Ah, the wonderful 70s...such a great group Fairport Convention. Very happy memories of my student days in Manchester. Gee, we baby boomers were so lucky to live through such a great and seminal time for music.
First saw Fairport at the Bath festival at Shepton Mallet in 1970,along with Led Zeppelin,Pink Floyd,Byrds and numerous other luminaries of the time...upon going home I investigated this band...bought 4 albums,fell in love with Sandy Denny and the band have been on my player for the last 50 plus years...my only regret is I never got to Cropredy.....brilliant musicians,wonderful songs,fabulous memories......
One of the great anti-war songs. The allegorical, poetic lyrics are elusive enough to remain applicable to almost any situation where violence impends. The music, too, tells the story. The gathering gloom, the slow march to battle, then the war breaks out in earnest, then the somber aftermath. Undoubtedly the best intertwining of Thompson guitar/Swarbrick fiddle to make it on vinyl. The whole band is, of course, mighty. Big Dave Mattacks fan. Best track on the album and at the very top of Fairport's best tracks.
One of the greatest instrumental breaks ever - can't call it a solo because honours are shared. It beautifully captures that dark moment when it starts to dawn on one that not all things folksy are pretty and likeable. "The Wicker Man" fans (original version) will recognise that feeling. There is a real terror here, shades of things unimaginable because we don't allow ourselves to imagine them.
It's remarkable that a young RT basically played the same sounding leads then as he does now 50 years later! Like a Garuda, hatched fully developed and able to soar.
not heard this before but we did see him in portsmouth guildhall square, fare thee well my little nancy springs to mind. he did seem a bit tired then, probably not so well but gave an autograph..i bet the tape won't play now!
This is one of my all time favourite albums...and this specific song is just one extraordinarily great reason to recommend it to one and all. This was my preferred configuration of F.C. I discovered the album by accident during my final year of high school back in early '71. It's as great now as it was then. How many albums from back then have stood the test of time as well?
I bought this when it was released and I'm afraid that the departure of Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings left a bloody great hole in the music. I thought the yellow cover was dreadful. I've always felt the Fairports ought to have tried to find female guest singers to front them on this and subsequent albums if they couldn't find a full time replacement for Sandy. Both Judy Dyble and Sandy Denny brought a dimension and expression to the music that was so much part of what made the Fairport musical architecture so special and appealing. Just my penny whistle worth !
Sandy was going to be a tough act to follow at the best of times, and the 3 prime candidates for the job - Maddie Prior, Jacqui McShee and June Tabor had their own groups. Ashley's wife Shirley Collins wasnt a good fit for the band, imo much as I love her work. It's a shame Cathy Le Surf wasnt a little older, she did very well with the Albion Band in later years
Trouble is, no one could equal Sandy. A few females have tried to fill her shoes at Cropredy over the years, but it always disappointed.. Conversely, when Sandy did eventually rejoin Fairport it was the musicianship of the rest of the band that disappointed- Richard, Ashley and Simon had all departed, leaving only Swarb from the classic line up.
Ah, the wonderful 70s...such a great group Fairport Convention. Very happy memories of my student days in Manchester. Gee, we baby boomers were so lucky to live through such a great and seminal time for music.
When i was young old people wanted to kick my Head in for having long Hair, now i am old and Bald young people want to kick my Head in.
For me this is the pinnacle of FP's art, wonderful playing and singing.
like pink floyd's atom heart mother
Even after 41 years, the instrumental break in this song STILL gives me the goosebumps........amazing stuff.
yes!!!!!
Brings back memories of when i was a lad, carefree and stoned. Beautiful piece.
good sleep Richard
First saw Fairport at the Bath festival at Shepton Mallet in 1970,along with Led Zeppelin,Pink Floyd,Byrds and numerous other luminaries of the time...upon going home I investigated this band...bought 4 albums,fell in love with Sandy Denny and the band have been on my player for the last 50 plus years...my only regret is I never got to Cropredy.....brilliant musicians,wonderful songs,fabulous memories......
One of the great anti-war songs. The allegorical, poetic lyrics are elusive enough to remain applicable to almost any situation where violence impends. The music, too, tells the story. The gathering gloom, the slow march to battle, then the war breaks out in earnest, then the somber aftermath. Undoubtedly the best intertwining of Thompson guitar/Swarbrick fiddle to make it on vinyl. The whole band is, of course, mighty. Big Dave Mattacks fan. Best track on the album and at the very top of Fairport's best tracks.
great analysis!!!
The voices are so refreshingly pure and beautiful.
One of the greatest instrumental breaks ever - can't call it a solo because honours are shared. It beautifully captures that dark moment when it starts to dawn on one that not all things folksy are pretty and likeable. "The Wicker Man" fans (original version) will recognise that feeling. There is a real terror here, shades of things unimaginable because we don't allow ourselves to imagine them.
listen to "Banks of the Nile"
You wrote this 5 years ago but the words & feelings are a perfect description..
Love that folk/gypsy vibe, thank you Swarbrick
Saw this one performed live in Philly around '71-72, One of my all time fav bands to this day !
they were memorable....great moment for Londinium in the 70's got to be there for it....
superb
A buried masterpiece in a brilliant, underrated album
Now there is a memory I'd overlooked for years thank you
I have to say goodnight to my family with the best Fairport song ever. Swarb and Thonpmson together, pure class!
cinnte
RIP Dave Swarbrick :(
fakejoshuatree 
Another masterpiece
one of my favourite songs....
Guitar interplay. Phenomenal
Swarb and Richard Thomson have such iconic folk voices, haunts me every time.
Fairport wow went to see steeleye span in Lancaster PA and what to my surprise Fairport showed up. How wonderful!
With or without Sandy, the group made wonders like this one.
Extraordinary!
It's remarkable that a young RT basically played the same sounding leads then as he does now 50 years later! Like a Garuda, hatched fully developed and able to soar.
Great track from a lovely album.
Simplesmente incrível!!!!
The best music.
She's runaway, she's runaway and she ran so bitterly....;)
the best vocal of the song...I dig Richard's brouge
not heard this before but we did see him in portsmouth guildhall square, fare thee well my little nancy springs to mind. he did seem a bit tired then, probably not so well but gave an autograph..i bet the tape won't play now!
Superb!
A most excellent track from a great album...
Sonzera da porra 😄😄❤❤
This is one of my all time favourite albums...and this specific song is just one extraordinarily great reason to recommend it to one and all. This was my preferred configuration of F.C. I discovered the album by accident during my final year of high school back in early '71. It's as great now as it was then. How many albums from back then have stood the test of time as well?
No more excuses to come......
Love me some sloth
Listen to Sun It Rises by the Fleet Foxes, you'll hear distant echoes of Richard Thompson's guitar.
Only one close to Thompson on guitar would be Robbie R... No one else comes close...
Written by Dave Swarbrick and performed by Fairport Convention on Full House
No, co-written by Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick.
The version on A Movable Feast might be the best
I bought this when it was released and I'm afraid that the departure of Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings left a bloody great hole in the music. I thought the yellow cover was dreadful. I've always felt the Fairports ought to have tried to find female guest singers to front them on this and subsequent albums if they couldn't find a full time replacement for Sandy. Both Judy Dyble and Sandy Denny brought a dimension and expression to the music that was so much part of what made the Fairport musical architecture so special and appealing. Just my penny whistle worth !
Sandy was going to be a tough act to follow at the best of times, and the 3 prime candidates for the job - Maddie Prior, Jacqui McShee and June Tabor had their own groups. Ashley's wife Shirley Collins wasnt a good fit for the band, imo much as I love her work. It's a shame Cathy Le Surf wasnt a little older, she did very well with the Albion Band in later years
Trouble is, no one could equal Sandy. A few females have tried to fill her shoes at Cropredy over the years, but it always disappointed.. Conversely, when Sandy did eventually rejoin Fairport it was the musicianship of the rest of the band that disappointed- Richard, Ashley and Simon had all departed, leaving only Swarb from the classic line up.
Fairport obsessive here, is it Simon Nicol harmonising with Swarb with Richard Thompson on lower harmony?
it's the now bald bassist!
What is the actual historical event behind this song? Was there one?
Oyes English Civil . Call to your clan colours , but don't call for me {cos he had enough } kimgibsc.
Ah yes, the English clans...Not as well known as the Scottish ones, for some reason.
Just leave your brain out of gear and listen to the music, ok?
brain is off first, just float along with it, I do and am there." Gibson Tribe" ,ok?
As mentioned above, the album "Full House" was released in 1970. At that time, "Sloth" was viewed as a commentary on the war in Vietnam.
@SorrowfulMystery I think, this is folk song, something like Whiskey in the jar. I dont know for sure.
Iran shoots down an American drone and a song from 50 years ago haunts me
really!!!