FAIRPORT CONVENTION

Fairport Convention's debut is a pretty decent one. I agree it is not essential from the band. Sure they were strongly influenced by early Jefferson Airplane and other American folk and this album is made up of half group compositions, half covers. But throughout the songs are played well. It doesn't sound as well produced as the band's later albums, although as other reviews said, you can hear a lot of tasteful qualities and classy musicianship. Judy Dyble's presence is the most noticeable on the Joni Mitchell songs "I Don't Know Where I Stand" and "Chelsea Morning". Her voice may not be as strong as Sandy Denny's who would replace her by the next album, however Dyble still sounds very good, tuneful and pleasant. The two Richard Thompson ballads here are actually very good as well. "Sun Shade" and the melancholic "Decameron" are some examples of the band bringing their own personal touches into the mix, such as some very fine jazzy guitar work. 'The Lobster' is another band composition and a psychedelic mini-epic, standing out as the most progressive piece, as well as hinting the mature guitar style Thompson would display after the album "Full House". Some other covers on the album that are brilliant include "Jack 'O Diamonds" and another with Dyble on vocals named "One Sure Thing". So the verdict for this vintage folk-rock album? It is very good and shouldn't be judged too harshly because in retrospect many know that the more superior 'What We Did On Our Holidays' followed less than a year later. It still has a lot to offer and is just different from the later stuff. 3 solid stars.