Artist: Fairport Convention Album: Angel Delight

Year: 1971
Duration: 0:0-1

Fairport Convention's Angel Delight: A Masterpiece of Folk Rock

Fairport Convention has been one of the underrated music artists in the folk rock genre. Their music has been eclectic, inspiring and thought-provoking. One of their albums, Angel Delight, released in 1971, became a beacon of their innovation and a masterpiece of the genre. The album was produced by Trevor Lucas, a member of the band, and John Wood as the sound engineer. It was well-received by both critics and listeners of their time. In this blog post, we'll take a critical review of the album, explore its best songs, its most innovative parts, and provide a brief history of the artist.

Fairport Convention has been at the forefront of the British folk rock scene since the mid-1960s. The band members included Simon Nicol, Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, Ashley Hutchings, and Dave Swarbrick. They incorporated traditional folk songs with rock to produce a unique musical experience. Angel Delight was their sixth album, and it marked a significant shift in their approach to music. They abandoned the traditional English folk tunes and tried a more experimental and innovative sound.

The title track, Angel Delight, sets the tone for the album. It begins with a soft, acoustic guitar melody that builds up to a crescendo of drums, bass and electric guitar. The song is an ode to the joys of life, love, and companionship. The other standout tracks on the album include Banks of the Sweet Primroses, Time Will Show the Wiser, and The Deserter. Banks of the Sweet Primroses is a traditional English ballad that was updated with a modern twist. The song starts with a haunting violin melody and transitions into a lively, upbeat tune.

Angel Delight is an album that is both experimental and nostalgic. It explores new sounds and textures while still retaining the charm of traditional English folk music. The band experiments with a wide range of instruments, including the electric guitar, violin, and mandolin. The most innovative part of the album is the use of syncopated rhythms, unusual chord arrangements, and dynamic shifts.

Angel Delight is a significant departure from Fairport Convention's previous work. It represents a significant shift in the band's musical approach and reflects their desire to experiment and innovate. While the album was well-received by both critics and fans, it did not sell as well as their previous releases. The album's sales were hampered by the band's label, Island Records, who refused to promote it due to a dispute.

In conclusion, Angel Delight by Fairport Convention is a masterpiece of the folk rock genre. The album is a testament to the band's ability to innovate and experiment while still retaining the charm of traditional English folk music. The standout tracks on the album are Angel Delight, Banks of the Sweet Primroses, Time Will Show the Wiser, and The Deserter. The innovation in the album comes from the band's experimentation with new sounds and textures while still holding on to the nostalgic aspects of the genre. Despite its lukewarm reception at the time of release, Angel Delight deserves to be recognized as one of Fairport Convention's most significant contributions to music.