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Moat On The Ledge
Talking Elephant TECD052
For those who might not know, the title of this CD is a pun on the Richard Thompson song Meet On The Ledge, a Fairport anthem and one which is sung at the annual Cropredy bash leaving not a dry eye on the field. Originally released on vinyl in 1982, this is a live recording of the second Fairport reunion concert (vintage 1981) but unfortunately the field wasn't available so the boys booked the local stately home, Broughton Castle, as a suitable alternative. Hence the moat! The front cover is the obvious photo opportunity of four nervous-looking band members - Simon Nicol, Dave Mattacks, Dave Swarbrick and Richard Thompson - striking out from the bank in an over-sized bath tub with Messrs. Pegg and Rowland at the oars.
For many the Full House line-up of Fairport was the band at the height of its powers, albeit by that time Sandy Denny had already left and Thompson went straight after. This album is about the closest you'll get to that halcyon period and contains a variety of material including the Cajun-style Thompson number Woman Or A Man, the fret-zipping Brilliancy Medley, Dylan's Country Pie, Jerry Lee's High School Confidential and a guest appearance by the band's first female vocalist Judy Dyble sounding great but nervous, rather like the rest of them, with Both Sides Now. The highlights though are the Full House moments, from the opening trademark Mattacks roll on Walk Awhile with its Albionesque lyrics to Poor Will and The Jolly Hangman with Swarb and Thompson like two warlocks in battle. Forget the early Jefferson Airplane comparisons, spooky English ballads is what Fairport do best. For those who remember Fairport at the turn of the eighties, not always perfect but always with passion, this album is just how it was.
Paul Saunders - May 2003
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Folk & Acoustic
