Liege & Lief

In one year, 1969, Fairport Convention released three (!) great albums. This one changed R&R in the U.K. Though never achieving more than cult status in the States, those of us who ran into Fairport's music were duly impressed. And why not? Richard Thompson, acknowledged as one of the most brilliant & sustained artists of the 1970's right up through today (over 45 years!) was the lead guitarist as well one of the principal songwriters. Ashley Hutchings, a figure of substantial importance in the development of British folk-rock was the bass player. An artist of considerable talent, Ian Matthews was one of the lead singers through part of the year and one album (plus Percy's Song on Unhalfbricking). The drummer, Martin Lamble, died in a tragic accident and on Liege was replaced by Dave Mattacks, a drummer of immense talent & reputation. Simon Nicol was not yet the pretty darn decent folk singer he is today, but you can hear the value of having a rhythm guitarist a creative and talented lead can trust. Dave Swarbrick joined full-time by Liege. Swarb is a controversial figure in Fairport history. Because he seems to have little grounding in R&R, I'm amongst those Fairport fans who have always been iffy about him. But on Liege as well as his playing on Unhalfbricking's A Sailor's Life he was not singing, and there is no question about the Folk cred he carried. Fine and dandy. With a change or two (incl. Dave Pegg coming in to boost the physical power of the bass playing), an RT fronted Fairport could produce 1970's excellent Full House album. But the 1969 trilogy was special then and remains so because of Sandy Denny. I know the "first lady of folk" thing, but mere talk or writing fails to do her justice. For these three 1969 albums her star shone bright indeed. Her voice set to this music was incredible. Powerful, transfixing, ethereal are words that come to mind. For the three albums capped by Liege she was literally perfect. Really, I am not exaggerating. Her talent burn so bright during that year and on those three albums, and was really never repeated. Though Fotheringay definitely had potential as a band, just look at the musicians, her voice was never quite the same after Liege. And while Sandy wrote a number of memorable songs that deserve the Nick Drake rediscovery process, she could not fill an album with consistent, quality compositions. I believe it was in 1970 that Fotheringay toured a bit with a very young Elton John opening. The reviews were interesting, but also sad. One reviewer noted how this Elton John guy sounded like an artist going up, while Sandy and Fotheringay were at best treading water. But, oh what might have been! What if she stayed with a Fairport Convention containing RT and a Swarb whose vocals were limited to maybe one song per album? I would love to have heard a Full House that included Sandy's influence and presence. Three such superlative albums in a single year, capped by Liege? Yeah, and any music lover needs to get them all. And while you're at it spring for the 180 gram releases!

A classic folk album that sounds even better with this 180 Gram vinyl reissue. I have an original copy from 1969, but this version surpasses it with superior sound quality and detail. Highly recommend!

I bought this record on vinyl back in 1974. It is still on my play list. You can't say enough about this record. It's simply a masterpiece. It defines the electric British folk genre the way that the Byrds' Turn Turn Turn defines the US electric folk, except moreso. Fairport were great admirers of The Byrds, by the way. This album is their coming out following a tragic auto accident which killed one of the members, as well as Richard Thompson's girlfriend. Rarely have three more talented musicians than Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick ever been assembled in a single band. The result speaks for itself. Not for nothing was Liege & Lief voted the best British folk rock album of all time. It opens with Sandy Denny's exuberant Come All Ye. Then, the very traditional Reynardine, which takes some getting used to, but Thompson's subtle guitar work is masterful and Denny's vocals pure and emotive. You can overlook Swarbrick's fiddle, but don't. The English traditional Matty Groves is the high point on the record. Thompson's distinctive off-the-melody staccato lead is brilliant, mature guitar playing. He was barely out of his teens. After about 38 years, I figured out that Matty Groves and the American tune, Shady Grove, are the same song. The side closes with the haunting and beautiful Crazy Man Michael. Side two opens with the ironic Victorian tune The Deserter, then Swarbrick shows off his virtuosity in a traditional jig and reel medley. Tam Lim is a traditional Irish tune with fairies and virgins and spells and no one could do it better than Sandy Denny. Just off the chart. The record closes with one of her most beautiful songs, Farewell. It was actually farewell for her. She left the band to pursue her solo career.

With this album the band dives deeper into traditional British folk rock and while not as overall as solid as Unhalfbricking, it is a well made album and should be in any collection of fans of the genre.

turn off your digital world and step back into the old analog world. musical bliss. A nice clear wonderful pressing. I'm going to look into the other Fairport albums from this label.

This has been one of my favorite albums for years. But the CD I had had a bad skip in it that I rather lived with for many years, knocking the CD player to jump beyond the stuck part. When I upgraded my component stereo system, I looked to get a better copy of this album. When it arrived, I was surprised and concerned that the outer wrap said "From Mexico". But it all seems fine. The sound is just like the original CD I had, only without the skip. Hurrah!

Fairport Convention was absolutely one of the best of the British folk/rock groups, and they had perhaps the best female vocalist you'll ever hear in the late and great Sandy Denny. Her voice was just so beautiful, and the "Liege & Lief" album is one classic from that late 60's/early 70's era. All the songs on this album are great, my favorite happens to be "Tam Lin," which has a great rocking sound with excellent guitars by Richard Thompson. The fiddle work on this album is outstanding as well, and some say that this is not their best effort and work, but I would have to hear the other Fairport Convention albums to be the judge on whether or not this great album is the best of what they did, but all I have left to say is that this is a truly great album, and it's worth getting if you've never heard it, or you're just getting into the British folk rock music, and there's literally dozens of other outstanding groups similar to Fairport Convention, but they would have to be up their on the top of the list as the best, or one of the best for sure. Glenn Signal Hill,CA USA

What more can be said about this infuential album? Basically; Fairport Convention invented, "Celtic-Folk-Rock" and "Liege & Lief" could be considered the starting point. After to listening to and recording some Americana they realized that the traditional folk-music of the British Isles was a rich source of great stuff to be electrified. (Steeleye Span, The Pogues, Waterboys, Flogging Molly, etc.) The song-writing other than the traditional material is superb (Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny (RIP) with Dave Swarbrick) and they along with the rest of that Fairport line-up (Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings and Dave Mattacks) came up with a masterpiece. There are quibbles regarding the re-mastering of this version and the re-issue with, "bonus" tracks. Because Fairport Convention (1967-present) has a long history with many line-up changes I don't really want to write their complete story in this post. Basically the band is still around, led by Nicol and Dave Pegg and should really be inducted into, "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Richard Thompson (...who does still cooperate with FC at times) for his wonderful solo work deserves this honor as well . "Liege & Lief" is one of the best records Fairport came up with making it essential for any good collection while being a perfect starting point to learn about this sort of music.