This three-disc set was recorded live in August of 1997 at
Fairport Convention's annual Cropredy Festival. In 1997
Fairport celebrated their 30th year of existence, and this concert was an attempt to chronicle the various periods of the band's storied career by reassembling their most significant lineups. Original vocalist
Judy Dyble, who only sang on one recording, showed up to help represent
Fairport's debut record, and
Vikki Clayton was enlisted to sing the part of the late Sandy Danny, which she did with amazing accuracy. Founding member
Ashley Hutchings served as narrator as well as bassist/vocalist to represent his abbreviated tenure with the group in the late '60s. The expected participants were present in full regalia.
Dave Swarbrick and
Richard Thompson -- who, along with
Dave Pegg and
Dave Mattacks, helped make up the most powerful and talented of the various
Fairport configurations -- injected some modernized fiddle and guitar licks into the old standards. Even lesser-known '70s members like guitarist
Jerry Donahue and drummer Bruce Rowland represented their respective stints with the band. Although he never recorded with
Fairport, guitarist Dan Ar Braz toured with them in the mid-'70s, and on this recording he played and sang lead on
the Beatles' "Rain."
Ralph McTell, whose songs are routinely covered by
Fairport, performed as a member of the offshoot band the GPs, along with
Thompson,
Pegg, and
Mattacks. And, of course, guitarist and singer
Simon Nicol (who, along with
Pegg and
Mattacks, is the longest-standing regular member) contributed his distinct vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar. Eighties' members
Martin Allcock and
Ric Sanders, along with
Allcock's eventual replacement,
Chris Leslie, hopped onstage at their appropriate cues to bring this fascinating musical documentary up to date.
Nicol refers to such recordings -- and there have been numerous Cropredy Festival recordings released in the '80s and '90s -- as mementos for
Fairport Convention's devout fans. The Cropredy Box is sure to be a prized possession for those devotees. ~ Dave Sleger