Fairport Convention, Gladys' Leap, LP US Varrick Records 1985 - VR 023

A new era begins for Fairport: after years of reunions in Cropredy, the group reunites around Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks. It is called the "Woodworm Era", from the name of the recording studios and the record label of the same name. This new album is also released by the American record company Varrick in the same year with a slightly different cover (the album title appears in a red square). The quality of the compositions is truly appreciable. Mike Toole's cover has an attractive graphic and will be used again on the Elephant CD (on a black background) published in 2001. On the back are photographs of the three Fairports, by John Woodward.

Inizia una nuova era per i Fairport: dopo anni di reunion a Cropredy ecco che il gruppo si ricompatta intorno a Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg e Dave Mattacks. Si parla di "Era Woodworm", dal nome degli studi di registrazione e dell'omonima etichetta discografica. Questo nuovo album esce anche per la casa discografica americana Varrick nello stesso anno con una copertina leggermente diversa (il titolo dell'album compare in un quadratino rosso). La qualità delle composizioni è davvero apprezzabile . La copertina di Mike Toole ha una grafica accattivante e verrà ripresa nel cd della Elephant (su sfondo nero) edito nel 2001. Sul retro le fotografie dei tre fairport, opera di John Woodward.

Tracks Side A: How Many Times (Richard Thompson) 3'26" - Bird From The Mountain (Ralph McTell) 4'45" - Honour And Praise (John Richards) 5'17" - The Hiring Fair (Ralph McTell / Dave Mattacks) 5'46"

Tracks Side B: Instrumental Medley '85: The Riverhead (Dave Pegg) / Gladys's Leap (Dave Pegg) / The Wise Maid (Trad. Arr. Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg) 5'01" - My Feet Are Set For Dancing (Cathy LeSurf, Arranged Bill Martin) 3'59" - Wat Tyler (Ralph McTell / Simon Nicol) 5'28" - Head In A Sack (Dave Whetstone) 4'19"

Musicians: Simon Nicol: Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars - Dave Pegg: Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Double Bass, Vocals - Dave Mattacks: Drums, Drum Machine, Keyboards, Percussion with Ric Sanders: Violin (Tracks 2, 4, 5) - Richard Thompson: Electric Guitar (Track 8) - Cathy LeSurf: Vocal (Track 6) - Harold Wells: Spoken Intro to Track 2

Recorded:April-May 1985 at Woodworm Studio, Barford St. Michael, Oxfordshire - Violin parts overdubbed in May 1985 - Produced & Engineered by:Simon Nicol, Dave Mattacks & Dave Pegg - Assistant Engineers:Tim Matyear & Mark Powell - Cut At:Townhouse Studios - Cover by:Mick Toole - Photography: John Woodward, Derek Holmwood, Doug Lake - South Korean Insert Sheet