---
product_id: 63263969
title: "5 Classic Albums"
brand: "fairport convention"
price: "A$88"
currency: AUD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 7
url: https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/63263969-5-classic-albums
store_origin: AU
region: Australia
---

# 5 Classic Albums

**Brand:** fairport convention
**Price:** A$88
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** 5 Classic Albums by fairport convention
- **How much does it cost?** A$88 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.au](https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/63263969-5-classic-albums)

## Best For

- fairport convention enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted fairport convention brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Compiled from Universal Music’s extensive selection of studio albums, packaged together in a new slim-line slipcase. Fairport Convention - 5 Classic Albums includes: Fairport Convention, What We Did On Our Holidays, Unhalfbricking, Liege and Lief and Full House.

## Images

![5 Classic Albums - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/716cyy3hduL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Contains Their Brilliant Best 3 Albums
  

*by Z***N on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 20 February 2016*

Please note that this is a review for the first volume of Fairport's classic albums, that Amazon have lumped together with the reviews for the second volume.It seems churlish to quibble about a fantastic value for money collection which contains this bands superlative albums 'What We Did...', 'Unhalfbricking', & arguably the best of all 'Liege and Lief'.It is no coincidence that all three feature the stellar vocal talents of Sandy Denny, as well as emerging guitarist Richard Thompson. Add to that Ian Matthews vocals and guitar on the first, and Dave Swarbrick on fiddle on the latter two.With back up from the likes of Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Martin Lamble and Dave Mattacks this band went from a fairly decent American music cover band (first album) to an unbettered folk rock band performing scintillating electric versions of both traditional folk songs and their own brilliant compositions (as on Liege and Lief). This transformation took place in 1969 over the three albums which form the core of this collection. Unfortunately, and this is my slight quibble, if you want any detail of the personnel or songwriting credits on any of these albums you will have to research elsewhere as none of the packaging contains this information. As the cost of these albums is so low l venture many purchasers unfamiliar with the bands history, would have paid an extra quid or so for a card insert informing them who was responsible for the delightful music they are hearing.I should also mention here that unlike on some other classic album sets (eg Jefferson Airplane), you do only get the tracks from the original album releases in this set. I mention this because there have been recent re-releases of these Fairport albums with contemporary single releases and tracks from the sessions added on.If these additional tracks are important to you, you may want to spend a little more and at least initially get the three individual albums which feature Sandy Denny and contain those bonus tracks.Whilst a reasonable attempt to bring what was at the time less mainstream American music to British listeners ears, l dont think the first album stands the test of time. Although very talented musicians, and they were to show marked improvement over a short period of time, the band were very young at the time and still finding their recording feet. Also the arrangements and production dont sound as crisp or accomplished as on the following three albums. This could also be because Joe Boyd only shared production credits on the first album, because the band were still gelling, or because they did not yet have the galvanising effect of recruiting vocalist Sandy Denny as a focus around whom to play. Whilst Ian Matthews is no mean singer, and Judy Dyble has a pleasant voice, neither have the command and emotional breadth that Sandy Denny could bring to a song. Mostly a record of covers with additional tracks of varying quality, l can't really say that any of the covers stand out as bringing any improvement or additional dimension to the originals.For me, the next 3 album releases in this set go up incrementally in quality. From the superb 'Fotheringay' which opens 'What We Did On Our Holidays' to 'Crazy Man Michael' which closes 'Liege and Lief' the band barely put a foot wrong.From exhilarating foot stomping covers and originals, to melancholic songs about love, death and madness this band at their creative peak rip through a superb repertoire of songs and tunes.So what about 'Full House' after Sandy Denny & Ashley Hutchings departed the band.Any album with Dave Swarbrick on fiddle and mandolin, plus Richard Thompson on guitar cannot be entirely bad. Although other reviewers love this album, the band in my opinion miss Sandy, and some of the tracks sound a little lacklustre to my ears. Not unsurprising that Richard Thompson would not have been at his energetic best after the losses of his girlfriend and of original Fairport's drummer Martin Lamble in a motorway crash which had occurred after the recording of 'Unhalfbricking'. He reportedly became increasingly reclusive during this period as a young man struggling to cope with this tragedy.For me the bouncy instrumentals 'Dirty Linen' and 'Flatback Caper' plus the traditional ballad 'Sir Patrick Spens' set to the lively tune used by Ewan MacColl on 'Hughie The Graeme' are true standouts on the Full House album which sometimes lacks sparkle, despite occasional flourishes.Buy this collection without any qualms if you just want the original album tracks from this marvellous band at their peak.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Boxed Fairport
  

*by B***R on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 7 May 2022*

Five CDs for the price of one is a good bargin by anyone's standards.  This is a nice set, and, if you would like an economical introduction to their music, then I would say, this is it.  I guess then, being budget priced, I should not be expecting much more than the five CDs in cardboard sleeves in a cardboard outer sleeve.  On examination, I discovered this is a Spectrum Music package.  That says it all.  A budget company that, in the past, as yielded many a low price CD.  It would have been nice to have a little booklet telling a bit about the albums, maybe with a photo or three of the group, and possibly some lyrics.  But, in this case, I think that the music speaks for itself.  A great little bundle.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    A Journey
  

*by H***Y on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 10 September 2021*

This is an amazing collection, showing how the band developed very quickly, the 5 albums covers just 2 years (June 1968 - July 1970). From originally being a British Jefferson Airplane covering American singer songwriters and starting to write their own songs in a similar style, To by the 4th album something totally unique, a combination of traditional British songs and their own writing in a similar style, so much so, that many have been incorrectly credited to Trad. Listening the albums in order, shows a clear path of how they arrived at the present position.

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*Product available on Desertcart Australia*
*Store origin: AU*
*Last updated: 2026-02-24*