Fairport Convention – 50:50@50 (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:04:10 minutes | 752 MB | Genre: Folk Rock
Studio Master, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Matty Grooves
Electric/folk legends Fairport Convention present their 28th studio album, 50:50@50, following 2015’s Myths and Heroes. The album features six newly recorded studio tracks alongside a selection of live tracks taken from performances between 2014 and 2016. 50:50@50 was released by the band’s own label, Matty Grooves. ~ Liam Martin
Happy birthday (almost) to folk-rock pioneers Fairport Convention , who on 27 May will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first public performance. But before that comes a new album, which is split equally between alternate studio and live recordings, and proves that the current lineup are great musicians with an impressively varied repertoire.
The best tracks here are live, and include Steve Tilston’s witty story of The Naked Highwayman, an exquisite first world war lament, John Condon, and a rousing reworking of the gospel song Jesus on the Mainline, with Robert Plant providing vocals and harmonica.
The studio tracks include a banjo-backed treatment of the traditional Lady of Carlisle with vocals from Jacqui McShee of Pentangle fame, and a thoughtful reference to Meet on the Ledge in Chris Leslie’s tribute to the band, Our Bus Rolls On: “Here’s to the Fairport family and those blown off that mountain.” Indeed.
Tracklist:
1.Eleanor’s Dream – 3:12
2.Ye Mariners All (Live) – 4:38
3.Step by Step – 4:37
4.The Naked Highwayman (Live) – 4:47
5.Danny Jack’s Reward (Expensive Version) – 4:36
6.Jesus on the Mainline (feat. Robert Plant) (Live) – 3:44
7.Devil’s Work – 3:33
8.Mercy Bay (Live) – 7:02
9.Our Bus Rolls On – 4:53
10.Portmeirion (Live) – 5:38
11.The Lady of Carlisle (feat. Jacqui McShee) – 4:56
12.Lord Marlborough (Live) – 3:26
13.Summer by the Cherwell – 3:10
14.John Condon (Live) – 6:06
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