This Fairport Convention triple-CD set represents a startlingly good idea that comes off well -- a compilation of live performances from across the group's history, intermingling class concert recordings from back as far as the late '60s with much more recent work from the Cropredy Festival. What one comes away appreciating anew is just how good a rock band Fairport has been for most of its history -- at their best, in fact, as represented here (including recent performances by Richard Thompson), they come off as at least as good a rock band as, say, Jethro Tull is a folk outfit, if not better. The sound is good, even on the older material (which goes back to Julie Dyble's tenure with the group), and the selection covers a huge range of repertory, some of which will surprise and delight casual fans who may not know all of the strings to this band's bow.
Fairport Convention: Richard Thompson (vocals, guitar); Sandy Denny, Judy Dyble (vocals); Ian Matthews, Simon Nicol (guitar); Ashley Hutchings (bass instrument); Martin Lamble (drums); Chris Leslie, Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, Dave Swarbrick, Gerry Conway, Jerry Donahue, Maartin Allcock, Norma Waterson, Ralph McTell, Ric Saunders, Gill Allcock, Martin Cathy, Cathy Le Surf, Vicki Clayton, Bruce Rowland.
DISC 1
01. Some Sweet Day
02. You're Gonna Need My Help
03. Both Sides Now
04. You Never Wanted Me
05. Dear Landlord
06. Night In The City
07. Marcie
08. Fotheringay
09. Sir Patrick Spens
10. Wings - (live)
11. Suzanne - (live)
12. Jack O'Diamonds - (live)
13. Time Will Show The Wiser - (live)
14. Mr. Lacey - (live)
15. Genesis Hall - (live)
16. Reynardine - (live)
17. Million Dollar Bash - (live)
18. Matty Groves - (live)
DISC 2
01. Set Me Up
02. Cup Of Tea / Loaf Of Bread / Miss Monohan's
03. Sock In It
04. All Your Beauty
05. London River
06. Honour And Praise
07. Rhythm Of The Time
08. How Many Times
09. Red And Gold
10. Wat Tyler
11. The Wishfullness Waltz (Medley): Wishfulness Waltz / Midnight On The Water
12. Claudy Banks
13. Medley: Mack Morris '90: The Green Man / The Cropredy Badger / Molly On The Jetty
14. Summer Before The War
15. Sigh Beg Sigh Mor
DISC 3
01. Walk Awhile - (live)
02. John Gaudie (Medley): John Gaudie / Jack Broke Da Prison Door / Donald Blue / The Bonnie Isle O W...
03. Poor Will And The Jolly Hangman - (live)
04. Come All Ye - (live)
05. Sloth - (live)
06. Fiddlestix - (live)
07. Solo - (live)
08. Close To The Wind - (live)
09. Jewel In The Crown - (live)
10. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - (live)
11. Woodworm Swing - (live)
12. Si Tu Dois Partir - (live)
13. Who Knows Where The Time Goes - (live)
14. Meet On The Ledge - (live)
