Unhalfbricking – FAIRPORT CONVENTION*****

Genesis Hall/Si Tu Dois Partir/Autopsy/A Sailor’s Life/Cajun Woman/Who Knows Where The Time Goes/Percy’s Song/Million Dollar Bash

Unhalfbricking was the LP with the strange title, and even odder cover, which brought the now legendary British folk group Fairport Convention to widespread public attention. (UK:12)

"Sandy sings Dylan better than almost anyone else. Unhalfbricking is a great album that everyone should hear. The songs are excellent and it just sounds fantastic. This is a good record to play to those people who say they 'don't like folk music'."

"Beautiful folk-rock album and a landmark in the genre's history. Sandy Denny's gorgeous voice is sublime and the songs match her skill."

"A very, very special album. Things get rolling with possibly the most beautiful song ever written, Who Knows Where The Time Goes. It helps to have the song sung by the one of the most beautiful voices ever, Sandy Denny, but it's the whole package of voice, melody and lyrics that does the deal. The rest of the album is also great with gorgeous harmonies, truly inventive playing by Richard Thompson on guitar and Dave Swarbrick on violin, and great song selection. This is truly a perfect musical trip that everyone should take."

"It was really with Unhalfbricking that Fairport 'reinvented' English folk music. I don't think it's an exaggeration to compare this line-up with The Beatles as you had two towering geniuses of music (Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny) with some lesser, but still outstanding, contributors (Ashley Hutchings and Dave Swarbrick) together in the same band. Also, the greatest Fairport song ever can be found on this album: A Sailor's Life."

"Sandy Denny's vocals are undoubtedly the best asset Fairport Convention have on Unhalfbricking. I prefer the more upbeat and catchy songs that are here, but many of them are also a bit cheesy - Si Tu Dois Partir, Cajun Woman and the Dylan cover Million Dollar Bash. Percy's Song is really enjoyable but also very repetitive and lengthy. The song where the band get it right is the very first one, Genesis Hall; perfect length, great vocals, melody and instrumentation. The slower songs are also good, but perhaps a bit too subtle at times."