Customer Reviews

Live At The BBC

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
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In 1987 the original "Heyday" was released on Joe Boyd's Hannibal Records. Culled from BBC radio sessions from 1968-69, this was the Sandy Denny/Ian Matthews version of Fairport Convention when they were known as: "England's Jefferson Airplane". That title was not a put-down against Fairport or The Airplane but a way to explain this presentation of American music by these fantastic English musicians. The songs on: "Heyday" were not featured on their early records but the were staples of the concerts of 1967-69. Showing another side of this band, "Heyday" featured such writers as Bob Dylan, Eric Anderson, Joni Mitchell, Richard Farina and Leonard Cohan that the British folks (with the exception of Dylan) hadn't heard on their shores before.

In 2002 "Heyday" was re-released and expanded to 20 tracks and remastered to include some "Liege and Lief" material. Bootlegs were released (all two of them) of even more BBC recordings that featured tunes from 1970-1974. It was reported that more BBC shows were indeed out there but, it still a shock to see a four CD box set available in 2007 with all this music included (69 TRACKS)!!!

Firstly all of the expanded "Heyday" is included here, but there is so much more: a December 67 Session with Judy Dyble, the classic "Full House" band live featuring the fire of Richard Thompson & Swarb, through to the 73-74 sessions of the "Nine" and "Rising" lineups. There are a lot's of rare tracks: "Marcie", "Night in the City", "You're Gonna Need My Help", "Violets of Dawn". "The Lady is a Tramp" & "Light My Fire" that were the highlights of the bootleg releases.

The sound quality gets rough in spots, but it still holds up because of the wealth of great music presented here. This is not the place to start if you are new to the music of Fairport Convention. But, for me I do feel lucky to own this amazing little BBC boxset of fab, live Fairport Convention music.
FOUR STARS~!!!

This is a very convenient set. 4 CD's which have all the group BBC Sessions in one place. If there's a problem, it's that there isn't that much that's new for veteran fans. And of course Sandy Denny isn't on several tracks, which may discourage some. The '02 official release of 'Extended Heyday' filled many of the 'Sandy' needs for BBC Fairport stuff. Still though, the inclusion of a few new ones like the fine arrangement of Joni Mitchell's "Marcie," or oddity like Richard Thompson's fun lead on (of all things!) "The Lady is a Tramp," or the many early ones one Disc 4 are nice to see. The sound IS excellent, and notes are interesting in talking about how the recordings were made: great stuff despite (or perhaps even because of) little rehearsal time and cramped quarters. Very good IMO, if perhaps not totally essential, especially if you have all their '68-'75 material and some of the fairly available boots.

For the many Fairport Convention die-hard fans out there like me, this 4 CD set is a treasure trove of gems recorded for BBC programs between 1968 and 1974. It covers a variety of the different lineups, but most importantly includes plenty of contributions by the immortal Sandy Denny, Ian Matthews and Richard Thompson. Judy Dyble is also there. It should be noted that the material released on the Heyday album is duplicated here.

If you don't have any Fairport music this is probably not the place to start, but if you are a seasoned campaigner then this could well be for you

Finally. After years of speculation Island finally amassed all of the surviving Fairport Convention BBC sessions in the handsome 4cd box set. This is basically an expanded version of the "Heyday" CD from years ago which was expanded from the original "Heyday" on Joe Boyd's Hannibal records. That entire expanded "Heyday" is here and a lot more. There is even a disc of off air recordings with Judy Dyble in vocal chair from 1967 and recordings from the "Liege and Leaf " and the post Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson period also. Also included is a history of the group and the sessions. I have to admit it is on the pricey side but to get the clearances and the amount of research and assistance from fans it's expected but worth it and it makes a nice gift to.

Am I wrong, or are some of the Full House tracks straight from the original studio album? Perhaps the boys mimed them for the Beeb?

Otherwise, lots of fun stuff here, warts and all!