Fairport Convention – Liege & Lief

This reissue is a faithful recreation of the original 1969 Island Records UK issue with gatefold sleeve and is pressed on high quality 180g vinyl. From a group of school friends who set out to become the UK's Jefferson Airplane, the group evolved over the course of their first four releases into the leading exponents of British folk rock.

Just as American folk and blues looked back to gospel and spirituals, Fairport drew from traditional English folk songs and combined them with rock rhythms to create something groundbreaking.

In May 1969, the band was involved in a serious car accident that unfortunately killed Thompson's girlfriend Jeannie Franklyn and drummer Martin Lamble. In shock, Fairport decided to move on, adding Swarbrick as a permanent member and bringing in drummer Dave Mattacks. Ashley Hutchings immersed himself in traditional British music and, the fourth album "Liege And Lief" contained five traditional pieces and three original compositions in folk style.

"Liege And Lief" became a stylistic lodestar for Fairport and is considered one of the most influential albums in British rock music. The eight-minute masterpiece "Matty Groves" built on "On A Sailor's Life" and gave Fairport another long-lasting anthem.

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