What makes Festival Bell by Fairport Convention notable?

This album is significant as it reflects Fairport Convention's ability to adapt while honoring their roots, leading to a resurgence in interest among both longtime fans and new listeners. The album received positive reviews from various critics, highlighting its craftsmanship and authenticity, further solidifying the band's place in the contemporary folk scene. By the time of its release in 2011, Fairport Convention was celebrating over four decades of musical evolution since their formation in 1967. 'Festival Bell' marked their first studio album in five years and showcased the band's enduring legacy in British folk rock, featuring a mix of new compositions and revisited themes from their storied past.

Who is Festival Bell for?

Festival Bell works well if you're into steady pacing for reflective moments, inviting melodies for social gatherings and consistent journey with emotional peaks.

How many songs are on Festival Bell?

Festival Bell has 14 tracks, running approximately 62 minutes.

Festival Bell

Fairport Convention · 2011

62 min · 14 tracks · folk rock

A vibrant blend of traditional folk melodies and modern sensibilities, rich in storytelling and musicianship.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Mercy Bay — Opening with an expansive soundscape, this track sets the tone for the album, weaving intricate melodies with lyrical storytelling about longing and nostalgia.
→
Reunion Hill — This song captures a sense of reflection and community, blending harmonies that evoke a warm atmosphere, showcasing the band's vocal strengths.
→
Celtic Moon — With its ethereal quality and rhythmic depth, this track exemplifies Fairport's ability to merge traditional influences with contemporary arrangements beautifully.
→
The Festival Bell — Closing the album on a poignant note, this track encapsulates the spirit of celebration and continuity within the festival culture that has defined Fairport's career.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for reflective moments
inviting melodies for social gatherings
consistent journey with emotional peaks
for afternoon relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone tracks only

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time of its release in 2011, Fairport Convention was celebrating over four decades of musical evolution since their formation in 1967. 'Festival Bell' marked their first studio album in five years and showcased the band's enduring legacy in British folk rock, featuring a mix of new compositions and revisited themes from their storied past.
Stylistic neighbors: Pentangle· Steeleye Span· The Albion Band

New to Fairport Convention? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Mercy Bay 6:46
2 Rui's Guitar 4:38
3 Danny Jack's Chase 3:55
4 Reunion Hill 4:52
5 Wouldn't Say No 4:20
6 Around the Wild Cape Horn 5:07
7 Celtic Moon 5:09
8 Ukulele Central 4:16
9 Albert & Ted 2:37
10 Darkside Wood 4:49
11 London Apprentice / Johnny Ginears 3:50
12 Rising for the Moon 4:30
13 Danny Jack's Reward 4:37
14 The Festival Bell 2:58

What to play next

Listen next

By Popular Request

2012

Go back to

Sense of Occasion

2007

Full Fairport Convention discography Where to start with Fairport Convention Artists like Fairport Convention

folk rock traditional folk music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata