The year was 1971, and Fairport Convention released its seventh album, Babbacombe Lee. The album was based on newspaper clippings that Dave Swarbrick found in a junk store. The newspaper clippings were about John “Babbacombe” Lee, a man who was convicted of murder in 1884, and was to be executed. Three times he was taken to the gallows, and three times the trap failed to open. John Lee was sentenced to life imprisonment, and finally released in 1907.
In 2011, 40 years after the album was released to less than critical acclaim, Fairport Convention plays the entire album at its winter shows and at their annual festival at Cropredy.
Babbacombe Lee is a “folk-rock opera”, and as such, suffers from some of the problems that rock operas face, linking material that goes nowhere, and songs that cannot be played without the whole opera being performed.
The Hanging Song 1972
However, in my opinion, I consider the album to rank up there with Liege and Lief, and Full House. By 1971, Fairport had gone through many personnel and stylistic changes. Sandy Denny had been gone for two albums, and Richard Thompson had left after Full House. What it had going for it was Dave Swarbrick. Not only was the idea his, he composed or arranged, and sang most of the songs. I happen to be a fan of Swarb’s voice. He has a distinctive sound, which I find very appealing. I would have to say that of all the singers that went through Fairport, his vocals are second only to Sandy Denny's.The playing on the album is solid and holds its own. Swarb’s fiddle and mandolin along with Dave Pegg’s mandolin are the defining sounds on the album.
The Sailors Alphabet 1982
Too bad I couldn’t get to England for the shows…
Breakfast in Mayfair 2008
If you're interested in more info on John "Babbacombe" Lee, there are a number of sites about him.
Here are a few;
While you're at it, check out this English Folk-Rock Forum for reviews of the 2011 Cropredy shows, and anything to do with Fairport Convention and other English Folk-Rock groups. Also take a look at Fairport Convention's website
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