those that everyone should own - because it is unique, it defined and kickstarted the whole folk-rock scene.
Sandy Denny was a wonderful singer, sadly missed, and her solo albums are well worth listening too but "L&L" is her memorial.
Dave Swarbrick's violin playing here is great, as is all the musicianship - particularly Richard Thompson, one of the UK's greatest guitar players.
Rating:
- British Folk-RockThis is one of those albums like Sgt. Peppers that everybody rates but takes for granted and forgets how good it is. It has the seminal trad things, songs by amazing writers, incredible playing, fantastic singing; it's the consummate folk album.
There is little doubt that Sandy Denny was the finest female vocalist ever to come out of modern music. If you have ever heard an angel sing then you have some idea how Sandy Denny sounds. She had a startling career, including appearing on two Led Zeppelin tracks singing on 'Battle Of Evermore' and 'Going To California' which rather proves the point as at the time Led Zeppelin could of chosen anybody to sing on their albums. Ian Matthews was then added as a second vocalist and the band went into the studio after signing a contract with the newly formed Island Record Company.
Their first album `What We Did On Our Holidays' (1969) was an excellent album, showing great variety of style, and hinting at things to come with a radical swing to traditional British music that was to follow.
Dissatisfied with his role in `Fairport Convention' Ian Matthews left after contributing to one track on the next album, understandably as it was very hard for him to compete and be compared to Sandy Denny. But fear not, no need to feel sorry for young Matthews as he went off and formed 'Matthew's Southern Comfort' and was Number One in the British charts by October 1970 with his version of Joni Mitchell's 'Woodstock'.
The new album from the Fairport Convention was a cracker released only six months after their debut album. 'Unhalfbricking' (1969) was a definite step down the road of development, for the first time including the talents of long time friend and fiddle man Dave Swarbrick for this album as a session player, but his future influence on Fairport Convention and British folk rock were swathing.
Due to their popularity Fairport Convention were almost constantly on the road, and just when everything seemed to be on the up and up disaster struck. In June 1969 returning from a gig, their van ran off the motorway after the driver fell asleep, and in this terrible crash the lives of Martin Lamble and Richard Thomson's girlfriend Jeannie Taylor were snatched away.
Naturally the rest of the members of the band were distraught, and at first could not bare the idea of carrying on without their fallen comrades. But Joe Boyd Fairport Convention's manager rented a remote cottage. Here, the remaining members of the band were invited to live their, and Dave Swarbrick was made a permanent member of the band. A replacement for Martin Lamble had to be found to allow the band to continue recording and touring. Dave Mattacks seemed to have the right temperament, was an excellent drummer, and above all made a superb centre half for the Fairport's football team. Fairport Convention were a band again.
Collectively it was decided that a new direction had to be taken as the others could not imagine playing the old songs without in particular Martin Lamble on drums. They as many others were impressed by the new music coming out of America particularly 'The Music From The Big Pink' by The Band. In their country recluse they could not stop playing the LP. They loved it, but at the same time they were shocked. It was so deeply American, so fully immersed in the roots of American culture that the Fairport's felt that the goalposts may have been moved too far. They could never inhabit the space occupied by The Band. But perhaps they could accomplish something parallel to 'Big Pink' if they set their minds to it. Maybe they could create a repertoire as English as the Band was American.
Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny shared a love for old traditional English folk songs , almost everyday the two of them would arrive back at the house with reams of new songs to show and play for their friends and band mates. Everybody was in agreement this was the way forward. . Once the band had decided where they were going the music was laid down quickly and almost effortlessly. Daytimes were spent playing football in the spacious gardens, or taking long walks with Dave Swarbrick's Collie dog. But in the evening they would pick up their instruments and get down to work.
The results were stupendous, a landmark in rock 'n' roll history. Of the eight tracks, the album opens and closes with originals the Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings 'Come All Ye' sets the mood perfectly, whilst 'Crazy Man Michael' by Dave Swarbrick and Richard Thompson brings the album to a fitting close. In the middle there is Richard Thompson's beautiful 'Farewell, Farewell' In-between are five songs dug out by Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings which have been arranged by the band. All of them little gems. The medley in the middle is a joyous collection of tunes, jigs and reels. But perhaps the stand out track on the album is 'Matty Groves' all eight minutes of it, as it tells of love between the classes. At first Sandy Denny's beautiful voice leads us through the story, with its sad conclusion before the band break in rampaging towards the climax with a fine musical battle between fiddle and lead guitar.
'Liege and Lief' (1969) to this day is the British folk rock album. A seminal work which said it all, and launched a thousand imitators. Certainly Fairport Convention's finest hour. Unfortunately in their wisdom Island records have decided to add two further tracks onto the original album, both of which are outtakes never meant for the paying public and do nothing to enhance the album.
Strange then that before the album had hit the record shelves in the shops, and after one radio broadcast, an appearance on Top Of The Pops to promote the non-LP 'Si Tu Dois Partir' which actually got to 21 in the charts, and only nine concerts. Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings left the band. Sandy Denny to form 'Fortheringay', and Ashley Hutchings to 'Steeleye Span'. Especially strange as these were the two musicians who had taken the band off in it's new direction. Of course the others quickly got over the shock, picked themselves up, dusted themselves down and carried on. Having a new album in the charts by the following July 'Full House'(1970).
A band under the Fairport Convention banner still record and tour to this day, keeping the Fairport ideals alive. Ashley Hutchings was to reappear in the bands line up over the next thirty odd years every now and again when the whim took him, and is always welcomed back with open arms. Sandy Denny re-joined the band in 1975 for another year of touring and one more album 'Rising For The Moon' (1975) but left again in 1976. Sadly she died of a brain hemorrhage on Friday 21st April 1978 after falling down some stairs at a friend's house the previous Monday, a great loss to the world. But her beautiful voice lives on as can be heard here on this exquisite album.