First Album

Fairport Convention | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001FON
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,193 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid but not startling, June 17, 2001

By 

brad lonard (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Album (Audio CD)

Recorded at a time when Fairport Convention were a fixture on the London hippy scene and the closest they'd got to folk-rock was listening to Bringing It All Back Home, the band's debut album nevertheless contains the seeds of what was to come. In comparison with their later, exemplary work, it's solid but not startling. Both Ian Matthews and Judy Dyble's vocals are rather weak (Ian's voice became stronger through the years); and Joe Boyd's production is on the thin side compared to the richness we usually expect from him. On the other hand, the perfectly balanced guitar team of Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol is already in place; Richard's gift for songwriting is on display; and the band's choice of cover versions is inspired. Best tracks? The chugging run through Emmitt Rhodes' Time Will Show The Wiser; the obscure Dylan track Jack O' Diamonds; and the jazzy blues of It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft. Dated, but oddly likeable, and well worth a listen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good album.......hurt by some uninteresting instrumentals, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: First Album (Audio CD)

I actually would give this album 3.75 stars. The first half of this album is really good. The opening track is perhaps fairport's best "rock" song, not unlike something from the west coast scene. Certainly the most rock oriented of their albums, it is woth picking up (despite the second half lagging a bit with some lackluster insrumentals). It does contain atleast 2 of fairport's best songs, 'Time will show...' and 'I don't know where...'

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good album that deserved to be reviewed., December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: First Album (Audio CD)

This is a surprisingly good 1st album that stands on its own with later great Fairport albums and holds its own against other 1st albums by 60's acts. While not all songs are great, most are good and interesting. Don't know why RT's guitar on "Time Will Show the Wiser" was never considered classic 60's riff. Propels the song from beginning to end. "Decameron" is ethereal and shows other side of RT's guitar talent. All from an 18 year old. Even more remarkable is they play as a group without an ego out front. Sheer joy and love of music shows through in compositions, arrangements and playing by all. Wish there was more recorded music of Fairport's early years. Adventurous and delightful. Would have been interesting to see what would have evolved if they had not gone so far down the traditional folk road. Essential only for Fairport fans.