Lindisfarne Albums

It does not come better than Lindisfarne Charisma Years 1970-1973. 

What BJH did you like is their progressive period as the poor man's Moody Blues (one of their own song titles by the way) or their later more straight ahead rock style. 

This is a stunningly good collection 

As for Jethro Tull then there are lots of great records by them with Stand-Up and Aqualung being top notch and several others no more than a whisker behind. I really like Benefit, but other say Thick As Brick or Heavy Horses or .... 

All the best, Guy

The great music was blown away by the misconception that we needed to return to simplicity and the advent of punk, but although that needed to happen to kill off a glut of AOR albums by the Eagles and lots of groups ending with ...er, it seemed to take the credibility of some of finest with it. It may have been trendy to knock Sir Keith Emerson, but it wasn't very clever.  

Now some punk was good (the Clash/Television Personalities/Desperate Bicycles/Ed Banger & the Nosebleeds), but some was pretty rubbish (New York Dolls/Wayne County) and when it subsided the void was filled by the 80s or the dark decade as it should be known. Somebody discovered a Fairlight, somebody decided that disco was cool and then it got replaced with rap-hop or some such. I mean from Spandau Ballet and PC to Jay-Zed vs. M&Ms, what's that all about? MTV .. no thanks. I think MTV Unplugged is a great suggestion. 

But, good music is still there if you look for it - it is easy to find in new releases just look for the labels Nightwish, Ozric Tentacles or Blackmore's Night: prog rock isn't dead, it just smells funny.  

+1 for this CD set.

 This is still my fave album by them on vinyl or CD..

Stu.

All

Based on your respected opinions I have just ordered the BJH and Lindisfarne Box sets.  Mirs buying for Christmas present!!!

Sneaked in a copy of Fairport convention History of as well.  She don't know she's buying that as well.

HiFiKid

If you want some JT on cd?

You cant whack these two brilliant albums for £4.93 inc free post from amazon uk at the mo.

If you want a JT Greatest hits cd album that has good SQ?

You cant go wrong with this album.

You can buy it for 1p used in good condition.They are always in mint condition though plus £1.25 for post from amazon seller Zoverstocks at the mo.

Stu.

> You cant go wrong with this album.

Except you'll end buying all the individual albums after hearing a track from each. 

I agree with Sty, it is a good collection. 

The BJH set I recommended will be a contrast to what you have, a bit less rocky a bit more self conscious, but I think you'll like it. 

So Fairport Convention recommendations - well if you count the solo efforts and other bits and pieces then I have around 70 albums. I have to confess I quite like them. 

If you want a compilation then the magnificent History of Fairport Convention is simply wonderful. It does present highlights from the albums (not the first) as a cohesive set that hangs together so well. 

The golden period for Fairport Convention was when Sandy Denny joined the group. Imagine this, you are very good group of top musicians including Richard Thompson and have just released a rather fine folk rock/psych album in the style of Jefferson Airplane when you are introduced to the girl singer from Strawbs. You also discover that she penned the best tracks that the Strawbs were performing. She joins your band. All at once your band acquires the world's greatest songwriter and a very fine singer, even if she lacked self confidence and had lots of problems. 

You release a trio of albums in 1969 that just get better and better. 

1. What We Did On Our Holidays 
2. Unhalfbricking 
3. Liege and Leif 

No other group has released three albums that good in one year

The final album is a land mark in that Sandy persuaded the group to take on Dave Swarbrick and to play traditional music in rock style. Alas after these gems Sandy left to form Fotheringay with Trevor Lucas. The Fotheringay album, although not as strong as the above three, is a very good album nonetheless. 

Sandy then went solo and released the rather dark if highly compelling The North Star Grassman and the Ravens. I'd say this is as good as any of the above records. Her second solo album was called Sandy and features lots of Fairport members.  She was in a happier mood when she made this record and it shows, let's just say that this is one of the greatest records ever made. The song writing surpasses even Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell at their brilliant best, in fact just about everyone. Sadly despite some other very good recordings, Sandy Denny never reached the magnificence of this elpee again. 

Don't dismiss some other very fine Fairport records including Full House, Angel Delight and Babbcombe Lee, but after that the output is a bit patchy even on Rising the Moon. 

On other offshoot of Fairport was the Albion Band and their album No Roses is a gem. It features the only singer who could out sing Sandy and that is Shirley Collins (all of Shirley's albums are superb), but you asked about Fairport. 

If I could only have two Fairport records it would be Sandy and the History of Fairport Convention. 

Here is the wonderful Sandy Denny 

All the best, Guy 

I meant to say 

Except you'll end up buying all the individual albums after hearing a track from each. 

I agree with Stu, it is a good collection. 

Guy,

Just hit him with the good stuff.

Then there are all the stonking good RT albums to get.

The list goes on and on and on.

So many good solo albums came from people that were in that band.

To this day i am still struck dumb, When watching Richard T's fingers play .

How he can do what he does and sing at the same time?

For me its the 9th wonder of the world.

Stu.

Thanks All

Some great music to investigate, like the sandy Denny stuff

Great stuff glad I posted it.

Happy Christmas to you all.

HiFiKid

Now some punk was good (the Clash/Television Personalities/Desperate Bicycles/Ed Banger & the Nosebleeds), but some was pretty rubbish (New York Dolls/Wayne County)

...Yikes Guido each to his own but I reckon the Doll's first album remains one the greatest debut platters in rock n' roll history ...chock full of dumb but great tracks. 

Todd Rundgren's production didn't do them any favours but I still play that album (loud) with a great big smile on my face!

..And you reckon Ed Banger was good ??

.And you reckon Ed Banger was good ??

He also thinks that the perpetraters of one of pops worst offences, "Rabbit" are good too. 

Howard,

Try giving there early stuff a listen?

Before they came to fame with the tv adds.

It is very good.

A  lot if i played it to you?You would like,Its right up your music street.

There was years of good songs before,  that many others have recorded that you love by Chas and Dave.

You just need to read the covers of a few albums you have man.

Stu

Nothing wrong with Todd's production .

He didnt have that much to work with in the first place imo.

You cant make a SP out of a pigs ear.

I still love the album for all its faults though.

Stu.