Search - Fairport Convention :: Faiport Unconventional

A fascinating albeit slightly frustrating four-disc box set, Fairport Unconventional is, as the title suggests, a pretty exceptional collection of curiosities. Though it?s no place for the Fairport beginner to start, fans will find such an attractive assembly of rare and previously unreleased recordings hard to resist. Gamely organised into four thematically distinct discs, this 35th anniversary set spans the entire Fairport history and all the band?s myriad incarnations. Part 1 is a chronological trawl through the vast Fairport catalogue, using rare and alternative takes; Part 2 features even rarer and more obscure tracks (including Richard Thompson singing "The Lady Is A Tramp"); Part 3 collects the Fairport "British history" songs in chronological order of the events described in each song; Part 4 gives us the Top 15 favourite Fairport songs, but again in unfamiliar versions. Inevitably, given the disparate source material, recording quality varies hugely from track to track: some of it is good, some of it is frankly dire. And because it skips between live performances, radio sessions and studio outtakes, as well as placing new tracks side-by-side with 35-year-old recordings, the set can be a disorientating experience. But there are gems aplenty to be found, nonetheless, and it?s a pleasure to discover, for example, "Poor Will And The Jolly Hangman" live from Broughton Castle in 1982 or a barnstorming "Fiddlestix" from 1973 complete with banjo. The chunky box set comes with a vast 172-page illustrated book, which provides a full biography and the sources of all 72 tracks in exhaustive detail. Just to make the package irresistible there?s more besides, including posters, souvenir booklets and special limited-edition CD offers. Cropredy-goers should need no further persuasion. --Mark Walker