I got onto Google UK maps several years ago, went into street view mode, and found the house where this cover picture was taken. Church in the background and all, pretty kool !!! I think the wall upper grating has been changed though...
Wasn't it Sandy's parent's house? That's them I believe standing at the gate. The band is in the background, inside near the tree. Btw, the original US version had a completely different lp sleeve featuring elephants and circus performers.
But Richard did... lots and lots more. Which is why when “Oozes with talent” threads get started, Richard is front of mind.
Yep, Sandy's parents' house. The band is frolicking in the back/side yard there. Found an article with the exact address, 9B Arthur Road Wimbledon: London Calling: FAIRPORT CONVENTION, UNHALFBRICKING (The album cover)
For me it's because I can't stand concept album (unless it's Pink Floyd). But on the other hand my friend adores BL, so it has its fans for sure.
Wait. WHAT?! What am I missing here? EDIT: Oh nevermind. I thought this was a different set I hadn't heard of. Luckily I have a mint set on the way.
The songs you mention are all phenomenal. However for me this is one of the weaker overall Fairport albums, because you have the aforementioned songs at one end and then you have 3 Dylan covers (2 of which I can live without) and Thompson's terrible Cajun Woman. Dear Landlord and The Ballad Of Easy Rider suggests there was no other original songs of quality either.
Agreed. But I always let it fly because that was like, what, the second of three albums released in a single year by kids in their early twenties? (Nice cover too). But as a Matthews fan, it kind of leaves me in a bad mood sometimes. But no bother. He was welcomed and blossomed here in the US.
I was a fan of Dylan first, then Fairport. I think because of this I have an aversion to covers of Dylan songs....not just by Fairport, but by almost anyone. There are of course exceptions. Fairports I'll Keep It With Mine is far superior to Dylan's. I'm curious on folks thoughts on these Dylan cover songs (of which there was a whole album recently released -tracklist below) Si Tu Dois Partir Jack O' Diamonds Lay Down Your Weary Tune Dear Landlord Open The Door Richard I'll Keep It With Mine Percy's Song The Ballad Of Easy Rider It Ain't Me Babe - Sandy Denny George Jackson Tomorrow Is A Long Time - Sandy Denny Days Of 49 Down In The Flood All Along The Watchtower Too Much Of Nothing - Fotheringay 16 Million Dollar Bash Knocking On Heaven's Door
I feel this way about The Beatles. But completely the opposite about Dylan. I feel like Dylan's song usually lend themselves to interpretation (unlike Beatle songs) and usually bested in terms of vocals/production/arrangement. But this isn't disparaging him or his versions (many of which are my go-tos) at all. His versions are grand and, in what I consider the greatest compliment any songwriter could get, I always know when it's a Dylan song, even if I heard someone else's version first. EDIT: I do prefer Fotheringay and FC's covers of Too Much of Nothing (especially the live DVD version) and The Ballad of Easy Rider.
I listened to Unhalfbricking last night and was reminded why it's one I rarely listen to. To me there's very little that stands out as great Fairport other than Who Knows. Sailor's life is a bit long an rambly for me and even RT's songs aren't his best (for my taste). I'm not a fan of Dylan at all, although it's amazing how often I hear a song, quite like and am amazed to find that it's a cover of one of his songs. However, in this case though: meh. (I'm probably about to get excommunicated for admitting Dylan does nothing for me!)
I LOVE Joan Baez doing this song whilst sitting on the floor on the Don't Look Back film. Not sure why she never recorded it.
You're not alone. I can only really tolerate Dylan songs when they're done by other people. I've been enjoying the CD compilation of Fairport doing Dylan songs. There are no Dylan albums in my collection.
All taken from The Tree With Roots compilation. I not a fan of Dylan's voice but his songs are great and no one does them better than Fairport. My favs are Open The Door Richard, I'll Keep It With Mine, Percy's Song, George Jackson (Lucas in phenomenal on that one), Days Of 49, and Knocking On Heaven's Door which was an off the cuff live performance as only Sandy was familiar with the song.
Have you seen the doc where she and Earl Scruggs do Love Is Just A Four Letter Word together? It was recorded but but the sound quality isn't great. Def my preferred version though.
I managed to stick my head round the gate of the house in April 2012. It was a pure fluke that that access was open at all, there are big wooden gates there, locked most of the time, which is why a lot of people have looked for the location and never found it. That same month in I also managed to visit another iconic location, in Manchester.
The superb cover of 'The Ballad Of Easy Rider' dates from the 'Leige And Lief' recording sessions in October 1969. Dave Mattacks is clearly the drummer. Again, it's wondrous. The performed it live on the short tour in late 1969 as well. They didn't completely drop the Dylan stuff after the crash.
