Fairport Convention, The Wood & the Wire

UK Woodworm Records WRCD 033 (November 1999) - USA Compass Records 7 4297 2 (1 August 2000)

14 brani, pochi "traditionals" (solo due), molte composizioni di Chris Leslie, tra cui alcune in verità un po' troppo sdolcinate. Complessivamente i Fairport si presentano qui in una versione più pacata, le sonorità sono facili e poco aggressive, se si esclude l'elettrica "Still a Mistery". Bella la confezione che presenta, nella copertina di Mike Toole, la fotografia di una negozio di strumenti musicali "One man band" di Banbury.. Il booklet interno contiene tutti i testi e alcune fotografie del gruppo di Bob Battersby.

Tracks:

The Wood And The Wire (Chris Leslie / Nigel Stonier) 4'08" - The Dancer (Chris Leslie) 4'23" - Wandering Man (Chris Leslie / Nigel Stonier) 4'51" - The Heart Of The Song (Peter Scrowther) 3'41" - A Year And A Day (Ric Sanders) 4'14" - The Game Pieces (Chris Leslie / Nigel Stonier) 4'13" - Close To You (Chris Leslie) 4'21" - Still A Mystery (Chris Leslie / Nigel Stonier) 2'40" - Banbury Fair (Chris Leslie) 4'37" - The Lady Vanishes (Chris Leslie / Nigel Stonier) 4'52" - The Good Fortunes [Coleraine Jig / Trip To Yorkshire / Bonny Breast Knot / Durham's Bull (Trad. Arr. Ric Sanders / Chris Leslie)] 3'59" - Western Wind (Trad. Arr. Simon Nicol / Dave Pegg / Ric Sanders / Chris Leslie / Gerry Conway) 5'07" - Don't Leave Too Soon (Chris Leslie / Nigel Stonier) 4'26" - Rocky Road (Steve Tilston) / The Quaker (Trad. Arr. Simon Nicol / Dave Pegg / Ric Sanders / Chris Leslie / Gerry Conway) 5'01

Musicians:

Simon Nicol: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars - Chris Leslie: Vocals, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Didgeridoo, Violin - Ric Sanders: Violin, String Arrangements, Octave Violin - Dave Pegg: Bass Guitar, Vocals, Gargle, Double Bass - Gerry Conway: Drums, Tambourine, Dhumbeks, Bodhran, Shaker, Moroccan Hand Drums, Dancing, Nepalese Hand Drums, Tingshaws, Wind Chimes & Bells, Cabassa, Woodworm Wood Block, Cowbells, Spike Jones Impression No. 2, Congas

Recorded & Mixed: 21 June -19 August 1999 by Mark Tucker at Woodworm Studios, Barford St. Michael, Oxfordshire - Produced by: Dave Pegg, Simon Nicol and Mark Tucker - Assistant Engineer: Tristan Bryant - Mastered by: John Dent at Loud, Taunton - Design & Cover by: Mick Toole - Band Photography by: Bob Battersby - Front Cover: from an idea by Chris Leslie with thanks to "One Man Band" of Banbury for use of their shop window, John Woodward for assistance with lighting and Samuel Leslie for being the cover star.