Cropredy Capers: 25 Years of Fairport Convention and Friends at Cropredy Festival

Disc 1
1	Woodstock / Ian Matthews Edit 2:22
2	The Crowd / Ashley Hutchings Studio Version 4:49
3	Million Dollar Bash (Compilation) ... / Ashley Hutchings Edited Compiled Version 4:26
4	Mason's Apron 3:17
5	Calling On / Allan Taylor Studio Version 2:52
6	Sir B McKenzie's / Ric Sanders Studio Version 5:27
7	One More Chance / Vikki Clayton Studio Version 7:37
8	The Ballad of Ned Kelly / Trevor Lucas Studio Version 3:59
9	Breakfast in Mayfair / Simon Nicol Studio Version 3:11
10	Close to the Wind (Intro) Studio Version 7:12
11	Red & Gold Studio Version 7:13
12	Bridge Over the River Cherwell 'Mozart' Version 3:13
13	Tried So Hard / Ian Matthews Studio Version 3:07
14	Bowman's Retreat Studio Version 3:11
15	Ringing Down the Years / John "Rabbit" Bundrick Studio Version 8:09
16	Who Knows Where the Time Goes? / Ian Matthews Studio Version 9:27
Disc 2
1	Hexhamshire Lass Studio Version 2:37
2	Seventeen Come Sunday Studio Version 3:42
3	Sir Patrick Spens / Bruce Rowland Studio Version 3:26
4	Tam Lin / Vikki Clayton Studio Version 8:20
5	Polly on the Shore / Simon Nicol Studio Version 4:54
6	She Moves Through the Fair / Sheila Parker Studio Version 5:23
7	Claudy Banks Studio Version 5:38
8	Blackwaterside / Julianne Regan Studio Version 4:29
9	The Eynsham Poacher (Intro) Studio Version 3:01
10	Rambling Rover / Bob Fox Studio Version 4:42
11	Day Trip to Bangor / Cathy Lesurf Studio Version 3:33
12	Swimming Song Studio Version 3:10
13	Midnight Special 3:46
14	Deepest in the Darkest Night / Jacqui McShee Studio Version 4:04
15	Ramble On / Robert Plant Studio Version 5:13
16	Come Up and See Me / Steve Harley Studio Version 4:21
17	Lay Down Studio Version 4:47
18	Now Be Thankful / Chris Leslie 3:41
Disc 3
1	Rising for the Moon (Acapella) / Vikki Clayton Studio Version 1:11
2	It Suits Me Well Studio Version 5:53
3	Level Pegging / Dave Pegg Studio Version 2:47
4	I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight / Richard Thompson Studio Version 3:30
5	All the Dance Numbers Studio Version 4:24
6	Jenny Nettles / Beryl Marriott Studio Version 2:51
7	Miss Stevenson/Turnabout Studio Version 5:28
8	Rosemary's Sister Studio Version 5:24
9	Naked Highwayman 'Nadine' Version 5:17
10	Bonny Black Hare Studio Version 2:56
11	John Gaudie Studio Version 4:38
12	After Hallowe'en / Julianne Regan Studio Version 3:55
13	Fotheringay / Vikki Clayton Studio Version 3:35
14	Percy's Song / Cathy Lesurf Studio Version 7:15
15	Forever Young 2:57
16	Highway 61 Revisited 4:48
17	Six Days on the Road / Brian Maxine 5:54
18	Rising for the Moon / Vikki Clayton Studio Version 4:18
19	Where Is Colin? / David Hughes David Hughes Demo 2:32
Disc 4
1	Rosie Studio Version 4:50
2	Crazy Man Michael / Vikki Clayton Studio Version 4:50
3	John Barleycorn Studio Version 5:25
4	Sloth / Jerry Donahue Studio Version 19:24
5	The Hiring Fair Studio Version 7:00
6	Royal Seleccion, No. 13 'Helium' Version 4:23
7	Lark in the Morning Medley / Ric Sanders Studio Version 5:55
8	Who Knows Where the Time Goes? / Chris While Studio Version 5:48
9	Walk Awhile / Richard Thompson Studio Version 4:11
10	Dirty Linen / Dave Mattacks Studio Version 4:05
11	Meet on the Ledge / Vikki Clayton Studio Version 5:34
12	Matty Groves Studio Version 8:07

All Music Guide

Cropredy, the annual festival run by Fairport Convention, has become legendary over the years, not only for it's reconvening of the many different permutations of the band, but also for guests and surprises. While not everything is here, obviously, this stunning four-CD box set captures many of the highlights. Fairport are the featured artists, both as themselves and also in the backing guises they've taken behind artists like Cockney Rebel's Steve Harley and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin (and they acquit themselves quite admirably, with plenty of spirit and more than a little humor). The four discs are themed, and the vast proportion of the material hasn't seen the light of day before. Listening is almost like Christmas, having to pick your way through all the delights, whether it's the version of "Million Dollar Bash" lovingly assembled from performances in different years, or a take on "Fotheringay" with singer Vikki Clayton capably filling the shoes of the late Sandy Denny. There's plenty of fun to be had on the 'covers' CD, where the band offers not only traditional folk, but everything from "Swimming Song" with Loudon Wainwright to "Midnight Special" with veteran British rocker Joe Brown. But this is a set full of joy and wit, and not only on disc. The superb packing even includes a booklet with a walk around the village of Cropredy and a cardboard build-your-own-festival-site kit (wonderful for those long evenings) in addition to a superbly detailed book about the festival itself and the songs included. It's a wonderful set, up to the high standard the Free Reed label has established -- and, indeed, up to the standard of Cropredy itself. Chris Nickson