XXXV: The 35th Anniversary Album

Fairport Convention | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 12, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compass Records
• ASIN: B00005Y1TY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,572 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've said it before..., March 21, 2002

By 

John Kelley (Portsmouth, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: XXXV: The 35th Anniversary Album (Audio CD)

...and I'll say it again.

FAIRPORT RULES!

The god-fathers of British folk-rock follow up
their wonderful THE WOOD AND THE WIRE
with a killer release celebrating their 35th
year of brilliance.

Chris Leslie doesn't quite dominate XXXV
like he did W&W,but his LIGHT OF DAY is
almost worth buying the whole disc for. Six
minutes of spooky fun,that ends with an
awesome violin jam that's been compared to
Charlie Daniels' DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA.

Chris also contributes THE HAPPY MAN(a combo
of 3 Morris dance tunes),the folk-rock rave up
TALKING ABOUT MY LOVE,and the ultimate version
of the Richard Thompson/Dave Swarbrick classic
NOW BE THANKFUL.

Simon Nichol reworks THE DESERTER,(from OLD,
NEW,BORROWED,BLUE) Gerry Conway's drums
give the haunting anti-war ballad a new edge.

Violinist Ric Sanders gives us the fiddle jam
EVERYTHING BUT THE SKIRL,plus a remake
of PORTMERION(from EXPLETIVE DELIGHTED),
with Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson on flute!

Not be missed!   

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Still going strong but...., April 25, 2002

By 

Mark Cloud "Musician" (Murrieta, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: XXXV: The 35th Anniversary Album (Audio CD)

Mainly I would like to respond (again!) to those who will never forgive Fairport Convention for continuing on without Denny, Thompson, and Swarbirck. To invalidate the fine music this band has created over the last 20 years is, to me, frustratingly narrow-minded. I'm really sorry you're personal heroes aren't in the band anymore. Really, I am. But get over it! I love Liege and Leaf, too; but you know what? It's starting to sound horribly dated. The fact is, records (OK, CDs) like "Old, New, Borrowed, Blue", "Jewel on the Crown", "Red and Gold", and "Wood and the Wire" show at LEAST as much depth and musicanship as L&L and FAR more than the dismally recorded "Full House." (Note: the live "House Full" shows how good that particular line up really was.)

That said, I must admit XXXV is not up to the Band's usual standards. It's OK..certainly worth having if you are a fan. Still, it sounds like they may have rushed this one a bit. Many of the the performances sound, to me, like the band wasn't quite rehearsed enough to perform them with confidence. "The Banks of the Sweet Primroses" is a good example. The arrangement is pretty much identical to the 1970 version and done with much less energy. What was the point? And "The Deserter" is an excellent song...but do we need another---identical---version?

There are moments: "Madeline" and "Neil Gow's Apprentice" rank with Fairport's best, I think. "My Love is in America" is also a fine track. There are others; this is by no means a bad record. I doubt it will win them any new fans, though.

And yes, Chris Leslie is no Richard Thompson. But then, Richard Thompson is no Chris Leslie. Metallica is no Bruce Springsteen. And Bruce Sprinsteen is no Tina Turner. What exactly do mindless comparisons indicate about ANY of these artists? Besides, if Chris Leslie sounded just like RT, the detractors would only complain he is merely a pale imitation.

If you like Fairport Convention, I think you'll enjoy this record. If you're new to the band, start with something else. "Red and Gold" would be my recommendation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 17, 2002

By 

G. Middleton "gmidd" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: XXXV: The 35th Anniversary Album (Audio CD)

I followed Fairport in the mid/late-eighties, and particularly enjoyed the line-up of that period. However, I have found their most recent albums (post "Old New Borrowed Blue") a little bland, and felt that the lads could do better. The good news for me is that XXXV has reaffirmed my enthusiasm for the group. It contains a balanced collection of well structured songs, including some excellent arrangements of old favorites, as well as some originals. The first track 'Madeline', is a splendid tune that really creates the 'up-beat' mood that progagates its way through the album. I particularly like the Chris Leslie song, 'The Light Of Day' and the re-arrangement of 'Now Be Thankful'. I would recommend XXXV to anyone wanting to re-discover the delights of this accomplished group of musicians.