Recorded during
Fairport Convention's September 1970 shows in Los Angeles (their second visit to the city in six months),
House Full captures the four-piece
Full House lineup at its zenith -- a point proven by the marathon renditions of "Sloth" and "Matty Groves," which are among its epic highlights. Anybody who thought
Sandy Denny was the only person who could convincingly perform the latter is certainly in for a pleasant surprise, as is anyone who thought
the Albion Band's version of "Battle of the Somme" was the definitive rendition. By year's end, however, this particular
Fairport Convention lineup shattered, as
Richard Thompson moved on to a solo career. This performance, with its taste of two songs originally intended for a presplit new album, is a vivid portrayal of all that listeners lost when he went. ~ Dave Thompson