 | | Reviews | | |  FAIRPORT CONVENTION
Over The Next Hill
Matty Grooves MGCD041
Nice to see Fairport being tongue-in-cheek with the title of their latest offering, marking both their facility for weathering constant traumas and their avowal that there's life in the old dog yet.
This debut outing on Matty Grooves Records - successor to the moribund Woodworm (tune inspiration, anyone?) - reveals a Fairport undaunted by their most recent hiccup, the split between bassist Dave Pegg and wife Christine with its concomitant seismic repercussions on the FC cottage industry. With operations relocated to an office over a pub it's business as usual, and Simon Nicol's comment, "We always like to innovate and the new album is no exception; on the other hand, we try never to lose sight of our history or musical roots", is as good a mission statement as any.
Musically dextrous as they are, the Fairport groove still languishes in the '70s, though of late the strong narrative songs and pleasant voice of multi-instrumentalist Chris Leslie have steered them into fresher waters. Leslie's dreamy I'm Already There (an episode of Lord Franklin lore) and The Fossil Hunter (the story of celebrated 19th century paleontologist Mary Anning) are the album's standout songs, with Steve Tilston's title track and Willow Creek, set to a funky tune by squeezebox maestro Chris Parkinson, coming a close second.
Violinist Ric Sanders contributes a gentle instrumental elegy and a four-tune set Canny Capers which escalates from string-driven sub-morris romp to standard Fairport rock-out; the CD winds up with a nod to the past on Si Tu Dois Partir with the late Martin Lamble sampled from the original late-'60s version.
Mel McClellan - July 2004
See also:
Fairport Convention | Cropredy 2002
Fairport Convention | Moat On The Ledge
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 it took a bit of getting into. At first it seemed a little light, nothing to "hang your hat on" but after a few more plays it really does get under your skin. You realise just high the standard is, with the music from all five members, knitting together in sheer perfection. Looking forward to hearing it live at Cropredy.
Richard Gascoyne, Prudhoe N'land
Hear Hear, if the band are supposodly in crisis then how can they be producing one of the freshest albums of their 35 plus years, a more out and out rock album than XXXV this is the sound of a lean mean line up, with vocals and reels honed by a succession of amazing Winter Tours. Anyone who saw Fairport play on this years Winter Tour will know they are as hot and tight as ever. This album merely reinforces it. Superb.
James Turner, Sheffield
over the next hill by fairport convention is the best album they have do in years
geoff, wallington
congratulations to fairport on another fine album to add to their already impressive back catalogue.Nice to hear again tunes like The Fossil Hunter and Canny Capers which were previewed at Cropredy 2003 and i hoped would be on the new cd.Although Chris Leslie is outstanding as always the rest of the band prove to be as classy as ever and continue to sit on top of the folk rock tree where they truly belong. Here's to Cropredy 2004 and hopefully many to come. Don't let it end now guys!!! All the best to the Peggs for their respective futures.
ian mcbride, nuneaton
Agree that first hearing was a bit disappointing - where are the strong tracks? - but subsequent listens drew me in and I now think this is a classy album, with some impressive songs and of course great playing. Hearing some of the tracks live at Cropredy was a great help! (What a great set. The best for a long time!)
Mike Murray, Huntly, Aberdeen
We made the trip to Cropredy this year and what a great way to be introduced to "Over the Next Hill". This is the best Fairport album in years. Chris Leslie shines with his writing and voice and the whole band is having such a great time performing together. It shows on the album and on stage. I hope they tour the West Coast of the USA soon!!
Tim Hayes, Torrance, CA USA
Whilst it seems that the new album certainly lacks the meatiness of previous releases, the result is still thoroughly impressive. Chris Leslie's lyrics bring a new lease of life to the term 'folk song', and the instrumental perfection of each piece shines throughout. It would be good to hear some more darker ballads of the Richard Thompson kind though, to prove once and for all that Fairport are still just as much rock as they are folk.
Nic Zuppardi, Norwich, England | | | | | | |  |
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Folk & Acoustic
