RARE 1971 UK Pink Rim ISLAND FAIRPORT CONVENTION BABBACOMBE LEE Concept Folk

$

29

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 STUNNING CONCEPTUAL BRITISH FOLK ROCK

             UK ... ISLAND .... FIRST PRESS  + MANUSCRIPT

                                                         

               

                

                          

        THE  FAIRPORT  CONVENTION 

          BABBACOMBE LEE                

                                              

                  UK - pink rimmed ISLAND - ILPS 9176 

RARE and beautiful ...Original BRITISH 1971 first pressing on the famously collected pink rimmed Island label, housed in an elaborate gatefold cover complete with 8 page large manuscript booklet that fits inside a custom pouch inside the gatefold cover...

It is not just the fact that Babbacombe Lee is a concept album, or rock opera - but everything about this album is far better than most other conceptual albums. And one of the TOP Fairport Convention album - ever. The vocals are outstanding, there are great elaborated harmonies. The lyrics are amazing too. The melodies are strong. And most important of all, here they have written most of the music themselves instead of just upgrading old English Folk tunes. Compared to Liege & Lief and the other 60's releases by this band, Babbacombe Lee fits right in among the best works by the legendary band.

It is also the case that Babbacombe Lee is a weaving electric Folk rock album with an equal emphasis on the Rock and the Folk, while some other albums by this band clearly emphasises the Folk over the Rock.

We should keep in mind also that this was released in 1971 and that it must have been rather groundbreaking at the time given the strong traditionalism within Folk rock. Surprisingly perhaps, this is Fairport Convention's only concept album. It tells the true story of young John "Babbacombe" Lee, who was tried for the murder of his employer Miss Emma Keyse, and found guilty. Lee protested his innocence, but was sentenced to be killed by hanging. After three attempts to complete the hanging, which were foiled on each occasion by the trap door failing to open, his sentence was, in accordance with the law of the land, commuted to life imprisonment. What makes the case interesting is that the evidence against him did not really stack up, and thus the "act of God" in sparing him is now seen as justice. The album's concept came about after Dave Swarbrick had come across copies of Lee's papers in an antique shop, and the album is thus very much his baby. Swarbrick had been working on it for some time befire it was finally released. The tale is told by Fairport mainly in the first person (Lee) with little in the way of embellishment of the story beyond the facts. After a brief pronouncement of the verdict, we are returned to the early days of John Lee, including his spell in the navy. This offers a good excuse for including the only non-band composition on the album in the form of the shanty "Sailor's alphabet". One of the best sections is the "I was 16/John my son" medley, which while hardly prog, does have an inventive structure and some good instrumentation.   Given the subject matter, the album is surprisingly upbeat, with the usual folk influences well to the fore. Tracks such as "John Lee" (where he leave the Navy through illness and takes up working for Keyse) and "Wake up John" (in which Lees describes the day of his abortive hanging) sound immensely positive.   There are of course softer tracks too, such as the lullaby like "Dream song", the reflective "The time is near", and "Breakfast in Mayfair" which includes the so-bad- it's-great lyric "put that paper down before your breakfast goes quite rotten". Instrumentally, while the fiddle and Mandolin of Dave Swawbrick are very much in evidence, recognition of the superb bass playing of Dave Pegg throughout the album is also due.   "Babbacombe Lee" was the first Fairport album where the line up was the same as on the previous album. It was released in the same year as "Angel delight", although by the time of its recording the group had vacated The Angel. When released, the album consisted of only two tracks, one on each side of the LP and was devoid of track titles.(see example below as is the actual "song titles" text on labels)     Indeed, "Babbacombe Lee" is the most under-valued of Fairport's extensive catalogue. Because it does not contain the usual array of traditional songs, it is often perceived to be something of a fish out of water. What we have here though, is a wonderfully put together concept album, full of strong melodies, and first class performances. Recommended.   - Dave Swarbrick / vocals, fiddle, viola, mandolin
- Dave Pegg / vocals, bass guitar, mandolin
- Dave Mattacks / drums, harmonium, tambourine, electric piano
- Simon Nicol / vocals, electric& acoustic guitars, electric dulcimer  

1.. The Verdict (0:28)*
2. Little Did I Think (2:19)
3. I Was Sixteen/ John My Son (3:30)
4. Instrumental (1:14)
5. Sailor's Alphabet (5:42)
6. John Lee (3:07)
7. Newspaper Reading (0:46)*
8. Breakfast In Myfair (3:07)
9. Trial Song (3:55)
10. Cell Song (3:34)
11. The Time Is Near (2:33)
12. Dream Song (5:25)
13. Wake Up John (5:23)

 

Side 1 Side 2

1. [1-5] John's reflection on his boyhood, his introduction to Miss Keyes and The Glen, his restlessness, and his struggles with his family, finally successful, to join the navy. (6.19)
2. [6-8] This was the happiest period in his life. All locked set fair for a career until he was stricken with sickness and invalided out of his chosen niche in life. Reluctantly and unhappily he turned to a number of menial occupations and finally returned to the services of Miss Keyes. (10.12)
3. [9-10] Tragedy now strikes hard. The world's imagination is caught by the brutal senseless of the apparent criminal who slays his kind old mistress. (3.57)

4. [11-12] John was hardly more than a bewildered observer at his own trial, not being allowed to say more than a few words. The tides of fate wash him to the condemned cell where he waits three sad weeks for his last night on earth. (7.32)
5. [13-15] When it comes, he cannot sleep, but when he does, a strange, prophetic dream comes to him, and helps him to bear the strain of his next day's ordeal as scaffold and its crew try in vain three times to take his life

CONDITION: The cover: The elaborate gatefold cover is "EX" (excellent) with only a little light visible past use, well taken care of over the past 40 years ... no issues that would pose as a problem...just lightly handled...

The vinyl: all clean and clear across both sides M- looks and plays smooth and clear and both Island labels are clean...

keeper!

A GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTION !

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record

NOTE: All Items backed by money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving negative feedback. Thanks! GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M Completely clean, no marks M- Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG- surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps   MULTIPLE LP SETS COUNT EACH DISC FOR SHIPPING COST (double Lp count as 2-Lp, etc.)   The Records In All Parcels Are Well Protected = The disc of an LP will always be separated from its cover (avoiding seam splits,etc)   ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 7 DAYS Of AUCTIONS END   Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About Following Through The Transaction!   ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID - LESS SHIPPING!