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Unhalfbricking | 
 enlarge | Artist: Fairport Convention
Label: Island UK
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $6.49
You Save: $5.49 (46%)
New (25) Used (4) from $5.25
Avg. Customer Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 12257
Format: Extra Tracks, Import, Original Recording Reissued, Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 044006359625
EAN: 0044006359625
ASIN: B00007J36V
Release Date: March 10, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new. Shipped from the UK by Airmail direct to 5 airports in the United States. Delivery takes approximately 5 working days from posting - we're frequently faster than a lot of US based sellers.
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| Tracks:
| • | Genesis Hall - Fairport Convention, Thompson, Richard [ | | • | Si Tu Dois Partir - Fairport Convention, Dylan, Bob | | • | Autopsy - Fairport Convention, Denny, Sandy | | • | A Sailor's Life - Fairport Convention, Traditional | | • | Cajun Woman - Fairport Convention, Thompson, Richard [ | | • | Who Knows Where the Time Goes? - Fairport Convention, Denny, Sandy | | • | Percy's Song - Fairport Convention, Dylan, Bob | | • | Million Dollar Bash - Fairport Convention, Dylan, Bob | | • | Dear Landlord - Fairport Convention, Dylan, Bob | | • | The Ballad of Easy Rider - Fairport Convention, McGuinn, Roger |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential recording
Fairport Convention was the most accomplished band in the late-'60s British folk-rock scene, and a combination of musical passion and whimsy makes Unhalfbricking one of its very best albums. Fairport's standout members were singer Sandy Denny and guitarist Richard Thompson. Both shine on Denny's haunting "Autopsy," with its sinuously melancholy melody making a perfect bed for a Thompson guitar solo. Denny shines on her most famous composition, "Who Knows Where the Time Goes," which was quickly covered by Judy Collins. Denny and Thompson each contribute two songs to an album that includes three Bob Dylan songs, including joyful spins on "Million Dollar Bash" and "Si Tu Dois Partir," that conjure up a moment when bands didn't think about losing publishing income as much as how to best maximize the fun of playing music. --John Milward
Album Description
Remastered reissue of third album, originally released in 1969, includes two bonus tracks, 'Dear Landlord', 'The Ballad Of Easy Rider', & a slipcase with the first pressing. Includes sleevenotes by co-founder Ashley Hutchings. 10 tracks. Universal Island. 2003.
Album Details
Fairport's Third Album was Given the Indecipherable Title by Sandy Denny During an Hilarious Word-game in the Group Van. The Album is Varied in Style and Content, Yet Somehow this Time More Unified. Here, in Reality, and Now in Legend, is the First Bold Step in to the Hitherto Unfathomed Waters of British Folk-rock, Or Electric-folk. Of the Guests Musicians, Fiddler Dave Swarbrick is the Most Influential and it Now Seems Hard to Believe that He was Just a Session Musician and Not an Integral Part of the Band. His Playful Violin on "si Tu Dois Partir" is an Essential Ingredient in the Daft Infectiousness of that Track. This Digitally Remastered Version of the Album Includes Two Bonus Tracks: A Cover of Dylan's "Dear Landlord", an Out-take from the "Unhalfbricking" Sessions and a Cover of Dylan and Roger Mcguinn's "Ballad of Easy Rider", Recorded During the Sessions for "Liege and Lief", but Fit Better Here.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 25 more reviews...
 Something I wish I had discovered long ago! October 7, 2008
It is unfortunate that most of the music on the air during the 60's where I lived was mainstream top 40 music. Only in the early 70's did one station appear in my area that called itself "an underground" station. They often played music of The Grateful Dead and other San Francisco bands that listeners seldom heard in this corner of the West. The station's format had fewer commercials, and they played more "album rock." But I never had a chance to hear Fairport Convention. I loved the Judy Collins cover of "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" without knowing that she didn't write it. When I heard Sandy Denny's original for the first time in June of '08, I had to have this CD. This song is hauntingly beautiful and the guitar work is superb. The rest of the album is also peaceful. Each song has this folk quality that few groups successfully achieve. And the guitar work on the entire album often reminds me of early Jefferson Airplane, before some of their members lost their edge and departed to continue other projects. All of the songs on this CD are sophisticated and thought-provoking. It is remarkable--a must have for anyone who really has a passion for music and loves something that brings you peace.
A Fantastic Album, Now Even Better. May 3, 2007
The problem with this album is that it always seemed to suffer, slightly, when compared to "What We Did on Our Holidays". Stylistically the albums form a natural pairing, but whereas its predecessor is a near perfect album, with every track complimenting each other perfectly, it always seemed to me that "Unhalfbricking" was by comparison a rather fractured affair with its various parts pulling the listener, a little too sharply, in different directions. In a peculiar way it always felt, as though it was only half a great record, but saying which bits are lacking is hard, as they all seem good or great when taken in isolation.
On the other hand the quality of most of its parts (if not the sum) is at a level most artists can only dream of. I should also point out that none of the above prevented this from becoming, and remaining, one of my best loved albums.
I believe that with the release of this version the album has finally attained the balance it always needed with the addition of the bonus tracks added for this release. They give the album that little more time required to absorb its disparate elements. With the addition of 'The Ballad of Easy Rider'(the best version of this song I have heard) the album finally has the majestic closing number it always needed and acts as a counterweight to the mighty 'A Sailor's Life' which seemed overly dominant at the center of the disc .
I already owned the previous CD version so it was with some reservations that I bought this one (only, in the end, because I needed to hear Sandy Denny's take on 'The Ballad of Easy Rider'), but I am glad I took the gamble. I always loved this album but now it's better than ever.
Unlike anything else January 13, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
One of the great things about Amazon.com is this: if you buy alot of records from them, the "Recommended for You" page turns up some hidden gold from time to time. When I started exploring lesser-known bands of the psychedelic era and making alot of purchases, lo and behold, this album popped up on the list. Knowing nothing about the band other than my attraction to the album cover's resemblance to "American Gothic", I bought this record.
Listening to the first 10 seconds of this record was an experience I have very rarely had in my life. Usually, I can tell right away how a record is likely to sound, even if I know nothing about the band. But listening to the first moments of this, I seriously had no idea what to expect from this record. Growing up listening to the "classic rock" radio stations in the early 90's, and spending a good half-dozen years as a Jethro Tull fanboy, I certainly was familiar with folk-rock even if I didn't know it. But this record was totally "off the reservation" for me from the get-go.
From the opening guitar line of "Genesis Hall", it is clear that this is going to be a record unlike anything you've heard. The song blends elements of jazz, folk and rock into a disturbing lamentation about the inevitable passage of time. The third track, "Autopsy", has much of the same slightly-askew feel to it, and features vocalist Sandy Denny at her best.
The remainder of the album features some Dylan outtakes, another Dylan song from the then-unreleased Basement Tapes, and another Sandy Denny feature "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" Jefferson Airplane also seems to be an influence on the vocals. Looking ahead, Fairport's arrangement of the traditional "A Sailor's Life" fortells the sound of their follow-up record "Liege and Lief" and the ultimate direction of the band as an essential part of the folk-rock scene.
If not for "Genesis Hall" and "Autopsy", I'd rate this a 3-4 star album. But those two tracks easily bump this up to 5-stars. Production value on this CD is also a strength, the sound of the record sounds very modern in most respects.
a work of tremendous depth September 9, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is terrific work with attributes that extend towards many tastes. Richarh Thomspon's scorching guitar, Sandy Denny's angelic voice, cool versions of Dylan songs, ensemble virtuosity, its all there baby!
"A Sailors Life" is the highlight. It starts out as a very folky, lumbering, painfully Brittish jig and builds an dgrows into a crushing guitar workout. Enjoy every second of this lengthy songs
"Million Dollar Bash" was an obscure Bob Dylan tune that is given a lot of life by the different members of the band singing about what else? Having a million dollar bash!
This is a real big thumbs up!
This badn had a revolving door with different members. This was their best work.
Simply the Best February 21, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
If you are looking for outstanding Fairport Convention, or Brit Folk, or if you just like music, this is an exemplary example. This album explains why those of us from the 60's continue to say that the music today (and the last 15 years) generally blows. You cannot name a single group that even approaches the beauty of this album. Five stars isn't enough. Trade in all your Britany Sneers and J Blows cd's; get this one and listen to a woman who can sing.
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