From: Pete Fyfe
[petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 22 April 2012 03:58
Subject: Pete Fyfe: Fairport -
Babbacombe Lee Live Again
Attachments: Fairport - Babbacombe
Lee Live Again.jpg
FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Babbacombe Lee Live Again (Matty Grooves
Records MGCD052)
For many of us old enough to remember it the first time round
Fairport Convention's "Babbacombe Lee" was one of those albums with its
gatefold sleeve and detailed book with the sticker ("Don't Hang Babbacombe
Lee") that every self-respecting folk-rock enthusiast counted himself lucky to
own - I know I did. Here was the band at their peak of their story-telling
prowess relating the legendary tale of ?the man they couldn't hang!' The reason
it worked so well forty years ago (and still does to this day) is in no small
part down to Dave Swarbrick's every-man vocal approach and now brilliantly
re-interpreted by Chris Leslie. Many of the songs took on a life of their own
outside the restrictions of the folk-opera and always guaranteed to bring a wry
smile at many a folk club up and down these fair isles were "The Sailor's
Alphabet", the "St Ninian's Isle/Trumpet Hornpipe" instrumental set Simon
Nicol's "Breakfast In Mayfair" and the truly hypnotic "Dream Song". Faithfully
reproduced by the 2011 line-up (with the exception of the accordion on
Alphabet) of Dave Pegg, Ric Sanders and Gerry Conway and the afore mentioned
Leslie and Nicol this CD really is worth purchasing as it still has relevance
today as an historical document and more relevant (to me at least) than say
Rory McGrath's Pub Dig. In addition to the band, congratulations should also go
to John Gale for his recording, mixing and mastering skills and Mick Toole's
superbly re-booted package design. www.fairportconvention.com
PETE
FYFE