Post Description

Exactly how this album came to be rated as a masterpiece of progressive music I do not know, since it's obviously no more progressive than the Beatles' REVOLVER or BEGGARS BANQUET by the Stones, but if you want to hear English folk rock at its freshest and its most passionate, HOLIDAYS is the album for you! Although the Fairports were inspired by traditional ballads, they had no time at all for old-fashioned ditties about smoking pipes or quaffing Real Ale. Instead, Sandy Denny's vocals were as urgent and commanding as anything Grace Slick ever did with Jefferson Airplane. Richard Thompson's and Simon Nicol's fingerpicking style showed similarities with Jimmy Page's, which makes me think that any admirer of Led Zep's acoustic tunes will love this album. Meanwhile, Thompson's electric solos were as brilliant and daring as any by the holy trinity of Clapton, Page and Beck. And to top it all, the Fairports really rocked - mercilessly. There's nothing quaint about HOLIDAYS. A truly classic album. 


Studio Album, released in 1969

Songs / Tracks Listing 
1. Fotheringay (3:03)
2. Mr.Lacey (2:50)
3. Book Song (3:12)
4. The Lord Is In His Place (1:50)
5. No Man's Land (2:23)
6. I'll Keep It With Mine (5:50)
7. Eastern Rain (3:36)
8. Nottamun Town (3:07)
9. Tale In Hard Time (3:24)
10. She Moves Through The Fair (4:09)
11. Meet On The Ledge (2:49)
12. End Of A Holiday (1:06)

Bonus Tracks (2003 CD release)
13.Throwaway Street Puzzle (3:26)
14. You're Gonna Need my Help (4:07)
15. Some Sweet Day (2:32)


Line-up / Musicians 
- Sandy Denny / vocals, acoustic & 12-string acoustic guitars, organ , piano, harpsichord 
- Ian Matthews / vocals, congas
- Richard Thompson / vocals, lead electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin
- Simon Nicol / 6-string & 12-string electric & acoustic guitars, electric autoharp, electric dulcimer, backing vocals
- Ashley Hutchings / bass, backing vocals
- Martin Lamble / drums, percussion, violin, tabla, footsteps

With:
- Claire Lowther / cello (3)
- Bruce Lacey / his robots (2)
- Kingsley Abbott / coins (4), backing vocals (11)
- Paul Ghosh, Andrew Horvitch & Marc Ellington / backing vocals (11)


Releases information 
LP Island ILPS 9092 (1969)
CD Island/Universal IMCD 294 (2003)