Early Years, The - Phil Ochs

Advantages: Fantastic History of the band who invented Folk Rock
Disadvantages: No Family Tree, but you can get it in "History"

...The band's name is Fairport Convention, not Fairground Convention. There is a wonderful CD compilation , callled "History" which a fine selection of Fairport's music, but this compilation has two CDs and as such provides a more exhaustive selection of the band's work for the Island label. It opens with a track from their debut album (which was on the Polydor label) and featured Judy Dyble on vocals,) a version of Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning" demonstrating their early leanings towards their West Coast influences of Bob Dylan , Jefferson Airplane and Phil Ochs. The band have always had a fluid line up and around 1968 virtually single handedly invented British Folk rock. Sandy Denny (ex of the early Strawbs) came in on vocals and Richard Thompson on guitar, The groups history is detailed concisely and beutifully in the liner... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Calm, mellow, occaisionally chilled album
Disadvantages: One or two poor tracks

.... The lyrics are interesting and thought provoking, the instruments sound fresh. – 7/10 2 – Can’t Turn Back The Years – A slow song, this is a calm track. The bass continues throughout with the odd interlude of a keyboard. Phil’s voice brings the whole song to a sense of being complete. The lyrics are, again, thought provoking and this song is definitely one of my favourites from this album. – 7/10 3 – Everyday – This track could quite easily be the best track on the album. A great piano intro leads into the song. Only slightly faster than the last track, this song is a cracker with keyboards leading the music, aided by the piano, bass and calm drums. Phil’s voice provides calm delivery of some great lyrics. – 9/10 4 – I’ve Forgotten Everything – This is the slowest song on the album. Instrumentally, there’s nothing special going on... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: the best compilation of his early stuff
Disadvantages: if you own many of his albums you will find these tracks on them

...this is a brilliant introduction to many of bob\'s early less known tracks that have very thought provoking lyrics. throught his music he manages to say many simple things that make you think yet you would never think of them unless you\'d herd it. he manages to grasp the obvious and turn it in to something deep and meaningful. It has many lively ska tracks to get you grooving such as mr. chaterbox. basically there is not one bad track and it contains all brilliant tracks. to me it is like the legend album but you get 3 cd\'s and not many people have herd of the tracks therefore it\'s a new experience which is great to show your friends and get them into bob. it\'s a must. a brilliant comilation.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful