MEET ON THE LEDGE - THE CLASSIC YEARS 1967-1975

This double CD collection is effectively an updating of the superb "History of Fairport Convention" released on LP by Island records. The compilation covers Fairport's creative years from 1967 to 1975, thus capturing songs from all the albums from the eponymous debut through to "Rising for the moon". This of course means that the classics such as "Liege and Lief" and "Angel Delight" contribute some of their finery.

The tracks are grouped together chronologically, with most albums being well represented. For example, no less than 6 tracks from "What we did on our holidays" are present. What is more pleasing though is that space is found for the long prog based tracks such as the 11 minute "A sailor's life" ("Unhalfbricking"), "Matty Groves" ("Leige and lief"), Bonny bunch of roses" (an unreleased version) and "Sloth" ("Full house").

Some albums are given short shift, "Babacombe Lee" and the debut album have just one song each here, but there remains a real sense that this is truly a "Best of" set. It is good too to see the wonderful "Crazy man Michael" restored to the top table after being inexcusably dumped from the CD version of the "History of" in order to fit that album on a single disc.

The compilation naturally covers many band line ups, but there is something of a full circle achieved by the return of Sandy Denny for "Rising for the moon", and in particular for the epic prog number "One more chance" which closes this set. If you only ever hear one track by Fairport Convention, "One more chance" is unquestionably the one to go for. It is quite simply the most beautiful and captivating piece of music, possibly ever.

The presentation is faultless throughout. The digital remastering is crystal clear and the accompanying booklet contains a wealth of information.

In short, I cannot recommend this collection highly enough. It offers the perfect introduction to Fairport Convention for the beginner, and the perfect summary for the devoted.

Share this FAIRPORT CONVENTION review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#160831)
• Buy FAIRPORT CONVENTION music online with PA partners
• Show all FAIRPORT CONVENTION MP3/Stream
• Go to FAIRPORT CONVENTION page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Meet on the Ledge - The Classic Years 1967-1975 page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for FAIRPORT CONVENTION related discussions