Artist: Fairport Convention Album: What We Did on Our Holidays

Year: 1969
Duration: 37:22

A Critical Review of Fairport Convention's Album What We Did on Our Holidays

Fairport Convention, one of the most iconic British folk rock bands, has given the world countless classics throughout their career that spanned more than five decades. In 1969, they released their second album, What We Did on Our Holidays, which is often regarded as one of their best works. The album features innovative instrumentation, powerful storytelling, and masterful songwriting. In this blog post, we'll examine Fairport Convention's brief history, the music genre of the album, the best songs on the album, innovative parts, and provide a critic to this masterpiece.

Fairport Convention was formed in London in 1967 by a group of musicians who were genuinely interested in blending traditional British folk music and contemporary rock elements. The original lineup of the band comprised Simon Nicol, Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings, Iain Matthews, and Judy Dyble, among others. Their self-titled debut album was a commercial failure but was significant for emphasizing the band's intention to explore traditional British folk music. What followed was the release of What We Did on Our Holidays, the album that introduced Fairport Convention's distinctive sound.

The genre of Fairport Convention's What We Did on Our Holidays is firmly rooted in British folk music, and it's interesting to see how the band fuses the traditional folk elements with the rock music of the time. Each track on the album features acoustic guitars, electric guitars, an array of string instruments, and traditional folk instruments like mandolin and fiddle. The result is a sound that's truly unique and sets a benchmark for folk rock music.

What We Did on Our Holidays features some of the finest pieces of music produced by Fairport Convention. The opening track, Fotheringay, is a powerful ballad that features Sandy Denny's remarkable vocals. Her voice is uniquely suited to the genre, and she sings with a gentle intensity that pulls you into the music. Million Dollar Bash, a playful Bob Dylan cover, is another highlight. The band's interpretation of the song is entirely different from the original, and the result is an upbeat, joyful tune.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is the way the band tells a story throughout the songs. The Lord Is in This Place… How Dreadful Is This Place? is a prime example. The song tells the story of a soldier's homecoming and the difficulties he faces while adjusting to civilian life. The song features spoken-word poetry, heartbreaking vocal harmonies, and vivid imagery, making it one of the most powerful songs on the album.

In spite of the praise, it's worth mentioning that What We Did on Our Holidays is not without its weaknesses. The album could benefit from some tighter arrangements and a more cohesive sound. The inclusion of some instrumental tracks feels superfluous and doesn't add much to the overall experience.

Overall, What We Did on Our Holidays is a remarkable album that showcases Fairport Convention's unmatched talent and innovation. The album represents the perfect union of traditional British folk music and contemporary rock music elements and is an essential listen for music lovers of all genres. While some parts of the album may seem a bit out of place, the overall listening experience is exceptionally compelling and well worth the time and attention. If you're looking for a magnificent example of British folk rock, What We Did on Our Holidays is undoubtedly the album for you.

Overall, What We Did on Our Holidays is a remarkable album that showcases Fairport Convention's unmatched talent and innovation. The album represents the perfect union of traditional British folk music and contemporary rock music elements and is an essential listen for music lovers of all genres. While some parts of the album may seem a bit out of place, the overall listening experience is exceptionally compelling and well worth the time and attention. If you're looking for a magnificent example of British folk rock, What We Did on Our Holidays is undoubtedly the album for you.