Customer Reviews

Angel Delight

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Angel Delight was Fairport's follow-up to their master-piece "Full House".

Guitarist and songwiter Richard Thompson had left the band before the recordings for the album, but some songs had been written and rehearsed before he left. Thompson is co-writer on two songs and though his personal vocals are missed, his absence is actually surprisingly not very obvious.

Before the recordings of "Full House" the band had moved in together in an old inn called "The Angel Inn" ( hence the title of the album ), and they lived there together during the recordings of this album too. Actually Richard Thompson still lived there after he had left Fairport Convention to pursue a solo-career; so obviously he still played a part in the band's musical direction.

Guitarist Simon Nicol reveals in the sleeve-notes that he was not too familiar with the electric guitar at this point; but he obviously had been very much inspired by Thompson's style and his playing on the album is great.

As with "Full House" the songs is a mixture of traditional songs and new originals written by the band.

The opener "Lord Marlborough" is one the traditionals. This old folk song features great lead vocals by Dave Swarbrick; catchy melody in a very unusual/difficult rhythm, which makes the song even more fascinating.

Simon Nicol takes over the lead vocals on the next traditional "Sir William Gower". The distorted guitar makes you think of Steeleye Span at their most electric/rocking period. Another good track!

The first of the album's two instrumentals is the the violin-dominated "Bridge Over the River Ash" - almost like a classical piece.

Dave Swarbrick takes over again the lead vocals on his and Simon Nicol's "Wizzard of the Worldly Game". Classic Fairport Convention at their best; fine solo by Nicol!

"The Journeyman's Grace" written by Thompson and Swarbrick is a song much in the same vein as "Walk Awhile" from "Full House"

The title track is a catchy and optimistic tune with autobiograpical lyrics. Great drum-breaks by Mattacks.

The traditional ballad "Banks of the Sweet Primroses" was from the the first time I heard the album my favourite track; and it still is. A gorgeous melody.

The instrumental medley is as always a pleasure; showing what great instrumentalist they all were.

The last traditional song "The Bonny Black Hare" is probably my least favourite track, which by no means makes it a bad track.

Swarbrick and Thompson's "Sickness and Diseases" is the most hard-rocking track on the album. Great closer of the original album.

The single bonus-track is a BBC recording of "The Journeyman's Grace"; not that much different from the album version, but still interesting as it features great guitar-playing from Thompson.

Conclusion: Classic Fairport, and a must-buy for any fan of the band.

I like to play this disc for folks who possess a casual familiarity with Fairport. The strength of the album can be surprising! It might not be a FULL HOUSE, but its still a flush! It stands well with the classic Fairport works preceeding it. Recommended!

When people talk of Fairport Convention, they will usually start by mentioning Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny (rightly so). The departure of these two was certainly a tremendous loss to the band, but as this album shows (along with its follow-up, "Babbacombe Lee") Fairport is still a band of considerable talent. Mixing traditional tunes and originals with two compositions by fiddler Dave Swarbrick and departed guitarist Richard Thompson, this album serves both as a showcase for the remaining membes' talents and as a worthy successor to the albums of the Sandy Denny / Richard Thompson era.

As a band, Fairport was still as tight as ever. Swarbrick's singing is fine, and his fiddling sounds better than ever. Dave Pegg's bass playing is fluid, particularly on the medley "The Cukoo's Nest / Hardiman The Fiddler / Papa Stoor." And Dave Mattacks, perhaps rock music's most underrated drummer, is, as always, brilliant.

But the real marvel here is guitarist Simon Nicol. With awfully big shoes to fill, he sows himself more than up to the task. "The Journeyman's Grace," "Angel Grace," and "Sickness & Diseases" show his heretofore underused talents.

For any other band, an album like this would been their high point. And while not Fairport's best, this album is certainly no throw-away. Enjoyable!

One album after singer Sandy Denny left Fairport Convention, guitar virtuoso Richard Thompson also departed. Fairport responded with the beautiful "Angel Delight" album; while it doesn't soar as brilliantly as "Full House", it is very good in its own right. The 10 tracks include two leftover Swarbrick/Thompson collaborations and six traditional songs. In the title cut, the band members humorously discuss each other's foibles and experiences to a lively melody (including Swarb's recent brush with death, "There's a hole in the wall where a lorry came in"). The timeless "Wizard of the Worldly Game" and rocking "The Journeyman's Grace" are also strong additions to the Fairport repertoire. There's the lewd traditional ballad "The Bonny Black Hare" and a good-hearted stab at a string quartet on "Bridge Over the River Ash" (only Swarbrick regularly played violin). "Lord Marlborough" has the same melody as "Reynard the Fox", another traditional tune later recorded by Fairport.

The first album following founding member Richard Thompson's decision to pursue a solo career, 1971's "Angel Delight" saw Fairport Convention reduced to a quartet featuring Dave Mattacks, Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, and Dave Swarbrick. While no longer an active member, Thompson's influence on the band wasn't entirely missing given he'd co-written two of the ten songs prior to his departure - 'The Journeymen's Grace' and 'Sickness and Disease'. So here's the surprisingly thing about this set - even with the loss of singer Sandy Denny and guitarist Thompson, the album was friggin' good. Exemplified by tracks like 'The Journeymen's Grace' and 'Sickness & Diseases' parts of the album showcased Fairport coming close to recording outright rock and roll as you were going to ever head (okay, okay, there was no chance you were going to confuse these guys with a conventional AOR group ...) With Nicol and Swarbrick stepping into the leadership roles, the album offered up a surprisingly enjoyable mix of traditional English folk ('') folks inspired band originals (''), and more conventional and commercial numbers ('Sickness & Disease'). While neither Nicol or Swabrick were fantastic singers (;course neither was Thompson), once you gave them a chance, the results weren't half bad. Swarbrick's voice was particularly well suited to the more traditional tunes. Nicol also deserved considerable credit for having successfully stepped into Thompson's shoes as lead guitarist. Judging by his performances on songs like '' he must have spent considerable time watching Thompson.

- I'll readily admit that I'm not a gigantic fan of Fairport's traditional offerings, but the opener 'Lord MacIlborough' is one of the exceptions. With Swarbrick handling lead vocals, Fairport's arrangement was innovative and entertaining, growing increasingly rock-ish as it went along,. Coupled with the engaging historical lyric it made for a nifty opener. rating: **** stars
- Kicked along by some great Nicol fuzz guitar (he also handled the lead vocals) and a kick-ass Pegg bass line 'Sir William Gower' was one of those songs you wish would have run even longer. Is there such a thing as folk-blues? Well, that's what this one struck me as. rating: ***** stars
- The first of two instrumentals, 'Bridge Over the River Ash' showcased Swarbrick's multi-tracked fiddle on a song that seemed to be a mash-up of folk and classical genres. I'm still not sure how the track worked, but like the debut, this traditional number surprised me in terms of being so memorable and enjoyable. rating: *** stars
- Co-written by Swarbrick and Nicol, Wizzard of Worldly Game' was a beautiful ballad showcasing the talents of Mattacks on drums and keyboards. Sweet melody (with another nice contribution from Nicol), and haunting lyrics made this one a real pleasure. rating: ***** stars
- As mentioned earlier, 'The Journeymen's Grace' was one of two tracks that had been co-written by Thompson. In this case the result was a blazing folk-rocker. Mattacks drums were killer while Nicol's guitar solo would have made Thompson proud. rating: ***** stars
- The title track was apparently inspired by the band's collective stint living in an old English inn. In severe financial straits, they were piled into a two room suite and were forced to move when a truck crashed through one of the walls. Kicked along by a jaunty melody and some nice group harmonies, as far as I can tell the lyrics were a reflection on the difficulties associated with living in close quarters, with an emphasis on each other's personal shortcomings. The song was actually pretty funny and sported one of the best mandolin solos I've ever heard. rating: ***** stars
- 'Banks of the Sweet Primroses' started out as a routine folk number, but quickly morphed into one of the album's biggest surprises ... This has to be one of the prettiest melodies they ever crafted. I clearly remember the first time I heard it the song stuck in my head for months. rating: ***** stars
- The instrumental medley 'The Cuckoo's Nest / Hardiman the Fiddler' was professional and mildly interesting. Nicol dominated the first segment, with Swarbrick's fiddle and pennywhistle showcased on the second segment. Pleasant, but hardly the album's most interesting endeavor. rating: ** stars
- The biggest disappointment, 'The Bonny Black Hare' was a pedestrian folk number that simply never got in gear. rating: ** stars
- The second Swarbrick/Thompson collaboration, 'Sickness & Diseases' was another rocker. Yeah, this one actually rocked. Some fans shun the song, but I love it. rating: **** stars

Perhaps because it's consider to be post-prime Fairport material, this one tends to get lost. Shame since it's easily as good as anything in the earlier catalog and you can still find cheap originals. Well worth looking for.

"Angel Delight" track listing:
(side 2)
1.) Lord MacIlborough (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 3:21
2.) Sir William Gower (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 4:52
3.) Bridge Over the River Ash (instrumental) (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 2:19
4.) Wizzard of Worldly Game (Dave Swarbrock - Simon Nicol) - 4:00
5.) The Journeymen's Grace (Dave Swarbrick - Richard Thompson) - 4:20

(side 2)
1.) Angel Delight (Fairport Convention) - 3:34
2.) Banks of the Sweet Primroses (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 4:06
3.) The Cuckoo's Nest / Hardiman the Fiddler (instrumental) (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 3:35
4.) The Bonny Black Hare (traditional arranged by Fairport Convention) - 3:03
5.) Sickness & Diseases (Dave Swarbrick - Richard Thompson) - 3:45

Angel Delight is not only one of Fairport Convention's very best ablums, but it is one of the greatest comebacks in rock history. I use the term "comeback" not in the sense that the previous albums were weak, as they were just as good. But to lose Sandy Denny after Leaf and Leige, and then Richard Thompson after Full House, and still have the talent to put out a work of this quality is simply amazing. High points for me are Lord Marlborough and the classical-tinged instrumental Bridge Over the River Ash. Unfortunately, the boys then let things drop off rather percipitously after this album with the very forgetable Babacombe Lee (good concept, poor execution). But why on earth is this album priced at $25? And only one measly bonus track (a live version of the weakest track on the album) for that hefty price? Come on, if you want me to replace my album with the CD, get the price down to the normally ridiculous high CD costs. I won't be buying this until you do.

At a time when most of their contemporaries were choosing a comercial path in the wake of Dylan and friends, These true originators of the folk rock genre reafirmed their commitment to the sound they pioneered. While their American cousins fell by the wayside, Championing Pop, Blues, agressive Progressive Rock, and other comercially accepted alternatives to the Folk roots in which they were founded, Fairport Convention makes a bold statement by refusing to compromise their conviction to it. They never made alot of money at their craft, and this album is a prime example of an artist's willingness to put their craft ahead of their bellies and bank accounts. At the time this album was recorded, the band was approximately 80,000 Pounds in debt and living, all, in a 2 room flat, unable to get bookings and losing key members to the lure of more lucrative projects. The quality and endurance of this recording is a testament to the soul of the true poets, troubadors, and pioneers who took up the mantle of Guthrie and the weavers in this country. As Dylan dined well, these boys sought to maintain a legacy he all but forgot.

Angel Delight was Fairport's follow-up to their master-piece "Full House".

Guitarist and songwiter Richard Thompson had left the band before the recordings for the album, but some songs had been written and rehearsed before he left. Thompson is co-writer on two songs and though his personal vocals are missed, his absence is actually surprisingly not very obvious.

Before the recordings of "Full House" the band had moved in together in an old inn called "The Angel Inn" ( hence the title of the album ), and they lived there together during the recordings of this album too. Actually Richard Thompson still lived there after he had left Fairport Convention to pursue a solo-career; so obviously he still played a part in the band's musical direction.

Guitarist Simon Nicol reveals in the sleeve-notes that he was not too familiar with the electric guitar at this point; but he obviously had been very much inspired by Thompson's style and his playing on the album is great.

As with "Full House" the songs is a mixture of traditional songs and new originals written by the band.

The opener "Lord Marlborough" is one the traditionals. This old folk song features great lead vocals by Dave Swarbrick; catchy melody in a very unusual/difficult rhythm, which makes the song even more fascinating.

Simon Nicol takes over the lead vocals on the next traditional "Sir William Gower". The distorted guitar makes you think of Steeleye Span at their most electric/rocking period. Another good track!

The first of the album's two instrumentals is the the violin-dominated "Bridge Over the River Ash" - almost like a classical piece.

Dave Swarbrick takes over again the lead vocals on his and Simon Nicol's "Wizzard of the Worldly Game". Classic Fairport Convention at their best; fine solo by Nicol!

"The Journeyman's Grace" written by Thompson and Swarbrick is a song much in the same vein as "Walk Awhile" from "Full House"

The title track is a catchy and optimistic tune with autobiograpical lyrics. Great drum-breaks by Mattacks.

The traditional ballad "Banks of the Sweet Primroses" was from the the first time I heard the album my favourite track; and it still is. A gorgeous melody.

The instrumental medley is as always a pleasure; showing what great instrumentalist they all were.

The last traditional song "The Bonny Black Hare" is probably my least favourite track, which by no means makes it a bad track.

Swarbrick and Thompson's "Sickness and Diseases" is the most hard-rocking track on the album. Great closer of the original album.

The single bonus-track is a BBC recording of "The Journeyman's Grace"; not that much different from the album version, but still interesting as it features great guitar-playing from Thompson.

Conclusion: Classic Fairport, and a must-buy for any fan of the band.

I've loved this album ever since its original release. It combines traditional songs sometimes arranged in a (then) modern folk rock style to more purely rock things (seackness and diseases) where mandolin joins electric guitars. Beautiful voices and arrangments (Lord Malborough), excellent rythm everywhere, fiddle, mandolin and beautiful guitars; the folk / rock mix is superb, sound very clear and precise. This is a must for Fairport fans and and deserves being discovered by others.

I have ever single Faiport album and every time I hear Angel Delight, I feel it's one of their best. A good number of traditional tunes re-worked with rock attitudes like "The Bonny Black Hare" and "Lord Malbouough" to great originlas like "The Journyman's Grace," this album is simply great. It's worth the money as an import.