Unhalfbricking

Scrumptious. I have the sudden urge to join a hearty homegrown dinner with butter I churned myself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I knew of Fairport Convention but hadn't really listened so this was a very pleasant surprise

When I saw the cover I was a little worried I was looking at the band. Nothing could be further from reality. Richard and Sandy had just turned 20 when they recorded this!  I am shocked that anyone can be so good by that age. The guitar is quite good (Not sure if Richard or Simon deserves the accolades). Fiddling on Sailor's Life is mind blowing. If time were free I'd spend some finding and listening to whatever else Dave Swarbrick did. Bonus points for getting to hear a couple of Bobby Dylan's buried treasures that I would not have ever found.  Still trying to figure out whose grandparents are on the cover. 

Super godt album. Folk, bluegrass og need en Fleetwood Mac feeling. Helt sikkert mange genlyt værd

This album rips, one of the best sounding records of the decade

I don't know what I was expecting prior to listening to this, but wow! I loved every single song on this album. 5/5 stars. I am definitely going to be revisiting this album.

LOVED IT! really cosy and nice.

Loved it, great album.

I was surprised by how much I loved this album right away. The music feels warm and comforting. There are great grooving jams that I never expected from a “folk-rock” group, and yearning, heartbreaking songs sung in gorgeous voices. A wonderful record that will play frequently around here.

Look, its English folk music. Its not meant to be a) popular b) reviewed or c)rated. Neither engaging, nor annoying... I didnt actual notice it was playing much of the time - like a gentle breeze, musically. Or polite English lovemaking. Lay back, and think of England / Are you in ? oh the English...

Bored me to tears.

Really loved this. Very well performed, charming folk rock that is simultaneously consistent and varied .It feels like I could keep listening to this for a long time.

I really enjoyed this. Good classic British folk. Some of it had like a medieval vibe that I really enjoyed.

Fairport Convention is one of those bands I have heard OF but not heard anything BY. I should have by this point, but this is my first full album listen. I can see why Robert Plant wanted Sandy Denny's voice for "The Battle Of Evermore." It's a very good counter and has a very Irish tinge here in a lot of the songs, I really hear it in "Percy's Song." Steve Howe once said how record execs were willing to try almost anything back in the early 70s. I could see how this caught on back then and how folk rock like this co ntinued throughout, but it's not something I imagine would be big now. It does seem pretty late 60s and 70s. But I still dug it. Maybe it was all the Dylan songs, I don't know.

Oh Folk Off FFS

So fun, and very gorgeous. My favorite folk sound, and "Si tu dois partir" is a gem.

boring. Just a boring album with nothing that shines

I'm not gonna lie. I was in a bad mood when listening to this album, so my perspective is probably skewed. I did not like it. The panning felt unnecessary and annoying, I didn't really dig the music. Shout out to the 11 minute song that was way too long and kind of bad.

Hippie drum circle bullshit. I think I could like it under different circumstances, but not today.

That was hipster music through a rotten asshole.

Muito, muito bom. Não achei Percy's Song grandes cosias, só (mas também não é ruim).

For me, the gem here is the French-language version of Dylan’s If You Gotta Go, Go Now. We all knew the song from Manfred Mann’s version, which had climbed as high as #17 on the 2UE Top 40 in 1965. But Dylan’s version had only been released as an unsuccessful Dutch single in 1967 & would not be available legally until the first Bootleg Series CDs were released by Columbia in 1991. I was not familiar with Unhalfbricking, but I was lucky enough to pick up the Australian-release single of Si Tu Dois Partir, which was a Top 20 UK hit, but didn’t chart here. If Hendrix’s cover of All Along The Watchtower is the greatest cover version of all time, this rates pretty highly as well. It’s as much the bizarre backing track, featuring drummer Martin Lambie, who was tragically killed 2 months before the album’s release, on “stacked chair backs”; Dave Swarbrick guesting on fiddle (the first folkie ever to electrify the violin); & Australian-born Trevor Lucas (who would go on to marry Sandy Denny) guesting on triangle. I know nothing else that sounds like it. They do 2 other Dylan covers - the first known legal version of Million Dollar Bash, which was released by Dylan on The Basement Tapes(1975) & a beautiful cover (& the first known legal version) of Percy’s Song, which was first heard sung by Joan Baez in the Pennebaker film Don’t Look Back (1967). But neither of those two are as memorable as the Denny-penned Who Knows Where The Time Goes? which very quickly became regarded as a classic. It had already been recorded (& released as the b-side to her hit single release of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now) by Judy Collins in 1968, & has since been covered by everybody from Nina Simone to Susanna Hoffs. Other highlights for me are Richard Thompson’s Cajun Woman & the 11-minute traditional A Sailor’s Life. Terrific record.

To: 1001 Albums Generator Users Cc: grateful dead fans Subject: A Sailor’s Life This is how you do psychedelic folk. Best Regards,

Robert recommence avec ses jonimitchelleries et ça comme sérieusement à bien faire.

Erstaunlich viel besser, als ich nach erstem (wenn auch erwarteten) Erschrecken beim Einsetzen des Gesangs befürchtet hatte. Nein, klassischer Folk ist wirklich nicht mein Blumenkranz, und mit ihren klaren Stimmen und reinen Gemütern machen diese wie aufrechte Idealisten klingenden jungen Nervensägen mich regelmäßig durstig nach Dosenbier und Kirmes. Hier aber änderte sich der Eindruck an dem spätestens dritten Song plötzlich, klingen die Fiddles irgendwann mehr nach Velvets als nach Panflötensurrogat, auch in die Stimmen mischt sich gehörig Rauch und die Grooves schaffeln ja fast schon schmutzig verschleppt dahin. Da kommen sie fast schon an die 4-Sterne Grenze, und vielleicht werden sie sie beim (nicht unwahrscheinlichen) dritten Durchgang sogar durchbrechen?

Un album pas désagréable de la part de la pétasse de Fairport Convention.

What a positive surprise! I never heard of them before. I tried looking up how present they were in the rest of Europe and I assume not much. This is something I totally would have expected in my Dad's record collection (that I have claimed for myself years ago), but he hadn't heard of them either. I will definitely listen to this again and have a look what else they have put out there.

flowery

I've listened to this album many times and I think that it's excellent. Nice full folk vibe to the music with kind of haunting vocals. It wasn't until recently that I heard this and instantly added it to my favorites. There is a nice variety of music and lyrics too.

9/10. A Sailor’s Life is one of the best songs I’ve heard in this process, and I enjoyed majority of the songs around it.

Album #30 and FINALLY something that features a woman in a strong leading roll. Sandy Denny kicks ass and the songs are effortlessly strong. ("Autopsy" in 5 and changing meter? So good!) This is a great album. Love love love. Had me from the opening notes and I can't stop thinking about it.

Wonderful album, containing one of the greatest songs ever written. Incredible sound, amazing voice - just a classic!

I expected just a decent album, based on a vague memory of listening to this band before, but it turned out to be much better than I expected.

i am a sailor's wife, wrapped in a headscarf, waving my husband off to war

This is a really good folky/psychedelic rock album, a really chill vibe that feels very timeless.

An album I own and love.Superb from start to finish and exceptional in the case “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” which is probably the best song Sandy Denny ever recorded. I don’t like everything that Fairport Convention have produced but this album ranks as one of their best. 5/5 3/8/24

Favorite Tracks: Percy’s Song A Sailor’s Life

4.9 - I love Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson, and this really was just a great album.

Even more than *Liege And Lief*, admittedly a strong contender to best represent that late 60's British folk scene in which Fairport Convention shone so much, this is the album where the English band reached an emotional level that was still unmatched in that genre at the time. Traditional "Sailor's Life" concludes with an epic jam, in case the song proper wasn't epic itself ; Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" is very moving, Thompson's "Cajun Woman" rocks, and the Bob Dylan covers slap, especially the incredibly heartfelt and instantly memorable "Percy's Song". Not a single dud on this one, even if a couple of cuts are less striking then the rest during first listens. The couple of old folks on that tongue-in-cheek cover can be proud of their offspring. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list, which translates to a 9.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5+4.5). Number of albums left to review: 131 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 376 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 222 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 279

I like this album! It is one of my favorite albums. The music and the vocal are perfect! Last time I have listened it many years ago. Thanks for listening it again now.

I was a bit apprehensive about this album going in, but it goes so much harder than I was expecting. I've listened to it twice now, and it's only growing on me more. When it first started, I was expecting pretty run-of-the-mill folk along the lines of Cat Stevens, CSNY, or Joni Mitchell with its jazz-influenced sound. But it very quickly headed into a Jefferson Airplane / Hendrix psychedelic direction. Then the next track was a folky jig sung in French (and written by Bob Dylan)! What?! But still a banger. Then we’re back to bluesy rock. Then more folk on "Sailor's Life", but it turns into a 10-minute The Who jam-band thing towards the end (very reminiscent of Baba O'Riley). Then the next track is a hoe down (but in a good way). Then more Joni Mitchell folk. Vocalist Sandy Denny's voice is absolutely gorgeous. And the two songs she wrote, "Autopsy" and "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" are among my favorites on the album. The percussion goes hard. The guitar solos are great. Three of the songs on this album are written by Bob Dylan (not including the bonus tracks added to later releases). My parents were big Peter, Paul, and Mary fans, so I grew up listening to a lot of 60s folk covers of Dylans' songs and tend to prefer when other artists sing his songs (Hendrix, anyone?). These songs are no exception, and I really enjoyed them. This album is a wild ride, and what a fun one it is. If you're into traditional English/Irish folk, 60s/70s folk singer songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Carol King, psychedelic stuff like Jefferson Airplane and Jimi Hendrix, or ethereal goth like All About Eve, you'll find something to enjoy on this album. 5/5 — definitely adding this to my regular rotation and will probably try to pick it up on vinyl.

I'm not a folk fan but this could be my favorite folk album.

This album is such an emotional journey. Loss, joy, fun, melancholy, longing. Every song is excellent and nothing feels out of place. An essential album for anyone who enjoys folk music

Love Sandy Denny's voice!

Vibrant and incentive British folk rock and a young Richard Thompson.

Absolutely incredible album. Definitely coming back to listen to it again.

Loved it

Great album.

Gave this a few runs. It really gripped me. I loved the music and lyrics. Sailor's Song is amazing.

This is wonderful. I loved it from start to finish.

I wasn’t sure where this was headed for me. The first three songs were just ok for me the first time around. I was wondering how long I could last before wishing I was listening to something else but once I got to “A Sailor’s Life” it was smooth sailing! I really enjoy “A Sailor’s Life” - all epic 11 minutes of it! “Cajun Woman” is fun… I’m always up for some Cajun accordion! “Who Knows Where The Time Goes?” is really lovely. The noodly guitar and Sandy Denny are wonderful. I have likely heard this version sometime before, and definitely had heard several cover versions. Such a beautiful song. The two bonus tracks from the 2003 CD reissue are great additions! Really enjoyed them both. On the second time around… loved the first three songs too. The couple on the cover is Sandy Denny’s parents? All is well with this album.

English folk. Maravillosa voz. Maravillosa portada. ¡Lo quiero!

Great songs and energy, the french song was quite a surprisingly great addition

I need this album in my veins

Fairport convention were the best of the English electric folkies. This album saw the death of Martin lambie just before it was released so the surviving members don’t have a fully positive memory of it but among sandy denny fans and fairport fans it ranks highly. To be honest liege and lief is the superior album but this is great. Does it belong on a list of 1000 albums you must hear? I will wrestle with this for a while. But it’s an easier album to beat than the last couple. 4.5 rounded up.

I was interested but skeptical about this album…as sometimes folk-rock doesn’t hit the spot for me. Turns out that I really enjoyed this one though. I thought the vocals were beautiful and all the instrumentation quite captivating.

Amazing album, I think this is the ultimate surprise of this list. I have never heard of this band, or if any song made by them and still I am speechless after listening to it. "A Sailor's Life" is a great song, beautiful vocal (on the whole album), great melodies and guitar solos, but the best is the atmosphere of the record. Somehow it's very captivating from the start of the album and just keeps you in the clenched fist until the end. Looks like sometimes this list is worth all that wasted time.

- they were like 20 yrs. old when this album was made. -

My first 5 star. Had never heard of this group before today but this album was enjoyable from start to finish. The build up in Sailor’s Life is to die for.

I remembered this was great but had forgotten just how great it was. A quintessential folk album that’s incredibly diverse - the groove in Autopsy comes out of nowhere and is such a delight - with some truly beautiful moments

Really good to listen to- Sandy's voice is so striking and the musicianship and production so accomplished. A real gem. There are some beautiful songs on this album- although some not so great at least it shows variation. I prefer the folkier numbers to be fair. Moreover, and I know it's me I feel a cloud of sadness over the album.

A Sailor's Life is absolutely my type... really enjoyed this one!

Wow! Never heard of this band before but I can hear future bands in their songs that I love that they certainly influenced. Standout on this album for me is Sailors Life.

This is a great album! Above everything else are the vocals; whether they are the sweet harmonies or Sandy's solo beauties. I knew who Fairport Convention were but had never listened to them. I'm rectifying that error from now on.

Favorite Track: Percy's Song

Some really lovely folk rock, really enjoyed it Saved tracks: Si tu dois partir, Autopsy, Cajun Woman, Million Dollar Bash

I’m a fan. Really love Mais Si Tu Dois Partir, but there are a lot of great songs here. Sandy Denny has an incredible voice and the band (especially Richard Thompson!) are top shelf. I like folk so I’m starting from that position, but this is an excellent folk record.

Only very good folk I've ever listened

This was neat, surprised I've never listened to them before. Fully in the old wheel house. Fave Tracks: Genesis Hall, Autopsy, Who Knows Where the Time Goes, Million Dollar Bash 4.5/5

So this a genre I just learned existed but I'm immediately in love with it. You can definitely hear some of their earlier American rock influence in some of these songs and I think they do that just fine, but they really shine when they get back to their roots of British folk. This album has the rare quality of being able to keep the song varied while having a consistent sound. The instrumentation is very unique and the whole album feels so fresh. This was a very nice change of pace.

5 stars

Very nice!

I really like this album. Ironic that it’s rainy day music and it’s a rainy day here. Perfect for when fireplace is going

Really liked this!

where has this album been my entire life??

Great album! The quality is not very even throughout, but most of the songs are good. The melodies are simple but effective, and the singer's voice is beautiful.

This album was just beautiful I really enjoyed listening to this album. It was also very relaxing listening to this

SOOOO MY JAM LOVED IT

Sublime English folk-rock, from the 2nd of 3 albums they release in '69. Features the beautiful "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?".

I dig this one! Very emotional vocals and the instrumental is like that earthy folksy vibe I love!

I probably like Liege And Lief a little more, this one is still pretty fire though.

my kinda shit

can't believe I've never heard this before, stunning

I regret putting off listening to this album for a long time. I wish I heard it sooner.

English folk. Maravillosa voz. Maravillosa portada. ¡Lo quiero!

Enjoyed it,"Who knows where the time goes?" is especially great.

Sensacional, criativo sem se achar grandioso.

This grew on me. I knew Who Knows Where the Time Goes, although I'm not sure from where other than the Eddi Reader recording of it. I kinda prefer Reader's voice on that, but it's a glorious and beautifully sad song and took me down a Spotify rabbit hole for a bit, taking me to the Susanna Hoffs covers albums which are a bit odd... But other than that, I didn't know what to expect at all. On first listen, side 2 stood out more. Cajun Woman seems Creedence Clearwater Revival influenced, which is always a good thing I've discovered through this project, Percy's Sing sounds awfully Trad Arr Tune, which I enjoyed, and Million Dollar Bash is a decent ending. Side 1 grew on me, although I'm still not that enamoured with A Sailor's Life actually. But I enjoyed the album as a whole and it's opened up the thought of exploring more Fairport Convention through the years. They're even playing quite close to me early next year so I might go along... This started out as close a 3/4 but ended the day as a 5. That's the beauty of shorter albums, I get to listen to them more than once if they're any good at all.

"The British Jefferson Airplane." I can totally see it. A little more folksy than Jefferson Airplane, but that's not a bad thing. Every song felt new and unique, which is quite a feat. Too often albums get bogged down with one theme and can feel repetitive, but this never got tiresome or tedious. Everything felt fresh and bright. A real nice surprise of an album.

damn dude - 10/10 huge fan of that whole album it’s hard to pick my favorite song, I think I’d either go with Autopsy (I’m a slut for 5/4), or A Sailor’s Life (what a long, crazy, and absolutely beautiful track!) yeah just an amazing album, love it

This is absolutely amazing, cozy and sweet. I am in love ❤️

English folk. Maravillosa voz. Maravillosa portada. ¡Lo quiero!

I was not expecting to like this album very much, but it turned out to be pretty good. 4.5/5

Incredible folk album.

I might have hated this if it was generated in the middle of summer, but on a cold November day this is the perfect thing to sit down with. It's like the musical equivalent of a warm soup. It's just a really nice British folk rock album, and I kind of wish I was doing nothing at all today, because this seems like one to give my full attention to. Where does this sit compared to Liege and Lief? Not sure, I'd need to listen to that one again. But regardless, the instrumentation is amazing and Sandy Denny's voice is beautiful. It's a shame she left this world while still so young. Unhalfbricking is just a wonderful listen on a cold and self-reflective day like this, and I think I'll come back to it soon. It's a long winter ahead, and any comfort will be very welcome. Favourite: A Sailor's Life

Before today, I had heard of Fairport Convention, but had never listened to any of their stuff before. The way I had heard of them was actually through this generator. I was assigned an album by Richard & Linda Thompson after Richard had left the band. I thoroughly enjoyed that album, so I have high hopes for this one as well! The first thing that struck me is the sheer beauty of Sandy Denny's voice! It is magnificent!! The music is a hybrid of folk and psychadelic rock. This album is known as a transitional album, where the band started to shift away from an American folk sound, to more of a traditional English folk. This was also their second album to be released in 1969. The inclusion of traditional folk instruments such as fiddle and dulcimer is great! There are three songs that were written but never released by Bob Dylan on this album: Si Tu Dois Partir, Percy's Song, and Million Dollar Bash. If you listen to the lyrics of those songs, you can definately tell that they're Dylan's. Overall, a phenomenal record, which, after listening to it a second time, caused me to delve deeper into their catalog of music for the remainder of the day! I will be adding this to my regular listening rotation!! Perfection! Favourite songs: Percy's Song, Million Dollar Bash, Genesis Hall, Cajun Woman, A Sailor's Life, Si Tu Dois Partir Least favourite songs: Autopsy 5/5

Exactly the kind of album I was hoping to discover here. Will listen to it again.

J'adore Fairport convention, ils ont vraiment quelque chose de special. La musique qui en ressort représente bien l'époque et le folk de ces années. 5

The first five Fairport Convention albums are all excellent in the range 4 - 4.5 - 5. This is number 3. The material is perhaps a bit less consistent than Liege & Lief but still it is very good of course.

Really good, more rocking than I expected.