Another compilation? Almost as many as Hendrix!
Junglies | Morrisville, NC United States | 05/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There is no point to buying this album if you already have 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' exceptif you want the additional live tracks which have been added for this release.For anyone coming to Fairport for the first time and there will be quite a few judging from the responses to the tour just ended, this is a good place as any to start.'John Gaudie', now a regular in the on-stage repetoire opens the album as the top and bottom of a medley of pieces arranged by Chris Leslie from Adderbury in Oxfordshire, an afficionado of Morris Dancing, which displays admirably the fiddle playing which is an integral part of the Fairport sound.Other tracks of interest are 'Here's to Tom Paine', a tribute to the author of the 'Rights of Man', 'Spanish Main' reverts to more of the rock idiom with a superb fiddle effect providing an aggressive sound to the earlier part of the song and then later excellent interaction of fiddle and guitar. Just the right vocal touch too. Excellent.'Golden Glove', a wistful lament well sung by Simon Nichol, is another standout track with great sounding harmonies and mandolin playing. 'Life's a Long Song', the Jethro Tull song is given the Fairport treatment before the 'Dangerous' which is very reminiscent of earlier Fairport of the Richard Thompson era. 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' is an oddity of a track. Nothing wrong with it in my view, I personally like the rendition as well as the inclusion of Roy Wood, a truly underrated musician if ever there was one, and Richard Thompson. It just goes to show that there are no barriers in music.My favourite tracks on this album are the last four. 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' from Canterbury in 1997, a Sandy Denny song this is sung with feeling and is a worthy testament to the long lamented singer. 'Poor Will & the Jolly Hangman, the missing track from 'Full House' leads off four tracks from Cropredy in 1997. Excellent work from Thompson and Swarbrick. Rosie, is another superlative track from the album of the same name. 'Jack O'Diamonds showcases Richard Thompson's guitar skills before a tear jerking 'Come All Ye' closes the album, a very poignant reminder of and testament to the late, lamented Sandy Denny.For Fairport fans and for newcomers to the band, highly recommended."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1