Play 90 second soundbite of 'Crazy Man Michael' @ 'CD quality'
The inventors of folk/rock, Fairport Convention have undergone many personnel changes in those forty years but they've always stayed true to their original edict of bringing traditional folk music to the masses. So, it'll come as no surprise to hear that 'The Anniversary Concert' is an album of electrically enhanced folk music with a difference. Featuring many guest artists, 'The Anniversary Concert' demonstrates just what an important band they were and still are; artists were queuing up to join the band on stage at this festival and luckily many, if not all, are captured here.
Fairport Convention followers are gonna love this work. Erstwhile Fairport disbelievers should allow themselves the pleasure of partaking of this tasty musical morsel, try it, suck it and see - it really does tell many tales - not only literally but metaphorically. Alongside the trad.arr. jigs and reels etc. there's also loads of Fairport original material to enjoy - see how they've tried to keep the essence of traditional, story-telling folk alive by bringing it in line with modern ways and modern times.
'The Anniversary Concert' is probably not the best release ever from Fairport Convention. But, as a device for capturing an important moment in time it's worth every penny. Without Fairport Convention the music world wouldn't be the same - just like the punk movement shocked and re-vitalised the music business, so did Fairport Convention. They went into the traditional folk music clubs and plugged in their guitars and violins, they took in drums and mic'd them up and they had the shear audacity to call it electric folk - they took risks and it paid off. And, that pay off didn't just benefit the Fairports - we all benefited in the long run by learning that you can bring about change and stick two fingers up at 'convention' (pardon the pun).
'The Anniversary Concert' by Fairport Convention is an important and just release. When Fairport Convention re-shaped traditional folk music they also helped change the future of all popular music. Great album - great band - give it a try!
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