Un pur délice!
Jean-Pierre Malo | Kinnear's Mills, Québec, Canada | 05/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"C'est une honte que l'on retrouve à peu près tout le reste de l'oeuvre de Fairport Convention sur les présentoirs des disquaires alors qu'on néglige souvent d'y mettre ce classique. Un album à savourer en toutes occasions, particulièrement apprécié pour débuter la journée du bon pied. Tout y est magnifique! Aucune hésitation à avoir. C'est un classique du folk rock, Un incontournable! Aussi recommandé pour les amateurs de musique psychédélique (rappelle Jefferson Airplane par moments)."
This Album Rocks!
Zombiesfan | Westport , CT USA | 05/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This eponymous 1968 debut album has little to do with British folk music. Rather, it presents Fairport Convention as a rocking unit who can play psych rock and delicate west-coast style folk-rock with equal aplomb; a remarkable feat considering that each member was still in his or her teens! The album kicks of with Richard Thompson playing some dirty licks on an AWESOME revved-up version of "Time Will Show The Wiser." Although this highlight is a cover, there are some fine, albeit slightly immature, Thompson originals, written with singer Ian Matthews (or MacDonald as he was then known) and bassist Ashley (or Tyger!) Hutchings. Also present are rare compositions by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen. Overall, the musicianship is surprisingly tight and impressive: the rhythm section of Hutchings, drummer Martin Lamble, and stalwart rhythm guitarist Simon Nicol drives everything along like a steam engine. Judy Dyble, Sandy Denny's predecessor, has a lovely, breathy voice that works well with that of Ian Matthews. Judy's finest moment is probably "One Sure Thing," a chilling cover that she delivers beautifully. The bonus tracks perfectly compliment the album, especially "If I Had A Ribbon Bow," Fairport's very first single! Although there is no "Matty Groves" or "Sloth" on this album, there are plenty of great moments by a very young and energetic band; Ashley's liner notes are quite entertaining too! So pick this album up soon... you're sure to enjoy it."