Reviews (page 4 of 8)
These guys have a nice vibe
I really enjoyed the folk rock. The vocals really stood out for me.
Never heard of this group, quite like folk in general though so was looking forward to it. First track I wasn't sure on but everything after was great
Great folk album, very influential. Low 4
The first British folk roll album. Beautiful voice.
Blending rock into traditional English folk music in a way which doesn't destroy the delicate nature of the folk is no small achievement, Fairport Convention get the balance exactly right. Its very listenable and manages to bypass that self-consciousness that very earnest music can sometimes summon. I see them as a cornerstone of contemporary acts I love today, such as This Is The Kit.
A low 4 for me today, traditional English folk mixed with rock and a small touch of psych and prog, not quite the right blend for me, I prefer the folk elements in this record but it is lovely to hear English folk music feeling revitalised by some great players - I think I know the fiddle player’s (RIP) niece
The 1960s folk genre is becoming one of my favorites.
Alt
I got this and Unhalfbricking almost back to back. This one felt a lot more refined, but I also found it less interesting. It really showcased her voice though.
Love it
Bland. I found nothing extraordinary about it.
Næsten fokelore stemning over noget. Men virkelig noget bras det meste af tiden.
Kedeligt
Avoided this forever, because who needs folk rock? My bad, it's pretty good. And Matty Groves is a banger!
This album has an Irish kind of vibe, nothing too exciting, but also wasn't too bad just having it playing on the side. I enjoyed doing stuff while this was playing, so I am quite happy with the experience.
Folk rock may have been dead in the water in the grand scheme of things by 1969 but it was picking up new forms of vitality in Great Britain with Fairport Convention leading the way. Liege & Lief is where the Convention turned a leaf and took a leap, merging original material and well trodden standards to create an exhilarating collection that helps tip the bucket with overflow. Sandy Denny makes her presence felt throughout the record, lending an unforgettable hand that sent ripples to her contemporaries and listeners that would soon pay dividends down the road. A new lease for the folk genre. Favorites: Come All Ye, Reynardine, Matty Groves, The Deserter, Tam Lin.
pretty nice. too long though.
Medieval storytelling delivered with a groovy bass. Love it!
Not bad, by talent, but not my bag.
Not as much Psych as the last FC album I listened to. Still something more than just straight-forward folk, but close enough that I can't really get into it so much. Obviously talented musicians and great vocals.
not for me
Only got a few tracks in, didn’t love this one
Good
a bit of fleetwood mac, but not the same power
Great exemplar of the timelessness of old songs. Beautifully recorded too. These folks have been at the edge of my awareness for a while so grateful for a focused listen
Fantastic english folk. I think I give unhalfbricking the edge because of it's addition of electric guitar solos and heavier drums. This one is more traditional, which I really enjoyed as well. The singer's voice is incredible and is a large part of what makes this album work so well
I wish I'd enjoyed this more, but it's not quite my kind of folk. Beautiful melodies but the lyrics didn't stir me - perhaps on a second listen? Enjoyed the final 10 min track a lot though
I was a bit of an LP collector back in the 80's, going to used record shops in hopes of finding what I'd read were rare albums. This album was high on the list, and one I never found. Once I started having kids that hobby went by the wayside, and I was more focused on getting music that I was certain to enjoy. Unfortunately for me, this record got lost in the shuffle, and I never looked for it again. Lo and behold, it was on Spotify just waiting for a a reason for me to listen. When it came up this morning on the generator I was quite excited, as I wanted to see if it was worth all the fuss I'd put into finding it back in the day. And the simple answer is YES. I loved this album. Sandy Denny's vocals are perfect for the musical style, and the band does a great job of backing her. The only song I didn't absolutely connect with is Reynardine, as I prefer songs with more music accompaniment, but even with that I didn't think it was a bad song at all. As I've said previously, albums like this are the reason I'm doing the project.
Not the sort of music I would normally listen to, but then that’s the whole point of this exercise isn’t it? A bit whimsical at times but quite fun nonetheless !
Excellent roots/bluegrass music.
It wasn’t bad for hippy shit
good
such beautiful lyricism and production, but not many variations when it comes to vocals. this album makes me feel like i'm in a fantastical medieval village, dancing among the locals.
Folk rock interesante. Limado, bien 60s. 5/10
interessante
Immediate like.
I've heard of this band before, but hadn't really sought them out or listened to them before. This album is actually really good and Sandy Denny's voice is amazing and perfect for the style. Glad this one is on the list!
Gear: ZiiGaat x Hangout.Audio: Odyssey 2 Artwork: 🖼️🎨🪻 Production: 🎧👂🧈 Music: 🙌⌛🥱 Rating: 🪻🪻(🪻)/5
I have heard of this band plenty o' times before this, but never actually listened to this. Pretty cool English minstrel folk, not bad, not bad. Probably 3 stars?
Folk music largely sucks, so I wasn’t looking forward this one. And after listening to this, I still think folk music largely sucks…But if someone ever wanted to argue with me that folk music isn’t as bad as I believe it is, this would be a decent record to make that argument with. This isn’t to say that I loved it, cause I didn’t. The songs are pretty boring (I liked “Matty Graves”alright though), and there’s something about the “folk singer voice” of that era that I find grating. But the recording is great and the band is doing something’s outside of the folksy box that are pretty interesting. I won’t be relistening anytime soon, I’m sure, but this was ok. 2.8/5
Good folk rock
Well suited to the 60's folk music scene.
ok but forgettable
Je pense que je préfère la carrière solo de Richard Thompson (+/- avec sa femme Linda).
Je sais pas si c'est mon lointain sang celtique mais les reels, ça me parle! Doublé d'un bon rock and roll, pourquoi pas. Super bon riff sur Matty Groves. La voix de la fille me fait penser à une jeune Joni.
Du bon folk rock mais je trouve qu’on a eu pas mal mieux dans cette période. Une écoute suffira.
2.5 stars It wasn’t a bad listen but it was forgettable for me. I didn’t actively hate it but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the listen. It was generic in a genre I don’t have extensive interest in.
Exactly what you'd expect from an album called Liege and Lief. Folk heavy music set to a rock beat, with some fairly solid vocals over top.
Truly not an album for me. I can appreciate the art but I was just very bored listening to it.
Yet another band I had never heard of, but enjoyed. I also thought that it held up pretty well, having been released in 1969. I am feeling generous and will round up to four stars.
I'm not adverse to a bit of folk music, and I can completely understand why this band are so big on the folk scene. Sandy Denny has a great voice and, as proved by the instrumental track, they are consummate musicians. Unfortunately, it's just not really me. So never going to get more than a 3 form me, but 3 it is.
She has a stunning mystical voice against the backdrop of some great storytelling and musicianship. I really enjoyed it from start to finish.
Dated hippy shite. I can almost smell the flowers in their hair and picture them all sitting cross legged in a circle in some weird log cabin when they recorded this. No no no.
This was a nice surprise this morning. I really loved the first track, the rest was a little less appealing but still good.
Meh. I didn’t care for this one.
Just can't get into this. And I like Thompson. 2*
I really enjoy the singer's accent and the Celtic folk sound. Combining this with all the different instruments builds a unique sound I really enjoyed.
Fun and exciting. Liked it a lot
I thought I would have liked this more based solely on the fact that this album is from 1969 one of the greatest years from music in history, but it was just OK. Underwhelming.
Fantástico. Folk inglés. Album lleno de himnos folkies y canciones tradicionales. Esa voz inexplicable!
Actually not bad, would give it another listen
Some amazing tracks, and lot of not so great compositions. The opener had me questioning my will to listen to this, but it does pick up from track 3.
Alright, not going back to any of the songs after, but an enjoyable listen. Kinda blended together Best and worst: blended too much to pick one 5.5/10
85/1089 loving this, it’s such a bit of me so far I added 8/10 songs to my liked songs list. this was such a pleasure to listen to, and really felt timeless, Sandy’s vocals are so striking and really complete the sound. I think the final song is good but a bit too slow/dithering in a way, the energy peters out a bit, i think it could have been given a slightly different tone and would’ve been a great send off. Otherwise this is just some really solid British folk music 85/100
Liege And Lief is an album that is decent but it was one that i found myself losing track of what song i was on pretty often. I like the folk rock style that this album goes for and it makes it very fitting for certain scenarios and i also did like the fiddle in some of the tracks as it did add quite a lot of character when they were there. The problem with this album is how samey the songs can sound. It gets to the point where i had the issue of losing track of what song. I typically wouldn't have known i was on a different track on the album until i checked the YouTube tab that i was listening to the album through. I still think its a pretty decent album but i wish it didn't have this issue. Best Song: Tam Lin Worst Song: Reynardine
First two songs were a bit slow on the first listen. Matty Groves is a beast of a song, definitely the early standout as I listen. The guitar in the second half of the song is really great. I really like the first minute of Medley: The Lark in the Morning. I think that song is really fun and helps break up the album in a handful of ways. Really nice singing, but the vibes remind me of a renaissance fair a bit more than I'd like. I would buy this album and spin it in the Spring, though. Favorite Tracks: Matty Groves, Medley: The Lark in the Morning, Crazy Man Michael. Listened to on Apple Music with Airpods Max in the office.
intriguing...
Somewhere between beatles, led zepplin, and fleetwood mac. Sounds kinda like an irish stevie nicks
Sorry this one is a dnf for me, but I bet these guys are a riot at the RenFair
More folk than rock on this British folk-rock album. Some enjoyable songs but other than a couple tracks nothing I’d come back to. I’m trying as I do this project to focus more on album quality overall rather than how much I like individual tracks or nostalgia. The latter is harder to fight but still. Whole good albums are tough to come by, I’m realizing.
Hard album to rate due to incredible vibes but ultimately not sure if any single song stand out to me. I’ll return to this one
This band sucked so Mumford & Sons could blow
Started out strong. I thought I was going to like it, but I didn’t.
English folk ? I guess it’s a thing
sound more modern than I expected. Also I had assumed they were Americans (no idea why) but the live work shows they are very much British.
in my library. I really like Fairport Convention.
I can see that I’m going to be the one to skew our group rating here. Lol. Call me crazy, but I really enjoyed this album. They took old timey ballads and Irish jigs and made them into 60’s style folk. I loved the fiddle, a lot of times on the upbeat songs it sounded almost like bagpipes, which I love. The singers voice was beautiful, she’s what I wish Joan Baez sounded like - I appreciate Joan’s music but could never get past her voice enough to listen to it. The last song should have been dropped, that was the one song I didn’t enjoy. Otherwise, I would, and will, listen to this again. Anyway, it really did sound like I was at a renaissance fair, but being there on a beautiful fall day, swigging a beer..how is that a bad thing?
I tried. I seriously did. I got each song started and couldn’t hang on to a single one. If I closed my eyes and listened I would swear this was the prequel to Sheryl Crow. I’ve definitely heard worse, but this is gonna be a no for me, dawg.
It’s folksy, with some interesting rock-tinged tracks sprinkled amid the less successful dirges and art songs. Ultimately a miss, but with much more listenable moments than I expected. Matty Groves slaps!
I learned it pays to read the wiki, the original album is only 8 songs, the rest of the songs on spotify were bonus tracks on the cd reissue. Why does this matter.....I couldn't do it anymore... I needed to stop but didn't want to quit. It was like the 25th mile of a marathon, and I was out of gas. What a relief to learn I was actually 3 songs past the finish line and could turn it off. Phew! Cheesy Renaissance Fair music. Not for me.
I had the 21st Century version of this album two days ago. I said it then, and I'll say it again now: This music would be fine if I was an 18 year old walking on a college campus while a hipster plays this music in the background, but a whole album of it is too much. This very well may be my worst month of albums since I've began doing the generator. Favorite Track: "Reynardine".
Nice to listen to.
The first disc of this was surprisingly good. The original material I mean. I expected to dislike this but it was alright.
I quite liked the first song, but the rest of the album kind of blended together. Overall not bad
Not too bad. Enjoyed it but will probably never listen again
Beautiful vocals for the folk genre. and brilliant stories told within the lyrics.
- Ist mir zu langsam - Mir gefällt der Fokus auf den Gesang nicht so gut ich hätte lieber etwas mehr Melodie dazu - Sonst ist es ganz in Ordnung aber würde ich wahrscheinlich nicht nochmal hören Topsong: Medley: The Lark in the Morning
whaaaaaat! i was not expecting these guys to be on the list! i did a biiig deep dive on these guys like two years ago! this is awesome!
This was so fine. I don’t see why it’s an album I need to listen to before I die but it was still enjoyable enough. Nice to also have another female vocalist which this list feels verrrrry light on.
Kick of a classic rock vibe, with some interesting lyrics.
British folk, eh? Sure. This one is kinda cool - haunting and mystical at times, the singer's voice carrying an intriguing and entrancing sound. The music is subtle, but effective, feeling almost dimly lit at times. I can dig it.
Not Pop in the standard sense, because most songs are all ballads. I have a hard time finding much different between any of the songs. Lead singer has limited range and doesn't do anything exciting. Easy to tune out. 2/10
Fleetwood Mac without the spicy toxic relationships
Carino
interresting folk - rock album
My initial reaction is that why are we listening to British folk when there's plenty of American folk. The first song here sounds like an imitation of Appalachian folk.
Irish/Scottish Folk? Decent.
Pretty good
Nope
82/1001 :: Fairport Convention - Life & Lief Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ➖ Rating: 7 Listen before you die: Yes I had never heard of this band before let alone this album. Assumed it was going to be very 60s based on the cover art and frankly I was quite surprised with how good it was. Mixing folk, psychedelic and a little rock it didn’t really sound overtly 60s it was just good. Quality trailed off a little at the end but overall strong. Not sure I would go back but seemed ahead of its time and that’s cool.
This album was let down heavily by its opening track, imo.
It's alright, artsy traditional-y folkstuff, not particularly enthralling I guess I'm privileged knowing that artists like Simon & Garfunkel exist, maybe this is comparing apples to oranges but I just think there's better listening
Too country rock compared to classic rock
Ok ish
First song was a banger. Not as engaged with the rest of the album
come all ye huuuere cool tönt mega warm, zimlich rockig. bi reynardine cha d sängerin richtig usehaue sie singt jo hammer. matty groves sehr alte englische folksong macht irgendwie immer wiiter strophe noch strophe. die mached da. ui de isch lang. aber riese soli macht huere spass. d medley macht fiddle stuff. es isch immer recht groovy eigentli. tam lin huuuere cooli drums die töned eh super uf dem album.
hmm han ihres andere album so naja gfunde aber mal luege seehr folk und seehr e schöni stimm reynardine schono schön aber LANGWILIG matty grooves findi di ewige soli na cool farewell isch megaa schönnnn hqhaha s medley macht easy spass, macht lust zum tanze tam lin isch suuper, d fiddle im hindergrund passt au guet joo wär jz ohni das album au so glücklich gstorbe aber hans easy gfunde. sehr e schöni stimm und hii und daa ischd fiddle scho funny gsi
Another brilliant album. This is my favourite of the fairport albums. The standout is Matty Groves. Richard Thompson ranks up there with Beck Clapton page Townshend and Gilmour in English rock guitarists. My one criticism is that a little of Sandy Denny’s vocals go a long way with me. She has a great tone but her phrasing seems to suggest she’s forgotten the words. Having said that you can hear her in Robert Plant. So what do i know? Musical DNA. 100 stars.
As a rule of thumb, I don't have time for English folk rock. I find it tends to be overly mannered, uptight and a bit bloodless. This album is better than most of the genre (Pentangle was particularly disappointing), but not as much to my taste as Unhalfbricking, which I really dig. Maybe it's the lean back towards traditional material instead of originals. Richard Thompson seems to be more in the background, and I'm not sure I really rate the new drummer. Sandy Denny, though, really is the focus of this album (her third that year), although I'm not entirely convinced her heart was always in it. Not surprising given the massive workload and tragic events of that year.
This mix of rock and folk is right up my ally. Traditional British folk accented with 60s electric guitar. Quite beautiful. 4/5
I've struggled to enjoy most of these folk rock albums all of the way through. I find it gets old a bit too quickly. Her voice is lovely though
High watermark of English folk rock
Hippies wanging on about fair maidens and minstrels.
Surprised to enjoy this one. Haven't heard of the band before but will definitely check out their other stuff
Upped it to a 5 - brilliant stuff. Folk tales updated for 60s and still feels progressive and exciting in 2025
Like I said in my review of Unhalfbricking, I still prefer the more psychedelic incarnation of Fairport Convention seen on What We Did On Our Holidays. But after relistening to this one, I think it might actually have Sandy Denny's best vocal performance in "Farewell, Farewell"!
J’haïs pas ça. par contre ça faisait un peu bizarre d’être basically en train d’écouter un rigodon à 8:30 un dimanche matin
Pretty folksy - felt like at was at a rennaisance festival here and there. Doesn't suck.
This is by far the biggest surprise I've had here. Was so prepared to skip this as folk really doesn't do it for me but this absolutely rocked.
I really enjoyed this album.
What an interesting album. I really liked the Irish-y folk-y influence and the main woman's voice. The instrumentation didn't impress me too much - it kind of sounds like I've heard this or something similar often before. Maybe it was groundbreaking for its time, but I can't say it's something I will be listening to again.
Medley: The lark in the Morning, was str8 gas. I'm not really one for this kind of folky sound, but this one was a fine listen. Found myself getting kinda bored for large sections of the album, but there were some tracks that stood out like the one I mentioned before.
Listening to this as I cruised through the Ozark mountains as the leaves began to change color for the fall was an experience. Probably skews the score but idc.
They did such a good job creating new songs in the british/celtic folk style that I would never know what was based on original what was based on classics without prior knowledge. Always been a big fan of this genre, and they've done a good job. Will be revisiting and visiting more of their discography. Bonus points for having my name in a song.
I love folk sounds like this. There were so many interesting layers and the vocalist's tone was haunting.
pretty
6.7/10 Fun British folk vibes. The lead singer has a great, haunting voice. Paired with sorrowful and melancholy stringed instruments. Good storytelling and dark themes. Worth a listen again.
Pretty vocals and some good instrumental parts but not something I could really get into for an hour.
This was a good mixture of calming and reminiscent of Woodstock. Also, felt and sounded a bit like Peter, Paul, and Mary.
You can draw a straight line from Crazy Man Michael to Madman by Ashbury. Overall, a cut above the usual late 60s brit rock that populates this list. The dynamism in these tracks feels very before it's time. Parts of this sound clearly influenced American jam bands, but I won't hold this against the album.
Fire!! The platonic ideal of folk rock. Timeless sound. Vocals sound like Joni Mitchell at times and with a gorgeous gospel fullness. Incredible instrumental arrangements of traditional folk songs that incorporate psychedelia and the rock conventions of the time. 1969 what a time to be alive! Reminds me a lot of Let England Shake in its concept
It was okay. Ren Faire style folk music from the 60's.
I saw the reviews comparing this to Ren Faire music and thought, "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher? Let's go!" To my dismay, this was *not* Ren Faire music as I understood it. I would describe it more like Celtic Honkytonk or perhaps the first of the bardcore. Note that I didn't say best because I think others have improved on this format since. There's usually no chorus, just one lilting vocal melody plus an instrumental interlude, repeated ad nauseum. They make 4-minute songs feel like 12 minutes because there's no hook, nothing familiar to latch on or look forward to. It feels much more akin to poetry with musical breaks than it is music as we know it today. Maybe fine to listen to in a tavern when you're weary from long travels on the the muddy road, but these days more evolved options exist. I'm keeping an open mind, but if this is what all British Folk music is, then it is absolutely, unequivocally not for me.
I’m not really familiar with their work and think this was the first time I’ve listened to this album all the way through. I found it very enjoyable and may listen further
Blind album and artist. I want to rate this album 3 but the ending kind of dragged. I really liked 2 tracks but that was pretty much it.
Really enjoyed Matty Groves, especially the guitar outro. Appreciated Quiet Joys as an almost dream pop feel. Got a little redundant though, playing as a lyrical combo of Middle Ages nursery rhyme and an anthem for a pagan orgy like the one from Seconds
if I were ren faire bound, it might be fun for the car ride
Second Fairport Convention album on here and I've liked both. I liked them both for similar reasons, but liked this one a little more than the last. Something about the style and presentation just pleases my ears. However, also like the last one, I'm not sure I'd call it a "great" album, just pretty good. Overall: 3.3/5
When the fiddles get a-fiddlin and her voice goes a-soaring it gets right up my alley. Reminds me very much of my friends old folksy band, and I'm very thankful for the memories. As the tapir said to the elephant: it's a bit bloody long isn't it?
Uninteresting
Decent listen
sounded much better than other 60's albums sounds, decent listen, decent folk album
Surprised by how modern some of the traditional tunes sound just by adding more modern instrumentation. Would have liked more Richard Thompson vocals
After getting Bee Gees yesterday, getting another 60's folk album wasn't really what I was hoping for. But overall, this is a pretty solid listen. Definitely feeling the Joni Mitchell influence on this album, especially with a song like The Deserter. I do tend to prefer the rockier cuts on this record, although as mentioned, The Deserter is really good.
Super chill vibes and fun. Really liked Matty groves song
Folk songs adapted from folk tales! Tracks to Track: Matty Groves, Tam Lin
Loved the Irish folk/medieval vibe
Between a 4 and 5. Rounding up. Great listen.
Wow, can't believe I haven't heard of this group before. Great vocals, great folk jams, great listen.
What a fun album! I wouldn't have thought I'd rate a folk album so highly, but I enjoyed the vocals/instrumental so much on nearly every track.
This was fun but I wasn’t in the mood for it
I love me the Irish folk crooners.
Fine old school folk rock with some dark lyrics
Solid British folk fit for the Renaissance Fair. Those who know Sandy Dennis from the Led Zeppelin connection will not be surprised by the beauty of her vocals, though the song arrangements and feel here tend more towards Judy Collins than “The Battle of Evermore.” Still there is the occasional banger like “Matty Groves” which collapses into a total frenzied guitar freak-out as it goes on.
Reminded me of the folkier led Zeppelin songs
3+
Very slowpaced, chill album. Maybe too much, it's not really my thing
Holy shit dit was goed. Experimentele folkrock uit de 60s die ik nog niet kende. Beetje Jefferson Airplane-achtig en wat een stem ook! Ik overdrijf misschien, maar ik ben te enthousiast. Vijf sterren!
I liked this more than I thought I would. You can absolutely hear the Byrds influence on this record. Really wonderful vocals and instrumentation.
## Liege & Lief: Fairport Convention's Electrified English Epic - An In-Depth Review Released in December 1969 against a backdrop of personal tragedy and cultural upheaval, Fairport Convention's *Liege & Lief* stands as a landmark achievement in British music. Forged in the aftermath of a fatal van crash that killed drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson's girlfriend, the album emerged as both a cathartic rebirth and a revolutionary manifesto. It fused centuries-old British folk narratives with rock's visceral energy, creating a new genre and redefining English musical identity. This review dissects its lyrical depth, musical innovation, production, thematic richness, and enduring influence. ### **1. Lyrics: Ancient Bones, Modern Blood** *Liege & Lief*’s genius lies in its radical reanimation of traditional ballads, stripping away Victorian-era folk preservation's staid formality to expose raw, timeless human struggles. - **Narrative Brutality & Class Warfare**: Five of the eight core tracks adapt traditional tales, foregrounding oppression, betrayal, and defiance. "Matty Groves" (Child Ballad 81) is the centerpiece: an 8-minute saga of adultery between a commoner and a noblewoman, climaxing in a duel where Lord Donald kills Matty, only for his wife to declare her preference for the dead lover. The final lines—*"But bury my lady at the top / For she was noble kin"*—underscore how class hierarchy persists even in death . "The Deserter" exposes state brutality against conscripts, while "Reynardine" (a werefox seducer) and "Tam Lin" (a fairy-cursed knight) explore predatory power dynamics through supernatural allegory . - **Original Songs as Homage**: The band’s compositions mirror traditional motifs. Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings’ opener "Come All Ye" is a rousing call to arms for "rolling minstrels," while Richard Thompson’s "Farewell, Farewell" (with its *"Farewell to the lands where I never was well"* refrain) echoes exile themes. "Crazy Man Michael" (Thompson/Swarbrick) is a psychological parable where a man murders his lover, mistaking her for a prophetic raven—a tale of guilt and madness that feels plucked from folklore . - **Reclaiming "Englishness"**: Rejecting jingoistic nationalism, the album excavates a people’s history of violence, sexuality, and resilience. As scholar Rob Young notes, Fairport restored "the guts and spontaneous vigour" to folk by freely merging lyrics and melodies from disparate sources, defying the rigid "authenticity" enforced by 19th-century collectors like Cecil Sharp . ### **2. Music: Electric Jigs and Spectral Melodies** The album’s sonic alchemy lies in its seamless fusion of traditional instrumentation and rock intensity, executed by a band at its creative peak. - **Folk-Rock Architecture**: Dave Mattacks’ drumming (replacing Lamble) provided a rock backbone without overpowering acoustic textures. Tracks like "Matty Groves" begin as acoustic ballads, then erupt into a 3-minute instrumental coda where Thompson’s snarling guitar and Swarbrick’s frenetic fiddle duel over a propulsive rhythm section, mirroring the song’s violent climax . - **Swarbrick’s Transformative Role**: The fiddler’s arrangements were pivotal. His "Medley" (a whirlwind of reels including "The Lark in the Morning") showcases virtuosic fiddle lines interwoven with Thompson’s melodic guitar, while "Tam Lin" uses dissonant viola drones and offbeat power chords to heighten tension . - **Denny’s Vocal Mastery**: Sandy Denny shifts from the ethereal whisper of "Reynardine" to the defiant roar of "Matty Groves," embodying characters with Shakespearean range. Her phrasing in "The Deserter"—especially the line *"May the Lord have mercy on them for their sad cruelty"*—infuses moral complexity into a soldier’s plight . ### **3. Production: Rustic Authenticity Meets Studio Craft** Recorded at London’s Sound Techniques studio in October–November 1969, producer Joe Boyd and engineer John Wood captured the album’s live-in-a-room energy while enhancing its atmospheric depth. - **Organic Clarity**: The mix prioritizes clarity: Denny’s voice sits centrally, Swarbrick’s fiddle is bright but never shrill, and Thompson’s guitar solos ("Matty Groves") pierce through without distortion. The sparse arrangement of "Reynardine"—acoustic guitar, brushed cymbals, and vocal—creates a haunting intimacy . - **Timeless Sonic Palette**: Avoiding psychedelic gimmicks, the production leans on natural reverb and minimal overdubs. The result feels both ancient and urgent—a stark contrast to the era’s studio excesses . ### **4. Themes: Oppression, Agency, and Cultural Reclamation** *Liege & Lief* dismantles romanticized Englishness, revealing a history of class struggle, gender inequality, and state violence. - **Class and Power**: "Matty Groves" and "The Deserter" highlight systemic oppression. The latter’s press-ganged protagonist suffers 303 lashes for desertion—a stark critique of militarism . - **Gender and Supernatural Control**: Women navigate male predation in "Reynardine" and "Tam Lin," where Janet rescues her lover from a fairy queen through physical determination. These songs frame female agency within patriarchal constraints . - **Reclaiming Tradition**: The album rebelled against folklorists who sought "pure" songs "untainted by outside culture." By electrifying and recombining folk sources, Fairport reclaimed the genre for a new generation, offering a "people’s history" of England . ### **5. Influence: The Blueprint for British Folk Rock** *Liege & Lief*’s impact is immeasurable: - **Genre Creation**: It codified British folk rock, inspiring Steeleye Span (founded by Hutchings) and Pentangle. Bands like Led Zeppelin ("Battle of Evermore") and Jethro Tull incorporated its aesthetics . - **Enduring Legacy**: Voted "Most Influential Folk Album of All Time" at the 2006 BBC Folk Awards, it birthed the annual Cropredy Festival, where Fairport still performs the album in full . - **Cultural Bridge**: It proved folk could be progressive, paving the way for artists like Kate Bush, June Tabor, and modern folk-punk acts like The Pogues . ### **Pros vs. Cons: A Balanced Verdict** | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | **Revolutionary Fusion**: Created a new genre by merging traditional folk with rock intensity. | **Pacing Issues**: "The Deserter" feels monotonous to some; "Reynardine" underutilizes the band . | | **Narrative Depth**: Lyrical themes of class/gender oppression remain resonant. | **Cultural Specificity**: Non-UK listeners may struggle with archaic dialects . | | **Denny’s Vocals**: One of rock’s greatest vocal performances. | **US Impact Limited**: Folk-rock was already established there; less groundbreaking stateside . | | **Swarbrick’s Arrangements**: Fiddle/viola work redefined folk instrumentation. | **Bonus Tracks**: Later editions added weaker outtakes (e.g., "Lady Is a Tramp") . | | **Production Authenticity**: Organic sound has aged exceptionally well. | **Lineup Instability**: Denny/Hutchings left immediately after, fracturing the magic . | ### **Album Track Summary & Themes** | **Track** | **Type** | **Key Themes** | **Highlights** | |--------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | **Come All Ye** | Original | Unity, Artistic Revival | Denny’s rallying cry; Swarbrick’s soaring fiddle | | **Reynardine** | Traditional | Seduction, Predation | Denny’s ethereal vocals; sparse arrangement | | **Matty Groves** | Traditional | Adultery, Class Conflict | 8-min epic; fiery guitar/fiddle duel | | **Farewell...** | Original | Exile, Loss | Thompson’s melancholic guitar; Denny’s delivery | | **The Deserter** | Traditional | Military Brutality, Forgiveness | Swarbrick’s strings; Denny’s moral urgency | | **Medley** | Instrumental | Celebration, Tradition | Energetic jigs; band’s technical prowess | | **Tam Lin** | Traditional | Supernatural Love, Female Agency | Power chords; Denny’s storytelling | | **Crazy Man Michael**| Original | Guilt, Madness | Haunting melody; symbolic lyrics | ### **Conclusion: The Undying Legacy** *Liege & Lief* transcends its "folk rock" label. It is a radical act of cultural archaeology, resurrecting England’s buried voices through electric guitars and fiddles. While minor flaws exist—pacing unevenness, cultural specificity—its virtues are monumental: Sandy Denny’s voice, Swarbrick’s arrangements, and the band’s courage in forging beauty from trauma. Fifty-six years on, it remains a beacon for artists seeking to honor tradition while defying its constraints. As Richard Thompson reflected, singing centuries-old lyrics revealed their "urgency" and power—a power *Liege & Lief* unleashed forever . > **In essence**: A seminal work that transformed tragedy into a timeless, electrified tradition.
Fairy-tale-esque.
6/10
You have to imagine Ann and Nancy Wilson must fucking love this
british and celtic folk music. the vocal harmonies are great. some exploration of almost psychedelic influences, making it feel rooted in very tradition with its instrumentation but also boundary pushing in a way that keeps it interesting 50+ years later.
Musique de hobbits, dans le pas si bon ses du terme
The perfect album to drink earl grey in the countryside
Not their best effort, but still pretty great.
Everything is there for me to love it, it's right in my palette, but somehow, Fairport Convention just don't appel me like it should. That said, it's nice, it sounds good, nothing bad here...
Really cool folk rock album. Vocalist is incredible, and instrumentation was good, but the entire thing felt a little too disjointed and dysfunctional. 3
Pretty good folk rock
It’s ok. It’s just too classical for me
This is a case of the list proving to me that there’s always more you can learn about something. Until today, I had thought my bases were covered regarding the 60s in music, but here comes this British folk band I’ve never heard of and from the first note, I’m in. I’ve been life stressed lately and this is just what I needed.
não me pegou muito, mas me diverti; passou uma vibe meio "angelical" e religiosa que me lembrou até a estética de um mantra... não prestei atenção nas letras btw
The more Celtic-sounding bits are close to being good, but nah. It's supposed to be folk rock but there's very little rock here, tbh. Just makes me want to listen to the Wolfetones or The Pogues.
Quite enjoying the British folk music compared to the American folk albums we've had so far. However it didn't make me feel like returning to it later.
That was... actually quite good ! I didn’t expect much since I’m not a big fan of folk-rock, a genre that often tries to put lipstick on bad rock music by adding random folk instruments. But this is absolutely not the case here – it’s even the other way around. Strictly speaking, it’s very traditionnal folkloric music with celtic and medieval influences, and a few modern guitar lines sprinkled here and there. That worked quite well in my opinion. The songs seem all nice and sweet, but if you listen closely to the lyrics... it’s actually not that sweet, there’s quite a lot of vengeance and bloodletting going on, as is often the case with old folksongs (Matty Groves is a song from the 17th century about a lady who seduces a commoner, who later gets stabbed to death for it by her husband...). The album does get a bit repetitive after a while (Matty Groves, Reynardine and Tam Lin are clearly the highlights), and it is a bit too quiet at times. But the singer’s voice makes up for it. Objectively it's maybe a 2 or a 2,5*, but I'll give it a 3* because real folkloric music (not the US redneck version) is sadly under-represented in this list.
Beautiful and evolving, good!
Not as good as Unhalfbricking, but still decent
Really liked this, just a wonderful listen. I would get bogged down in it being an album of arrangements/covers. But that seems to be what folk is. The Simpsons: No
Alright, won't be revisiting
Good stuff
I adored this! I went in blind and came out ready to buy a cloak and a ticket to the Scottish Borders. Who knew centuries-old murder ballads, fae kidnappings, and jigs could charm me so? I apparently have to start planning a trip to Carterhaugh, Arundel, and Cropredy… purely for “research.”
Good jam band until it got weird
It wasn't bad. Typical 60s folk rock
Such a fun listen. I’m really happy o got this album. I was leaning towards 5 stars but I haven’t spent enough time with it. I enjoyed nearly every track though so this could have either gone 4 or 5 stars!
British folk rock. Meh. This genre really produced very little music that you hear today, which should tell you about its importance in the annals of music. That said, it might have helped to spawn Jethro Tull, so bonus points there. This album is fine, though nothing spectacular. The lead singer's voice is very good. There's a touch of Grace Slick in there. Grace was certainly more powerful and rock oriented, while Sandy Denny's voice is more melancholy at times, even haunting. Really technically sound. Both are pretty distinctive. The songs here are decent, many of which are old English folk songs. Interestingly, I actually much preferred what the band created themselves (especially the harmonies on Come All Ye, Crazy Man Michael) vs. what they covered. I also liked the guitar work throughout this, better than most. Not amazing, but good enough for a listen and worthy of inclusion on this list, at least more so that some of the British bands which were included that shouldn't have been. 3 stars.
Niet afgeluisterd
This album is as bland as tofu
Richard Thompson is great. Sandy Denny was great. I've heard and liked lots of their stuff in the last 10 years, but have never listened to this album. Lots of it I love. The trio of 'Matty Groves', 'Farewell, Farewell' and 'The Deserter' are fantastic. I'll definitely add them to my list of folk favourites. It's not an actual list, but you know what I mean!! 'Crazy Man Michael' makes that list too, so, so good. Aside from that it's patchy. Too many tracks are too long. There's some genuine brilliance here, even though I wouldn't listen the whole album again.
Hit and miss. The second song had me wishing it was over, but Matty Groves is an absolute banger. Evens out to being just alright.
OK
This sounds very much of its time. Whether that is a plus point or not, I don’t know. It’s good for what it is, but not really to my tastes. Sandy Denny’s voice grated on me after a few songs too.
5/5 - Folksy ... Immediate presence ... Can imagine them playing Newport - Relaxed at times, urgent at others ... Good flow - "Dreamy" production ... - Slides towards jam band territory at times - A record that feels like it was made by people who really believed in their art to transgress and transform.
I really liked the vibe on this.
This was actually pretty good. I must admit that I was a bit fearful having to review this album after having quite a heavy set of 'folk' related albums in my recent past, but it was better than expected. The first track was really good. There were a few tracks that were fairly rambling and didn't add much. I loved the female singers voice, fitted the music perfectly.
Imagine if Joan Baez was the lead singer of Jefferson Airplane…and start the first song. There was definitely a ‘60s Psychedelic West Coast folk rock influence here, and I really liked it. Judy Dyble’s vocals were fantastic though so feel a little locked in at points without variations. The guitar work and jam band feeling was great, especially on songs like Tam Lin, and the Lark in the Morning, which had a lot of familiar Irish jigs to it. Marty Groves was my jam on this album, though it did sounds very Jefferson Airplane. Overall, this is a must listen! It’s a nice reminder that America wasn’t the only country that had great folk music in the 1960s!
Random thoughts: * I was expecting some renaissance fair shit and was dreading listening to this but it was way more Crosby Stills and Nash than I expected. * There was even a little Jethro Tull (Tam Lin) and even Doors (Quiet Joys of Brotherhood). * I knew of Sandy Denny and her participation on Battle of Evermore but never explored her music further. (Thanks again 1001 for the education!) * Overall this was pretty decent listen. I don’t feel like I need to explore more but I’d gladly listen again.
Does not start out as strong as Genesis Hall, but takes a couple child's ballads and transcends - Matty Groves is a hard pipe hitter of a song, but Tam Lin sets standards that still haven't been matched.
Like Jefferson Airplane but boring.
It’s not often I give a 5 to an album I haven’t heard of, let alone an artist/band I haven’t heard of. Incredible music with unbelievable vocals. I’ve had Matty Groves on repeat for days.
Det är ett mysigt album, första albumet jag lyssnar på som klassas som brittisk folk musik. 1969 var ett bra musikår så hade ganska höga förväntningar, och i vissa fall lever den upp till dem men mycket är lite långtråkigt tycker jag. Största behållningen är nog Sandy Dennis fantastiska röst. Instrumenten är mysiga men texterna lite sisådär. Några av låtarna har åkt in i min spellista 60&70-tal, så kommer absolut lyssna mer på dem.
solid (not for me)
it's alright i mean. nice folk, nice guitar. not for me however
Wasn't as bad as the last FC album on this list.
A classic British folk album, not a genre that I have listened too much but was very pleasantly surprised. The bass is absolutely fantastic and lays down a solid foundation for the ethereal vocals and strings. Some great guitar solos included as well. Overall a lovely album, my favourite tracks were the faster ones and personal favourite was track 1, Come All Ye. Think it's a great start to the album.
Not as bad as the previous Fairport Convention album that came up, Unhalfbricking, but still only worth two measly stars.
Good dreamy folk
I'm normally not into folk. It's too boring, however this album really brings a lot. Absolutely loved "Matty Groves", "The Deserter", "Tam Lin", and loved the psychedelic ending. Stunning voice too. I mean, I'd give this a 5, but I generally hate folk a lot and there were some songs that just kinda blurred by
Folk is not really my thing and this album didn't turn me around. This tough for me to get through.
This album is okay, it’s a little one note and I feel many of the tracks linger for far too long. The tones are pleasant but it’s the lack of direction that lets it down in my opinion. Few highlights. Fav Tracks - Come All Ye - Marty Groves
Not particularly my thing but if you are going to understand music you have to admit this is the seminal modern English folk album.
Early southern rock, melodic but fun
Whoa! I know idea I was into british folk-rock with a medical twist! These guys are awesome. It amazed me the production value of these older albums, how clear and clean the instruments sound and I love the tight drum sound on these older records.
Classic sound, very neutral feelings
There is something really interesting about this album, it feels like folk rock but still feels very British, there are elements of Gaelic (they are English to their style that you don't normally see in folk albums. I don't know this band but I went into this and was very surprised, this was so much better than I expected. I think this must have influenced music in the 70's because I can see some similarities to some more recent music. These songs feel like music folk tales and I believe some of these songs are even influenced by Gaelic stories. Sandy Denny's vocals were excellent, I know the band is English but she has Scot Gaelic heritage that is evident in these songs. Standouts: Come All Ye, Matty Groves, Farewell, Farewell
Loved the sound, wanted more variety
really enjoyed this! i've liked other stuff i've heard by fairport convention, so i knew i would probably like this too, but i think this may be my favorite that i've heard. it's definitely got that folky feel but it's a little more rock-y at points, something that i really liked. sandy denny's voice is one of my favorites so that was also a plus. really great album that i am definitely coming back to!
Quality album
A bit odd
Интересный альбом, классный голос, напомнил Jefferson's Airplane
The name of the group and album gave me a tinge of dread, Fairpoint Convention? Liege & Lief? Is this 40 minutes of someone plucking a mandolin singing about hobbits? A Ren Faire soundtrack? Well, kinda, but it's still good. This is definitely an album I would have never listened to if it wasn't on the list. British Folk rock with almost a Jefferson Airplane influence. As you get further into the album there is an element of "sameness" to some of the songs but nothing drags. The definite highlight is Sandy Denny's singing. It is wonderful and seems to have been created specifically for this music. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. Give this one a chance.
Great stuff, I hear so much of later Americana, roots, and folksy music.
Good
More British Folk Renaissance Faire music. It's not bad, but it's not anything I'd listen to again.
3.0 - Ok
I really liked it! Should've listened before, nice, twinkly folk.
I liked it. Not much to say other than that.
Favorite Track: Matty Groves
Very good folk album with some traditional British sounds.
Had no idea I enjoyed British folk this much
Definitely good songs and I can see how it could be considered influential. Not quite my taste in music to listen to often but I can appreciate it.
British folk music just sounds pretty decent. If it were Irish though... Solid album I guess.
Hippy Freakout album. I absolutely loathed the last track.
Hauntingly beautiful. I'm not a big folkie person, but this was really good. Opened up strong, kept that vibe going for an hour. Even with the two added tracks for the remaster/Spotift version, it's good. My Rating: 4/5
-repetitive instrumentals -verses and tempo seemed reuses/repeated over different songs Overall, songs were fine but as an album it felt like the same song over and over again
It was alright
Medieval rock cosplay that's kinda giving Spinal Tap's "Stonehenge." Is it 1969 or 1669?
Nope
Like someone decided to sing a book of fairy stories.
This is the second Fairport Convention album for me and it just wasn’t as good as the other album, Unhalfbricking. Liege and Lief became monotonous after a while to the point of being annoying. Sandy Denny’s voice is amazing, but the songs just didn’t have the same pizzazz as Unhalfbricking. And as other reviewers said, I was so surprised to find out that Denny was the female vocals on Led Zeppelin’s Battle of Evermore. She definitely had an amazing set of pipes. I just wasn’t thrilled with this album, but perhaps with another listen I’d change my mind.
Album 822 of 1089 Fairport Convention - Liege And Lief (1969) Rating : 3 / 5 Easy on the ears—solid musicianship, rich with that British folk-rock sound they helped pioneer. While I enjoyed the listen, it’s probably not something I’ll find myself going back to often. That said, for fans of the genre, it’s easy to see why this album is held in such high regard. Sandy Denny’s vocals really stood out. On a few tracks, she gave off strong Grace Slick vibes—powerful, clear, and commanding in a quiet kind of way. Liege & Lief may not have fully grabbed me, but I can still appreciate it as a defining album for its time and style.
Sandy Denny had such a sweet, moving voice. This is lovely electrified-trad-folk fair. More traditional than their previous album, which I liked a bit more than this. Still, the arrangements, melodies, and thoughtful delivery of traditional folk songs works for me just fine.
Previously rated: Unhalfbricking (3/5) ************************* More folk rock with a Grace Slick sounding vocalist. It's nice sounding for a while, but it does get tiring with all the "the sky it did spin" and "her lover's heart it did pound" stuff.
Hippie movement is over!!!
Renn-fair Country Rock
Wow this was really good. Like really really good. Like tickling my balls good. I think I’ve heard of this album before in just my general awareness of solid folk albums but never had I listened to it before. Really just a masterful album, you can hear the influence of it in plenty of artists to come after and the styles and influences it borrowed from to craft this record. Old timey medieval folk music just hits different. Edit: (5->4) this album really was like tickling my balls good. It was really fun at first in the moment, but now it’s kinda lost its appeal. I don’t my balls tickled anymore, sometimes I wanna be the one tickling your balls.
Solid!
Very solid
Just a no from me. I don’t think it’s particularly bad, it’s just not for me at all. So I found it more annoying as the album kept going on. ‘60s folk rock is just not what I want to listen to.
Matty Groves is, of course, a huge bop and there are some other great songs here. Enjoyed this.
At the renaissance fair without my turkey leg
pretty. didn't engage me 100%, but it was a nice, soothing record.
Nice folk vibes. Lovely voice and Celtic narrative. Got a little tired of it quite quickly and maybe for a certain mood and setting, but likely not a go to for me too often. However, nice to get the surprise and sudden turn around in some songs like ‘Matty Groves’. Just a little repetitive if it’s not your thing and was looking forward to finishing it. It does what it does well, but it’s not for me.
Sandy Denny's voice is gorgeous but sadly also the timbre I find genuinely annoying after a short time. I love her voice but I need to hear other types of vocals in-between songs. No, it doesn't make sense to me either. Anyway. This album is the sort that I associate with drifting into one of the further-away stages during festival season. You come close to the crowd: everybody looks like they run an organic farm and has a dog named Fred. And you just don't know enough about carrot-growing to fit in - even if the guitarist on stage sounds great.
I'd die for Lord Donald's wife too. 9/10
Wow I loved this so much. Props to my boy Lief Erickson.
Will easily be 5 stars when I revisit it
Matty Groves Crazy Man Michael
I'm a sucker for Celtic music
Zzzzzzzz……
I was expecting dancing hobbit hippy music, which this was, but surprisingly it was really good dancing hobbit hippy music. Richard Thompson, of course, but there's something about Sandy Denny's voice.
Lovely voice but feels too hippie. Like I should be burning some sage and smoking a blunt while dreaming of a bygone era. Is this country or folk? In any case, not for me.
1969. London. Sandy Denny – vocals. British folk rock.
Pretty good. Not for me tho
Made me want to listen again. 3 stars for now.
Het is allemaal wel erg alsof je de soundtrack van een ridderfilm op de BBC luistert.
Fun folk, high 3
This is the kind of music that tempts me to skip an album. But I didn’t! Listened to the whole Ren faire type thing. I’m happy for the people that like this. I will never understand how this strike got SO popular in the late 1960s. Drugs make you want to go back in time?
Wow, Sandy Denny! I’ve heard some of her songs before (“North Star Grassman and the Ravens” is a favorite of mine), but I wasn’t familiar with this band, and I was delighted to see that she was the singer after looking the album up a few songs in. I don’t usually consider myself as much a fan of this - for lack of a better word - “Renaissancey” folk music (it now occurs to me that the difference comes down to European vs American folk), but this was pleasant and I went back to listen a second time. Favorites: Reynardine, Tam Lin, Crazy Man Michael 4
I've listened to several Fairport Convention albums and this is the one. Fantastic energy. The vocals are top notch. I don't know why I never put her and the Battle of Evermore song together. This is an excellent listen on a Sunday morning. I was supposed to be at Bonnaroo today but it got rained out. So it's the backyard and coffee with this masterpiece. Tam Lin kicks ass.
Not at all folk in the contemporary sense. Very boring. Do not understand what the point of most of the stories are. I kinda feel like there is a reason musical story telling evolved passed this medieval kinda feel. Fav Track: Farewell, Farewell
Huh. I've never heard anything quite like that before.
Boring, uninspired. The vocalist's voice reminds me of Beto Guedes, which I like a lot, but it's not captivating.
A great olde album, my liege
Initially listened whilst running which was a dreadful choice, enjoying much better on a relisten so have split the difference. One to return to- could go either way
3.5
The third song on this album reminded me of other songs (at least the cadence). But not for me.
not very much my favorite album, though i do like folk music. it’s good, some songs are just a bit too long.
Enjoyed the sound of it but not sure when I would be reaching to play the album. Favorite aspects were the vocals and the inclusion of Celtic sounds/instruments.
Too much Joni
Didn't care for this one.
everyday i discover how much more i dislike folk
Alright, is this bad? No. Would I ever listen this again? No.
Angelic and ethereal irish / celtic folk vibes from this one. Felt like I was at a renaissance faire or transported into Braveheart. This style of folk music isn’t usually my thing but I respect the artistry through and through — also the lyrics are such a nice departure from Bob Dylan. Also Chelsea enjoyed listening which is a nice bonus. Wish I could do 3.5 stars, will have to give 3.
At least this one was actually sonically interesting. Probably more of a 2.5 but the latter half songs were disconnected between the lyrics and the musical presentation, like they were doing different albums in different rooms and then just got slapped on top of each other.
Folk music with Celtic overtones. There is a pleasant spirit and a pleasant energy throughout. Only “Tam Lin” draws on a late 60s rock vibe; it stands out, but it fits. I enjoy this more on each listen.
In my imagination, Fairport ceased operation after Dylan went electric. So, it is awesome to hear this album and hear and feel the strength of Liege and Lief's performance. It is a super solid folk performance, and I will certainly give this multiple listens.
Not my cup of tea
This isn't a very exciting album. Very 60's folk. Not much else to it.
Hmm… some of it is good, but I think it needs some sort of edge Matty Groves is good and Tam Lin closes in on something interesting - almost Jefferson Airplane-ish. It’s definitely the best track on here
Meh
Used to love this. Now it’s a bit boring
Honestly, this hit the vibe for me. I got a soft spot for folk rock. Reminded me of the crane wives, ifykyk. I was vibin heavy
Very enjoyable folk album. Loved the singers voice and the music. Sounds like this band Donna the buffalo
Sandy Denny had a voice that would make me drop my carpenter’s tools and follow her into the English countryside. She might sing-command me to throw myself off a cliff then, but the journey was all worth it.
This is seriously an awesome album. I'd never heard of these guys, but definitely getting early Jefferson Airplane vibes in songs like Tam Lin as well as the lead singer's voice. There are also really cool folk elements throughout. This is definitely a complete album, and something I'll put on my list of stuff to go back to. That rare 5/5 that I'd never heard or even heard of.
Sounded pleasant but some of the songs were kind of long. High 3.
5/10 - Worse version of Unhalfbricking and a less funny name
I’m a fairport convention enjoyer. Couldn’t say why but I like their vibe