Massive 11-CD + DVD boxset chronicles the transformation of Fairport and the launch of a second golden age.  Just in time for Cropredy!

Release Date:  2^nd August 2024

Label: Madfish

Formats: 11 x CD + DVD Boxset

A DEFINITIVE TRIBUTE

Well here it is, folks, and just in time for Cropredy 2024.  The much-heralded 11-CD collection of Fairport Convention live recordings is finally with us.  Compiled/curated by Bert Jansch / John McLaughlin biographer, Colin Harper, the 11CD plus DVD set is being billed as “The definitive tribute to the legendary British folk-rock band’s enduring legacy.” Although it is, without any question whatsoever, a lush and fascinating affair, I do fear that that description goes a little too far.

The clue is, perhaps, in the title.  The 1982-1990 period covered by this collection was an interesting phase in the history of Fairport.  It was a phase that the band entered as a barely-existent entity, still reeling from its official dissolution 3 years earlier. 

Indeed, if it wasn’t for the brave decision to hold an annual reunion at Peggy’s (then) home village of Cropredy each August, it’s likely that, by 1982, Fairport would have been no more than a memory, with Peggy plunging ahead with his Jethro Tull career, Simon and Swarb working the folk clubs, Dave Mattacks ensconced in the studio and Bruce Rowland pushing ahead with his relocation to Denmark.  Thankfully, Fairport DID decide to reconvene and, from that tiny acorn of an idea, a second mighty oak took root.

A SECOND GOLDEN AGE

And that’s the real significance of this new collection; it documents the period in which Fairport ceased to relive its past – albeit with some memorable moments, many documented here, along the way – and, boosted by the energies of Ric Sanders and Maartin Allcock – and a freshly reinvigorated Mattacks – Fairport entered their second – and most enduring – Golden Age. 

By 1990, with two excellent albums full of new material (Gladys’ Leap (1985) and Expletive Delighted! (1986)) along with the quasi-live In Real Time (1987), that second Golden Age was well and truly bedded in.

CROPREDY ADVENTURES

This boxset is a faithful record of Fairport’s adventures during that formative period, blending, as it does, a vast collection of Cropredy recordings from the 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1987 festivals with copious live recordings that featured on BBC broadcasts during the period. 

It’s a gorgeous product, too, with the 11 (12, if you include the DVD) discs accompanied by a comprehensive booklet featuring detailed articles from Fairport chroniclers Patrick Huphries and Nigel Schofield, music journalists Graeme Thompson, Mat Snow and the late, great Colin Irwin. There is also an archive interview between Fairporters’ Dave Pegg and Ric Sanders and the set’s curator, Colin Harper.  The booklet is also crammed with photos, many taken at Cropredy through the years. Many of these are on public display for the first time.  It’s a must-read publication for any self-confessed lover of all things Fairport.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM?

I suppose that the elephant in the room, and I might as well draw attention to its presence now, is that 77 of the 134 audio tracks included (a hefty 60%) have seen previous release, not once, but twice before, as the AT2 (1982), The Boot (1983), The Other Boot (1986) and The Third Leg (1987) series of “Official Bootleg” recordings. 

As such, much of this material will already be in the possession of many Fairport devotees – the target audience at whom this collection will be directed.  We’re hoarders.  We don’t throw stuff away. That said, the sound has been sparkled up somewhat and, without doubt, there are some fine, memorable moments to enjoy amongst the repeated material. 

Fairport’s 1982 Cropredy appearance, which featured a reunion of the classic Fairport Nine line-up, includes stunning versions of Polly on the Shore and Bring ‘Em Down from that album, Jerry Donahue’s Mach-speed showpiece, The Claw, Trevor Lucas’s druggy party piece, Marijuana Australiana and the unquestionable highlights of the event, Trevor’s songs Lucky Old Sun and the (sadly) still relevant Here Come the Cowboys. 

The 1983 show, captured here in its entirety, is memorable for a reunion of the Liege and Leif line-up and a setlist that featured a plethora of songs from that album and from its predecessor, Unhalfbricking.  Cathy Lesurf did an amazing job of covering the Sandy Denny vocal parts and there are guest appearances from, amongst others, Dave Whetstone and Alistair Anderson, who was riding high at the time on the success of his Steel Skies album.

IAIN MATTHEWS FIRST CROPREDY

In 1986, Iain Matthews made his first Cropredy appearance. Fairport regulars took advantage of his presence and his clear, soaring voice to take a deep-dive into the band’s early years. Highlights of the show include breath taking versions of former live set staples such as Reno, Nevada and Keep on Sailing.  The Fairport version of Leonard Cohen’s Suzanne was always excellent and Iain shimmers as he delivers the version included here.

An acapella interpretation of Iain’s No.1 hit, Woodstock, on which he’s joined by Richard Thompson, Clive Gregson and Christine Collister is novel. Maybe the high-point of the entire show was Cathy Lesurf’s rendition of Richard Fariña’s The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood.  1986 was also the year that Robert Plant made his virgin appearance alongside Fairport on the Cropredy stage. Sadly, his versions of Mess of the Blues, She’s Nineteen Years Old and Mystery Train are excluded here.  Contractual reasons, I’d guess.

A STAR STUDDED 1987

On to the star-studded show of 1987. The collection captures appearances from Richard Thompson – a heart-rending take on Hand of Kindness – Ralph McTell (Bridge of Sighs) and, most notably, Ian Anderson and Martin Barre, who showed up, along with a crowd-swelling entourage of Tull fanatics, to perform a Jethro Tull set-within-a-set.  It’s Serenade to a Cuckoo, from Tull’s 1968 debut This Was album that makes the cut here and, if you haven’t heard this particular version before, with Ric’s violin providing a counterpoint to Ian A’s flute, then you’re in for a treat.

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Of the Previously Unreleased recordings included in the boxset, it’s the nine tracks from the band’s 1985 Cropredy appearance that particularly catch the eye.  The Full House line-up was back in town that year and they performed a headlining set on the Friday night of the festival, before re-convening alongside the then-current Fairport line-up, plus Bruce Rowland and Cathy Lesurf for more fun and frolics on the Saturday night.  I recall that Fairport were at the top of their game on both nights, and the big surprise happened when Cathy reprised her own No.1 hit single, Daytrip to Bangor, to the delight of the singing, swaying audience.

Elsewhere, there are live sets from Birmingham University (1985), Leamington’s Royal Spa Centre (1987), The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil (1989) and copious BBC sessions to enjoy.  Again, Fairport Fanatics may remember these shows being broadcast. Unless you had your finger poised on the ‘record’ button of your cassette player, time will have rendered the performances unfamiliar.  There’s some great songs in amongst it all, too; songs that were once staples of Fairport’s live shows that have been superseded by time and the relentless revolution of the wheels of production. Personal favourites amongst this particular category include Wat Tyler, Jams O’Donnel’s Jig, John Kirkpatrick’s The Gas Almost Works, Dave Whetstone’s joyous Head in a Sack and his sublime Set Me Up (opening track to 1988’s Red and Gold album) and, of course, Cropredy anthem, Red and Gold, the title track to that same album. Time to sit back and enjoy, then!

AN INTERESTING ARTIFACT

The DVD that accompanies the set is an interesting artifact, too.  It features a BBC performance, recorded for the BBC2 TV show Six Fifty-Five Special and broadcast on 9^th August 1982, just a few days ahead of that year’s Cropredy Festival.  The Fairport Nine line-up go through their paces and the band are joined by none other than Martin Carthy. As well as conducting an interview with the band, he joins them for a version of Lovely Joan; one of his own best-loved songs.

It All Came Round Again is certainly an impressive and comprehensive record of what Fairport were up to between 1982 and 1990.  Whether you’re up for paying the price tag is for you to decide.  But, if you are, you can place your order via the link here.

And don’t forget:  Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2024 kicks of on Thursday 8^th August. 

Check out our previews of this year’s festival; Part One is here. Part Two is here, You can find Part Three here and Part Four here. Part Five is here with Part Six here. Our final preview looks at Fairport themselves; find that here.

If you still haven’t got your ticket yet, have a look here.

See you at Cropredy!

Check out the trailer for the box set here.

Fairport Convention: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

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