*. Fairport Convention .*

Album: By Popular Request (2012)
Genre: Prog Folk (British Folk)  /  UK

Released to coincide with Fairport Convention's forty-fifth anniversary year, BY POPULAR REQUEST is a collection of familiar songs from the band's vast repertoire, specially re-recorded at the request of the band's loyal fanbase after being polled by the band via email. As the emails came in and the votes were counted, these ten songs emerged triumphantly revealing some predictable choices such as Matty Groves, Meet on the Ledge and Walk a While, but also one or two surprises. Racing towards half a century of music making Fairport's following continues in strength, exemplified by the band's annual knees-up in Oxfordshire, partly due to Fairport's fun nature, partly due to their ongoing musical development and partly due to pure nostalgic purposes. For the nostalgic amongst us, the songs given a make-over here cannot possibly compare with the originals; they're not intended to and they're not expected to, but nevertheless they are performed here once again by popular request as it says on the tin. Bravo to Simon for honouring the request to sing Fotheringay, a song that only Sandy Denny can really sing. Packaged in a sleeve resembling a vintage 1960s 45rpm single, BY POPULAR REQUEST also includes other favourites from the early years such as Crazy Man Michael and Farewell Farewell with Chris Leslie taking the lead on The Hexhamshire Lass, Rosie and Sir Patrick Spens. Edmund Whitcombe contribues some fine cornet playing on a couple of the songs. Reading through the song notes in the accompanying booklet reveals a huge debt to veteran Fairport drummer Dave Mattacks, without whom..  Review by "Allan Wilkinson" (www.allanwilkinson.co.uk).

RATING:  8 / 10

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