Unhalfbricking
by Fairport Convention

This is really where it starts. Contains the band's only hit, "Si Tu Dois Partir", a French language version of an unreleased Dylan song, "If You Gotta Go, Go Now". There are two other unreleased Dylan songs on the album. Denny and Thompson provide the other songs, apart from one traditional English folk song, "A Sailors' Life". The performance of this song is quite remarkable - it has a meaty West Coast punch combined with Denny's ethereal vocals and album guest Swarbrick's folk-jazz violin. Best listened to with copious amounts of dope and joss sticks, it can also be enjoyed and respected stone cold sober. It is this track that really marked the change for Fairport, and put them as the leading folk act in the UK, and inspired others to emulate their blend of traditional English folk with modern instruments and a modern musical structure. The blend of folk, rock, and jazz is stunning, largely thanks to Swarbrick who would become a member of the band after the album was recorded. The track, at 11.20, is the longest not only of the album, but - with the exception of the concept album "Babbacombe" Lee - of the band's entire career. Side two opens with the clattering rocky "Cajun Woman", before returning to the sublime with one of the band's most respected songs - Denny's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?". A very satisfying album indeed, aside from its historical significance.

One of the best british folk music's record of all times. Must have it.

Underrated folk record

A very progressive interpretation of folk here. They combine their own compilations with some of Dylan’s (very much like the Byrd’s) to create a very nice and compact listen. Sandy Denny’s vocals are a particular highlight throughout, particularly towards the back end where she really comes into her own, she specifically sounds fantastic on” Percy’s Song” harmonising brilliantly with the backing vocals . Other highlights would be the opener “Genesis Hall”, “Autopsy”, “Who Knows Where The Time Goes?” and the very psychedelic “A Sailor’s Life”.

This album is like a parade; you can't be craning your neck wondering what's next and checking your watch and wishing you had some cotton candy. You have to just let each bit show its stuff on the way by; then you get jugglers and pretty girls and marching bands and Shriners and bagpipes. Trust me; it'll be worth it.

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From JoaoMoreira 03/22/2018 16:53 | #211498

Another good album from this great sounding band.
Even though the compositions aren't mindblowing, they are uniquely honest and both Denny's vocals and the instrumental are very well crafted.

From Sandrof1969 02/11/2018 13:51 | #207605

Cosa si può dire di un gruppo che, qui, riesce a migliorare Bob Dylan ?

Since buying this on vinyl several years ago (more than 15) I have only listened to it a couple of times. The cover doesn't do much for me and has tended to put me off pulling it out of my vast vinyl collection more regularly, bit like books and covers, although i shouldn't judge a book by... After getting past the album cover I find the album a good listen, in fact had forgotten some great tracks like 'A Sailors Life' which has a more psychedelic edge than folk. Personally I prefer the more psychedelic harder sound of Jefferson Airpalne when thinking about female vocal led bands from the sixties.

One of the best albums from the classic Fairport Convention line up. Beautiful songs and textures, with, genesis hall, a sailor's life, and off course, who knows where the time goes, all great. The Dylan covers are fine too. Lovely stuff.