Conventions Movie Reviews

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Family movie reviews for "Conventions" sorted by average review score:
Fairport Convention: Beyond the Ledge
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (26 October, 1999)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Fairport Convention's annual festival in the otherwise sleepy Oxfordshire village of Cropredy has become a much-loved institution for the group's many fans, ever since the band first played there for a reunion gig after splitting up at the end of the 1970s. By 1998 when this concert was filmed, they were enjoying new-found success, thanks to the continuing faith of the fans who just refused to let the band fade away--fashion and musical trends notwithstanding. Cropredy had become a byword for the best in British folk-rock. Beyond the Ledge is a straightforward account of their Cropredy concert, interspersed with a few brief comments from crowd members.

As ever, the yearly Cropredy gig amounts to a greatest-hits show. Newcomer Chris Leslie was just finding his feet with the band in 1998 and had yet to make his mark as a songwriter (he achieved that on their album The Wood and the Wire). So here much is made of their impressive back catalog, including Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where the Time Goes," their increasingly baroque arrangement of the traditional ballad "Matty Groves" (now a climactic showpiece medley), and of course Richard Thompson's evergreen anthem, "Meet on the Ledge." But the highlights are the instrumental numbers where the band members get to show off their virtuosity: fiddlers Leslie and Ric Sanders play jigs and reels with improvised abandon, locking together or trading riffs with one another, while Dave Pegg's marvelously fluid bass holds everything together. As with any concert video, it's always going to be more fun for those who were there. But most Fairporters will have made the pilgrimage to Cropredy at least once, so they'll understand what it's all about. Non-initiates may be forgiven for being puzzled by the sight of these middle-aged folk-rockers inhaling helium from balloons before breaking into a traditional jig. --Mark Walker, Amazon.co.uk

Average review score:

A MUSICAL TREAT
A must for Fairport Convention fans.A treat for anybody who loves folk rock from the British Isles.Recorded at Cropredy in 98,their annual festival.These middle age minstals can do it all.Their blend of traditional,folk,and rock,will draw you in and hold you spell bound for close to 2 hours.It kicks off with a good tune up instrumental that showcases the dual violins of Ric Sanders and Chris Leslie.Then they do a beautiful rendition of Ian Anderson's Lifes A Long Song.Next they show off their jazz-bluegrass side with Woodworm Swing.Eat your heart out Nashville. They do a perfect mix of lyrical songs and instrumentals.Ric Sanders second to none on violin is phenominal.Chris Leslie a gifted multi-instamentalist,songwriter carries Fairport to a new level.Simon Nicol's vocals are like a fine wine,it gets better with age.Dave Pegg the master behind the bass,and Gerry Conway on drums round out the band.The song selection is great with the older ones holding up well with the new ones.It's great to see and hear Simon singing Crazy Man Michael,Hiring Fair,and Who Knows Where The Time Goes.The dual battles of fiddles between Ric and Chris are a real treat.They play off each others expertise,check out Come Haste.Do yourself a favor pick up a copy of this.Then call some buddies over,crack open a few brews,kick back and enjoy.

cropredy 1998
A must for Fairport fans.A treat for anybody who loves folk rock.This video was recorded at Cropredy in 1998,their annual concert. These middle age minstreals can do it all.Their blend of traditional,folk, and rock,will draw you in and hold you spell bound for close to 2 hours. It kicks off with a good tune up instremental that show cases the dual fiddles of Ric Sanders and Chris Leslie.Then they do a beautiful rendition of Ian Andersons (Lifes A Long Song).Next they show off their jazz-bluegrass side with Woodworm Swing. Eat your heart out Nashville. They do a perfect mix of lyrical songs and instrementals.Ric Sanders is second to none on fiddle.Chris Leslie a gifted multi-instrementalist,singer,songwriter carries Fairport to a new level.Simon Nicol's vocals are like a fine wine,it just gets better with age.Dave Pegg the master behind the bass,and Gerry Conway on drums round off the band. The song selection is great,with the old songs holding up well with the new ones.It's great to see and hear Simon singing Crazy Man Micheal,Hiring Fair, and Who Knows Where The Time Goes.The dual battles of fiddles between Ric and Chris are a real treat.They play off each others expertise,check out Come Haste.On Spanish Main Chris's lead guitar playing with Ric dualing it out with him on fiddle is another highlight. So call your friends over,slide the video in,pop open a few brews,kick back and enjoy.If you are up to it get off your butt and dance along.

35th Anniversary Concert
Released in DVD by Import [Generic] (09 December, 2003)
MPAA Rating:
Average review score:
No reviews found.
Fairport Convention: Cropedy Festival 2001
Released in DVD by Wave Imports (04 June, 2002)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Average review score:
No reviews found.

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