Folk & Country > F Folk & Country

Now be Thankful

Advantages: Fairport at their peak
Disadvantages: Only scratches the surface

Yes, I like Oasis, the Charlatans, Verve, Orbital et al, and I'm damned if anyone will snicker at me for my love of British folk either. Personally, those that don't have any Fairport in their music collection are missing out on some superb songwriting, musicianship and sheer entertainment. This collection covers 7 incarnations of the famously hectic Fairport lineup and takes us from 1967 to 1972, released while working on the then as yet untitled ...
...It takes in 5 albums, and the original vinyl comes with a family tree to help make sense of it all. Yes there are plenty of nods and arrangements of traditional folk tunes, but on the whole this album features largely original compositions from such talented tunesmiths as Richard Thompson, Dave Swarbrick and the much missed Sandy Denny. During the album we'll also have an opportunity to hear the fantastic drumming of Dave Mattacks, and sublime bass ...

dadmancat 05.01.2003 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of History Of Fairport Convention, The - Fairport Convention

Powerful Example Of Folk Influenced Rock

Advantages: Sandy Denny's vocals, Richard Thompson's guitar, some very strong tunes.
Disadvantages: The odd weak track, a couple of Bob Dylan covers too many.

Fairport Convention were a British band formed in late 1966 from North London. The band have often been cited as the pioneers of folk-rock, although another British electric folk band, Pentangle around at the same time, could equally have laid claim to this, except their music was more jazz influenced than the Fairports. The main focus of interest in Fairport Convention around this period centred on Richard Thompson's excellent and original ...
...history of the band lineup follows. By the time Unhalfbricking came out in the summer of 1969, Fairport had been through slight personnel changes since they started out. Sandy Denny had replaced original female vocalist. Judy Dyble a year earlier, and was much the more impressive singer of the two. Ian Matthews, the original male vocalist left the band while they recorded this album. Finally, Dave Swarbrick, a veteran fiddle player on the ...

RippedoffPete 11.12.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Unhalfbricking (Remastered & Expanded) - Fairport Convention

A postcard from Ammansford and the soul

Advantages: Fantastic po;itical, personal and domestic ongs
Disadvantages: Might be hard to find as she's not a mainstream artist

Politics in music is a tricky thing to get right. Saint Bono of Hewson with his hypocritical ramblings of stop world debt but I'll sue you for stealing my hat could put you off political music for life but luckily when its done right it is thought provoking and sublime. I'm thinking Barry McGuire's powerful 1965 hit “Eve of Destruction” and one of my new favourite singers Tracey Curtis with her second album “Picture Postcards” So who is Tracey Curtis? ...
...Ammanford in South Wales (half an hour from the sea, just off the M4 according to her song “The John Peel song”. Before her solo career and motherhood she was a member of the late 80s, early 90s band Shelley's Children. I discovered her hen a friend of mine lent me the CD and I've become hooked. ever since then. It is ironic one of Curtis's songs on the album is called “ I should Have Kept it Simple” as that is exactly what she does on “Picture Postcards”. ...

duskmaiden 21.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Picture Postcards - Tracey Curtis

Great Album

Advantages: This is a spectacular album
Disadvantages: at times the Hootie comes out

I have to admit I was a little sceptical when I heard the man from Hootie and the Blowfish was trying to make a name in the country music world. I couldn't have been more wrong. After hearing "Don't think I don't think about it" I knew I had to go out and listen to this album. After listening through it a couple times I knew Darius wasn't going to be a one hit wonder and he was here to stay. For being relatively new to the country genre Darius ...
...talented he is. So many different feelings are projected in his songs. His debuted song "Don't think I don't think about it" deals about the feelings when you break up with someone you love. He captures the joys and pains of raising a child in "It Won’t Be Like This For Long". In his most recently released single “History in the Making” he really expresses the passion, care and energy involved when you find that special someone. This album offers ...

cashen33 20.10.2009 · Read full review

Review of Learn To Live - Darius Rucker

Classic Eric Church

Advantages: Good mix of style and tempo, Eric doesn't stick to one format
Disadvantages: If you are looking for something to listen to for a while this is not it, CD only about 45 minute

Eric once again successfully blends his rock sound with his own flavor of country twang. Those who enjoyed his debut album "Sinners Like Me" will not be disappointed by the nice blend of up temp and slow songs. The sophomore albums first singles "Love your Love the Most" and "Carolina" show the softer side of the album. But, Eric picks it up with underrated hits "Young and Wild" and "Ain't Killed Me Yet". These too are my personal favorites of the ...
...have a good time to. However, the rock side Eric is most known for really comes it in "Smoke a little Smoke, Drink a little Drink" and "Loota Boot Left to Fill". This is a great follow up album to Sinners Like Me and I am sure we are all excited to see what Eric holds for us in the future. ...

cashen33 20.10.2009 · Read full review

Review of Carolina - Eric Church