Six Guys In A Rowboat
PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 08/24/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the Broughton Castle Reunion Show. The proper title of this CD is " Moat on the Ledge ". Recorded 15 August 1981 this was the second reunion show performed after Fairport Convention's " Official " farewell show of 1979. To the Fairport faithful this show is known as the " Cropredy not held at Cropredy ".
Band line-up for this show:
Richard Thompson: Vocals & Lead Guitar
Dave Swarbrick: Vocals, Fiddle & Mandolin
Dave Pegg: Bass Guitar & Vocals
Simon Nicol: Vocals & Guitars
Dave Mattacks: Drums
Bruce Rowland: Drums
The disc opens with " Walk Awhile" and it's a great version! One of Fairport"s best tunes. Both Richard and Swarb battle to lead the band and Swarb wins on the opening number but Richard really dominates the 9 selections featured here. " Country Pie " is fun and has hyped-up ending. This a band having Big Fun and it transfers to disc quite well. " Rosie " is very sweet with wonderful singing from Swarb. " Matty Groves " is as performed 70"s style and Mr. Thompson rips it up here with his fantastic lead guitar playing. " Both Sides Now " Features Judy Dyble on vocals and recreates Fairport Convention 1968 spot -on. " Poor Will & The Jolly Hangman " is one of Richard Thompson / Dave Swarbrick's greatest tunes and this version could have easily been included on the Cropredy Box Set. " Brilliancy Medley / Cherroke Shuffle " is a very fast guitar & fiddle romp, speed- folk at it's finest! " Woman or a Man " is electric Thompson / Fairport and the energy shines through the years, this is the band where you want them, playin' great and havin' FUN! " High School Confidential " ( this is D, a
song in D ) is Fairportabilly at it's peak with Richard playing a million notes a minute and Swarb get's a nice liitle solo in here as well, a fine rave-up and a neat closer for " Moat On The Ledge ".
This CD is highly recommended as is the GP's from Friday night's show. The sound quality on this Remaster is a very big sonic boost from the original 1982 version. I would be quite happy to have a four CD set from the entire Saturday night show but to have this little gem is very nice as well.
Now is it time to release the video of this one on DVD ???"
OK Fairport live album I'm surprised to find on CD
woburnmusicfan | Woburn, MA United States | 08/15/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I didn't know this was on CD. This live album was recorded during the period when Fairport was officially "broken up". It's a pretty mixed bag, with several cover tunes that go in wildly different directions: Dylan's "Country Pie", Judy Collins' "Both Sides Now", and Jerry Lee Lewis' "High School Confidential". Highlights include the best version I've heard of "Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman" and the Richard Thompson rarity "Woman or a Man" (it also appeared on his solo acoustic "Small Town Romance" album). The sound quality is not great.(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1