FAIRPORT CONVENTION

A superlative double-disc set, MEET ON THE LEDGE is the best Fairport Convention compilation, and one of the few that focuses entirely on the ever-shifting band's most musically fruitful period. Although subtitled THE CLASSIC YEARS (1967-1975), the collection largely overlooks the original, semi-psychedelic pop lineup featuring singer Judy Dyble, including only their soaring electric cover of Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning." With track two, Dyble replacement Sandy Denny's ballad "Fotheringay," the group's signature blend of traditional British folk forms and electric rock & roll is already in place, and that combination remains on display through the next 30 tracks.

The personnel changes every few songs, with fiddler Dave Swarbrick joining early, and Denny and lead guitarist Richard Thompson (who first revealed his immense songwriting gifts with the haunting title track) eventually leaving, but the soul of Fairport Convention remains constant. The set includes several rarities, but no previously unreleased tracks; those with the augmented CD reissues of the classic albums have the lot, making MEET ON THE LEDGE best for relative newcomers.

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