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Unhalfbricking

Fairport Convention

1969

Buy At Rough Trade
Unhalfbricking
Album Summary

Unhalfbricking is the third album by the British folk rock band Fairport Convention and their second album released in 1969. It is seen as a transitional album in their history and marked a further musical move away from American influences towards more traditional English folk songs that had begun on their previous album, What We Did on Our Holidays and reached its peak on the follow-up, Liege & Lief, released later the same year.The album features several Bob Dylan songs, which he had not yet released. It also features what is arguably Sandy Denny's most notable achievement as a songwriter with the song "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?", which has been covered by many other performers and is now regarded as a classic. The only traditional song on the album, "A Sailor's Life", is seen as pivotal in the development of English folk rock music. Changes in the line-up of the band, due not only to its musical direction but also to external events, mark this album as a turning point in the band's history. 1969 was a prolific year for Fairport Convention; from What We Did on Our Holidays to Liege & Lief within twelve months represented a major development. The album also gave the band their first UK chart success, reaching number 12 in the UK album chart (the second highest position in the band's entire career), while the single release, "Si Tu Dois Partir", achieved number 21 in the UK singles chart.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.09

Votes

10101
Genres
Folk
Rock

Reviews

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Wed Apr 07 2021
5

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

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Mon Apr 19 2021
4

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. 

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Fri Apr 02 2021
5

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

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Wed Feb 17 2021
5

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

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Wed Jul 14 2021
5

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

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Fri Apr 02 2021
5

LOVED IT! really cosy and nice.

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Sun Jun 20 2021
5

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.

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Thu Aug 25 2022
5

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.

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Wed Jul 13 2022
4

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.

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Mon Jan 10 2022
5

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.

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Thu May 12 2022
4

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

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Mon Nov 01 2021
2

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.

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Thu Nov 23 2023
2

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...

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Wed Nov 29 2023
2

boring. Just a boring album with nothing that shines

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Wed Feb 10 2021
1

That was hipster music through a rotten asshole.

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Fri Jun 18 2021
1

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

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Thu Jun 10 2021
5

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

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Sun Apr 25 2021
5

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

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Thu Nov 23 2023
4

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.

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Sun Jul 25 2021
3

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?

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Tue Jul 06 2021
5

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

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Fri May 21 2021
5

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

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Thu Aug 26 2021
5

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

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Fri Nov 26 2021
5

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.

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Fri Feb 04 2022
5

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.

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Fri Feb 04 2022
5

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

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Fri Feb 04 2022
5

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.

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Sun May 15 2022
5

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

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Fri Jun 10 2022
5

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.

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Thu Jul 14 2022
5

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

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Sun Sep 11 2022
5

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

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Wed Oct 26 2022
5

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

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Fri Oct 28 2022
5

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

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Wed Jan 04 2023
5

"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.

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Wed Jan 11 2023
5

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

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Wed Mar 08 2023
5

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

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Fri Mar 10 2023
5

where has this album been my entire life??

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Fri May 12 2023
5

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.

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Thu May 18 2023
5

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

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Wed Jun 14 2023
5

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.

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Wed Aug 02 2023
5

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.

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Sun Aug 13 2023
5

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.

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Sat Sep 09 2023
5

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.

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Wed Sep 20 2023
5

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

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Mon Oct 09 2023
5

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

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Fri Oct 20 2023
5

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

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Mon Nov 20 2023
5

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

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Wed Nov 22 2023
5

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

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Thu Nov 23 2023
5

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.

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Fri Nov 24 2023
5

I need this album in my veins

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Fri Dec 01 2023
5

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

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Fri Dec 08 2023
5

Sensacional, criativo sem se achar grandioso.

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Thu Jan 11 2024
5

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

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Thu Jan 18 2024
5

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

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Thu Feb 08 2024
5

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

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Tue Feb 27 2024
5

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

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Mon Nov 02 2020
4

Beautiful folk album. 'Nuff said.

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Thu Dec 10 2020
4

It was good but I did not like "The Sailor's Life". That song was long and boring. The album itself was kinda folkish but with Irish hints. I unironically enjoyed this album but would skip "A Sailor's Life". 8/10

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Mon Feb 22 2021
4

Great album. Mix of American and English folk music. Love the guitar with the violin.

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Fri Apr 02 2021
4

Again not really a fan of folk, but a few of these tracks I really liked - the less folky ones

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Fri Jan 29 2021
4

I really dig this album. I think Jon would too.

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Thu Jan 21 2021
4

Pues no me pareció nada malo al final. Sí, muy muy rojilla y aburrida Genesis Hall, pero me gustaron A Sailor's Life, Cajun Woman (Zydeco!) y las versions a rolas de Dylan.

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Thu Jan 21 2021
4

Este disco está muy interesante. Canciones que mezclan old Irish con country, otras son como jazz o gospel y otras me recordaron un poco a Cranbierries. La canción “A Sailor’s Life” es increíblemente parecida a “Dear Prudence” de los Beatles

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Thu Jan 21 2021
4

Buen disco. Se nota que hubo mucha creación detrás. Destaca Cajun Woman

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Thu Feb 04 2021
4

Some Fleetwood Mack vibes, also folky at times. Short listen, but enjoyable

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Wed Apr 07 2021
4

Very cool Fusion of rock, folk, and traditional UK music. Little bland on the back end.

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Fri Mar 26 2021
4

Thought this would hippy nonsense but I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would!

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Fri Apr 02 2021
4

It’s a mixture of some good bluesy rock songs and really shit folk. Who knows where the time goes is pretty good. I gave that a few listens

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Wed Feb 17 2021
4

I like Fairport Convention, and Sandy Denny in particular. I prefer acoustic and singer/songwriter music generally, and this fits right in. I listened twice.

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Thu May 13 2021
4

Really surprised by this album. Thought I’d hate it but really enjoyed it. Reminded me of the velvet underground and nico album.

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Fri May 28 2021
4

Smooth and easy, this album has all of the trademarks of 1969 music. More impressive is the tone and depth of the lyrics; truly an unheralded gem.

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Fri Jul 16 2021
4

Really good, more rocking than I expected.

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Mon Jul 19 2021
4

Pretty cool folk rock album! Female vocalist has some pipes.

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Wed May 12 2021
4

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, since "folk" is not typically a genre I listen to. A solid album!

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Wed May 12 2021
4

A beautiful, amazing album. The musicianship is excellent, particularly Denny's voice, and the songs are varied and interesting, even if there is still an overreliance on Dylan covers.

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Mon May 10 2021
4

I really like this album. I listened to it more than once. First time that has happened so far! I’d give it 4 stars for really good. Think I’ll reserve 5 stars for the truly special, listen to every song, albums.

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Tue May 11 2021
4

Never heard of them but really enjoyed it. Listened to some of their other albums afterwards.

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Mon May 17 2021
4

A cool album. Some Joni Mitchell type folkie stuff and some nice bluesy rock and roll. I’d never heard of Fairport convention but I like their sound.

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Mon Jun 28 2021
4

I really enjoyed this. Made me want to listen to Zeppelin III. Loved her voice. Great guitar work.

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Wed Jul 28 2021
4

man, dit is G E N I E T E N. Ga ik nog vaak beluisteren. a sailors life is een schijf, mooie solo.

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Thu Jul 29 2021
4

I enjoyed this and I don't normally like folk.

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Fri Aug 20 2021
4

Como que al principio me estaba aburriendo e ignoro por qué se le considere para una lista así (igual son 1001), pero al final hubo algunas canciones que me causaron una grata impresión: "A Sailor's Life", con una gran parte instrumental, "Who Knows Where The Time Goes", "Percy's Song" y algo de "Million Dollar Bash". 8/10

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Tue Aug 24 2021
4

I liked this. Very different sounding and I was engaged the whole time. I would pick this up if I saw it at my record store.

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Sat Sep 11 2021
4

I have really only heard Liege and Lief before. I like that album and this one quite a bit. I love Sandy Denny's voice and Richard Thompson's guitar playing. I also like the bass playing and drumming quite a bit as well. The fiddle is not typically an instrument I am partial to but it is balanced well in the mix and really adds to the intensity when they start jamming out like on "A Sailor's Life" - holy sheeeit...

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Fri Oct 01 2021
4

Rad album. Boasting two Dylan covers (percy's song from Bringing it all back home time and Million Dollar Bash from the unreleased Basement tapes with the Band) but the piece de resistance is the classic 'who knows where the time goes'

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Fri Oct 08 2021
4

Some of these songs sound quite ahead of their time, especially Autopsy. Otherwise, it's just kinda slow folk music. 7/10

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Fri Oct 08 2021
4

8/10. This was really laid back, and pleasantly folksy. A bit like Bob Dylan if his lyrics were less interesting and his production a million times better.

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