Customer Reviews

Gladys' Leap

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Six years after the final/first Fairport Convention concert at Cropredy field this album released on Dave Pegg's Woodworm record label marked a new begining for British folk rock from the band that created it. The core of this edition of Fairport included longtime members Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg & Dave Mattacks with newcomers Martin Allcock & Ric Sanders. The album jump starts with How Many Times, and also includes The Hiring Fair that is now (15 years later) is regarded as one of the best ballads in Fairport history (and concert staple). The jigs and reels are still here but this is not the same Fairport who recorded Liege and Lief in 1969. The production of Glady's Leap is very much in tune with the style of the mid 80's and contains the song: My Feet are set for Dancing, sung by Cathy LeSurf that is about as far away from a traditional ditty as the chaps have ever attemped before or since. On this disc two things stand out, the new boys shine on and propell the ceromonies to new heights, and Simon Nicol's birth as a proper vocalist that has continued to evolve to this day. This version of Fairport was the longest lasting line-up ever, lasting from 1985 until 1996 (the Beatles didn't last 11 years) and the most popular combination of talent it had known since 1969! Martin Allcock added much color to this band as he played Guitar,Mandolin,keyboards and composed great dance tunes as well. Don't go and compare this recording to Full House as it's all apples and oranges (as it should be). A good, but not great Fairport record but it's wonderful to again have it available on disc...enjoy

then goes downhill.

I am not a lifelong FC fan, but worked my way back to them through Richard Thompson who has a cameo on this CD. The first 3 songs build to the amazing Honour and Praise, a song that sounds like a classic to me. The Hiring Fair does not do much for me, and the Cathy leSurf tune sounds, to my ears, just awful. Mechanical, dull arrangement with a shrill, annoying voice. Ouch!

The instrumentals feel perfunctory, going through the motions rather than heartfelt performances. And the final two cuts, almost bring it back up, but not quite.

Worth something. Maybe not this much. But one great song goes a loooong way!