In loving memory of our co-founder, Darren Beech (4/08/1967 to 25/03/2021)

FAIRPORT CONVENTION: Gladys’ Leap (40th Anniversary reissue)

Talking Elephant Records / Proper Music Distribution

Gladys' Leap

*** Remastered + extensive booklet ***

August 4th1985 saw the release of the first Fairport Convention studio album in seven years. At first the copies were on sale at the band’s sixth annual reunion five days later. This re-release celebrates the 40th anniversary of Gladys’ Leap.

This venerable folk-rock institution have gone through a whole host of personnel changes over the years, and this eminently listenable 1985 offering featured the slimmed down Fairport line-up of singer and guitarist Simon Nicol, bassist Dave Pegg and drummer Dave Mattacks. Founder member Richard Thompson also contributed to the proceedings for the first time since the 1973 album Rosie, penning the opening track, ‘How Many Times’ and chipping in on lead guitar on ‘Head In A Sack.’ The finished product should be required listening for roots music devotees everywhere, particularly Ralph McTell’s two classic songwriting co-compositions, ‘Wat Tyler’ and ‘The Hiring Fair’. Other Special guests included future Fairport, Ric Sanders and Cathy Lesurf.

A very English story to mark the return of a very English band.

Despite the fact that the original inner sleeve of the album contained detailed information about the inspiration behind the LP’s title, several accounts of Fairports’ releases have got this wrong. Gladys Hillier was a postwoman in the village of Cranham, near Stroud in Gloucestershire, from 1942. Her round was divided by a fast-flowing brook. To reach the nearest bridge required a two- mile walk, so Gladys took to jumping across the brook at its narrowest point (about a yard wide). Locals nicknamed the spot “Gladys’ Leap”. After she retired in 1977, after 35 years of service, a successful campaign had the spot formally named as Gladys’ Leap on Ordnance Survey maps. The Fairports liked the story and named the album after her too. Twenty years on, in 2005, a footbridge was erected on the spot with a commemorative plaque.

Label website: https://www.talkingelephant.co.uk/

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