170. Fairport Convention - Liege and Lief

Release Date: 1969
Label: Island

Recorded over five separate days in the autumn of 1969 and released at the end of the year (less than six months after 'Unhalfbricking', 'Liege and Lief' continues where the former left off. Again, Sandy Denny is the stand-out star of the record, the rest of the band merely pawns to her remarkable vocal talent. Alongside 'Meet on the Ledge' and 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes?', 'Matty Groves' is my favourite Fairport song - its rhythm and storytelling are especially compelling.

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: Matty Groves

163. Fairport Convention - Unhalfbricking

Release Date: 1969
Label: Island

Unhalfbricking (a word invented by Sandy Denny) is the third release from the long-running folk band, and continues their move towards trad-English folk songs. I'm not ashamed to admit I really like a lot of what I've heard so far by this band, and this album didn't disappoint. The French version of 'If You've Gotta Go, Go Now' is beautiful, as is Denny's signature song 'Who Knows Where The Thyme Grows?'.

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: Who Knows Where The Time Goes?