JEWEL IN THE CROWN

Jewel In The Crown is Fairport's best and most musically impressive later day album that sports a level of muscianship not heard since their earliest celebrated albums like Liege And Lief and Full House. Simon Nicol has developed into an impressive lead vocalist and the skills of multi instrumentalist Maartin Allcock no doubt inspired bassist Dave Pegg, violinist Ric Sanders, and long time drummer Dave Mattacks to raise their game. However, it's the excellent batch of songs from outside writers like Steve Tilson, Julie Matthews and the venerable Ralph McTell that really sends the album over the top, along with several of the instrumentals penned by the band members. The album's impressive production values are icing on the cake.

Standout tracks include "Slip Jigs And Reels", "The Naked Highwayman" (a tale of a highway bandit tricked by a young lady who steals his clothes and guns after he falls asleep) and the dark hued titletrack "Jewel In The Crown" that recounts the days of British colonialism. The equally dark and foreboding "Red Tide" and pretty ballad "Home Is Where The Heart Is" are also impressive. If there's early fans of the group who never ventured into their later day albums but are curious, then they can't go wrong exploring this unheralded gem from 1995.

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